"Have you considered how to make a profit with the newspaper?" Madam Sophie asked with concern.
Profit?
It was impossible to make a profit, at least not in the short term!
Starting a newspaper wasn't easy, and it was unlikely that circulation would rise overnight; without circulation, there would naturally be no advertising revenue.
Normally, a newspaper would operate at a pure loss for the first few months, then gradually increase circulation, take on some advertisements, and step by step work towards profitability.
In this era, the citizens of Vienna were not wealthy, and the number of middle-class people was quite limited, so naturally, the circulation was very low.
"I plan to start by publishing novels to cultivate a stable readership, occasionally intersperse some news that interests the public to attract their attention.
There's no rush to make a profit. We'll consider that when the circulation exceeds twenty thousand copies, which is more in line with reality!" Franz said confidently.
"Twenty thousand copies is not easy. As far as I know, there are only three newspapers in Vienna with local sales exceeding that number, unless you're targeting the national market!" Madam Sophie reflected for a moment and then remarked.
Clearly, she had done her homework and was not just talking nonsense.
Franz nodded; he knew that even among those three, it wasn't everyday they could sell twenty thousand copies in Vienna—only when there was sensational news could they achieve such numbers.
There was no way around it; during this age, Vienna's population had not yet reached half a million, and those who could afford newspapers would not exceed eighty thousand, with even fewer willing to spend money on subscriptions.
Franz estimated that the group in Vienna who would subscribe to newspapers long-term was about twenty to thirty thousand, with the rest only occasionally buying a paper.
It could be said that the newspaper industry's environment for survival at that time was extremely harsh, especially with the strict press scrutiny system in place, making the industry quite challenging.
Franz's goal was to increase the newspaper's circulation to ten thousand copies within a year, and if he could sell six thousand copies in Vienna, it would be a success.
After reflecting for a moment, Madam Sophie said, "Franz, since you have thought it through, go ahead and do it boldly!
Here's a piece of advice, recruit a reliable editor; he might save you some losses.
It's best not to blindly get involved in politics; it will save you a lot of trouble!"
"Thank you. You can even tell from the name of my newspaper that it is merely a paper that voices the concerns of the people, but how exactly to run it isn't something for me to worry about!" Franz said with a smile.
He certainly didn't want to be used as a pawn by others. Politics could be engaged in, but he absolutely couldn't take sides blindly between capitalists and nobility.
As an heir to the Empire, Franz's stance would influence many people's positions and relate to his own personal image.
Franz had set his own role as a benevolent successor concerned with the welfare of the people; amidst the battles between the nobility and the capitalists, he had to maintain an impartial position.
All of these required promotion; how else would the ordinary people know what kind of person he was?
…
Time swiftly moved on, and Franz soon appointed an editor for his newspaper, Edward von Bauernfeld, chosen for one reason only—his significant reputation.
One of Austria's most well-known writers of the era, Franz was a hot-blooded young activist in his early years but leaned toward conservatism in his later life.
Now in middle age, his fiery passion had not entirely burned out, though it had diminished significantly.
"Mr. Bowenfield, welcome to our cause," Franz said with a smile.
"Honored Grand Duke, I'm very pleased to serve you," Edward von Bauernfeld responded.
"Mr. Bowenfield, the main reason I've asked you here today is to discuss the positioning of our newspaper. What are your thoughts?" Franz inquired.
"Your Excellency the Grand Duke, revealing society's dark underbelly is the duty of every journalist, and we must dare to expose it all," Edward von Bauernfeld said expectantly.
Franz now understood why so many were willing to accept his invitation: they were looking for a platform where they could freely express themselves.
Austria was enforcing a press censorship regime. Without a strong backer, these literati couldn't freely express themselves.
Undoubtedly, as the heir to the Empire, he was their best support. Even if they caused trouble, the Grand Duke would surely bail them out, wouldn't he?
Edward von Bauernfeld was no longer young and had learned to compromise in the face of reality. Not long ago, he had just written a book satirizing the government, "Of Age."
After publication, he became worried because the book had been printed privately without passing through government inspection, and getting caught would mean imprisonment.
He was preparing to flee when he received Franz's invitation and decisively accepted it.
In those days, Austria's secret police played favorites. If Edward worked under Franz and didn't go too far, they would not target him.
Franz shook his head and said, "Mr. Bowenfield, there are already so many newspapers exposing the dark side of society; ours would not be missed.
The purpose of founding this newspaper is evident from its name. Our mission is to give a voice to society's lowest strata.
I hope through our efforts, we can change the living conditions of the populace at the bottom. They need bread, they need cheese—these are the most basic human needs and should be guaranteed!"
Every newspaper has a grand vision, and at that time, Austria lacked newspapers that specifically gave a voice to the lower classes, as they couldn't afford to buy papers.
"Your Excellency, I must say your intention is noble, but to achieve this goal, we must change our current political system!" Edward von Bauernfeld didn't hesitate to start pushing his own agenda.
Franz smiled faintly and said, "Austria's system indeed requires change, but how to change it, I do not know.
Even if there were a ready-made solution at hand, my knowledge is not sufficient to make a correct judgement, so I prefer to remain silent on this issue for now.
However, I know that regardless of how the system changes, the lives of those at the bottom need to improve, and this requires the government to enact more laws to protect their interests!
Mr. Bowenfield, your task is of great importance. You must make more people aware of the living conditions of the underprivileged and get them to care about their lives!
If you can encourage the government to legislate in their favor, so much the better!"
Who's afraid of spinning tales? With just a few words, Franz left Edward von Bauernfeld speechless. Everyone knew that Austria needed reforms, but what kind of reforms?
Each person had different interests and, naturally, different ideas for reform. Franz simply played it small; there was no point in expecting a 16-year-old boy to decide the fate of the nation.