Chapter 1071: The Crown Prince Becomes Regent, Princess Accompanies the Expedition

In the month when the warblers start singing and the grass grows lush, in the Forbidden City of Beijing.
皇帝又要西征了，按照惯例，是一大堆的人反对，只不过大家不敢说出来罢了。
户部正在加急地准备钱粮，配合军委会调动各地物资，工部的人则配合着军委会到西域去做实地考察的军事工程建设。
Only Chongzhen, before departing, unexpectedly enjoyed a brief respite.
He changed into military attire and after a while, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang arrived.
"Your child pays respects to the Emperor, father."
"How is the matter being handled?"
"Your Majesty, it is a businessman named Chen Zhi from Shanghai. Without authorization, he established a newspaper and published anti-war speeches. Your humble servant has already ordered an investigation into the newspaper and shut it down for rectification."
"Where is the person?"
"The person is being held in a police station in Shanghai."
"Why not transfer them for interrogation in Beijing?"
"The child thinks that this matter is trivial and does not require transferring for interrogation in Beijing. However, with a major battle imminent, it is important to maintain stability and prevent any further disturbances. Therefore, the child took the initiative to handle the situation, downplaying its significance and resolving it as a minor issue. Strict criticism and education will be sufficient for this individual."
Chongzhen took the flintlock pistol handed by Wang Cheng'en and habitually glanced at the muzzle with seeming indifference as he said, "Well, you can make the decision on this matter, I was just casually asking."
Zhu Cilang said, "Father, there is still something that I, your son, want to say."
"Speak, the two of us, father and son, you don't have to worry about anything."
"Father, can you refrain from personally leading the expedition?"
Chongzhen put away the flintlock gun and patted Zhu Cilang on the shoulder, saying, "Gathering all these many people this time, if the Emperor is absent and there is no backbone, who can stabilize the situation if even the slightest disturbance arises?"
Zhu Cilang wanted to say something, and Chongzhen said, "I am very reassured with you overseeing the country in the capital."
At that moment, a voice from outside, belonging to Fang Zhenghua, said, "Your Highness Princess, His Majesty is discussing important matters with the Crown Prince..."
Chongzhen turned around and saw Zhu Yanlin rushing in, followed by Fang Zhenghua and the third prince Zhu Cizhao.
"Father, if you're going on a western expedition, take your child with you! Father, you can't leave your child alone in Beijing!"
Zhu Yanlin rushed over in a desperate manner and immediately threw himself into the arms of Chongzhen, looking pitiful.
"Father, I want to go too!"
"Father is going to war, not on a leisure trip. What use is it for you, a girl, to go to war?"
"I really want to go!"
"Father, I couldn't stop her." Zhu Cizhao said helplessly.
"Did your mother agree?" Chongzhen, feeling helpless, wanted to pass the blame to the matchmaker, implying that he had no problem, but could your mother overcome that hurdle?
She agreed!
What!
That girl's courage is remarkable!
Zhu Yanlin said confidently, "Father, your son has been diligently studying military books day and night, waiting for this day."
"Are you suggesting that you want to go to battle and kill enemies?" "
If the Emperor needs it, I am ready to go to battle and kill enemies at any time!" "
Mocking, Emperor Chongzhen scolded, 'You foolish girl, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!'"
"Please, let me go, Father Emperor!" Zhu Yanlin grasped Chongzhen's sleeve and shook it back and forth. "
Zhu Cilang coughed twice and said, "Second sister, war is a matter for men. You shouldn't join in the excitement. Have you met the young master from the Ma family that I introduced to you?"
Chongzhen immediately became interested and said, "Are you introducing a potential partner for Second Sister?"
"I refuse to meet them. Those guys all speak like buzzing mosquitoes. Besides, they only talk about petty business deals. I'm not interested. I want to go to war with Father Emperor!"
Chongzhen suddenly realized that Zhu Yanlin really looks like Hongniang.
"Second sister, stop messing around. Father is busy and has gone to the front lines. He needs to lead the army, so he doesn't have time to take care of you. Don't cause trouble!" Zhu Cilang said sternly.
