Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 290 Persuasion
Today, the Mongolian tribes are divided, have been in civil strife for a long time, and are extremely weak.

In addition, due to the shortage of firearms, even if the three major Khalkha Mongolian tribes united, they would still be unable to defeat the 20,000 well-equipped Ming troops.

This is also why Zhu Cilang, Li Guo and Zheng Zhilong all agreed that an elite army of 80,000 was enough to deal with the challenges of the entire Inner and Outer Mongolia, the Oirats Alliance, and the Qinghai-Tibet Khoshut.

Even though Zhu Cilang considered that the actions in Heilongjiang might attract Russian firearms support, he was still confident about the war situation.

But in fact, as long as the Central Plains dynasty restores its national strength and stabilizes its regime, the Mongolian tribes will be unable to compete with the Central Plains before they gradually evolve from a loose alliance to a national system.

Zhu Cilang wanted to seize this opportunity and take the lead before the Mongolian tribes were integrated into a powerful force.

Especially Li Guo, his desire to recover the Western Regions, rebuild the Protectorate, and protect his hometown in Shaanxi was even stronger than Zhu Cilang had expected.

This is understandable. After all, no one wants to see their hometown invaded by foreign enemies.

Moreover, the rise of any new dynasty is accompanied by territorial expansion.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang listed fifteen countries that he would not conquer, he could not help but be tempted when it was profitable.

However, Zhu Cilang also had doubts in his heart. He believed that Li Guo's active support for the use of troops in the northwest might not only be to defend the country and expand the territory, but also to preserve his own military power.

Located in Shaanxi, where the mountains and rivers are dangerous, it has both offensive and defensive capabilities, and the subordinates can support each other and form strategic support.

Zheng Zhilong seemed to have noticed Zhu Cilang's doubts at this time, so he took the opportunity to pull Li Guo aside and whispered:

"General Li, His Majesty's mind is now in Liaodong. In the short term, within three to five years, he will not be able to take care of us.

By the time he had time, we brothers had already been firmly established.

Rest assured, I, Zheng Zhilong, will never surrender to him. If he truly intends to murder you, all the heroes of the world will unite to fight him.”

Li Guo nodded slightly, feeling a little relieved, but he still knew that what Zheng Zhilong was really worried about was the military power in his hands.

He continued:
"Your Majesty has said that he wants to reorganize the army, but the specific method of reorganization, whether to increase or reduce the troops, must have a legitimate reason.

He can't just weaken our military at will. If you are really worried about the reduction of troop strength, you might as well take this opportunity to change your strategy.

If we find an excuse to send troops, the imperial court will certainly allocate funds to increase military pay. By then, the military's power will not only not be weakened, but may even be strengthened."

Zheng Zhilong pondered for a moment, then smiled, obviously agreeing with Li Guo's proposal.

They all knew that reorganizing the army must be an important step for Zhu Cilang to consolidate the centralized power.

But as long as they can respond flexibly, they will not easily lose their military power.

As for the excuse for sending troops, the Mongolian tribes in the northwest and the Khoshut in Qinghai and Tibet were ready-made targets.

"you're right,"

Zheng Zhilong patted Li Guo on the shoulder:

"We don't need to rush to oppose the reorganization of the army. As long as we find a suitable reason to send troops, we can continue to expand the army.

Besides, the land in the northwest should have been taken back long ago. As long as we can control the military power, why should we fear His Majesty?

Li Guo nodded in agreement, a gleam in his eyes.

His passion for recovering the Western Regions had been brewing in his heart for a long time, and he had already arranged the troops in the northwest. Now he only needed a legitimate excuse to launch this battle smoothly.

Once the war breaks out, it will not only enhance the combat effectiveness of the army, but also ensure that his position in Shaanxi is stable.

"General Zheng, the Mongolian tribes are now weak, the Khoshut people in Qinghai and Tibet have not yet become powerful, and the Nanyang region is even more open.

