My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

At this moment, the warm pavilion is as cozy as spring, a stark contrast to the icy, snowy landscape outside.

Xue Guoguan only stayed for a short while before his expression softened slightly.

Zhu Cilang did not rush to ask him what he had come for. He simply asked him to sit down and then sat quietly to the side, patiently waiting for the performance to begin.

Xue Guoguan quickly composed himself and respectfully said:

"Your Highness, I have come here to appease the forces in the south."

Although his voice was somewhat low, it conveyed a sense of firmness and composure.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, then fixed his gaze on Xue Guoguan and continued to ask:
What method have you come up with?

Xue Guoguan did not hesitate and said directly:

"The solution is actually quite simple: invite His Majesty to make a southern tour to appease the southern forces."

"Southern tour?"

Zhu Cilang raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

To be honest, Xue Guoguan's proposed method was entirely within his expectations.

Such events are not uncommon in history. Whenever a region is in turmoil or a powerful clan harbors rebellious intentions, the emperor's imperial carriage would often make an inspection tour, ostensibly to appease the local people and observe their conditions, but in reality, to display imperial authority and deter disobedience.

This serves both to reassure the anxious people that the emperor has not abandoned them and to warn any restless forces that the emperor's eyes are always watching them and they should not act rashly.

For example, after Qin conquered the six states, the noble forces in the former states of Qi and Chu were still active in secret.

Qin Shi Huang frequently toured the country, especially visiting the core areas of the former six states, to demonstrate the might of the Qin army and deter potential rebellious forces.

For example, Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen, after regaining the throne through the "Tumu Crisis," also undertook a large-scale southern tour in order to appease the officials, gentry, and nobles in the south.

After this trip, the previously somewhat unsettled people quickly calmed down, and the situation in the south was completely stabilized. For the next few decades, it never caused any major disturbances.

This tactic can be described as one of the most costly yet highly effective imperial strategies.

Just then, the flames in the charcoal brazier leaped up again, casting an uncertain glow on half of Zhu Cilang's face.

He pondered, as if carefully weighing the pros and cons of the plan.

The warm pavilion was so quiet that one could hear the rustling of snowflakes hitting the paper windowpanes, and Xue Guoguan's slightly heavier breathing due to his nervousness.

After a moment, Zhu Cilang finally spoke, his voice steady and devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Grand Secretary Xue's suggestion is indeed a prudent approach."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Xue Guoguan's lowered eyelids.

"Please, Your Majesty, come to the South in person. With Your Majesty's divine authority, it will surely be enough to appease the people and make those who are hesitant know where to go and dare not have any disloyal thoughts."

However, his tone immediately shifted, and a half-smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, accompanied by a hint of inquiry as he said:

"However, why does the Grand Secretary only mention Father Emperor? Is it not acceptable for me to make the southern tour on Father Emperor's behalf?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Guoguan was taken aback, and his white eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

He clearly hadn't expected the Crown Prince to raise this question so directly.

But he was, after all, a seasoned official who had been in office for a long time. He knew that speaking the truth in front of the crown prince might not be pleasant to hear, but being evasive and downplaying the seriousness of the matter might only arouse greater suspicion.

He then took a deep breath and, finally steeling himself, replied earnestly yet bluntly:

"Your Highness, I dare to speak frankly, and I beg Your Highness's forgiveness, but if Your Highness were to make a southern tour, I fear that it would be impossible to deter those forces in the south."

He paused slightly, observed Zhu Cilang's expression, and seeing that Zhu Cilang was not angry and was just looking at him quietly, he continued speaking, his tone becoming even more calm and gentle.

"The reason for this is simply that Your Highness is, after all, the Crown Prince, not the Emperor. Your title is not yet legitimate, and therefore your authority is insufficient."

“The governors, nobles, and even the deeply entrenched gentry and powerful families in the south may fear His Majesty, because His Majesty is the ruler of the world and holds the ultimate power of life and death.”

"But as for Your Highness..."

Xue Guoguan didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was crystal clear.

It must be said that Xue Guoguan's words, in an era that placed great emphasis on the relationship between ruler and subject, were indeed somewhat rebellious.

Because he pointed out that the crown prince was not the emperor and therefore could not exercise the exclusive rights of the emperor.

However, Zhu Cilang heard this but felt no anger; instead, a faint sense of appreciation crossed his mind.

Because he knew that Xue Guoguan was telling the truth.

Although he had long since firmly controlled the capital and the surrounding troops through a series of means, effectively forming a powerful force.

But the various forces in the south, thousands of miles away, may not be aware of the details.

