After hearing this, Changning felt like he had two heads to split open.
There were indeed too many children, and with the triplets just born, there was inevitably a lot of energy left to spend on them. Hongyang was at the age where he could run and jump, and he lived by her side every day, so Changning inevitably neglected to discipline Hongchen. Who knew that this child would develop such a mischievous nature.
Seeing Hongmin's angry expression and red eyes, Changning's heart softened a little. She tugged at his hand and gently coaxed him, "Hongmin, don't cry. Your sixth brother did make a mistake. Mother will call him over and give him a good scolding in a little while."
When Hongmin heard his mother say that, he no longer felt wronged. Instead, he felt that he had also done something wrong and felt a little guilty: "Mother, I was not good either. No matter how naughty my sixth brother is, I should give in to him as his older brother. I should not have let him skip class."
After hearing this, Changning felt a wave of tenderness wash over her. She hugged Hongmin tightly. In the past, this son had always been well-behaved and obedient. Children who don't cry don't get much candy, and Changning felt increasingly guilty towards him.
As Hongmin spoke, he felt more and more guilty and almost shed tears: "I heard from them when I came back today that my sixth brother climbed a tree. What will happen if he falls down?"
"Mother, it's all my fault. I didn't keep an eye on him. I'll never argue with my sixth brother again. Actually, he's a good guy; he just likes me playing with him. From now on, I'll play with him more often."
Changning shook her head, her tone gentle: "Hongmin is angry, he has his own selfish reasons, that's normal. You did make a mistake in what happened today."
You and Hongchen are brothers, and family members should be united in spirit and blood. How can you abandon him? Look at your third and fourth brothers; when they found out Hongchen ran away, weren't they searching for him everywhere?"
Hongmin nodded, and large tears fell down his face.
Changning gently wiped away his tears and continued to comfort him, "But Hongmin is a kind-hearted older brother, Mother knows that. You see, you realized what you should do even before Mother could say anything. That's wonderful, Mother is very pleased."
However, you are wrong about one thing.
As the older brother, you naturally have the responsibility and obligation to discipline your younger brother. You can't just indulge him in playing and skipping classes. You can advise him on anything that's right.
Hongmin had stopped crying by now, and looked at Changning with his big eyes: "Mother, really? I can take care of him?"
"Of course. Who says an older brother can only give in to his younger brother? Of course you can manage him. But it depends on the situation. For important matters like his studies, you should definitely do what's best for him."
Feeling that he had his mother's support and could use her words as a talisman to discipline his younger brother, Hongmin was no longer angry. Instead, he enthusiastically discussed with Changning how to discipline his disobedient brother.
Taking advantage of the situation, Changning had someone call Hongchen over as well, and repeated to him what she had just told Hongmin.
"From now on, you must listen to your brother more and never act on your own again. If Mother or Father finds out, the punishment next time will not be so lenient. You will have to write at least a hundred large characters, will not be allowed to eat snacks for a month, and will not be allowed to leave the palace to play for a year."
Hearing his mother's words, Hongchen was dumbfounded. What? There could actually be such a severe punishment?
Not being able to eat snacks for a month, not being able to leave the palace for a year, and having to write a hundred large characters every day—it all sounded like hell. Hongchen pouted, almost bursting into tears, and could only nod dejectedly in agreement.
Changning also noticed something and asked with some curiosity, "Do you think Third Uncle is very ignorant and incompetent?"
The two children looked at each other, especially Hongchen, who was twirling his fingers with his head down, stammering, but not wanting to lie: "It's true... Third Uncle only knows classical Chinese all day long... and he's good for nothing, he's just a prince..."
Changning frowned: "Who's been gossiping behind your backs? Or are you just making this up yourselves? Judging a person solely by their title?"
Seeing his mother angry, Hongchen was a little scared: "Mother, I didn't mean to speak ill of the elders."
“No matter what, the Third Prince is still an adult, your elder, and naturally he has things that you cannot do. Hongchen, don’t take your intelligence for granted and treat everyone else like fools.”
Changning wasn't trying to speak up for the Third Prince; he really was unreliable. She just wanted to correct her son's tendency to look down on others, as it wouldn't be good if he developed an unrealistic and ambitious personality.
"Your mother is giving you some homework. Go back and read about the story of Zhong Yong."
After he had properly educated his two sons, Yinzhen also entered the palace.
The two little ones obediently bowed to their father, the Emperor. Yinzhen patted each of their heads and offered a few words of encouragement: "I have already heard about what happened today, and your mothers have already given you a lecture, so I will not repeat it. Remember that you brothers must work together in the future and not be so playful."
The two little ones nodded vigorously before going back to rest.
Looking at his two four-year-old sons holding hands, so close they seemed to be wearing the same pair of pants, Yinzhen felt a pang of emotion.
Even brothers born of the same father and mother can have some disagreements, let alone brothers separated by a mother.
Yinzhen's gaze darkened slightly, but thankfully, all his troublesome brothers were locked up, and all the necessary personnel and henchmen had been dealt with.
If we worry about this now, we're worrying about the affairs of the imperial court.
Since he ascended the throne, he has been deploying his own people in the court and placing his trusted ministers in positions of power.
The Japanese pirates have been making a lot of noise lately, and given the long-standing friction between the two countries, Changxing, who is in charge of trade with various countries, has also reported that the Japanese pirates' actions are always provocative and have killed many coastal residents.
Yinzhen had long harbored a desire to fight.
Now, smallpox vaccination and trade are being managed by several sons of the Fucha family. He also promoted Nian Gengyao to general, specifically to guard the Northwest and keep an eye on the Dzungar Khanate.
He then appointed Prince Yi, Yinxiang, as Minister of State Affairs, overseeing the Imperial Examination Office, the Imperial Workshops, and the three treasuries of the Ministry of Revenue. In addition, he was tasked with military planning in the Northwest and handling affairs related to foreign missionaries.
There was also Ortai, a minister whom Yinzhen had previously favored, and Wanji's father. He was now promoted by Yinzhen to the position of Jiangsu Provincial Treasurer, becoming a high-ranking local official.
In order to strengthen imperial power, Yinzhen planned to establish the Grand Council and initially proposed Zhang Tingyu and others as Grand Councilors.
With these political measures in place, he was able to fully implement reforms and fight the Japanese pirates.
Upon hearing Yinzhen mention fighting the Japanese pirates, Changning immediately perked up; she was the most supportive person of the matter.
Just kidding, which Chinese person wouldn't get excited if someone said they wanted to fight the Japanese?
Changning wished that Yinzhen would just wipe out their country and burn it all to the ground.
However, she still retained a sliver of rationality. In war, one must proceed step by step and proceed slowly, after all, the fewer lives of soldiers sacrificed, the better.
Currently, there are many ministers in the court who advocate war, with Prince Zhi being the most prominent among them.
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