Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

What does the Marshal mean? Du Caiwen asked.

Xu Mao pondered deeply, trying to find a balance between promoting their message outwardly while preventing it from achieving its intended effect. She needed to satisfy both requirements.

After a long silence, Xu Mao clasped her hands behind her back and paced slowly. Opera performances are too grand, she said calmly. They require too many people, consume time and energy. If any part goes wrong, not only will the results be poor, but the court might seize this as an excuse to cause us trouble.

In my opinion, the best method is to distribute leaflets… Xu Mao blurted out, then noticed the confused expressions around her. She quickly gathered her thoughts, cleared her throat, and elaborated: We can use methods like leaflets and newspapers to write what we want to tell the people on sheets of paper, distributing them to the public daily or monthly.

Take the Celestial God Sect’s deception techniques for example. We can directly write about the tricks they use, make numerous copies, and distribute them at crowded street intersections or post them at necessary alley entrances so everyone can see and know about them.

This way, it’s convenient and fast, easy to escape from, carries minimal risk, and covers a wider area. Even people who don’t enjoy opera can clearly understand the message.

After explaining the general approach and benefits, Xu Mao addressed potential issues: Although most common people are illiterate, when numerous papers with identical writing suddenly appear on streets, towns naturally have educated scholars. People can take these papers to those who can read – one tells ten, ten tell a hundred. Eventually, the message will reach the people’s ears. Even fragmented information would be sufficient.

After speaking, her palms were sweaty. Though appearing confident on the surface, she actually felt like a deflated balloon inside, lacking real conviction.

This method clearly worked better for educated scholars. Common people were mostly illiterate and lacked the initiative to seek such information. Even face-to-face demonstrations to dispel superstitions were barely effective, merely addressing symptoms rather than root causes. Let alone expecting them to confront pages of black characters – the final outcome was predictable.

Xu Heng, Wu Hongying, and Du Caiwen lowered their heads in contemplation. They sensed something amiss in Xu Mao’s words and wanted to point out the obvious problems. However, when they looked up, they met Xu Mao’s expectant gaze, as if she was waiting for their objections.

Could it be that they hadn’t considered everything, missing some hidden crucial point?

They swallowed their words and carefully reconsidered.

Clearly, if even they could see the problems, how could the Marshal not know? She must have said this deliberately – there must be aspects they hadn’t yet figured out.

Du Caiwen pondered every word Xu Mao said and was surprised to discover this method somewhat aligned with her previous idea of compiling books.

Collecting and organizing Xu Mao’s words into books to teach soldiers and civilians, helping everyone understand Xu Mao and the Loyal Army – but this required time and wasn’t easy to accomplish.

However, if a book was broken down into individual sheets, saving the time needed for book compilation, with news and events directly integrated on paper for circulation, it would be much more convenient and efficient.

The only drawback was that it required readers to be literate, which certainly wasn’t feasible for ordinary people in the current situation.

Countless thoughts flashed through Du Caiwen’s mind, each one systematically eliminated. Just as she was sifting through the chaotic possibilities, a sudden inspiration struck her.

Deal with the Celestial God Sect!

The root of changing public opinion lay in people’s inability to understand the principles behind various strange phenomena. With deliberate guidance from certain parties, they mistakenly believed in divine miracles.

Given their current identities and circumstances, their ability to shift public perception was ultimately limited. Moreover, truly eradicating the people’s misconceptions couldn’t be achieved overnight.

The urgent task was to eliminate the Celestial God Sect, preventing them from exploiting the common people and causing more trouble.

So… the leaflets and newspapers Marshal mentioned weren’t targeting ordinary citizens, but the Celestial God Sect!

Du Caiwen’s eyes suddenly lit up. She abruptly looked up and met Wu Hongying’s identical expression, her cheeks flushing with excitement.

They exchanged glances, understanding passing wordlessly between them.

Having confirmed their objective, Du Caiwen began planning implementation. She asked, Marshal, what exactly distinguishes the leaflets from newspapers you mentioned earlier? Since they’re called ‘leaflets’ and ‘newspapers,’ does the former refer to loose pages for circulation among individuals, while the latter are posted on walls for collective viewing?

Xu Mao had been watching them remain silent for so long, and now Du Caiwen spoke without any skepticism. Judging by her tone, she seemed ready to immediately start producing leaflets and newspapers. Xu Mao found herself stunned for a long moment.

Wait, weren’t they going to question her at all?

Her subordinates in this bureau were too straightforward!

Xu Mao almost couldn’t bear to continue her deception. Facing their sincere expressions, her guilt was nearly overflowing.

Leaflets should be concise and highlight key points, enabling the public to quickly understand the pros and cons of a matter. Their main purpose is propaganda. We can use leaflets to expose the Celestial God Sect’s deception techniques and warn people against being fooled.

As for newspapers, they typically contain multiple complete articles explaining the causes and consequences of events. They can serve to warn and educate or announce news, covering broader topics than leaflets while requiring higher production standards.

The former leaned toward marketing, while the latter was more formal, containing more effective and comprehensive information.

After Xu Mao’s brief explanation—she had only used these as casual examples, not actually intending to distribute leaflets or publish newspapers—she was about to steer Wu Hongying and the others back to the main topic when Xu Heng interjected, Elder sister, we could use these leaflets to create momentum and suppress the Celestial God Sect.