They might even believe that the Ming Dynasty's current state is entirely due to Emperor Chongzhen's strategic planning.

In their ingrained understanding, the crown prince is still the crown prince, and even if he is in charge of the country, he is still "acting on behalf of the emperor," which is fundamentally different from the real emperor.

In other words, at this critical juncture, the only one who can truly intimidate the South, both in terms of prestige and psychology, and prevent it from acting rashly, is his father, Emperor Chongzhen, not him, the crown prince who, though powerful, has not yet truly ruled the world.

However, to be frank, Zhu Cilang was indeed quite tempted by the proposal of a "southern tour".

It wasn't entirely due to political considerations; there was also a subtle element of personal emotion involved.

Since transmigrating to this era, he has spent most of his time confined within the palace walls, facing either mountains of memorials or various intricate court struggles every day.

Either go to war!
Although the capital city was nice, staying there for too long inevitably made him feel a bit stuffy and bored. He also wanted to see with his own eyes what the Jiangnan region, the true center of wealth and culture of the Ming Dynasty, was really like, and to experience the local customs and culture firsthand.

More importantly, he had a grand blueprint in mind, and many reforms concerning the national economy and people's livelihood were being piloted and established precisely in the south.

After more than two hundred years of relative peace, the South has become somewhat estranged from the North, which is the brain of the Empire, in terms of political cohesion, military development, and economic structure. He must take this opportunity to examine and reorganize it.

Thoughts drifted like snowflakes outside the window. Zhu Cilang picked up the slightly cooled tea beside him and took a small sip. The warm tea slid down his throat, bringing a touch of comfort.

He then put down his teacup, looked at Xue Guoguan, and proposed a new plan:
"If that's the case, then Grand Secretary Xue's concerns are reasonable. How about we take a compromise and have me accompany Father Emperor on his southern tour?"

"Ah? This"

Upon hearing this, Xue Guoguan panicked instantly, and a crack appeared in his previously carefully maintained composure.

Because this proposal was completely unexpected for him.

According to the ancestral laws passed down through generations in the Ming Dynasty, the emperor and the crown prince, as the core of the empire, could never leave the capital at the same time; one of them had to remain to guard the central government. If the emperor and the crown prince left the capital together, the foundation of the nation would be weakened, and if anything were to happen to them, it would be a matter of utter crisis that would shake the very foundation of the country!
Um.
Xue Guoguan seemed to be getting old and had forgotten that Zhu Cilang had gone to the Battle of Songjin with Emperor Chongzhen.

But that doesn't matter.

The next second, Xue Guoguan, disregarding everything else, quickly raised his voice and said urgently:
"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable! This old minister believes this is extremely inappropriate! Your Majesty and Your Highness are the pillars of the nation and the foundation of the capital. If they leave the capital at the same time, what if something unexpected happens? The communication will be difficult, wouldn't that lead to a great disaster?"

Seeing Xue Guoguan's panicked appearance, Zhu Cilang laughed instead, thinking to himself, "Has this old fellow forgotten the Battle of Songjin?"

Then he waved his hand and said in a relaxed tone:
"Your Excellency need not worry too much. The military and civilian forces in and around the capital are at peace, and the civil and military officials are performing their duties in an orderly manner. Nothing bad is going to happen."

"Besides, aren't there the cabinet members in charge of handling daily affairs? As for the matter of the regent, I already have a plan in mind, and I will definitely make proper arrangements to ensure the safety of the capital. The Grand Secretary can rest assured."

Xue Guoguan opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing Zhu Cilang's confident look, he swallowed his words.

He knew that the young crown prince was far more shrewd and decisive than most people could imagine. Since he said that, he must have made thorough arrangements.

If one remains stubborn and insists on their own opinions, it will not be good.

He could only sigh inwardly, forcing a smile as he bowed and said:
"Your Highness is wise and far-sighted. In that case, this old minister will not say any more. However, this matter is of great importance and requires Your Majesty's approval."

"This is natural."

Zhu Cilang nodded, his expression returning to seriousness.

"The matter of the southern tour is complex and of great importance. After you return, Grand Secretary Xue, you should first secretly contact the relevant ministries and departments to make a preliminary plan for the route, ceremonial guard, and lodging arrangements. But remember, before you receive the imperial decree, you must not let any information leak out."

"Old minister understands."

Xue Guoguan solemnly agreed. He wasn't stupid; why would he tell others about such a thing? Wouldn't that just make things difficult for himself?

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open, and a blast of cold air swept in.