Zhu Cilang's personality is traditional and composed.
"Big brother, since I have nothing to do in the capital city, and with you as the regent, what is there to be afraid of!"
Seeing Zhu Cilang still wanting to say something, Chongzhen worried that the siblings would argue and quickly said, "Alright, go fight, go fight with Father Emperor!"
Zhu Cizhao hurriedly said, "Father Emperor, how could Second Sister go to the frontlines? She is a weak young lady, what if something happens to her..."
"If Father can go, why can't I? If you keep meddling, be careful that I never pay attention to you again!"
Zhu Cizhao quickly shrunk back and muttered, "I am only doing this for your own good, after all!"
"Okay, okay, it doesn't matter. If Second Sister wants to go, let her accompany me. Old Big Brother is overseeing the country, so for any military and political matters, consult with Li Yan and Chen Zilong. Seek advice from Sun Chuanting in particular. Also, make sure to visit Bi Zhiyan and Sun Chengzong often." Translation: "好了好了，无妨，二姐想要去，就让她跟朕去好了，老大在监国，凡是多和李岩、陈子龙商议，军政上面就去请教孙传庭，没事多去毕自严和孙承宗那里坐坐。" -> "Okay, okay, it doesn't matter. If Second Sister wants to go, let her accompany me. Old Big Brother is overseeing the country, so for any military and political matters, consult with Li Yan and Chen Zilong. Seek advice from Sun Chuanting in particular. Also, make sure to visit Bi Zhiyan and Sun Chengzong often."
“平日里多和黄宗羲、王夫之、顾炎武他们交流交流。”
“是，儿臣一定谨记父皇的圣训。”
崇祯溺爱地摸了摸朱彦霖的头，说道：“朕让人去给你量身定做一套军装！”
"Thank you, Father Emperor!"
等他们都出去后，王承恩笑道：“皇爷，他们都长大了。”
Your Highness, they have all grown up."
"Yes, they have all grown up."
After a while, Liu Rusi arrived.
"Your Majesty, there is something you need to know."
"What is it?"
"It's about that Chen Zhi from Shanghai."
"What happened to him?"
"He opened a newspaper without authorization and promoted so-called anti-war speeches."
"I am aware of this."
"The Shanghai public security detained him for 15 days and then released him."
“这个朕也知道。”
柳如是有些惊讶。
“陛下都知道？”
“朕都知道，太子刚刚跟朕说了，是太子让那边放人的。”
“现在在严控民间舆论，陈志这样的人，怎可15天后就放掉？臣看了他发表的，文人的春秋笔法，对陛下历来发动的战争颇有微词，而且公开批判此次西征。”
“朕当然看过他写的。”
“那陛下……”
“太子长大了，这件事既然朕让他去处理，朕当然要尊重他的建议。”崇祯慢条斯理说着，“教育子女，不是光靠说教，得让他们去实践，他们得自己会拿主意，做决断。”
"Of course, they also have to bear the corresponding consequences for their own decisions."
The Emperor's tone was calm.
"It is his own responsibility to become the person he will grow into, even though I have taught him everything."
"The crown prince is the heir apparent, and the cultivation of the heir apparent cannot solely rely on me to transmit knowledge verbally."
"When one is young, it may not be a bad thing to step into a few pitfalls."
"The path of life is composed of countless pitfalls, and no one can guarantee that they won't step into any. Before he ascends to the throne, let him experience and sharpen himself."
"Come here and help me button up this button, yes, here."
"It's better to dig the pit now than to naively dig the pit after ascending the throne."
"Besides, Chen Zhi, Military Intelligence has been keeping an eye on him for a long time."
Liú Rúshì sighed as she buttoned up for the emperor and said, "Your Majesty is indeed farsighted and wise."
Oh, dear father, it's not easy for you.
He is not only the emperor but also the nurturer of the future emperor.
Cultivating an heir is not about telling him what to do or not to do, and it is certainly not about worrying that he might make mistakes.
Nurturing a person requires effort and dedication; no one is born with the ability to govern a country.