Chapter 73: Using the Newspaper as a Sword

The frenzy of newspaper sales played out all over Paris.

Most of those newsboys originally couldn’t find anything to do, so they tried their luck at the Paris Commercial News Agency, only to find that the sales were exceptionally good.

As per the agreement, for every 10 newspapers they sold, they would receive a wage of 6 deniers. Just after noon, the luckier newsboys had already sold 50 papers, earning several times more than they would in a workshop!

The story of Hurter Xiao’s broken engagement, as well as Cleis’s survival after being shot, had become widely known in just one morning.

Many people, itching with curiosity, heard others discussing an intriguing tale with great enthusiasm, yet had no idea what it was about.

As they hesitated over whether to spend money on a subscription, they heard that newspapers were being sold on the streets outside, and promptly bought a copy.

The most fashion-forward high society ladies had already started arranging their salons, with topics like “The Undying Cleis” or “The Alchemist’s Family.” They keenly sensed that these stories would become the most fashionable topics and were determined to get ahead.

By that evening, even Parisians’ greetings included the phrase—”Have you read that novel?”

No wonder, entertainment in the 18th century was very monotonous. Novels and plays were just a handful and most people had long tired of them. They could only pass the time by gossiping about nobility scandals.

Those thrilling formulas honed by countless authors in later generations were utterly soul-shaking for readers of this era, addictive at first glance!

For Parisians starved of mental stimulation, the novels’ thrilling moments, constant build-ups, and cliffhangers made them irresistible.

The next day, as people were still discussing the plot of yesterday’s novel, they were astonished to find new chapters in today’s newspaper!

Some of yesterday’s mysteries were unveiled, but even more suspense was left behind, keeping the story as exciting as ever—who could resist not reading it?

Meals could be skipped, but this newspaper was a must-buy!

People even fought over the last copy of the newspaper in the hands of the newsboys…

Just past 3 p.m., the storerooms of the Paris Commercial News and the “News and Pictures Newspaper” had been completely emptied.

Denico, looking at the several dozens of newsboys anxiously awaiting their papers, felt as if he were dreaming.

He knew the Crown Prince’s incredibly fascinating novel would boost newspaper sales, but he never anticipated this astonishing volume.

Good heavens! Each type of newspaper had printed a full 7,000 copies, and all were sold out!

You should know, there were just over half a million people in Paris, and the previously best-selling Paris News sold less than 3,000 copies. And now, the combined sales of these two papers had surpassed five times that of Paris News!

His hands started to tremble, and he immediately rushed into the printing workshop, shouting at the printers:

“Print more! Immediately print 1,000 more copies!! At your fastest speed!!!”

Just then, a manager from the newspaper office hurried over, excitedly gesturing toward the office:

“Mr. Denico, please come quickly! The Eau de Elegance Perfumery, Onitol Iron Tool Shop, among others—several well-known shops are here to discuss advertising.”

Denico, with a commanding wave of his hand, declared:

“Have them wait. I’ll deal with the reprinting first and then head over.”

He certainly had the right to be imperious—with a circulation exceeding 14,000 copies, there was no worry about finding advertisers.

As the Paris Commercial News Agency’s papers sold hotly, many readers, after enjoying the novel, also glanced at the articles on the tax law bill in the newspaper.

In the streets and alleys, people had begun chatting about the law:

“If you ask me, it’s high time those noble lords started paying more taxes!”

“Yes, I saw it,” added Joseph, “the extra taxes are all on the nobility. Why should we poor folks pay more taxes than the nobility?”

“The town hall is always saying there’s no funding. Why don’t they ask the nobility for it?”

“Hmph, the High Court keeps rejecting the tax laws, isn’t it because those judges are nobility themselves!”

“No wonder they always talk about defending the rights of the court. Turns out it’s the right to not pay taxes!”

“Exactly….”

For a time, the concerted efforts of the Duke of Orleans and the entire Paris press to create an unfavorable opinion on the legislation had abruptly taken a turn.

In fact, Joseph hadn’t gone all-in on the war of public opinion yet; he still had two novel manuscripts at hand, reserved for pamphlets.

Indeed, he had no intention of relying solely on newspapers for the battle of public opinion—that would be at a disadvantage.

Since war had been declared, there was no point in maintaining pointless gentlemanly decorum. Pamphlets, though lowbrow and filled with rumors, attracted attention through sensationalism and were scorned by mainstream society. Yet, their audience was vast.

Now that the literacy rate in France had surpassed 60%, many who couldn’t afford newspapers turned to pamphlets for entertainment. It’s fair to say that pamphlets dominated the lower-end of the market.

Naturally, Joseph would not miss exploiting this propaganda tool.

However, it was difficult for the audience of pamphlets to make regular and continuous purchases, which could affect the readability of serialized novels. Therefore, he planned to publish a pamphlet every week, containing a week’s worth of novel chapters.

When tens of thousands of pamphlets appeared on the streets of Paris, that would be the true launch of his all-out offensive.

…

At the routine ball in the Palace of Versailles, a group of noble ladies cast envious glances at Princess Therese, complaining about how she kept monopolizing the Crown Prince.

The young men, on the other hand, looked helplessly at Joseph, hoping one of the kind ladies would “kidnap” the Crown Prince, giving them a chance to get close to Her Highness.

Of course, this was Joseph unilaterally using his sister as a “shield”—he had a bit of a psychological shadow about dancing….

Therese, having come to terms with the rumors over the past few days, was now chatting idly with Joseph:

“I heard that your invention, ‘the Crown Prince’s Blessing,’ is quite miraculous. I’ve been taking it recently. But, so far, it doesn’t seem to have any effect…”

Joseph immediately expressed his concern, “Are you feeling unwell? Do you have a fever?”

Therese shook her head: “No fever. It’s just that I often feel dizzy and weak, and I get short of breath. I fainted a few months ago. The doctors couldn’t find the cause. Doctor Baptiste suggested I rest in Meudon Castle.”

Joseph’s face was a picture of exasperation: These are not symptoms that Salicin is meant to treat, what are you taking such medicines for?

“You mustn’t just take any medicine because it’s said to be miraculous. You should follow the doctor’s orders.”

Therese nodded seriously: “It’s Doctor Baptiste who told me to take it.”

“…”

Joseph touched his forehead then asked: “Are you taking any other medications?”

Therese mentioned several names of herbal remedies.

Observing her pale face, Joseph thought to himself: The symptoms she described sound like severe anemia. Girls her age seem prone to it. But it’s not clear whether this is iron-deficiency anemia or pathological.

Therese added: “Besides taking medicine, I also receive bloodletting therapy every half a month.”

Joseph’s face turned utterly dark: “You would be better off firing your doctor.”