Travel back in time and become Chongzhen, watch me turn the tide

"Of course, we can't publish everything," Hou Fangyu said with a smile, "That's why I have this Propaganda and Justice Department."

"So what exactly does your Propaganda and Cleansing Bureau do?" Fang Yizhi asked.

"In addition to what I just said, my Propaganda and Cleaning Office is also primarily responsible for the review, filing, and examination of the publication of court gazettes," Hou Fangyu said. "Let me give you an example. For example, if Brother Fang wants to publish a court gazette, you first need to come to me for review and filing. After my approval, it can be published. Moreover, during the publication process of your court gazette, we will conduct random spot checks. If we discover that your court gazette contains articles, comments, or other statements that may cause adverse effects, we will ask you to make corrections at the very least, and even revoke your court gazette qualification at the most serious..."

"Then what kind of articles and comments are allowed to be published?" Chen Zhenhui, who was quick-witted, immediately grasped the key point and asked hurriedly.

"I've also asked His Majesty about this," Hou Fangyu paused, recalling what Chongzhen had said to him at the time, and smiled, "As long as the article isn't anti-court, anti-social, or violates public order and good morals, it can be published!"

"This..." Fang Yizhi frowned slightly and hesitated for a moment before saying, "What if I criticize certain officials?"

"Your Majesty said that officials should be supervised by the people and must accept their criticism," Hou Fangyu said, imitating Chongzhen's demeanor and tone. "Of course, spreading rumors and making false accusations is not allowed... If an official doesn't even dare to accept the supervision of the people, such an official is better off gone!"

"Your Majesty, did you really say that? I don't believe it," the two men said, stunned and looking at Hou Fangyu in disbelief. "You know, Mao Pijiang and Huang Zongxi are still imprisoned, and Wu Yingji and you fled far away. Wasn't it all because of the 'Public Proclamation to Prevent Rebellion in the Capital'?"

"Don't worry, when His Majesty ascends the throne, those of our Fushe who have been arrested will be pardoned by His Majesty, and those who have returned home or secluded themselves can also gather in the Fushe again," Hou Fangyu said with a smile and full of confidence. "I am here this time on His Majesty's behalf to gather the backbone of our Fushe. His Majesty also said that he has heard of the name of the Fushe for a long time and wants to meet our members!"

"Is this... true?" Chen Zhenhui said with wide eyes in disbelief.

"Every word is true," Hou Fangyu said firmly. "This time, I just want to ask Mizhi and Dingsheng to contact the members of our Fushe Society to welcome His Majesty into the city. When the time comes, we will definitely restore the grand occasion of our Fushe Society back then!"

"Chao Zong, since you are so sure, we believe you and will contact you right away..."

-------------------------------------

Outside the city of Yangzhou, flags covered the sky and fluttered in the wind. Tens of thousands of troops had already been on full alert and were fully prepared to set off.

Today was the day Chongzhen would personally lead his army to Nanjing. As the army set out, the air was filled with a tense and exciting atmosphere.

Right in front of the army, a high platform rose from the ground.

At the request of Emperor Chongzhen, this platform was constructed of massive timbers, imposingly solid. A red carpet stretched all the way to the top. On either side of the carpet stood rows of ancient bronze tripods, from which curls of incense curled, swirling in the breeze and casting a veil of mystery over the solemn ceremony.

Below the stage, the elite Ming troops lined up in neat formations, their armor gleaming, swords and spears like a forest. Standing tall and straight like pine trees, their gazes resolute, they gazed toward the stage. Their faces gleamed bronze in the morning sun, the mark of countless battles. Sword and shield soldiers, spearmen, musketeers, archers—each formation was in perfect order. Cavalry protected the infantry on either flank, their horses neighing and their hooves clattering, as if eager to rush to the battlefield.

The reason for such a long delay was that the 20,000 troops who came after receiving Liu Liangzuo's orders had to be reorganized.

However, this time Liu Liangzuo was extremely cooperative, and the reorganization process went very smoothly. His general Zhang Yi resolutely chose to be loyal to Chongzhen, while another deputy general Chen Shouting tried to lead the army to resist, but was beheaded on the spot by Li Laiheng.

