Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 347 Ambitions
Zhang Mingzhen, the shrewd and calculating general, is indeed worthy of being called an old fox. His thoughtfulness is truly extraordinary.

Chang Denggui has always been highly respected in the army, far surpassing the rising star Ma Bao. While Zhang Mingzhen was trying to win over Ma Bao, he had already included Chang Denggui in his plans. Zhu Cilang naturally saw all of this.

Such an arrangement, whether for the purpose of stabilizing military morale or strengthening the cohesion of the Northern Expedition Army, reflects his foresight.

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly and said calmly:

"The overall situation in Liaodong has basically stabilized. Although the Qing Dynasty has not yet revealed a fatal flaw, it is actually at the end of its strength.

All of southern Liaoning is in our hands. Once the Qing army completely collapses, we can take advantage of the victory and directly control the entire central Liaoning.

Major initiatives such as the new land policy, military expansion, and the restoration of trade should also be gradually implemented. However, the most urgent task at the moment is the relocation of refugees from various parts of the interior.

These refugees need to be resettled in Liaodong to resume farming. The food, fodder, armaments, and manpower are complex and confusing, and I cannot take care of them all. I need you to take care of the overall arrangements."

As soon as Zhu Cilang finished speaking, the tent fell silent.

Zhang Huangyan and Zhang Mingzhen looked at each other and nodded secretly. They knew the emperor's intention very well.

Integrating the various forces within the Great Wall and mobilizing resources to invest in Liaodong is not only related to the current military deployment, but also to the future economic reconstruction and power structure. This task is complex and arduous, and must be carried out steadily.

"After Liaodong is pacified, the Qing army will no longer be a concern. The court will then be able to focus on handling the situation within the Great Wall.

As for the Outer Mongols, the various warlords in the southwest, and other scattered forces…” Zhu Cilang paused, his eyes firm.

"I already have a general strategy in mind. When the Liaodong campaign is underway and rewards are given, it will be the perfect opportunity to reorganize.

By then, I will gradually promote generals such as Zhang Huangyan, Zhang Mingzhen, Chen Fu, Li Xiaolin, Chang Denggui, Lin Changfeng, Ma Bao, and Gao Jie according to their merits, thereby consolidating the central authority."

Hearing this, Zhang Mingzhen's face showed a hint of joy.

He knew that Zhu Cilang was laying out the overall situation, paving the way for future unification and integration. He clasped his hands together again and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty is wise! I will do my utmost to live up to your grace."

Zhu Cilang nodded with satisfaction and continued to instruct:
"Hou Fu, when you return to Nanjing, immediately work with Mr. Meng to summon the ministers from the six ministries and arrange for special personnel to go to Liaodong.

"Once the Liaodong campaign is over, a thorough survey of arable land must be conducted within three months, the seeds and oxen needed for spring plowing must be counted, and preparations for the deployment of personnel must be made. This matter concerns the stability and revitalization of Liaodong, and no mistakes can be made."

After receiving the order, Zhang Mingzhen hurriedly retreated. He was exhausted from the long journey and was physically and mentally exhausted. He fell into a deep sleep after returning to the camp.

However, Zhu Cilang was still in high spirits, and his excitement was evident between his brows.

It was already three quarters past midnight, and everything around was quiet, but Zhu Cilang's heart was restless.

He walked out of the imperial tent alone and looked up at the deep night sky. The cold wind blew, mixed with a hint of the chill of the winter night, but it failed to dispel the passion in his heart.

These days, the tremendous pressure of fighting on the outside has been hanging over him like a mountain. He has repeatedly increased troops, allocated food and supplies, made plans everywhere, and even made arrangements overnight.

Now, the huge rock that has been weighing on his heart for many months finally showed signs of loosening. Southern Liaoning has been taken into his possession, and the complete victory in Liaodong seems to be just around the corner.

Zhu Cilang took a deep breath and recalled everything that had happened during this period.

Ever since the Qing army was ambushed and defeated, he realized that the balance of war had tilted.

Although Dorgon led reinforcements, they no longer had the same fighting spirit as before. The morale of the Ming army was high and their offensive was unstoppable. An unbridgeable gap in strength had already appeared between the two armies.

But Zhu Cilang did not get carried away by this. He knew that this was only the first step.

Although the situation in Liaodong was favorable to the Ming army, the situation within the entire interior was still complicated. Warlords from all over the country were entrenched and their forces were intertwined. If they were not careful, they could lose everything.

"The victory in Liaodong is far from the end." Zhu Cilang murmured to himself.

His gaze looked into the distance, as if he had passed through the flames of war and smoke and saw a unified and prosperous world.

He knew that to realize this vision, he had to steadily advance each move, turning Liaodong into a new base camp, attracting refugees, developing the economy, integrating resources, and laying a solid foundation for future national unification.

Zhu Cilang turned around and returned to the general's tent, picked up his pen and began to write a new round of dispatch documents.