As long as we act together, the North and Northwest will be as stable as a rock."

Li Guo's words were powerful, outlining the blueprint in his mind.

"That's right," Zheng Zhilong agreed.
"We only need to quietly increase our military strength, away from His Majesty's sight. He is reorganizing his army to centralize power, but as long as we control the local military power, we can still protect ourselves."

The two exchanged a meaningful look, their strategy already taking shape. As Li Guo had said, reorganizing the army was not unacceptable; the key lay in how to respond.

Obeying Zhu Cilang's orders on the surface, but retaining strength in private and even expanding the army is still their best choice to consolidate their power.

As for Zhu Cilang, although he may have noticed the two people's thoughts, at this stage, he is unable to completely shake their foundation.

He was more concerned about the possible threats posed by Liaodong and the Russians, and how to balance the forces of various parties in internal reforms.

Li Guo and Zheng Zhilong found their own way to survive in the gap of this balance of power.

Zhu Cilang, Li Guo, and Zheng Zhilong each had their own calculations, but they all understood that the game was not over. As long as they held military power, they would hold their own future.

"You mean..." Zheng Zhilong frowned slightly, obviously Li Guo's proposal made him fall into deep thought.

In fact, his adviser had proposed a similar plan before, and he immediately understood Li Guo's intention:

"Is it very likely that Your Majesty will invade Annan?"

"That's right," Li Guo nodded, his eyes firm.

"The Ming Dynasty conquered Annan in the past. Now that the north and south are facing each other and civil unrest continues, it's a good time for us to take action."

He paused for a moment, glanced at Zheng Zhilong, and continued:
"In addition, there are still many local chieftain forces in Guangxi. To conquer Annan, we must recruit soldiers from the local area and adapt them to the hotter and more humid climate there.

Even if Annan is conquered, subsequent garrisons and defenses are essential. Completely pacifying Annan will require at least ten, if not twenty, years of stable garrisons and governance."

Zheng Zhilong did not express his opinion immediately, but he was already weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Li Guo's words are not difficult to understand - by raising the threat of Mongolia, he indirectly demanded to continue to control military power.

Zheng Zhilong also deeply resonated with this point. Whether it was fighting against the Khalkha Mongols or marching south to Annan, they needed a large army to garrison, and Annan needed a powerful navy even more.

However, neither Mongolia nor Annan, Shanxi nor Guangxi could accommodate too many troops at the same time, which forced them to be frugal.

But Zheng Zhilong knew that no matter how they planned, their power would ultimately only allow them to have a certain say in two or three provinces.

Even if they could control half of the power of one or two provinces, the power and military strength controlled by the core of the Ming Dynasty, especially Zhu Cilang, far exceeded the sum of the two of them.

Zhu Cilang was not only the legitimate emperor, but also the greatest contributor to the restoration of the Ming Dynasty. It was almost impossible for him to succeed in opposing Zhu Cilang.

Even if they occupied the power of a province, their strength was still far from enough in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Zheng Zhilong pondered for a moment, nodded, but did not speak immediately.

He understood that Li Guo's proposal to expand territory and conquer Annan was intended to gain greater control over the army. His advisors had already mentioned this, but Zheng Zhilong hadn't given it much thought at the time.

But now that it was proposed by Li Guo himself, and coupled with Li Guo's detailed analysis, Zheng Zhilong had to reconsider this proposal.

After all, they have now become partners in the same boat. If Zhu Cilang shows any signs of turning against them, they must be prepared in advance.

Guangdong and Guangxi are indeed an attractive target.

First of all, the natural barrier of Nanling Mountains lies across the country, forming a natural barrier.

Secondly, Guangdong is rich, has abundant resources, and has a large-scale weapons bureau, which makes this land have extremely high strategic value.

