Warlord: Starting with Subduing Little A Qiao

Chapter 107 Xinmin Daily, the Last Glimmer of Hope!

Feng Mansion.

A middle-aged man, whom no one knew, was bowing repeatedly to the butler, Uncle Xiang.

"Uncle Xiang, could you please speak to Mr. Feng and ask if we, Guangming Daily, could be given a chance?"

Seeing that the butler, Uncle Xiang, remained silent, the unfamiliar middle-aged man became even more attentive.

"The newspaper has been on strike for two weeks. If this continues, the reputation of our Guangming Daily will be ruined. Could you please make an exception?"

As he spoke, he clenched his fists, his eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.

Seeing this, Butler Xiang sighed, "I'll go back and talk to him about it."

"Thank you so much! I'm extremely grateful!"

After saying goodbye to the middle-aged man, the butler returned to Feng Jingyao's office.

Upon entering the study, one sees Feng Jingyao, who sits in the main seat, also looking worried.

"Sent away?"

Although Feng Jingyao's tone was calm, it also carried a sense of certainty.

Upon hearing this, Butler Xiang nodded, his brows furrowed deeply, and his eyes flashed with deep worry.

"Master, we can't keep going like this."

Uncle Guan's statement is not without merit.

During this period, a major strike initiated by printing workers, typewriters, and newspaper vendors at major newspapers directly paralyzed the newspapers.

If newspapers can't be printed, they can't be sold either.

For the newspaper, that means it can't generate revenue.

If newspapers don't sell for a day, it means a direct loss of hundreds or thousands of silver dollars for major newspapers.

Moreover, how could this be a day?

It's been a full two weeks now.

As long as the newspaper is open, it incurs daily expenses.

It's clear that we've reached a point where we're spending more than we earn.

Not to mention the current income, which is clearly a huge drop!

At present, some newspapers are still struggling to put up a stubborn resistance, while others, like the middle-aged man just now, are planning to directly defect to Feng Jingyao with their paralyzed newspapers.

As time went on, more and more newspapers couldn't hold out any longer, and now they're all coming to us for help.

On the first day, the gatekeeper brought a company president who came to surrender.

Butler Xiang waved his hand.

"Please come in."

The next day, the gatekeeper brought two newspaper editors who had defected.

Butler Xiang Shu looked pleased.

"You who join our master's ranks will certainly not be treated unfairly!"

On the fifth day, the gatekeeper brought five newspaper editors who couldn't take it anymore.

The butler, Uncle Xiang, smiled even more broadly.

"You have all made a wise choice."

On the tenth day, the gatekeeper continued to lead a row of new newspaper editors.

The smile on Butler Xiang's lips faltered slightly.

"I need to confirm with the master."

……

As for the confirmation, it clearly refers to confirming whether Feng Jingyao has enough money to continue acquiring various newspapers.

This is also why the butler, Uncle Xiang, is frowning at this moment.

Thinking about the recent expenses incurred due to the acquisition of the newspaper, he couldn't help but speak up.

"Sir, with such a large-scale acquisition of newspapers, I'm afraid our cash flow will soon be unable to hold up."

Upon hearing this, Feng Jingyao, who was standing to the side, also looked solemn.

He picked up his pipe, took a long drag, and then slowly exhaled a grayish-white smoke ring.

“I know we are short of funds right now, but we have reached a critical moment. Taking over the last few newspapers will be the best opportunity for us to monopolize the entire news industry.”

As he spoke, a look of determination flashed in Feng Jingyao's eyes.

"To win by taking a risk, there is nothing better! As long as we can achieve final victory, everything is worth it."

……

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man who walked out of the Feng Mansion, Wu Lujia, the president of Guangming Daily, still looked worried.

Although the steward had said to try again, Wu Lujia had already given up much hope.

Going to the Feng Mansion was just a last-ditch effort.

At this moment, Wu Lujia unconsciously recalled Feng Jingyao's consistent reputation.

It should be noted that his newspaper had previously written bad things about Feng Jingyao. Given Feng Jingyao's consistent approach, he would treat his enemies with the same ruthlessness as sweeping away fallen leaves in autumn!

Thinking of this, Wu Lujia's face turned even paler.

Am I really at my wit's end?!

Are we just supposed to wait for our own newspaper to go out of business?!

The light in Wu Lujia's eyes dimmed as he recalled the accidents that had occurred at the largest news agency and press center in Shanghai.

Is there really no hope left for their own newspaper?

Just as the light in Wu Lujia's eyes was about to disappear, he saw a newsboy along the roadside hawking newspapers.

"Breaking news! Breaking news from Xinmin Daily!"

Upon hearing the sound, Wu Lujia froze on the spot.

and many more!

Both Shenbao and Xinwenbao have ceased publication.

The other major newspapers were now completely paralyzed by the strike.

Printing workers, typesetters, and newspaper vendors were constantly making a scene at the newspaper office, demanding better pay. How could they possibly have the time and energy to go to work?

This would bring the entire news industry's production line to a standstill.

How can newspapers still be published?!

Thinking of this, Wu Lujia suddenly became excited, and he shouted loudly to the newsboy next to him in a trembling voice.

“…Kid, come here.”

The newsboy standing nearby looked somewhat puzzled.

Seeing that the middle-aged man kept his eyes on the newspaper in his hand, the newsboy didn't think twice and strode forward. He then heard the man in front of him ask excitedly.

"How many newspapers do you still sell?"

Hearing the middle-aged man's question, the newsboy answered without hesitation.

“I used to sell to several companies, but now I only have Xinmin Daily left.”

Upon hearing the child in front of him utter the words "Xinmin Daily," the light in Wu Lujia's eyes rekindled.

Yup!

How could he have forgotten about Shin Min Daily News?!

Although this newspaper was previously just an entertainment tabloid known for its gossip, after being acquired by Paramount, and with Ye Bai now already ranking among the top ten newspapers in Shanghai.

Thinking of this, he swallowed hard and hurriedly asked.

"Did Xinmin Daily not stop selling during this period?"

When Wu Lujia asked this question, his tone already carried disbelief.

He had assumed that the only newspaper still publishing his work was one under Feng Jingyao's control.

I never expected that there would be a Xinmin Daily at this time!

Wu Lujia's gaze was so expectant that, though the newsboy beside him didn't know why, he answered honestly.

"Yes, it has never stopped!"

The simple answer, however, sounded like heavenly music in Wu Lujia's mind.

what does this mean?

This means that the Paramount Ballroom was clearly unaffected by the strike!