Li Laiheng replaced Chen Shouting as deputy commander-in-chief. To quickly gain control of the army, he carefully selected a large number of junior military officers from the Zhongwei Battalion, disbanded them, and dispersed them throughout the army. This reorganization not only gave Li Ruolian complete control of the army, but also significantly enhanced its overall combat effectiveness, like a sharpened blade.

There were about 80,000 troops accompanying Chongzhen on this expedition, claiming to have 100,000 troops. The military was powerful and majestic.

Huang Degong, Li Chengdong and Li Ruolian each led 20,000 soldiers, forming the left, center and right armies respectively, like three sharp swords, with their edges exposed.

Yan Yingyuan led 5,000 soldiers from the Zhongwei Camp as the vanguard, clearing the way for the main army.

The newly formed People's Army had already recruited 10,000 new soldiers to serve as the rear guard. Although they had no combat missions on this expedition, Chongzhen had a special purpose in mind, allowing them to depart with the main army and instructing Xie Quanfeng to follow the training requirements for new recruits and treat this expedition as a rare training opportunity, allowing the soldiers to learn on the march and train during the learning process, thereby continuously improving their quality and combat capabilities.

Huang Fei's navy reorganized the fleet and sailed up the Yangtze River straight towards Nanjing City.

The ceremony for the army to set out on the expedition was scheduled for the hour of Si.

This time was chosen because the Si hour, associated with the Five Elements, is associated with fire. The army marching at this time is like a flame, symbolizing courage and perseverance. Furthermore, setting off at Si hour allows for the better light and temperature of the morning, avoiding the afternoon heat and facilitating command and dispatch.

As a long and loud trumpet sounded across the sky, Emperor Chongzhen, dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe and a solemn crown on his head, slowly ascended the platform surrounded by his ministers.

His figure was solemn and majestic, each step carrying a weight of a thousand pounds, as if the fate of the entire Ming Dynasty rested on his feet. Following closely behind him were the commanders of the various armies accompanying Chongzhen on this campaign. They wore heavy armor and tasseled helmets, their red tassels rustling in the wind.

As soon as Emperor Chongzhen and the generals stood still, the whole place fell silent, with only the sound of the whistling wind and the fluttering flags. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified to the extreme.

On the high platform, Chongzhen looked at the mighty soldiers at his feet, and couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit in his heart! At this moment, his adrenaline was so high that even his hands and feet began to tremble uncontrollably.

However, Zhu Youjian in later generations was also a social savage. This kind of occasion would only make him more excited. He took a deep breath, calmed down his excitement, and said:

"...Now the rebels are causing chaos in the country, and the Hongguang court in Nanjing is incompetent, causing the collapse of government, the country is in danger, and the people are suffering.

I, inheriting the great legacy of my ancestors, must not allow this sacred artifact to be dishonored. In this perilous time, I will personally lead the royal army and punish the wicked according to Heaven's will. I pray for Heaven's blessing, for the unity of all my generals, and for the courage of my soldiers, to prevail over evil with righteousness, quell this calamity, restore the prosperity of the Great Ming, and relieve the people from this peril.

I declare to the gods of heaven and earth that my heart is witness to this. If I have acted disloyally, unfilially, unkindly, or unjustly, I am willing to accept heaven's punishment. May this expedition be successful and peace restored to the world. May we all bear witness to this oath."

Chongzhen's voice was powerful and resonant in the air for a long time, like the sound of a war drum, inspiring the fighting spirit of every soldier.

At this time, a ceremonial officer came forward to guide Chongzhen to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for a smooth expedition. This procedure was originally extremely cumbersome, but it was simplified at Chongzhen's request.

After the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, the army set out. On the high platform, Chongzhen drew the Emperor's Sword and shouted loudly: "Move out!"

In an instant, trumpets blew, shaking the sky, and war drums beat like thunder. The armies marched out one after another in the direction indicated by the Emperor's Sword, heading straight for Nanjing City!