Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 200 Double Agent
In the autumn of the third year of Dingwu, the Ming Dynasty also sent an envoy to the north. Although Zhu Cilang sternly rejected the ministers' attempts to negotiate peace, he did not directly cut off all communication channels with the Qing court - peace talks were impossible, the two armies had fought many times, and the hundreds of prisoners still had to be exchanged.

You know, the game outside the battlefield is equally important. Zhu Cilang not only has to focus on the army, but also has to try to launch a political offensive to disintegrate those Han ministers and generals in the Qing court who have different ideas, so as to weaken the military strength of the Qing Dynasty.

Zu Zepu followed the Dingwu court's delegation, starting from Nanjing and heading north, crossing mountains and rivers, passing through many prefectures along the canal.

The living conditions in the areas north and south of Xuzhou, controlled by the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty respectively, were completely different. This was not only due to the difference in natural landscapes along the way, but also reflected the disparity in governance capabilities between the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Many places south of Xuzhou are also quite desolate due to natural disasters and man-made disasters over the years, with deserted villages everywhere. However, there is now a prosperous market within the city, and it is very lively because of the garrison.

But Jining Prefecture in southern Shandong was a completely different scene. Thousands of Qing troops were stationed there, but apart from the civilians with numb expressions and tattered clothes, the city looked like a lifeless military camp.

As the delegation moved north, the situation did not improve at all. When they arrived in northern Zhili, they saw that after the Eight Banners had enclosed land, the villages had become large slave estates.

These are the northern provinces under the rule of the Qing Dynasty, barely maintained by a powerful machine of violence, and they could collapse at any time!
Of course, Zu Zepu didn't care about such things at the moment. Compared with the survival of the people, he was more worried about himself. He was very clear about his current situation and knew that this trip was unusual. He had to remain vigilant at all times.

After all, although the delegation received courtesy from officials from all over the Qing court along the way, there was also a lot of secret surveillance and testing.

Because of his special identity, Zu Zepu faced endless surveillance and temptation from both the Ming and Qing sides, and his situation was even more difficult than that of other people in the delegation.

As the eldest son of Zu Dashou, after Zu Dashou made the first contribution in the "Zunyong Victory", he became the commander of the Jinyiwei with the help of his father, and was later promoted to the left general. He was immersed in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty for many years.

Faced with the suspicious Emperor Chongzhen and Zu Dashou, whose relationship with the court was becoming increasingly strained due to repeated defeats in war, he had to deal with both sides and weigh the pros and cons. It can be said that he was terrified every day.

Anyone who has lived in such an environment for more than ten years naturally knows that any detail in any matter may determine his fate.

Therefore, when he went north with the delegation this time, he always paid attention to the movements around him and acted cautiously to ensure that he would not reveal any flaws and expose his true identity as a "double agent."

After going through numerous inspections and more than a month's journey, the Dingwu court's northern delegation finally arrived in Beijing.

This ancient capital with a long history looks particularly cold and dignified in the autumn wind. The streets in the south of the city where Han people live are sparsely populated, and there is no trace of the bustle of a few years ago. The people on the streets are even weak and listless, with numb expressions.

Zu Zepu and the officials of the delegation rode their horses through the streets of Beijing, some with stern eyes, some with gloomy expressions, with thousands of thoughts in their minds, but no one showed any of it, as they were all weighing things carefully.

The officials of the delegation were naturally given a grand reception by the Qing court, but no one really relaxed, as they all knew very well that the Tartars were not that kind.

Negotiations on the exchange of prisoners between the Ming and Qing dynasties were soon carried out in a side hall of the Forbidden City. Dorgon sent Hong Chengchou to negotiate with the officials of the Ming Dynasty delegation.

Of course, this so-called prisoner negotiation was not just about the prisoners themselves. In order to determine the details of the prisoner exchange, the Ming and Qing sides also engaged in fierce debates on the border where the two armies confronted each other, the military expenses of the Qing army entering the pass, and even the righteousness of the country.

