Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 390 Reform
Zhu Cilang nodded, turned around and sat back at his desk, waving his hand for him to leave. Zheng Hongkui bowed and took his leave, his steps steady and polite, but he felt nervous inside.

At this moment, he thought of the reform plan he had spent more than half a year to formulate. He was originally full of confidence, but now he felt unprecedented pressure.

Walking out of the hall, a cool breeze blew on his face, and the night sky was deep. Zheng Hongkui looked up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.

He knew that the young emperor before him was no ordinary puppet emperor, but rather a ruler with profound vision and determination. Although he could temporarily secure a role in the new policies, he also knew that if he overstepped the boundaries, unbearable consequences would await him.

Half an hour later, Zheng Hongkui walked out of the palace with a look of sorrow as heavy as a mountain on his face. His dejected look was in stark contrast to the high-spirited look he had when he entered the palace.

After the warning, when Zhu Cilang reviewed the reform plan he submitted, although he agreed with the overall framework and core plan, he ruthlessly put forward revisions on many details.

These modifications may seem insignificant, but they are crucial to the feasibility and operability of the entire plan. Every detail is interconnected, and even a single move can affect the entire system. The time and energy required to make these adjustments would keep Zheng Hongkui busy for several days, and it might even take dozens of days to complete them all.

Zheng Hongkui was even more troubled by the fact that these details could not be ignored, as they directly affected the preparation and operation of three new institutions: the "Industry and Commerce Bureau," the "Ming Dynasty Bank," and the "Shibo Bureau." These institutions were the core pillars of the Ming Dynasty's new policies, and any problem in any link would affect the entire system.

As the official in charge of these departments, Zheng Hongkui is well aware of the heavy responsibility. Even to preserve his official position, he must work overtime to complete the task and ensure that there are no mistakes, otherwise he will be digging a hole for himself.

However, Zheng Hongkui, who was standing outside the palace gate at this moment, was full of worries. He had to appear calm and composed in front of Zhu Cilang, but his heart was in a tangled mess.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace, Zhu Cilang finally revealed a rare look of relief after seeing Zheng Hongkui off. After carefully sorting out the many issues in the reform plan, he felt a sense of relief.

Since he ascended the throne, he has been working day and night, with government affairs pouring in like a tide, and he has hardly had a moment to relax.

Today, he had rarely put aside his other official duties, and had simply instructed the eunuchs around him to set aside the unprocessed memorials, then returned to the harem to rest for a moment. However, the entire Ming officialdom did not stop with the emperor's brief respite; from the central government to the local governments, civil and military officials were working at a high intensity.

This is a huge political and military group that has just completed the war to destroy the Qing Dynasty and suppress the feudal lords. Now the Ming Dynasty is in a critical period of reconstruction and consolidation, and no one dares to slack off.

Though the flames of war have subsided across this vast land, the tensions on the borders linger. In the northwest, across the Hexi Corridor and the wilderness north of the Great Wall, probing and clashes between the Ming Dynasty and its northern enemies, including the Mongol tribes, continue. Over the past few months, numerous small-scale skirmishes have occurred between the two sides. These seemingly insignificant clashes, however, harbor hidden dangers.

With the arrival of winter, the border situation gradually calmed, but both sides clearly understood that this was merely the calm before the storm. All sides tacitly entered a period of rest and recuperation, with the Ming army seizing the opportunity to replenish troops and strengthen its combat readiness, accumulating strength for the next round of confrontation.

Heavy troops were still gathering on the northwest front. Although the main force led by Li Guo had withdrawn to Xi'an, they still had heavy troops deployed in Ningxia, Lanzhou and other places. They were a solid barrier on the northwest battlefield, ready to respond to possible surprise attacks at any time.

On the eastern front, another main force led by Lin Changfeng has returned to Beijing for rest and recuperation, and some troops are dispersed to garrison in Xuanfu, Datong and Yongping areas to ensure the security of the border.

At the same time, they were also preparing plans for further battles outside the border, trying to completely pursue the remaining forces of the Qing Dynasty and completely incorporate Liaodong into the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

Despite the temporary stabilization of the situation, Zhu Cilang was well aware that the New Ming still faced two major threats: the Mongol forces in the northwest and the alliance between the remnants of the Qing Dynasty and the Russians in Liaodong. These two enemies loomed like shadows across the northern borders of the Ming Dynasty, and any unrest from either could ignite another wave of war.