Du Caiwen added, Since soldiers are learning to read and write, I suggest we first trial newspapers within each squad to broaden their horizons, help them understand the current situation, and boost morale. We can observe the effects within the army before expanding outward if results prove positive.

Xu Mao’s eyebrows twitched slightly. She had merely started an idea, yet Du Caiwen had already planned all subsequent steps. This excited, future-planning version of her differed completely from her previous demeanor, as if she had transformed into another person.

Well, if they wanted to do it, so be it. It wasn’t a major issue anyway.

As Xu Heng suggested, using leaflets to spread negative perceptions of the Celestial God Sect would work—common people might not understand them, but literate sect members would probably come after her with knives, thus achieving the goal of provoking the sect.

Xu Mao turned to Wu Hongying. You’ll be responsible for the leaflets. I’ll provide you with specific content examples. I recall Lady Mo of Yanlin has a paper workshop. When you return, contact He Suifen and see if we can negotiate with Lady Mo to secure paper supplies for this venture.

Caiwen, since you’re in charge of the newspaper and it’s meant for our Loyal Army’s internal circulation, let’s call it the Loyal Army Gazette. Divide it into several sections: first, recent political affairs and current events; second, activities within the army, such as the soldiers’ high spirits during training and competition reminders; third, the daily lives of the soldiers, interviewing them about their experiences and showcasing their thoughts; fourth, establish an open submission section to accept outstanding articles written by the soldiers, encouraging everyone to actively participate in building the army newspaper. As for other minor details, handle them as you see fit.After all, it was just for internal circulation to let everyone have some fun, so Du Caiwen could mess around however she pleased.

Xu Mao provided Du Caiwen with the general ideas and direction. Du Caiwen’s face lit up with excitement as she quickly walked to the side table, hastily grabbed a brush, dipped it in the nearly dried ink, and hurriedly began writing down Xu Mao’s words, ensuring she didn’t miss a single key point.

Yes, Marshal! I’ve noted everything and will start preparing the army newspaper right away! Du Caiwen beamed with a smile.

Before leaving her maiden home, she had excelled in poetry and prose among her sisters, earning a reputation for her literary talent. After marriage, she burned those poetic works and devoted herself to managing household affairs and entertaining guests, always ensuring they were well taken care of, thus gaining a reputation for virtue.

However, Du Caiwen had never looked forward to anything as much as this. The responsibility on her shoulders felt heavier than ever before. She wanted to do this significant task well and not let anyone down.

Wu Hongying and Du Caiwen each received new assignments. Xu Mao focused mainly on overseeing Wu Hongying’s flyers, ensuring the content was entirely about the Celestial God Sect to avoid any mishaps.

The progress on the flyers was slightly faster. Wu Hongying finished drafting them that very evening and delivered the manuscript to Xu Mao’s desk for her review.

Xu Mao lit several candles and worked overtime to review the draft.

Wu Hongying had followed her instructions, using simple and accessible language to briefly introduce the Celestial God Sect. She described how the sect committed murder, arson, and every imaginable evil, emphasizing that no ordinary person who joined the sect ended well, suffering severe losses. She warned everyone not to be deceived by the Celestial God Sect’s sweet talk and fall into error.

She then exposed the sect’s methods one by one, urging the public to stay vigilant and avoid being tricked.

Xu Mao took a brush and edited out some redundant parts, suggesting, How about this? Make up a few tragic cases and add them, saying that pseudonyms are used to protect the victims. These people were deceived by the Celestial God Sect, invested all their family wealth, and devoted themselves to the sect, only to end up with their families ruined and everything lost. It would be best to use a few typical identities, like impoverished farmers with elderly parents and young children living in leaky thatched cottages, or merchants or vendors who had managed to accumulate a substantial fortune by chance. In short, no matter what their background, anyone who gets involved with the Celestial God Sect meets with disaster, causing tragedies that evoke sympathy and resonance.

Wu Hongying was stunned for a moment, murmuring in disbelief, …Make them up?

Xu Mao nodded. She felt it wasn’t enough yet. After all, the common people might not fully understand. Since they had already offended the sect, they might as well go all the way. There was a cause for every grievance and a debtor for every debt—they would take the open road, effectively declaring war on the Celestial God Sect.

Add one last paragraph: just when these people were destitute and on the brink of death, the Loyal Army descended from the heavens, appearing before them, offering free water and food, introducing them to livelihoods, and rescuing them from their hopeless situation. Xu Mao shamelessly added this classic ending.

Wu Hongying opened her mouth slightly, her brows furrowing.

They had never actually rescued anyone persecuted by the Celestial God Sect. Could they really write this?

But then Wu Hongying reconsidered—the entire case was fabricated anyway, so what difference would this last detail make? Following the Marshal’s guidance was always the right choice.

Marshal, I’ll go back and revise it right away.

As Wu Hongying gathered the drafts edited by Xu Mao, Xu Mao swiftly pulled open the drawer beneath the candlestand and retrieved several unused candles. Wait, take these with you. Work with better lighting—straining your eyes in dim light is harmful.

Thank you for your consideration, Marshal. Wu Hongying’s eyes trembled slightly, warmth flooding her chest.

What a remarkable leader, to notice such small details and generously provide not just one, but five candles at once.

Her eyes grew moist with emotion. The weariness she had felt earlier vanished abruptly, replaced by a surge of boundless energy. Spirits lifted, she hurried back to revise the leaflets with renewed vigor.