More importantly, there were still some local chieftain forces in Guangxi that had not been completely pacified. If these local forces could be completely eliminated, they would be able to further control the important hubs in the Pearl River Basin and control almost the entire core area of ​​the south. However, Zheng Zhilong was also well aware that Guangdong and Guangxi were not a piece of fat meat that could be easily swallowed, and he actually had no chance.

Local clan forces are deeply rooted, especially in Guangdong. After several years of governance by the Ming court, local tyrants and wealthy businessmen there have already become powerful, and various factions of the court are also intertwined here.

Whether from an economic, political or military perspective, the difficulty of governance in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions cannot be underestimated, and these hidden dangers need to be carefully addressed.

"General Li's words make sense,"

Zheng Zhilong finally spoke, his tone calm but full of thought:
"Guangdong and Guangxi are indeed places of great strategic value, especially Annan. With the ongoing civil unrest, it's a good time for us to send troops.

But you and I both know that only the imperial court can control this land."

He raised his eyes to look at Li Guo, a hint of caution in his eyes:
"Local power in Guangdong is deeply entrenched. The powerful families and merchants have long managed Guangdong like an iron barrel, and the imperial court has also extended its tentacles deep into it.

It’s probably not easy to gain a foothold in such a situation.”

Li Guo nodded in agreement:
“General Zheng is right. The situation in Guangdong is complex and volatile, and the power of the imperial court cannot be underestimated.

But precisely because of this, the natural barrier of the Nanling Mountains and the strategic position of the Pearl River, if we can successfully control Guangdong and Guangxi, we can not only further expand our sphere of influence, but also ensure that we are invincible in future changes in the situation."

Zheng Zhilong was silent for a moment, as if thinking about Li Guo's proposal. The temptation of Guangdong and Guangxi was huge, and the territory after conquering Annan could further expand their influence, but he had to ensure that he would not be swallowed up by this adventure.

"If we send troops to Annan, the court must be fully prepared." Zheng Zhilong's tone became more serious:
"The first thing is to prepare the military forces. Not only must we be able to recruit local chieftain soldiers, but we must also provide them with sufficient logistical support.

Secondly, Annan’s climatic conditions are harsh, and the hot and humid climate in the south is prone to epidemics, so the health protection of the garrison must be arranged in advance.

Finally, we must ensure that once we capture Annan, we can establish a stable regime in the shortest possible time and avoid falling into lasting chaos."

Li Guo nodded, having obviously considered these issues long ago:
"You are right, General Zheng. The conquest of Annan will not be an easy one, but as long as we plan carefully and proceed step by step, this campaign will eventually pay off.

Moreover, the conquest of Annan is not only to expand our territory, but also to give our army a legitimate reason to ensure that we continue to control the military power."

Zheng Zhilong nodded slowly, having made up his mind. As long as they could gain a foothold in Annan and hold military power, they would have the bargaining chip to be invincible.

The two looked at each other and had a tacit understanding in their hearts.

Zheng Zhilong originally came with the mission of persuading Li Guo, but unexpectedly he was almost persuaded by Li Guo's words.

At the same time, Zheng Sen was gradually shaken by Zhang Huangyan's persuasion.

"Damu, you know what kind of person His Majesty is. Once the shipyards in Nanzhili are fully operational, the Zheng family's navy will be hard to match.

Your Majesty's military power is truly formidable, and his financial resources are no less than your Zheng family's."

Zhang Huangyan knew Zheng Sen's intention of this trip, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he interrupted Zheng Sen's thoughts.

“Now, Your Majesty is preparing a plan to revive Liaodong. The navy will soon be heading north, and my troops are also included in the plan.

Therefore, until Liaodong is recovered and the Qing Dynasty is completely annihilated, I will absolutely not cause any trouble for Your Majesty." Zhang Huangyan's tone was sonorous and powerful, and it was clear that he had already made a decision.

This was not the first time Zheng Sen had heard such words. As early as when he arrived in Nanjing, he personally went to the navy base outside the city to check it out.

