Struggle in Russia

London, The Times Newsroom.

James Vaughan, editor of the Overseas News Department, used a knife to open the brown paper envelopes piled up on his desk one by one. These thick, massive, and solid letters were mailed back to The Times from news stations in various European countries and colonies. International Column Alternative Works at Headquarters.

James Vaughan's job is to review these various submissions, select valuable and meaningful ones and send them to the editor-in-chief for publication in an international column.

As for what is valuable and meaningful, by the standards of journalists, it is newsworthy, and by the standards of The Times, it means attracting attention, seducing the general public to pay for it, and making money for the boss.

It has to be said that compared with forty years ago, "The Times", although its circulation and influence have risen several steps, it has become the largest newspaper and news giant in the UK and Europe. But the pinnacle of prosperity is decline. With the rise of other newspapers under the leadership of the Beiyan family relying on cheap prices, the times of "The Times" began to be difficult. Especially when the man at the helm, John Walter II, got old and couldn't keep up with the times, this tendency became more and more obvious.

Even if "The Times" has increased the number of foreign correspondents and extensively digs news around the world, it still feels that it is not as good as the thriving Northern Rock Newspaper. This also put a lot of pressure on the editors of "The Times", because they were required to work harder to dig out news value, and they must hold their ground to suppress the challenge of Beiyan Newspaper, otherwise they would pack up and leave.

Junior editor James Vaughan was a direct victim of this pressure, fresh out of Oxford, and he was no match for his entrenched predecessors, who had extensive sources, deep connections, and access to hot spots. first hand news.

And he can only guard a few unpopular countries that don't shit. Whenever he sees French, Prussian, Austrian, and Turkish contributions with high gold content, he is so envious that his eyes will twitch. red. And he can only hold on to the cold benches of Africa, America, Australia and Russia.

Of course, it won't last long, if he can't create in the near future, no! It is to discover news value, then you can go out and turn right to find a job again.

"What the hell, these damn places are newsworthy for wool, and the rabbits are overrun? Damn, let the rabbits go to hell, who cares whether the rabbits become a disaster in that barren land!"

James Vaughn angrily threw a stack of manuscripts from Australia into the trash can, then picked up another copy, glanced at the envelope and muttered: "Russia? Another pile of garbage, wasting paper and wasting ink , waste of time, waste of..."

Before the last waste was finished, James Vaughan was attracted by the content of the manuscript. It was completely different from what he expected. This submission was extremely newsworthy, and it was like rain after a long drought for him.

After going through the manuscript in a hurry, he couldn't bear it anymore, grabbed the manuscript and rushed to the editor-in-chief's office.

Bang!

James Vaughan, who was in ecstasy, forgot the trick and almost broke into the office of Deputy Editor-in-Chief John Stoner, which surprised and angered the senior editors Samuel and Stoner.

Stoner scolded angrily: "Mr. James Vaughan, what are you doing? How about your manners? Didn't you see that I am having a meeting with Mr. Samuel!"

"I'm sorry, sir." James Vaughan realized that he had gotten into trouble, and he stammered to explain: "I just found a good manuscript, which is extremely valuable, so I can't wait to come to see you..."

"Extremely valuable? Haha, Mr. James Vaughan, are you joking?"

Before Stoner could speak, Samuel dissed him first. It's normal to discuss seniority in the workplace, but old people always discriminate against newcomers no matter where they are. In particular, Samuel graduated from Cambridge, so he was naturally at odds with the Oxford brats.

What's more, James Vaughn was introduced to The Times by his sworn enemy, and it was only natural to attack the enemy.

Moreover, Samuel also thinks that he has the right to despise James Vaughan. The editor-in-chief and boss John Walter II are getting worse day by day, and he has been unable to come to work recently. Editing should be a sure thing. And Samuel, the deputy editor-in-chief left behind after Stoner's promotion, is determined to win it. As the future deputy editor-in-chief, what's wrong with despising the enemy whose performance is in a mess and who is about to be kicked out?

James Vaughan was naturally aware of the grievances between him and Samuel, and he didn't bother to pay attention to this annoying old bastard who always relied on his elders. He just handed the manuscript to Stoner respectfully: "Sir, I promise, this The quality of the manuscript this time is indeed quite high!"

"You mean you are tall?" Samuel said sarcastically, "If you are so capable, you won't be able to achieve nothing in the past six months!"

James Vaughan held back his anger and continued to say to Stoner: "Sir, this manuscript is indeed very valuable. I think it will be no problem to be listed in the column. I believe it will attract the attention of all London!"

"Jokes, Mr. James Vaughn, I think you should be more down-to-earth, and don't keep messing up things with gossip. And the recent column has already been attributed. Mr. Stoner and I agree that Petofi and Sunder Lai Julia's marriage is the focus of attention. "To Julia", "I Am a Passionate Lover", "I See the Most Beautiful Blossom in the East" will attract the eyes of all British girls. focus!"

Now James Vaughan was also angered. He said angrily: "This is just boring lace news. When did The Times become as low as the street gossip tabloids? We should pay attention to the damn politics, Fei Duofei got married ?Let the damn gossip newspapers pay attention!"

Seeing that the two were about to fight, Stoner, whose face was wrinkled and eyes half-closed, finally raised his eyelids, and roared in his sharp voice: "Gentlemen! Please pay attention to your actions." Grace! This is not a flea market, and you are not vulgar peasant women haggling! This is The Times, the soul of all British newspapers, not a wet market for your wanderlust!"

After teaching his subordinates a lesson, Stoner did not go to pick up James Vaughan's manuscript, but slowly asked with the arrogance and pride unique to British elders: "Where did the manuscript come from?"

"Russian news station."

"Russia?" Stoner's eyelids drooped again in an instant, and he asked without interest: "What are you talking about?"

James Vaughn hurriedly said: "A scandal! It's about a shocking scandal involving the Russian army!"