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

Six hundred thousand soldiers sound impressive, but it means that at least twice that number, or more than 1.2 million civilian laborers and auxiliary soldiers, would be needed to ensure their logistics! Transporting grain, repairing roads, manufacturing weapons, and treating the wounded... this would almost drain the able-bodied young men and women of Beizhili, Shandong, Henan, and even parts of Nanzhili!
The impact on people's livelihoods in China will be enormous.

With three separate forces deployed far apart, coordinating and commanding them will be a nightmare.

Any delay, obstruction, or reckless advance on any front could disrupt the overall strategy or even allow the Jurchens to concentrate their superior forces and defeat them one by one.

The western route of the Mongol army, in particular, relied heavily on the cooperation and loyalty of the various Mongol tribes, making it highly unpredictable.

The most crucial element is logistics. Zhu Cilang said "one year," which means that before the war, enough food, ammunition, clothing, and medicine for nearly two million troops to be stockpiled on the Liaodong front must be sufficient for a year's combat operations. This is a truly astronomical figure that could drain the savings of several provinces!

The difficulty of transporting, storing, distributing, and protecting it is no less than that of direct combat. Moreover, if the war drags on, the costs will increase exponentially. This is no longer just a military issue, but the ultimate test of a nation's finances, resource mobilization, and social management capabilities.

Silence fell over the tent for a moment, broken only by heavy breathing and the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

After the initial excitement, the cold, hard reality weighed heavily on the hearts of every general. They looked at the Crown Prince, wondering how much preparation this young commander had made for all these daunting difficulties, and what his chances of success were.

Finally, Wu Sangui broke the silence.

He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhu Cilang, his face displaying the sharpness characteristic of a young general, yet unable to conceal his deep concerns, and asked clearly:

"Your Highness! Your plans are grand and ambitious, and we are deeply inspired. We know that this battle will be recorded in history! However, I dare to ask, there is still a concern that is stuck in my throat and I must speak out."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the long marching route and vast enemy territory on the map, before continuing:

"His Highness says he intends to complete the campaign in one year. However, a war to destroy a nation is no small matter, especially in Liaodong, where the mountains and rivers are treacherous and the climate is unpredictable. The enemy will surely fight like cornered beasts. It is only natural that the war will drag on. If the battle lines are stretched out and the war becomes protracted... then our hundreds of thousands of troops will be burdened with the cost of food and supplies, which will amount to thousands of gold coins a day. The consumption of provisions, weapons, and medicines will be an abyss!"
Not to mention the millions of civilian laborers and auxiliary soldiers. Throughout history, how many victories have ultimately crumbled due to running out of supplies and reinforcements, or failing to sustain their momentum? If our army penetrates deep into enemy territory, and the battle is raging, and if there are any problems with the transport of supplies from the rear, or if reserves are depleted too quickly, the morale of the troops at the front will inevitably waver, and then…”

He didn't say anything more, but everyone in the tent understood what those unfinished words meant—a mutiny, a rout, and even the tragedy of total annihilation!

Such lessons are not uncommon in the history of the Ming Dynasty, and even in earlier dynasties.

Warfare is all about money and supplies, it's all about logistics. Especially in large-scale wars of annihilation that are far from home and deep in enemy territory, the supply line is the lifeline; the slightest mishap can lead to utter destruction. Most of the generals present have experienced the dire situation of insufficient supplies and pay, and the discontent of soldiers, and they know this pain all too well.

Zhu Cilang listened to Wu Sangui's frank words without displeasure; instead, he showed approval. He needed generals who dared to raise questions and think practically.

He nodded slightly, his tone steady and confident, and slowly began to speak:

"General Wu's concerns are very reasonable and are essential to military strategy. In a war of annihilation of a nation of this scale, logistical support is of paramount importance, as it is crucial to the outcome of the war and cannot be taken lightly in the slightest."

He walked into the tent, his gaze sweeping over the assembled generals, his voice rising a few decibels, carrying an undeniable decisiveness:
"The imperial court has long planned for this matter and has conducted repeated calculations and deductions. Grand Secretary Hong,"

He looked at Hong Chengchou beside him.

Hong Chengchou understood, stepped forward, and took over the conversation, addressing the generals in a loud voice:
"Generals, since the grand plan to exterminate the Jurchens was decided last year, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, and the Grand Canal Transport Office, under the personal supervision of His Highness the Crown Prince, have jointly calculated the costs. The preliminary estimate is that all military expenses from preparation to the final battle, including the purchase and transportation of provisions, the manufacture and replenishment of weapons, the food and labor of civilians, the salaries of soldiers, rewards and pensions, etc., will total approximately 50 million taels of silver!"

"Fifty million taels!"

