20demayo Chapter 18 Newspapers Begin to Charge Fees
Chapter 18 Newspapers Begin to Charge Fees
It was the early morning of November 4th, the day the Zhonghua Daily began its paid subscription service. The conference room at the Zhonghua Daily office was brightly lit, the lights illuminating the expressions on everyone's faces. Lin Zhou sat at the head of the table, his fingertips lightly tapping the surface. His gaze swept over the core members present, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness.
"The results of the three days of free distribution far exceeded our expectations, and of course, we also owe a lot to our peers! Without their promotion, we wouldn't have the influence we have today."
After he finished speaking, everyone smiled knowingly.
"Everyone on the streets is talking about our newspaper. We've built up our reputation and influence, but this is just the beginning. The real test starts today. The sales volume will determine whether we can gain a foothold in Hong Kong's newspaper industry."
Operations Manager Li Wangcai straightened up immediately, his notebook already open, pen poised to jot down notes. "Don't worry, Mr. Lin, I've already notified the distributors to contact all the newsstands and bookstores in Hong Kong. All channels will have the shelves stocked this morning. They've also assigned people to monitor the situation in each district, compiling statistics every three hours. There will be absolutely no delays."
"Very good." Lin Zhou nodded, his gaze falling on him. "Once the final sales statistics for the first day are out, report to me immediately without any delays." He paused, his tone suddenly becoming more serious. "Remember, as soon as sales exceed 20,000 copies, immediately notify all cooperating GG merchants, as well as those who were previously hesitant. Invite them all over and renegotiate the GG contracts."
Upon hearing this, several low gasps filled the conference room. A renegotiated contract meant a significant increase in GG's quote, a move that demonstrated their confidence in the newspaper's sales and influence. A flicker of excitement crossed Li Wangcai's eyes, and he quickly replied, "Understood! I'll arrange it right away to ensure everything goes smoothly."
Lin Zhou's gaze then shifted to the reporters beside him, his brow furrowing slightly: "There's another point. It seems our news content isn't resonating with people enough. Readers mostly remember the novel and the layout design; the news's reach is still lacking."
He tapped the table and made a clear demand: "From today onwards, you chief reporters will focus on uncovering typical and bizarre social cases. Don't try to cover everything; focus on events that are topical and can spark heated discussions. Conduct in-depth interviews, write down the details, and when you publish, use the most shocking tone to maximize the sense of conflict, so that readers can't take their eyes off the headline and are willing to discuss it with others after reading it."
Several reporters quickly nodded and took notes, one of them unable to resist asking, "Mr. Lin, are there any restrictions on the direction of the topics? For example...?"
"There are no restrictions. As long as you don't violate the bottom line of the law or touch Hong Kong's publishing regulations, you can write whatever is bizarre or controversial." Lin Zhou interrupted him. "What we need is readers' attention and the newspaper's reach. Only when the news is sound can the newspaper truly last."
After saying that, he took out a thick stack of manuscripts from his briefcase and turned to hand them to the editor-in-chief Chen Jingzhi sitting next to him: "Old Chen, this is the content of the last ten chapters of 'A Step into the Past,' from chapter thirteen to chapter twenty-three. Lin Zhou deliberately printed the novel bit by bit, otherwise how could he let them know how hard he works as the boss! He comes to work during the day and still has to write novels at night."
Chen Jingzhi quickly accepted the newspaper with both hands, his eyes full of anticipation. As the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, he knew better than anyone how wonderful the novel was. During the three days of its free release, countless readers called the newspaper office just to ask when the next chapter would be updated. Some newsstand owners even reported that many people bought the newspaper just to read "A Step into the Past," and after reading it, they would cut out the novel's sections to keep as souvenirs.
"President Lin, are we about to reach a minor climax in these ten chapters?" Chen Jingzhi asked, his voice trembling with excitement as he flipped through a few pages.
"That's right." Lin Zhou smiled slightly. "Xiang Shaolong is about to be officially drawn into the conflicts between the Warring States period, and the clash between modern knowledge and ancient rules will be even more intense. You need to make arrangements so that the headlines are eye-catching when formatting the layout, so that readers at the newsstand can see them at a glance."
"Don't worry, Mr. Lin, I'll personally oversee the layout. There won't be any problems." Chen Jingzhi nodded vigorously, carefully putting away the manuscript as if it were a priceless treasure.
After the meeting, the entire newspaper office immediately sprang into action, with delivery trucks leaving one after another to deliver stacks of brand-new copies of the "Zhonghua Daily" to every corner of Hong Kong.
At seven o'clock in the morning, a figure carrying a schoolbag was already waiting in front of a newsstand on a street corner. It was Wang Dajun, a high school student.
On a November morning, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Dajun's forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat, clearly indicating that he had run all the way there. He was seventeen years old this year, an age when he was full of longing for new and exciting things. During the three days that it was distributed for free, he would come to the newsstand on time every day to pick up the "Zhonghua Daily," not for anything else, but to follow "A Step into the Past."
For those three days, he felt as if he had traveled back to the Warring States period with the protagonist, Xiang Shaolong. Watching Xiang Shaolong use modern knowledge to solve ancient problems and navigate the various states with his advanced thinking filled him with excitement. He would daydream in class, discuss things with classmates during breaks, and even dream at night that he had also traveled back to ancient times, using the knowledge from his textbooks to dominate the world and become a hero admired by everyone.