He had to ensure that the general direction was correct, from the distribution of food and fodder, to the measurement of land after the war, to the specific implementation of the resettlement of refugees.

Every task is directly related to the future of Liaodong and his control over the overall situation.

At the same time, if Dorgon continued to stalemate with Zhu Cilang's main army, he would have to divide his troops to guard against the navy led by Li Xiaolin in the rear.

This situation will directly weaken the Qing army's overall military advantage and allow Zhu Cilang to take the initiative on the battlefield.

Therefore, even if Dorgon chose not to retreat, the possibility of defeating Zhu Cilang was almost zero.

If Dorgon had made a desperate move and fought a decisive battle with the Ming army, this elite Eight Banners army would most likely have been wiped out and eventually fallen into a desperate situation.

These realistic factors are the fundamental reasons why Zhu Cilang was eager to plan the post-war situation, distribute benefits, implement local governance, organize land reclamation, and expand armaments to deal with subsequent wars.

Taking advantage of the fact that the current war situation had eased slightly, Zhu Cilang was in high spirits and immediately decided to let Zhang Huangyan accompany him, travel light, inspect the military camp, and observe the morale and condition of the soldiers.

He only brought a dozen or so personal guards with him, appearing particularly close to his subordinates.

Of course, the reason why Zhu Cilang brought Zhang Huangyan with him on this inspection tour was not only to have a reliable adviser to accompany him, but more because he still had some unresolved military issues in his mind that needed to be discussed and finalized in person.

"In addition to reporting the victory, Chang Denggui also sent a secret report." Zhu Cilang walked in front with a solemn expression.

Zhang Huangyan followed closely behind, with four personal guards leading the way and eight armored guards on both sides.

"Dorgon's troops are stronger than expected?" Zhang Huangyan frowned slightly, as if he had already guessed the key.

Zhu Cilang sighed softly and nodded:

"We have won, and the outcome is largely settled, but 'kill one thousand enemies, lose three hundred of your own' is no empty saying. Chang Denggui currently has less than ten thousand combat-ready soldiers, and the situation is not optimistic."

Zhang Huangyan frowned slightly when he heard this and thought for a moment:

"Dorgon didn't launch a further counterattack. Is it because he couldn't determine our army's strength? If he had seen Chang Denggui's weakness, the situation would probably be very different from what we see today."

"That's right!" Zhu Cilang said solemnly, his words still flowing calmly. "Fortunately, Chang Denggui was mature and prudent. After the ambush, he didn't rush to retreat. Instead, he took the initiative to attack, bluffing Dorgon and making him afraid to act rashly. That's how we got this breathing space."

Zhu Cilang paused, looking into the distance. His tone softened slightly, with a hint of emotion:

"If we had a more reckless general, I'm afraid that army would have been annihilated by Dorgon's main force long ago.

Although we won this battle, it was not due to our brute strength, but rather the residual power of Chang Denggui's victory that frightened the Tartars."

After hearing this, Zhang Huangyan's face became solemn, but a hint of admiration flashed across his face. He slowly bowed and said, "

Your Majesty, in this case, our army must take the initiative and attack with a more powerful offensive to show a posture of victory and put pressure on Dorgon.

If we can attack him when he is hesitant and afraid to fight, we can completely defeat the Qing army."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang's eyes flashed with a sharp light and his expression was firm:
"That's exactly what I want! Right now is the time to show your talents!
"The Ming Dynasty must no longer tolerate retreat and must demonstrate its strength with a thundering force, so that the Tartars will learn what it means to be afraid of war, what it means to be timid, and what it means to flee without a fight."

His tone gradually became higher and higher, as if he had poured out all his passion:

"Let these barbarians see that today's Ming army is no longer the weak Ming army of the past!
How can I, a man of the Han family, allow others to insult me?!"

In the military camp, Zhu Cilang and Zhang Huangyan continued to discuss military affairs while inspecting.

Wherever he passed, Zhu Cilang would always personally inquire about the soldiers' condition, check their weapons and equipment, or greet the old soldiers.

Seeing the emperor's concern, the soldiers were all inspired. They beat their chests and saluted, vowing to fight to the death.

Zhu Cilang's inspections weren't simply to boost morale; he keenly observed every detail of the military, from food reserves to wounded care, from bow and arrow equipment to artillery reloading. Even if a spear broke, he would stop and inquire about the cause.

Zhang Huangyan couldn't help but sigh when he saw this:
"Your Majesty is deeply concerned about you, and the soldiers are all blessed. This decisive battle will surely inspire their bloodiness and fighting spirit."

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly and said with a firm look:
"The battle has reached this point. We cannot afford to slack off any further. I must not only win, but also win decisively, so that the Qing army will be terrified at the mere mention of our Ming army!"

After the inspection, Zhu Cilang and Zhang Huangyan returned to the tent to discuss the next tactical arrangements again.