Despite being somewhat prepared, this figure still elicited a low gasp from inside the tent. It was almost equivalent to the total annual revenue of the Ming Dynasty during its heyday! But those present were all discerning individuals who knew that with 600,000 combat troops and over a million auxiliary soldiers, waging a high-intensity war of annihilation that could last for more than a year, this number, though enormous, was not an exaggeration.

Zhu Cilang continued Hong Chengchou's words, stating decisively:
"The imperial court has already raised this enormous sum of fifty million taels of silver. The proceeds from the southern tour, profits from maritime trade, taxes from salt and tea, and even the reserves of the imperial treasury are all on the list. More importantly, it is not enough to simply have silver; it is necessary to transform the silver into real, mountainous supplies of grain and military provisions and transport them to the front lines ahead of schedule!"

He tapped his fingers heavily on the landmarks on the map, such as "Jinzhou," "Ningyuan," and "Shanhaiguan," the sound ringing out:
"Therefore, before the army officially swears an oath to march out of the pass next spring, the primary task of the court is to use the remaining days of this year, through Zheng Zhilong's navy, canal transport, and even the conscription of laborers by land, to stockpile enough grain, clothing, medicine, as well as massive amounts of ammunition, arrows, and gunpowder to support our 600,000 soldiers, the corresponding laborers, and even the people on the Liaodong front for a year in the cities of Jinzhou, Ningyuan, Tashan, and Xingshan in the Liaoxi Corridor, as well as the large reserve warehouses inside Shanhaiguan!"

He surveyed the crowd, his gaze intense:

"A year's worth of food! This is the bottom line! It means that even if the war is delayed, even if there are some losses during transport, our army on the front lines will have at least a year to focus wholeheartedly on killing the enemy without worrying about tomorrow's meals! Soldiers can eat their fill and receive their full pay, artisans can work day and night to produce weapons, and wounded soldiers can receive medical treatment! This is the foundation of a protracted war and a war of annihilation!"

These words, like a reassurance and a stimulant, were injected into the hearts of every general.

Yes, what's the most frightening thing in war? It's not the bloodshed on the battlefield; death is sometimes a soldier's final resting place. The most frightening thing is having no support behind you, being hungry, having no pay, and having weapons that are no longer effective! The root cause of the Battle of Sarhu was the lack of supplies and pay, and the demoralization of the army!
At that time, the imperial court couldn't collect taxes, with each level of taxation deducting from them. Who were the soldiers fighting for? If, as the Crown Prince said, a year's worth of provisions and military supplies could be prepared and transported to the front lines before the war even began, it would be like giving the entire army the greatest reassurance! They could devote all their energy, courage, and lives to the decisive battle against the Jurchens without any worries! Stable logistics lead to stable morale; stable morale leads to victory!

The tense atmosphere inside the tent eased, and many generals showed expressions of excitement and relief.

However, Zhu Cilang had not finished speaking.

He paused briefly, allowing everyone to process the logistical support information, then his expression turned to a deeper solemnity, and his voice became even more serious, as if every word carried the weight of a thousand pounds:
"Food, provisions, and equipment are essential for the survival of soldiers. However, if we want soldiers to fight to the death for the country, in addition to providing them with enough food and clothing, we must also address their concerns about the future, demonstrate the court's benevolence and compassion, and show the benevolence and forgiveness of heaven and earth!"

His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the assembled generals, and he declared, word by word, with utmost clarity:
"Therefore, on behalf of the court and also on behalf of my father, I hereby clearly state the regulations for compensation and relief for those who have gone on this expedition!"

The tent fell silent again, and everyone held their breath.

"All soldiers of our Great Ming Dynasty, regardless of their garrison or camp, regardless of their social status, who bravely die on the battlefield in this war to exterminate the Jurchens..."

Zhu Cilang's voice echoed inside the tent.

"In addition to the usual funeral arrangements, the imperial court will issue a special allowance of two hundred taels of silver for the deceased in battle! This allowance will be jointly supervised by the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and special commissioners from the Crown Prince's Palace to ensure that it is fully and promptly distributed directly to the deceased's parents, wife, and children. No one will be allowed to embezzle or delay it!" "Two hundred taels!"

This figure caused another stir. It was by no means a small amount; enough to ensure an ordinary family's livelihood for several years, and even allow them to acquire some land.

In the late Ming Dynasty, it was rare for an ordinary soldier to receive a few dozen taels of silver as compensation for dying in battle.

But this was just the beginning, Zhu Cilang continued, his tone carrying an undeniable warmth and strength:

"If their parents have no other children to support them, they will be registered by the local government and given monthly rations and firewood until their death. Their children, regardless of gender, will be uniformly educated and provided with food and clothing, and taught literary and martial arts by the imperial court at the 'School for the Orphans of Loyal Martyrs' until they reach adulthood!"
Upon reaching adulthood, males would be given priority for military service as officers, or for government positions, or be granted land to settle down; women would be provided with dowries by the government to help them marry good men, ensuring they would never be left homeless or reduced to the lowest social class!