"Boss, could you please give me a copy of the Zhonghua Daily?" Just like the previous three days, Wang Dajun habitually reached out his hand, ready to take the newspaper, stuff it into his schoolbag, and then rush to school.
The newsstand owner was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a blank expression. He pointed to a note posted in front of his stall and said indifferently, "No more free newsstands today, it's 15 cents a copy."
"Huh?" Wang Dajun's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his smile instantly turning to ice. "You want money?"
He subconsciously reached into his pocket, his fingertips touching a few coins—his saved allowance from yesterday. The scene from the end of Chapter Ten of *A Step into the Past* immediately flashed into his mind: Xiang Shaolong was trapped in Handan, the capital of Zhao. What would happen next? Would he be able to escape? What new twists and turns would Chapter Twelve bring?
These questions scratched at his heart like kitten claws, making it impossible for him to resist. He gritted his teeth, took out a dime and a five-cent coin from his pocket, and placed them in the newsstand owner's hand: "Boss, give me one!"
The shopkeeper expressionlessly took the coins and handed him a brand-new copy of the *Zhonghua Daily*. Wang Dajun eagerly took it, quickly flipped to the novel section, and when he saw the title "Chapter Eleven of *A Step into the Past*", a satisfied smile immediately appeared on his face. He carefully folded the newspaper and put it inside his schoolbag, afraid that it would be wrinkled by the books.
He turned and ran towards the school, his steps light and his heart full of anticipation, completely forgetting the heartache he felt for spending his allowance on the newspaper.
And such scenes are playing out in every corner of Hong Kong right now.
In a teahouse in Yau Ma Tei, several rickshaw pullers huddled together. One of the middle-aged pullers took out fifteen cents and handed it to the newsstand owner: "Give me a copy of the *Zhonghua Daily*, the latest one. I want to read *A Step into the Past*. Yesterday I saw that Xiang Shaolong was going to have a duel with the general of Zhao. Today they're sure to decide the winner!"
The boss handed him a newspaper, laughing as he said, "You people never used to read newspapers, but these past three days you've been coming to ask about it every day. Now that you want your money, you're so eager to get it."
"That's different!" The driver took the newspaper, eagerly flipping through it. "This novel is so captivating, even more enjoyable than listening to an audiobook! It's worth every penny!"
In an office building in Central, Ms. Chen, a clerk, arrived at the company half an hour early and made a special detour to the newsstand downstairs to buy a copy of the *Zhonghua Daily*. She rarely reads newspapers, but these past three days, her colleagues had recommended *A Step into the Past* to her, and she'd become increasingly engrossed, even staying up late last night to reread the first few chapters. "Boss, please hurry, I'm in a rush. I just want to know if Xiang Shaolong has rescued the Zhao princess."
The newsstand owner deftly handed over the newspaper, jokingly asking, "Young lady, is reading this novel more important than going to work?"
Ms. Chen's cheeks flushed slightly, but she still nodded honestly: "That's right, it's so exciting, I can't concentrate on work until I finish reading this chapter."
In a small alley in Sham Shui Po, a group of primary school students pooled their pocket money to buy a copy of the "Zhonghua Daily," and then huddled around a corner, taking turns reading "A Step into the Past."
They watched in hushed tones, "Do you think Xiang Shaolong will invent gunpowder?"
"Definitely! Then we'll be able to defeat the bad guys!"
"I think he will become a high-ranking official in Qin, and then unify the six states!"
Newspapers flowed from the newsstands, falling into the hands of readers of different ages and backgrounds. Some glanced at them quickly, reading the novel first and then the news; some found a quiet corner to savor each word; and some, after finishing, would share the plot with those around them, debating what would happen next.
The price of 15 cents did not deter readers who were eager to follow "A Step into the Past". On the contrary, it made the value of the newspaper clearer in their minds. For the passion and adventure of traveling through time and space, and for exploring the unknown ancient world with Xiang Shaolong, they were willing to spend 15 cents.
Inside the newspaper office, Li Wangcai stared at the ever-increasing sales figures, his smile growing ever brighter. By 10 a.m., sales had surpassed 20,000 copies; by 1 p.m., sales had reached 28,000 copies; by 4 p.m., the figure had jumped to 30,000 copies; and by evening, the final sales figures for the day were in: 33,500 copies!
This number far exceeded expectations. Li Wangcai practically ran into Lin Zhou's office, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "President Lin! The sales figures are in! Thirty-three thousand five hundred copies! We've broken through twenty thousand!"
Lin Zhou was looking at the layout sample Chen Jingzhi had sent when he heard the number, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. He put down the sample, stood up, and looked out at the bustling street, already having made his plans.
"Good!" He said emphatically. "Pass the word down that you will hold a GG business symposium at the newspaper's largest conference room at 10:00 AM tomorrow. Invite all GG business partners you have worked with or who have expressed interest in working with you."
He turned to Li Wangcai, his tone firm: "Tell them that the circulation of *Zhonghua Daily* has exceeded 30,000 copies. The next GG quote will be based on the new standard. This task is entrusted to you. Also, have the reporters speed things up and dig out typical cases as quickly as possible. We need to strike while the iron is hot and truly etch the name of *Zhonghua Daily* into the hearts of Hong Kong readers."
Li Wangcai suppressed his excitement, nodded vigorously, turned and walked away quickly, his steps full of energy.