Ma Bao carefully walked in, carrying a red lacquered tray with a steaming white porcelain covered bowl on it.

Zhu Cilang didn't speak, but gestured to Ma Bao with his eyes.

Ma Bao instantly understood and walked straight to Xue Guoguan's side, saying:
"Your Excellency has worked hard. Please have a bowl of ginger tea to warm yourself up!"

Xue Guoguan quickly expressed his gratitude:
"Good work."

He then took it with both hands, and in an instant, a rich, spicy ginger aroma mixed with the sweet fragrance of red dates wafted over him.

He took a careful sip, and the warm tea slid down his esophagus. A warm current quickly spread from his stomach to his limbs, as if dispelling much of the chill that had accumulated throughout the day.

Then Xue Guoguan slowly drank the whole bowl of ginger tea, sip by sip.

The tension that had been building up seemed to ease as I drank the tea.

After finishing the ginger tea, Xue Guoguan placed the empty bowl back on the tray and bowed to Zhu Cilang again.

"If Your Highness has no further instructions, this old minister will take his leave."

"Yes, Your Excellency, please take care. The roads are slippery in the snow, so please watch your step."

Zhu Cilang gave a gentle instruction.

Xue Guoguan then bowed and left the study.

As he stepped outside the palace, a biting wind mixed with snowflakes rushed towards him, causing him to shiver and instinctively tighten his fur coat.

It then gradually receded into the distance and eventually disappeared around the corner of the palace wall.

Zhu Cilang stood up and walked to the door, quietly gazing in the direction where Xue Guoguan had disappeared.

At this moment, the snow outside fell even harder, and the world was covered in a white expanse. Only the lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed in the wind and snow, casting a dim yellow glow.

That evening, Zhu Cilang, this "uninvited guest," went straight to the palace.

The inner dragon of the Kunning Palace, where Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou resided, was extremely warm, making it seem like a completely different world from the icy and snowy outside.

Emperor Chongzhen was feeling somewhat tired today, and with the short days and long nights of winter and nothing much to do, he instructed the palace servants to prepare for his rest early.

Empress Zhou also changed into her nightgown. The two were sitting on the heated kang, chatting idly. Silver charcoal burned silently in the charcoal brazier, and a faint, calming fragrance filled the air.

Just then, the personal eunuch Wang Chengen tiptoed in and whispered his report from outside the curtain:
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince is requesting an audience, saying he has important matters to report."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen frowned almost imperceptibly.

Why does this kid always choose to come at this time of night?
But Chongzhen knew that Zhu Cilang must have something important to discuss, so he smiled helplessly at Empress Zhou and said:

"Your Majesty, please rest now. I'll be right back."

Empress Zhou nodded gently:
"State affairs are of utmost importance, Your Majesty, please go now and do not keep Lang'er waiting."

She was well aware of her son's current status and responsibilities, and although she was concerned, she did not feel comfortable asking too many questions.

Then, with Wang Chengen's help, Chongzhen put on a loose sable fur robe again. The robe was not tied tightly, but was just draped lazily over his shoulders. He wore a pair of soft-soled slippers, making him look very lazy and casual.

He did not go to the main hall where he formally received his officials, but went directly to the warm pavilion connected to his bedchamber. This place was more private and cozy than the study, with several delicate pastries and a pot of freshly brewed hot tea on the kang table.

Soon, Zhu Cilang was led in.

He took off his cloak, which was stained with snowflakes, and handed it to a eunuch beside him before bowing to Emperor Chongzhen.

Chongzhen casually pointed to the seat opposite the kang table:
"Sit down and let's talk. What's the rush? It's so late."

Zhu Cilang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down as instructed, getting straight to the point:

"Father, this afternoon, Grand Secretary Xue Guoguan told me something. I thought about it carefully and felt that what he said made a lot of sense, so I came to report it to you."

Emperor Chongzhen picked up the warm teacup, gently blew away the foam, took a small sip, and seemed somewhat absent-minded.

"What did he say that you take so seriously?"

Zhu Cilang's gaze remained calm as he stated directly:

"Grand Secretary Xue suggested that the opening of the sea would inevitably affect many forces in the south, and people's hearts might waver. In order to show the Emperor's grace, appease the hearts of officials, gentry and people in the south, and consolidate the foundation of the country, he hoped that the Emperor could choose an opportunity to go to the south for an inspection."

what?
Southern Tour?

Emperor Chongzhen's hand, holding the teacup, trembled suddenly. The lid collided with the body of the cup with a crisp "clink," and a few drops of scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he seemed oblivious. (End of Chapter)