The Mad Tycoon of Rome

Chapter 130: Propaganda 2

The officials’ reaction was not very dramatic, despite Marcus’s explanation.

They did not even have a clue what ‘printing’ was in the first place.

They could not understand how a strange-looking device that they could not guess its use could change their concept of type.

Marcus did not bother to explain the concept and method of the printing press in detail.

He just had to show them once and they would all understand.

The technician who received his signal carefully applied the printing ink to a round tool with a handle.

“Let’s print this content. It’s a report that summarizes the harvest I got from suppressing the riot in the Jewish region.”

Marcus showed the officials a document that he wanted to print.

A quick-witted official widened his eyes and asked.

“So you mean you can copy documents without writing them by hand using this device? You can print in large quantities right away? Please tell me that’s true!”

“That’s right.”

“What, how is that…”

The officials scratched their heads and watched as the technician put the paper into the printing press and pushed it toward the press.

“All you have to do is turn this handle hard, and it’s done.”

The technician applied pressure to the press and turned the handle.

The basic principle of Gutenberg’s printing press was simple.

It was a device that printed letters clearly by pressing paper and type with pressure, like a cork opener.

The officials looked at the paper that came out of the printing press with disbelief.

And when they saw the clear black letters printed on the paper, they opened their mouths as if they had made a promise and froze on the spot.

People tend to be speechless when they are surprised.

The officials could not close their mouths and looked at the print several times, sticking out their tongues.

An official who had devoted almost his entire life to copying work almost lost his sanity.

“Governor! Is this printing press ready to operate right now? You can print in large quantities right away? Please tell me that’s true!”

“Well, that’s what I’m planning to do. First, we’ll print all the documents on papyrus on paper, and then print more copies if they get damaged later.”

“Oh! How is this possible! This is a revolution. It’s much faster than writing by hand, and the clarity is incomparable.”

The officials could not hide their excitement at the result that exceeded their expectations.

Gutenberg’s printing press could print more than five sheets per minute at present. With more practice, it could theoretically reach up to ten sheets.

Even Septimus, who had seen all of Marcus’s inventions so far, could not hide his agitation this time.

It was because the impact of the printing press on this era was enormous.

“Marcus sir, how did you make such a thing?”

“The technology itself was already enough to make it. The important thing was the idea.”

He said so, but in fact, Marcus’s type and printing press were just replicas of Gutenberg’s inventions.

The metalworking technology was already abundant enough, so it was not difficult.

The most important thing when making type was to prevent it from breaking or shifting, and these methods were already recorded.

Even the alloy ratio used to make type, the manufacturing method of printing ink, and the detailed design of the printing press were all easy to find.

He could also check all the trial and error cases that could occur in the initial stage, so development was easier than plate armor.

However, the cultural impact of this printing press was incomparable to plate armor.

Marcus was still wondering how to control this point.

Septimus seemed to have a similar thought, as he cautiously approached him and whispered.

“Marcus sir, are you going to patent this technology and make it public? Even if you use paper and printing press, it will cost a lot. Will it be worth it?”

“Well… I thought about doing that at first, but I changed my mind. It seems premature.”

“That makes sense. I can’t imagine what changes will happen if this printing press is distributed to the public.”

According to records, 50 years after Gutenberg’s printing press spread to the public, more books were produced than in 1000 years before.

The distribution of books was equivalent to the distribution of knowledge.

In fact, Gutenberg’s printing technology completely changed the order of Europe at that time.

If he distributed printing technology to the public now, it would not be much different.

There was a high possibility that Rome’s social structure would undergo a fundamental change within a century.

He did not know which direction it would go in now.

Then it would be wise to print only necessary books under his guidance while watching how things go.

Marcus’s reason for making a printing press was not for spreading knowledge, but for using an active propaganda strategy.

“First, let’s set up printing houses in major cities of the provinces and transfer all the documents to paper. Then we need to build a press system that I’ve been planning for a long time.”

Septimus tilted his head and expressed his doubts as he heard Marcus’s plan.

“Are you planning to publish propaganda materials using the printing press? It will cost a lot even if you use paper and printing press. Will it have that much effect?”

“You will have a tremendous effect beyond your imagination. I’m going to start with a newspaper-style official bulletin, and I’ll explain to you in detail what it is when we get back.”

The people of this era did not know the power of the press.

No, there were a few people who knew it vaguely.

Rome, as a republic, had politicians who tried to use the power of the press because of its political system.

Cicero, for example, often said that he would overcome the sword with his pen.

He published books through his friend Atticus, who ran a publishing company, and actively promoted himself.

Caesar also knew how to use the power of the masses.

What Septimus thought of when Marcus explained the newspaper to him was Caesar’s Acta Diurna.

But no one had thought of using it systematically like Marcus.