Although Zu Zepu was also a member of the delegation, he had no decision-making power. He just stood aside, observing silently, and occasionally interjecting a few words to express his attitude.

He had already seen from Hong Chengchou's behavior that although Dorgon appeared to be very interested in the negotiations, he actually had other intentions. The so-called fierce quarrel was just an attempt to cover up his own intentions.

After several rounds of negotiations, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement. The conditions proposed by the Dingwu Mission were rejected one by one by the Qing court, and the Qing court's demands also forced the mission officials to reject them directly without consulting Nanjing.

In the end, this negotiation, in which both sides showed no sincerity except for exchanging prisoners, broke down as expected by both sides.

But this time, the Qing court did not dare to directly detain the officials of the delegation as it had done in history. Dorgon seemed angry, but was actually secretly satisfied with the result. After persuading some officials in the delegation to surrender, he even signaled to Emperor Shunzhi to grant official positions to the officials headed by Zu Zepu. Zu Zepu was awarded the title of "First-Class Imperial Guard".

Zu Zepu knew very well that this was Dorgon's attempt to win him over and also a test of his loyalty, but he had already made up his mind to walk between the Ming and Qing dynasties, playing both sides and seeking to maximize the interests of his ancestral family.

Under the arrangement of the Qing court, Zu Zepu naturally stayed in Beijing. On the surface, he was promoted and valued, but in fact, like Zu Dashou, he was under the surveillance of the Eight Banners soldiers.

But he seemed to be not affected at all. He dealt with Qing officials as usual every day and participated in various affairs. At the same time, he secretly collected intelligence for the Ming court. He was a man of iron will and a good minister who "knew there was a tiger in the mountain, but still went there."

Of course, on the Qing side, he took advantage of the situation and passed false information to the Ming court, becoming a "loyal minister" who devoted his life to the Qing Dynasty and died for it.

Meanwhile, officials from various branches of the Qing court in Beijing held differing views on Zu Zepu. Some were suspicious of him, believing him to be a Ming spy, while others showed great interest in him, attempting to win him over and establish a relationship with Zu Dashou.

Zu Zepu was naturally well aware of these attitudes and could deal with them with ease.

After all, the real ruler of the Qing Dynasty at the time, Dorgon, showed great trust in him. He often summoned him to discuss military and national affairs, asked about other experiences in Nanjing, and praised him as a rare talent.

Of course, Zu Zepu behaved respectfully and politely in front of Dorgon, and tried his best to cater to his intentions, especially what he said and heard in Nanjing, he told him everything he knew.

Zhu Cilang, on the other hand, never trusted Zu Zepu. After instructing him to stay in Beijing, he never passed on any instructions to him through the secret agents of the Imperial Guard. He hoped that Zu Zepu could play a role in the Qing court, but not waste his energy on passing on some irrelevant intelligence whose authenticity was unknown.

He knew very well that the other party's role was never to obtain any shocking intelligence, but to stab the Qing court in the back when it lost power. It was extremely foolish to pin hopes on Zu's family.

In the ancestral home in Beijing, the autumn wind was blowing gently, and the dead leaves in the courtyard were dancing in the wind, sweeping up from time to time, circling for a while, and then falling to the ground with a rustling sound.

As soon as Zu Zepu entered the room, he saw his father, Zu Dashou, sitting in the hall with a frown on his face and a serious expression. His heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward and asked:
"Dad, what important news did my cousin bring back?"

Zu Dashou looked up at his son, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He sighed and waited until Zu Zepu sat down in front of him. The two looked at each other for a moment before Zu Dashou spoke:

"What is Zhu Cilang's purpose in sending you back?"

Zu Zepu didn't expect his father would still ask this question. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty intends to recruit our Zu family, and the conditions he offers are quite favorable, showing no lack of sincerity. If our Zu family can submit, we will surely make a difference in the new dynasty. However, Your Majesty's troops are all from the south, and whether the northern expedition can succeed is uncertain."