Although the situation on the battlefield is complicated, this is a rare opportunity. If we can pursue the victory and completely defeat the main force of the Qing army, this battle will lay the foundation for the Ming army's counterattack and will make it impossible for the Qing court to make a comeback.

At this moment, Zhu Cilang had only one belief in his heart: to use this victory to announce to the world that the clarion call for the revival of the Ming Dynasty has sounded!
Zhu Cilang tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed on Zhang Huangyan, his expression slightly solemn, his voice low but firm:
"But the question is, where is the best place to attack? The two deserted villages on the western slopes of the eastern hills are more strategically important from a geographical point of view. They are easy to defend and difficult to attack. However, if the siege continues for a long time, I am worried that morale will be damaged.
The two deserted villages to the west, while weakly defended and easy to capture, are unlikely to create a sufficient strategic advantage. Weighing these pros and cons, it's difficult to reach a conclusion."

This issue seems simple, but it actually relates to the overall situation. Any slight mistake may put the battle situation into a passive position.

Although Zhu Cilang already had a plan in mind, he knew that the decision could not tolerate any deviation, so he turned his attention to the battle-hardened Zhang Huangyan.

Zhang Huangyan had already anticipated His Majesty's question, and he confidently replied with a bow:

"Your Majesty, the Qing army's defenses of the two deserted villages to the west have always been relatively loose. Previously, to avoid a premature decisive battle, we only launched feints and probing attacks, without actually engaging in a decisive battle.

If we launch a swift and fierce attack at this moment and capture those two villages in one go, it will not only demonstrate our army's unstoppable combat effectiveness, but also severely damage the enemy's morale.

The morale of the Qing army is already low. If they are hit again like this, I'm afraid they will be afraid to advance and not dare to confront our army any further."

Zhang Huangyan paused, a trace of deep thought flashed in his eyes, and he continued:

"Although Dorgon was an expert in commanding troops, he also knew that the Eight Banners were the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. He would never risk the annihilation of his entire army in a desperate battle with us.

Therefore, I believe that the key right now is not to choose which deserted village to capture, but to show the enemy the determination, fighting spirit and strength of our Ming army.

As long as we can make the Qing army feel fearful, the final victory will surely belong to our army!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang's brows gradually relaxed. After pondering for a moment, he slowly nodded:
"Well, Xuanzhu, what you said is exactly what I want.

My previous concern was whether we could strategically establish a sufficient deterrent force after capturing the two villages to the west. But after hearing what you said, I suddenly understood.

The importance of this battle lies not in the amount of territory gained, but in boosting morale through offensive power and intimidating the enemy with our courage. Therefore, we must send out our most elite troops, and we must win in one battle, demonstrating the might of our Great Ming Dynasty!

Zhang Huangyan was delighted to see that His Majesty had resolved his doubts. He immediately stepped forward, clasped his fists again, and said:

"Your Majesty is wise and decisive, and I deeply admire you!
"If this battle is successful, the Qing army will retreat. This is a God-given opportunity!"

Zhang Huangyan followed Zhu Cilang for many years and witnessed with his own eyes how this young emperor started from an isolated city, integrated the forces of the south, and became the backbone of the anti-Qing cause.

He knew very well that only continuous victories could consolidate loyalty, and only advantages could expand advantages.

Now is the perfect opportunity to make another great contribution. A surge of pride ignited in Zhang Huangyan's heart, and he secretly vowed to win this crucial battle for His Majesty.

Having resolved his doubts, Zhu Cilang felt relieved.

He looked around the central military tent and saw the soldiers busy and orderly, his heart full of anticipation for victory.

After patrolling around the camp, he suddenly pulled the reins, rode out of the camp and headed towards the hills to the east.

As the night deepened, flickering flames lit up the military camp, illuminating Zhu Cilang's resolute face.

He sat on his horse, followed closely by a dozen guards. They galloped along the mountain road. The campfire and tents quickly receded from their sight, and the wind whistled in their ears.

Zhu Cilang only felt a sense of comfort in his chest, and even had a sense of heroism.

The terrain of the hills on the east side is high, and the heavy Ming troops stationed there are on high alert. After Zhu Cilang arrived at the camp, he personally inspected the defense line and discussed the defense strategy with the defending generals in detail.

While listening to the general's report, he looked towards the deserted village in the distance with his sharp eyes. Those faint lights were where the Qing army was.

"I will personally supervise the battle tomorrow!" Zhu Cilang's tone was firm, and his voice was as heavy as metal and stone.

Zhu Cilang knew very well that as an emperor, every decision he made was related to the life and death of thousands of troops. His demeanor and determination were the banner and soul of the entire army.

Every moment before the battle, he used his actions to convey his belief to the soldiers: We will win this battle!
As the night deepened, the morale of the Ming army on the eastern hills gradually rose during Your Majesty's inspection.

The soldiers were busy in the firelight, getting ready and making final preparations for tomorrow's decisive battle.

(End of this chapter)