By a twist of fate, the illegitimate son of the Marquis's family marries the county princess.

Chapter 287 Wen Shuxuan's Plan

Pei Rujing led Wen Shuxuan and the others to her office and said, "The vacant lot next to the West Garden is currently under construction, and it will be auctioned off in the future. My husband is in charge of this matter, and we need to warm up the area for about two weeks before the project is completed. He has entrusted this task to our newspaper. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

Wei had been away from the newspaper for over a year, and for a moment his mind went blank, unable to process what had happened.

Mei Yilan, who had been married to Pei Shirong and had worked at the newspaper for over a year, suggested, "Why don't we release the news gradually, and then announce the auction when we're in the early stages of the event?"

"Does Second Sister-in-law mean to keep the public's attention on this matter until the project is completed?"

Mei Yilan nodded.

Pei Rujing said, "That's indeed a good idea, but it's not easy to do. A lot happens in the capital every day, and there are many newspapers. In particular, some newspapers often fabricate eye-catching news to create sensationalism."

"It's not easy to keep the public's attention on Xiyuan."

Wen Shuxuan said, "So we also need to release some news from time to time, and it has to be news that can attract attention."

Pei Rujing frowned: "You mean we should also make things up? That won't do, we can't ruin the newspaper's reputation."

Wen Shuxuan said, "Of course it wasn't published in the newspaper. We just had some information leaked out. Who would know it was us who leaked it?"

Mei Yilan nodded: "That's a good idea."

Pei Rujing glanced at Wen Shuxuan.

She thought to herself, "No wonder she's Wen Zongji's sister; both she and her brother are cunning and scheming."

"So how do you plan to attract the public's attention?"

Wen Shuxuan pondered: "First, draw the people's attention to the houses under construction in the West Garden. They will definitely guess what those houses are for. We will send someone to spread false information, saying that the emperor plans to reward ten officials who have devoted themselves to the court and have excellent reputation and prestige by granting each of them a courtyard near the West Garden to show the emperor's boundless grace."

"Once the people believe this false news, we can then guide them to guess which ministers in the court are qualified to be awarded a courtyard."

"The most important thing is to exaggerate the ten courtyards, giving everyone the feeling that owning one of these courtyards brings them boundless glory."

"The discussion about this candidate will probably last for ten days to half a month, after which the news will be released that the previous news was false. The small courtyards in Xiyuan were not actually given to officials, but the specific intention is unknown. Let the people discuss it themselves."

"This series of events may not guarantee that it will firmly attract the public's attention, but it will ensure that the public will have an impression of those ten courtyards in Xiyuan. When the official pre-launch newspaper is published, it will directly evoke the public's impression."

Pei Rujing and the other two listened to her speak eloquently.

Wei looked at him with pity: "The people of the capital are being played by you like this."

They discussed the list of candidates with great enthusiasm and genuine emotion, only to find that they were completely on the wrong track.

If she were in that situation, she'd probably be furious.

Mei Yilan, however, looked at her with admiration: "This is a good idea."

Pei Rujing nodded: "Let's do it that way. Little sister, I'll leave this matter to you."

"Okay, Third Sister-in-law."

Now that Pei Rujing had come to the newspaper office, she naturally wouldn't leave so soon. She looked at the final draft of the newspaper to be published and then flipped through the new storybook that Wen Shuxuan and the others had decided to publish.

After finishing everything, Pei Rujing decided to leave the newspaper office.

As soon as he stepped out of the office, Zheng Shaohui came up to him: "Your Highness, I intend to resign from my position as the newspaper's manager."

Pei Rujing was taken aback, then realized something: "Oh, next year is the year of the provincial examination."

Zheng Shaohui nodded: "That's right, I need to return to my residence to focus on preparing for the exam."

This was a matter of great importance concerning her future, so Pei Rujing naturally wouldn't stop it.

"You can leave after you've handed over your work to someone else. You've done a good job during this time, so you can receive an extra six months' worth of monthly allowance."

Although this amount of money wasn't much to Zheng Shaohui, it was an affirmation of his work.

Zheng Shaohui gladly accepted: "Thank you, County Princess."

Pei Rujing left the newspaper office without saying anything.

She did not go to Ruijintang.

With Mao Zheng around, Ruijintang's business was booming, and new storybooks would be delivered to their residence on time every month, so Pei Rujing had no need to go to Ruijintang.

……

When Wen Zongji finished his shift, Pei Rujing told him about Wen Shuxuan's plan.

Wen Zongji said, "It seems that my younger sister has already figured out what public opinion is and knows how to use it."

This tactic is very similar to marketing methods in later generations: first spread various false rumors to generate buzz, and then reap the rewards of that buzz.

"Does my husband approve of this plan?"

"That's fine, let's do it this way."

Although there was suspicion of exploiting the ministers in the court, the income from those courtyards in the Western Garden was related to the national treasury, so they had no choice but to make an exception for them.

Wen Zongji did not expect those who spread rumors to be able to escape the investigation of the ministers in the court, but if they traced it back to the Fusheng Newspaper, they would understand who was behind the operation.

If they're smart, they won't do anything.

The most dangerous aspect of this method is that it utilizes high-ranking officials in the court, who will not hold it against you, making the method feasible.

Having gained Wen Zongji's approval, Pei Rujing handed over all the matters to Wen Shuxuan.

She continued to accompany Rui Ge'er at the county princess's residence.

Although Rui Ge'er doesn't recognize people very well yet, he was still born after Pei Rujing carried him for ten months. She couldn't just leave Rui Ge'er with the wet nurse and ignore him.

She would still play with Rui Ge'er every day after waking up. Except when he needed the wet nurse's care, Pei Rujing would stay with Rui Ge'er.

Meanwhile, in the capital, people gradually began to notice that the construction of houses on the east side of the West Garden was still led by the Ministry of Works.

The public's curiosity was immediately piqued.

Was the Ministry of Industry in charge?

Could it be that they are expanding the West Garden?

But expanding Xiyuan should be a huge project, so why is there no news about it at all?

With such a small area, how much can it be expanded?

The people were puzzled and speculated about what the Ministry of Works was doing.

There are many speculations and conflicting opinions.

Until a piece of news came out—ten courtyards would be built on the land east of the hospital, and the emperor would bestow them upon ten ministers.

It immediately ignited public opinion in the capital and instantly attracted the attention of many people.

The people frantically checked their personal networks to verify the news.