Zu Dashou nodded, a wry smile on his face:
"Indeed, the Ming army is now in southern Sichuan, and Huguang seems to have made new moves. Wu Sangui just sent a secret letter, in which he speculated that the Ming Emperor wanted to attack from the north via Baoning and Nanyang, but Dorgon had already made preparations. If there is any news from Nanjing, you must pay attention.

After he followed Hauge to defeat the western bandits, he quelled the rebellions in Gan Ning and other places, and sent a detachment and the Eight Banners to defeat the Ming cavalry in Nanyang. He knew the situation on the front line best, and his words must be taken into consideration.

Of course, Dorgon has some intentions of winning us over, and has even granted you the title of First-Class Imperial Guard, but the Tartars are constantly fighting overtly and covertly, and Hong Chengchou, that old fox, is cunning and calculating, so we must be careful."

Zu Zepu frowned and said worriedly, "Dad, we are just hanging by a thread. What if..."

However, Zu Dashou didn't care at all, shook his head and said with a smile:

"In the hills and valleys of southern Shaanxi and the plains of the Central Plains, relying solely on defending the city is not enough, and the navy is useless. Although the Ming army is indeed gaining momentum, it is difficult to predict who will win or lose. Which side our ancestors are on is not something we can make lightly."

Upon hearing this, Zu Zepu quickly nodded in agreement, but he was also a little confused. He looked at his father, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Dad, do you think the emperor's promises are trustworthy?"

Zu Dashou pondered for a moment and said slowly:
"Although Zhu Cilang is young, his performance over the past two years shows that he is indeed a man of great talent and strategy. If he can successfully launch a northern expedition and revive the Ming Dynasty, he will truly be a wise leader worthy of loyalty.

But the current situation is complex, and we must act with caution and absolutely not make the wrong choice. Since ancient times, what are the chances of success when the south attacks the north?

Zu Zepu nodded, but he felt a little uneasy. Although he admired Zhu Cilang very much, he also had doubts about whether his Northern Expedition could succeed.

He looked at Zu Dashou, nodded and said:
"Father, you're right. Furthermore, the Nanjing court is also plagued by constant factional strife. Although not as intense as in the previous dynasty, Your Majesty seems unable to control it at all. If the Northern Expedition fails, it will probably be difficult to control." Zu Dashou smiled after hearing his son's words, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, and continued:

"Ze Pu, we must constantly monitor the changing situation. We must please both sides and respond to both, but we must not act rashly. Whether it's Dorgon or Zhu Cilang, we must remain flexible. As long as the outcome remains undecided, we remain irreplaceable."

"I will follow my father's teachings!"
.
At the same time, as Sun Kewang and Ai Nengqi led the Western Army eastward, the people on the north bank of the Yangtze River, Guizhou, and Yilingzhou lived and worked in peace and contentment. Especially outside the city of Jingzhou, the workshops lined up around the dock, the surrounding construction sites were bustling with activity, the dense boats on the river, and the busy autumn plowing households in the villages and forts all left a deep impression on the remaining soldiers of the Western Army who were staying there during the march.

Sun Kewang and Ai Nengqi had never imagined that they would actually see the legendary prosperous scene of bustling people in this chaotic world full of blood and war.

If this had been more than a decade ago, such a rich and fertile land would have been his first choice for plundering after he led his troops to break through.

At the west gate of Jingzhou City, Sun Kewang and Ai Nengqi, under the command of the generals sent by the Five Army Commandery, led a team of personal guards and slowly marched into the city, while the main army stayed outside the city and camped.

The two men rode on horseback, their eyes as cold as the officials of the diplomatic mission heading north when they visited Beijing, but their hearts were filled with complicated emotions, but both of them had lost the doubts and disdain they had at the beginning.

At this time, Jingzhou City had regained its pre-war grandeur and prosperity. The city gates stood tall, the walls were brand new, and the bastion-like fortifications were especially amazing.