The strength of the river navy controlled by Zhang Mingzhen should not be underestimated, which was something Zheng Sen had expected.

However, what really shocked him was that these warships were equipped with more artillery than the warships in his own navy.

Zheng Sen then sent people to inquire and learned that the artillery of these warships was successfully developed by the Nanjing workshop with the assistance of the red-haired people after several years and dozens of experiments.

The gun position design and the weight of the artillery were carefully calculated, but he did not find out more about the specific details and secrets.

Despite this, Zheng Sen already knew in his heart that the power of the imperial court should not be underestimated.

He was originally a general promoted by Zhu Cilang, but as time went on, Zheng Sen gradually tended to safeguard his family's interests in Fujian, and even tried to win over Zhang Huangyan, who was from Zhejiang.

However, Zhang Huangyan remained unmoved.

"But according to your majesty's military plan, once the Tartars are destroyed, I'm afraid the next step will be to attack our Zheng family." Zheng Sen did not give up easily.

Zhang Huangyan smiled coldly and asked mercilessly:

"Da Mu, your Zheng family only occupies one province, yet you claim to have a naval force of 100,000.

Even if we don't count the sailors, cooks and servants, the actual naval strength is nearly 30,000, including thousands of armored soldiers, nearly 10,000 musket and artillery troops, and more than 10,000 other elite troops.

What exactly do you plan to do with such a large army? Is it just to guard against pirates?"

These words hit the nail on the head, and Zheng Sen was speechless for a moment.

Zhang Huangyan pressed further:
"Could it be that your Zheng family really intends to secede and establish yourselves as kings?

Your Majesty's military reorganization plan is to reunify the court inside and outside. This is not a question of whether you want to accept it or not, but a reality that you have to accept.

If the Zheng family insists on resisting and forces His Majesty to resort to violence, there will be no turning back."

Zhang Huangyan's words were firm and powerful, and it was obvious that he had no doubts about Zhu Cilang's military reorganization plan.

For him, national unity and stability are far more important than personal interests, and if the Zheng family really attempts to secede and establish its own independence, it would be tantamount to digging its own grave.

Zheng Sen was silent for a moment, obviously shaken by these words. He knew very well that what Zhang Huangyan said was not alarmist.

Although the Zheng family is powerful, if they really confront the imperial court directly, the outcome may not be what he wants.

After all, the imperial court not only possessed a large number of elite troops, but also possessed powerful resource and technological advantages.

The artillery technology of the Nanjing workshop has already demonstrated this. If a war really breaks out, the Zheng family may not be able to compete.

"General Zhang is right. The power of the imperial court should not be underestimated." Zheng Sen weighed the situation in his mind.

Although he was still unwilling to give in, he also understood that if he continued to resist the court's military reorganization plan, it would only accelerate the destruction of his family.

He had to find a compromise that would preserve his family's power without coming into direct conflict with the imperial court.

As the overlord of the sea, the Zheng family has always strived to control Fujian and sea routes, and it is precisely on this basis that the family's power has been able to prosper.

However, the current situation forced him to re-examine his relationship with the court.

At this moment, Zhang Huangyan's voice sounded again:
"Damage, I advise you to give up resistance as soon as possible. Although His Majesty is determined to reorganize his army, he is not a heartless person.

As long as you are willing to submit, the court will grant you the status and honor that the Zheng family deserves."

Zhang Huangyan's words were both a warning and a threat.

If we continue to resist, the final outcome will probably be death.

If he surrenders, he may be able to preserve some of the Zheng family's power.

Faced with Zhu Cilang's drastic reforms, no matter how powerful the Zheng family is, it is difficult to remain immune.

Finally, Zheng Sen's expression gradually softened, and he sighed deeply:

"Xuan Zhuo, you are right. I should persuade my father to follow the general trend and accept His Majesty's arrangements."

(End of this chapter)