It was because there was no technology to support it.

“Is it like Acta Diurna, but more widely distributed?”

“Similar, but a little different. Caesar’s Acta Diurna was just a way of disclosing the proceedings of the Senate to the public. The newspaper has more purpose in it.”

When talking about the history of newspapers, some might see Caesar’s Acta Diurna as its origin.

But what Marcus wanted to make was closer to a modern newspaper than that.

Marcus had already created a separate department for this long ago.

And as he finally started to produce newspapers in earnest, he also gave detailed explanations to his people and other officials.

He wanted to promote the newspaper as much as possible and make as many people read it as possible from the beginning.

Julia understood Marcus’s intention and could not help but admire it.

“It seems like it will have a tremendous power if your plan works well. It means you can literally control public opinion… It’s a bit dizzying.”

“You understand. Yes, this is a tool with a frightening power. I’m looking forward to seeing how much influence it will have, but at the same time I’m a little nervous.”

“I think you should fill most of the initial articles with information about yourself. You need to let them know who will rule this East from now on, how great the new governor is, and what he is doing. And most importantly, you need to make as many people read this newspaper as possible.”

“I agree with that. I’m going to make everyone who can read read this newspaper. No, I’m sure it will happen soon.”

The illiteracy rate in ancient Greece and Rome was estimated at 90%.

That is, only 10% of people could read, and reading itself was a symbol of privilege.

If you went to Forum Romanum right now, you could see people who could not read gathering around someone who could explain Acta Diurna and listening to the story.

Marcus’s goal was to put these 10% of literate people under his influence.

If he could do that, the rest of the 90% would automatically follow him.

“You’re not going to publish newspapers in Rome, are you? Are you going to distribute them only in the provinces?”

“Of course. There are senators in Rome, so I can’t do too much propaganda work. I don’t know about later, but now is not the time. For now, I’ve selected one or two major cities in each province, and I’m going to work there.”

“How are you going to pay for it?”

“It’s not a business that I’m trying to make money from, so I’ll keep the profit minimal. I might lose some money in the beginning when there are not enough subscribers, but I’m sure it will turn into black in a year. Oh, there will be articles about you or Arsinoe in the newspaper, so be prepared. I’ll give you a questionnaire later.”

“Do you think people will like it if you write articles about me?”

Marcus smiled warmly and nodded his head.

“Of course. People are surprisingly curious. They want to know what kind of person the governor’s wife is, what she thinks and how she lives. Your every move will be the subject of interest for the people of the provinces. Arsinoe is the famous Egyptian royal family, so she can establish my authority more efficiently than anyone else.”

“I understand, but it feels a bit awkward. Anyway, I’ll do my best as much as I can. If you need me, let me help you write articles.”

Marcus answered by holding her body and kissing her lips.

“Oh dear, really. You always do this lately.”

Julia smiled helplessly and cuddled up in Marcus’s arms.

The couple’s passionate kiss continued several times.

※※※※

Marcus asked Cicero to write a speech for the first issue of his newspaper.

He gave a brief explanation of the newspaper he was going to publish, and said that he wanted to decorate the first issue with Cicero’s words, the best writer in Rome.

Cicero’s reaction was dramatic.

He praised Marcus’s genius idea and said he would gladly take on this honorable role.

The letter from Rome was three pages long.

One was an article to be published in Marcus’s newspaper, and the other two were about the situation in Rome and a reply to Marcus’s letter.

<I regret that I can’t be with you in the East, my dear Marcus. Your actions always amaze me in a good way. A newspaper, I was so excited when I received your letter that I couldn’t sleep well at night. What kind of society will unfold if one day this newspaper is delivered to my doorstep every day?

The upper class of Rome would open the newspaper every morning with diluted wine and a simple meal, and discuss today’s affairs with their families, right? It would be the ideal society I dream of. Knowledge and culture would cover the whole city, and soon the ignorant ones would join this great flow one by one.>

“He must be born a writer. I can feel his excitement from here.”

The emotion in the letter was more raw than usual. It showed how excited he was when he wrote this letter.

But Cicero’s insight was indeed different.

He seemed to have a more objective understanding of the impact that newspapers would have on the masses than anyone else.

The only thing he got wrong was that coffee would suit better than diluted wine in the morning.

‘Well, it will be at least a few years before coffee production and daily newspaper printing are possible.’

Marcus chuckled as he continued to read Cicero’s letter.

<By the way, the atmosphere in Rome is so chaotic that it is impossible to define it in one word. I guess you know why. Caesar is sending amazing achievements from Britannia, and you are also effectively pacifying the East.

And Pompey is too busy preparing for his last expedition, so the citizens feel like they are living in a festival every day.