Sun Kewang and Ai Nengqi rode into the city. The streets were lined with shops, selling everything from grain to cloth, tea to medicinal herbs. The vendors' faces were beaming with smiles, and pedestrians were bustling about, their cries of hawking incessantly filling the air. The two men sensed a vibrant energy surging through the city, far surpassing that of Guizhou, Yiling, and other cities.

"Brother, the trade in Jingzhou City is so prosperous, it's unbelievable. Half a year ago, it was besieged by hundreds of thousands of Tartars!" Ai Nengqi said in surprise.

Sun Kewang's face was gloomy, and he didn't respond. He looked towards the streets of Jingzhou Prefecture. The streets were bustling with people, the noise of carriages and horses, and the cries of various vendors. In the brothels on the roadside, many craftsmen performed various stunts and acrobatics, attracting many people who walked on the street to stop and watch.

At the door of a restaurant, several drunks were making a noise, and even seemed to be about to start a fight. This attracted the attention of the soldiers who were maintaining order. They rushed over and carried these people away.

Ai Nengqi continued to admire the situation on the street. Although they had entered the city, they only brought their personal guards. Jingzhou City had soldiers coming in and out all year round, so it was impossible for this to cut off the business of so many vendors.

"It seems that what Gao Yigong said is true. The Ming Emperor's governance of the world is indeed unique. From Chongqing to Jingzhou, millions of people, it can't all be fake." Sun Kewang looked around and finally nodded.
"If that's the case, then what Gao Yigong said about the adaptation should be true. At least Emperor Ming won't plot against us."

"Brother is right. Gao Yigong was so ready to give us half a month's worth of food and fodder. I think he must have gained the trust of Emperor Ming, otherwise he wouldn't be so bold." Ai Nengqi responded.

Sun Kewang raised his eyebrows slightly and continued, "To determine the truth of this matter, there is often no need to delve into the details. Just like now, we only need to look at the people in the city and the Loyal Camp to understand what the Ming Emperor's reforms are like."

The two continued walking towards the government office in Jingzhou's prefecture when they suddenly saw a group of soldiers escorting two corrupt officials past, apparently to be escorted out of the city. The soldiers all had serious faces and were fully armed, indicating a strict discipline.

Ai Nengqi was surprised and said, "Brother, this corrupt official was punished so severely and paraded through the streets. It seems that the Ming court has really put a lot of effort into cracking down on corruption."

Sun Kewang nodded slightly, his expression changing rapidly, but he ultimately remained silent. He hated corrupt officials. Historically, during his time in Yunnan and Guizhou, he had devoted considerable effort to investigating corruption, cracking down on it openly and covertly. Once caught, they would be punished with chastity.

If Zhu Cilang's previous efforts to improve people's livelihood had only touched him and greatly changed his impression of the Ming court, then now his favorable impression of it had completely doubled, and he even felt that the Ming court was trustworthy.

"Indeed, it seems the Ming court not only vigorously rectified the military, but also strictly rectified the bureaucracy. No wonder they were able to defeat the fierce Tartars repeatedly."

When Ai Nengqi heard the word "Tartar", a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. He had seen the fighting power of the Tartars. Although they were not completely invincible, they were indeed very strong and not easy to deal with at all.

"I just don't know what substantial effect the Ming court's reorganization of us can have." Sun Kewang saw that Ai Nengqi was silent, and his eyes swept across the streets on both sides, and then said lightly:

"If this adaptation is just superficial, our situation will be difficult!"

He was still worried that what Gao Yigong had said, and the promises made by the Ming court, were all false, or simply would not be fulfilled. After all, if the civil officials regarded them as thieves, they would not give them food and military pay even if they had them.

The Western Army has experienced such things before!

As the two men entered the government office in the city, they met Chang Denggui's confidant, Deputy General Mo. What they saw and heard gradually overturned their understanding of the Ming army.

Chang Denggui was still in Yuezhou Prefecture at this time. Although Sun Kewang and Ai Nengqi were the leaders of the remaining Western Army, their status was not very high in front of the increasingly prosperous Ming Dynasty. Zhu Cilang's summoning them was actually a favor.