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the higher-ranking generals:

"As for guerrilla commanders, brigadier generals, deputy generals, commanders-in-chief, and even higher-ranking officers, if they unfortunately die in battle, their compensation and family protection will be significantly increased on top of this! Specific regulations will be distributed to you all later. In short,"

Zhu Cilang's voice suddenly rose, filled with a penetrating power:

"The imperial court will never allow the loyal and brave soldiers who shed their last drop of blood for the country to feel disheartened in the afterlife! We will never allow their parents to be left without care, or their wives and children to be left destitute! This war is not only about destroying the country, but also about establishing trust! Establishing the trust of our great Ming Dynasty in our soldiers and our people! We want the world to know that even if one dies fighting for the country, there is glory, and one's family will have someone to rely on!"

"..."

Silence, a deathly silence, followed by an excitement like a volcanic eruption!
"Your Highness...Your Highness is merciful!"

"The imperial court treats its soldiers so well, we...we will repay it with our lives!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

All the generals inside the tent, regardless of age or faction, were filled with excitement and fervor! Many had tears in their eyes, and some even clenched their fists and let out suppressed growls.

Before the battle even began, the Crown Prince had already considered the affairs of the fallen soldiers so thoroughly, offering such generous compensation and making such firm promises! This was no longer just a matter of money and provisions; it was the highest recognition of the value and sacrifice of the soldiers, and the most direct interpretation of "righteousness" and "benevolence"!

With such a guarantee, how could the soldiers not strive to be the first, and how could the generals not vow to fight to the death? This is far more effective in uniting the troops and inspiring their fighting spirit than any empty slogans or harsh military laws!
With a clatter, led by Sun Chuanting and Zu Dashou, all the generals in the tent knelt on one knee in unison, clasping their hands in salute to Zhu Cilang. Their voices trembled slightly with excitement, echoing throughout the military tent.

"Your Highness's compassion for the soldiers is like a second life! On behalf of our troops, we kowtow to express our gratitude for Your Highness's divine grace! On our journey to Liaodong, we will fight bravely, capture enemy generals and flags, wipe out their strongholds, and never return to the capital until the Jurchens are destroyed! We will certainly live up to Your Majesty's and Your Highness's high expectations!"

The roar was filled with resolute will and surging fighting spirit.

A satisfied smile appeared on Zhu Cilang's face, and he gestured with his hands for support:
"Generals, please rise. With your loyalty and courage, what great undertaking cannot be accomplished? That concludes today. Go back and rest well, and think carefully. The Ministry of War will coordinate with you later regarding the specific strategies, personnel, and logistical details. I hope you will all work together to achieve this unparalleled feat!"

"I obey your orders!"

The generals saluted again, and then, with their hearts still pounding with emotion, they left the military tent one after another.

The autumn sun shone on them, and each of them felt the burden on their shoulders was heavier than a thousand pounds, but in their chests, it was as if a fire was burning.

However, just as everyone was about to leave, Zhu Cilang spoke seemingly casually:
"General Zu, please wait a moment. I still have some details about the customs and culture of Liaodong that I would like to ask you about."

Upon hearing this, Zu Dashou paused in his steps and quickly turned around:

"My minister obeys."

The other generals understood that the Crown Prince and this veteran general from Liaodong must have something important to discuss, so they quickened their pace to leave.

Soon, only Zhu Cilang, Hong Chengchou, and Zu Dashou remained in the tent, and the atmosphere shifted from the previous excitement to a quiet, secretive stillness.

The servant served hot tea again and then quietly withdrew.

Zhu Cilang gestured for Zu Dashou to sit down, then picked up his teacup, blew on the foam, and asked casually:

"Has the Liaodong front remained calm recently? And has Hauge remained docile?"

Zu Dashou quickly put down his teacup and respectfully replied:

"Your Highness, since the Battle of Songjin, the Jurchens have suffered a great blow to their arrogance, and the Hauge tribe has retreated into hiding, rarely crossing the border. When our patrols and scouts sometimes approach their defense zone, they mostly sound the alarm or send out small cavalry units to confront them, rarely launching any proactive attacks."

Overall, the situation on the western Liaoning front is relatively calm. However…

He paused.

"Small-scale skirmishes and skirmishes between scouts have never ceased, with casualties on both sides. But all have been within a controllable range."

Zhu Cilang nodded; this was within his expectations. The balance of power had shifted, and it was perfectly normal for the Jurchens to adopt a defensive posture. (End of Chapter)