As you suggested, the Senate also decided not to spare cooperation for Pompey’s expedition. It is his last departure as a great hero who spread Rome’s glory to the world. He deserves some honor, doesn’t he? Even Cato and Bibulus agreed on this. If Pompey defeats Crassus, the populist will gain power for a while, but there is no choice.

Oh, and my friend Atticus is very interested in your printing technology. He wants to partner with you and sell books that you need in Rome in large quantities. What do you think? Please send me a reply.>

“It might not be bad to open a bookstore in Rome.”

Marcus decided to seriously consider Cicero’s proposal.

He received an article for his newspaper, so he had to repay him in some way and keep his spirits up.

He looked at Cicero’s speech and smiled with satisfaction. 

He delivered it to the department that made the newspaper.

And finally, the day came when the newspapers printed at the printing house were distributed to the public for the first time.

Thanks to the active promotion beforehand, there was a lot of reservation from Antioch and Damascus from the start.

Above all, the local nobles and merchants who received the sample were amazed by the quality of the print.

And yet, the price was surprisingly low. 

It was strange that they were not interested.

As a result, Marcus had to focus more on printing and distributing newspapers, leaving the review of articles to Julia and Septimus.

He was so busy that he didn’t have time to check the final version until the newspaper was published.

But thanks to that, printing and distribution went smoothly.

Marcus also decided to read carefully the commemorative first issue published today in his office.

‘Well, let’s see how well it came out.’

He didn’t check the content beforehand because he didn’t have time, but also because he trusted Julia and Septimus’s abilities.

The big letters that said ‘Diurna Orientem (Eastern Newspaper)’ in Latin caught his eye first.

A smile formed on Marcus’s lips unconsciously.

At the top of page one of the newspaper was Cicero’s eloquent speech celebrating the launch and praising Marcus.

Cicero’s speech ended with <The Roman Senate and citizens have no doubt that Marcus Mesopotamicus is the one who will bring lasting peace and prosperity to the East.>

But when he saw the article below, Marcus almost spat out the wine he had in his mouth.

“What, what is this?”

The front page of the newspaper was full of blatant praise for Marcus that made his face hot.

<Ah! The great governor!> <We swear our unwavering loyalty to you as citizens of Rome’s provinces.>

It seemed that people’s imagination was similar. 

He saw familiar phrases here and there.

Fortunately, only the headlines were exaggerated, and the content was tolerable.

Of course, there was some exaggeration in the content as well.

For example, suppressing Jerusalem riots was so embarrassing that he himself felt ashamed reading it.

<…The impregnable fortress of Jerusalem was nothing but a candle in front of a storm before the elite army led by our great governor.

It was unprecedented in history that he subdued millions of Jews in just a few days after launching a full-scale suppression operation. This great achievement is entirely due to Marcus Mesopotamicus’s excellence.

The Jews who were frightened by his glory threw away their weapons and offered sacrifices as soon as they met his eyes. And they cried for their sins with tears. They were moved by his generous treatment and praised him as their king.> ‘This is not even using general’s congratulatory words… You have to exaggerate moderately. How can millions of people throw away their weapons and surrender just by meeting his eyes?’

He sighed involuntarily as he read on. 

This was not what he expected.

He trusted Julia and left her with the review, but he never imagined this kind of result would come out.

He could have done more sophisticated praise and agitation. 

This was too obvious.

But soon, Marcus realized that his expectation was wrong.

Rather, the provocative rhetoric and the hot praise had an indescribable effect.

In fact, even in modern times, there were many places where such articles were popular until the early 1900s.

And the people of this era were completely new to this kind of media.

It was natural that they did not have the awareness to accept the agitation critically.

People rather enjoyed the stimulating words and content and believed them to be true.

The impact was tremendous.

The effect was more dramatic than Marcus expected.

The menu and recipes of the meals Marcus ate that day were on the front page of the newspaper.

Then, without fail, the food he ate would be on the table of the nobles the next day.

His every move and word were reported as scoops.

The new system he introduced spread throughout the city in no time.

People were fascinated by the governor’s daily life and began to send him unconditional support.

Everything seemed to go smoothly.

Marcus decided that it was time to move his base to Ctesiphon, as he had stabilized Syria province.

But then, an urgent report from Rome caught Marcus’s ankle.

“Governor, Pompey wants to have a meeting with you for his expedition against Crassus. He says he would like Alexandria as the meeting place next Ides. What do you think?”

“A meeting in Alexandria? That’s good for me, but I thought he would choose Brundisium.”

The governor of a province, Marcus, could not approach Rome until he resigned his governorship, even if he went to Italy.

So he thought Brundisium, a port city, would be the obvious choice if they had a meeting.

His question was answered by his subordinate’s report.

“The current pharaoh Auletes is not in good health.”

“…What?”

The smile on Marcus’s face, who had been relaxed, disappeared in an instant.

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