After all, the remaining Western Army was just a remnant of defeated troops at this time, and the Ming Dynasty was not the Yongli regime that was stranded in Guangxi and at the end of its rope.

Deputy General Mo brought the two men to the military camp in the city, preparing to select officers from the central army camp in front of the palace, and began to arrange the training and reorganization of the Western Army.

The passageways within the barracks were spacious and clean. Soldiers were training on the drill grounds, their steps in perfect order and with strict discipline. The instructors' slogans echoed incessantly, and morale seemed high throughout the entire army. On one side of the barracks, the training corps, logistics department, military affairs department, and other departments were each performing their duties in an orderly manner.

"The Ming army is so well-trained!" Ai Nengqi couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, with a hint of shock in his eyes.

Sun Kewang also secretly sighed in his heart: "The rumored Palace Front Army is indeed formidable. Fortunately, no fighting broke out, otherwise..."

With Deputy General Mo's explanation, the two men and several trusted generals they brought with them gradually understood the current operating rules of the Ming army, especially the issue of money and food that the two were most concerned about.

Nowadays, the food and military pay in the Ming army are no longer distributed by officers. The food is managed by the Logistics Department, while the military pay is issued by the Military Affairs Department and the soldiers collect it from the money houses near the barracks. This ensures that officers cannot withhold military pay and every soldier can receive the silver he deserves on time.

Soon, the two began to learn about the army's reorganization from Deputy General Mo.

The most critical and core of these was the establishment of the "Teaching Team", "Logistics Department" and "Military Affairs Department" in the remnants of the Western Army, which completely replaced the civil servants and military officers; secondly, it was the management of food and military pay, especially the role of money houses; and the updating of weapons and equipment, including the detailed catalog, surprised these two battle-hardened old rebels.

After hearing this, Ai Nengqi couldn't help but pull on his eldest brother's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, is this adaptation true or false? Can we really get so much?"

In front of the generals of the central army in front of the palace, Sun Kewang did not answer, but only winked at Ai Nengqi, but his eyes had already undergone a drastic change. He originally thought that these were just words played by the Ming court officials, but he did not expect that they were all true.

This is why the negotiations took so long. Although Zhu Cilang's conditions were generous, Sun Kewang, Li Dingguo and others did not believe them. They always speculated based on past experience and naturally felt that the Ming court was not sincere.

But now, after hearing the list that Lieutenant General Mo handed him for verification, he had a new understanding of the Ming court and the Ming army.

During the entire communication process, the friendly attitudes of the generals of the central army in front of the palace and the coordinating civil officials made the two of them feel incredible - were these still the civil servants and generals of the Ming court?

They had just arrived in Jingzhou, so there was no need for bribery and no delay. Everything seemed to have been arranged long ago. This was completely different from the previous round of appeasement more than ten years ago.

Not only that, Sun Kewang and Ai Nengqi soon learned that the families of tens of thousands of soldiers under their command would be properly arranged outside Jingzhou City in the short term, and Jingzhou City was only a transitional place, and De'an Prefecture and Huangzhou Prefecture would be their final bases.

There are also garrisons and land to accommodate the families of their soldiers. The government will distribute oxen, seeds, and farm tools. Every arrangement is in order, without any chaos, completely different from the appeasement more than ten years ago.

Ai Nengqi was stunned and speechless for a long time. He just nodded and agreed throughout the whole process. After listening to all the arrangements and following Sun Kewang out of the government office gate, he asked blankly:

"Brother, the government's arrangements are so thorough, I must be dreaming! Is there some conspiracy here?"

At this time, Sun Kewang was also filled with shock and speechless. He took a deep breath, his heart filled with emotion, and finally said as if holding back his breath:
"If that's really the case, and His Majesty truly treats us with such sincerity, then from now on, with my life on the line, these thousands of our brothers will all be His Majesty's death warriors!"

(End of this chapter)