Therefore, the two main armies of the Ming Dynasty, one in the east and one in the west, were like two unsheathed swords, firmly suppressing potential threats.

Zhu Cilang stood at the harem window, gazing at the flickering lights of the palace lanterns, his mind a complex mess. He knew that the Ming Dynasty's road to revival was destined to be paved with thorns, and while the current situation had begun to improve, the real test had just begun.

Whether it was internal reforms or external conquests, every step required his personal planning and prudent decision-making. This was a long battle, and he, as the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, had to be at the heart of it.

On this day, Zhu Cilang inspected the counties and prefectures near Nanjing, as well as the Ming army garrisons stationed there. While inspecting the defenses, he cordially comforted the soldiers in each camp, listened to their needs, and encouraged them to improve their skills.

Through this series of actions, his prestige in the army became more and more solid, and he won the heartfelt support of the soldiers. After completing the inspection, Zhu Cilang immediately summoned the generals of each army and camp to hold a military summary meeting.

This meeting was not limited to the main generals. Even deputy generals and garrison-level officers were required to submit a detailed "summary" within half a month. This order caused quite a stir in the army.

For many Ming generals, this task was daunting. A significant number of officers came from the military and had no formal education, with many even illiterate. This made the term "combat summary" unfamiliar and daunting to them.

Many brave generals, despite their illustrious military achievements, could only barely recognize a few hundred words due to their high positions. Asking them to write a summary now would undoubtedly be a daunting task.

However, this was a reform that Zhu Cilang was determined to promote. If the Ming army wanted to dominate in this era, its strength depended not only on the well-trained soldiers but also on the officers' initiative and deep understanding of the battlefield.

Zhu Cilang understood the ever-changing nature of the battlefield. If officers failed to fully understand their superiors' operational intentions, they would struggle to make sound decisions in unexpected situations. A breakdown in the command system could lead to the danger of total defeat. Zhu Cilang's goal was not to pursue an unrealistic, all-out elite formation. The combat conditions and training resources of the era dictated that his army could not afford to form independent combat teams of three or five men.

In reality, even within a small group of flag soldiers, few could independently carry out missions on the battlefield. Even seasoned veterans didn't necessarily possess this ability; only the truly battle-hardened and experienced elite could operate with ease on the battlefield.

However, to build a comprehensive and elite army requires a huge cost of time and resources, which is obviously not in line with the current actual situation of the Ming army.

Zhu Cilang's reforms, therefore, did not attempt to overturn the entire system. Instead, they built upon existing conditions and gradually improved officers' command and thinking skills. He hoped that through this process of reflection and reflection, officers would learn to think from a holistic perspective, rather than relying solely on orders from their superiors.

At the military meeting, many generals were overwhelmed by the task. Some even expressed their distress to Zhu Cilang directly, saying, "Your Majesty, I am a humble man. I can usually wield a sword and kill the enemy, but I really don't know where to start with this task of writing a summary!"

Faced with this candid feedback, Zhu Cilang showed no harshness, instead displaying a tolerant and understanding side. He nodded and smiled, "Writing a battle summary isn't meant to test your cultural background, but to teach you to reflect on the gains and losses on the battlefield. If you truly struggle, simply talk with your officers, listen to their suggestions, and compile a simple report."

Zhu Cilang offered encouragement to those generals who responded positively but were temporarily unable to find a solution. He said, "As long as you can raise practical issues on the battlefield, I and the other ministers will work together to find solutions for you."

At the same time, Zhu Cilang also understood that these operational summaries were not only a practical exercise but also a means of assessment. He needed to use these summaries to understand the capabilities and thinking of officers at all levels, identify those with real potential, and make adjustments to future battlefield deployments.

After the meeting, Zhu Cilang did not rush to leave, but stayed to have in-depth discussions with several generals. He patiently listened to everyone's suggestions and concerns, and even took the initiative to suggest that capable staff members assist the generals in completing the summary, ensuring that they could truly learn and benefit from the summary, rather than just perfunctorily.

Zhu Cilang stood high in the palace, his face expressionless as he gazed at the officers before him. Some of their eyes were filled with excuses, while others seemed to be waiting for a plea. Their words mostly revolved around excuses like "unclear flags" and "ambiguous military orders." These various excuses made people feel disgusted.

Zhu Cilang raised an eyebrow slightly. After a moment's silence, he gently waved his hand and said in a cold voice, "If you can't even follow the most basic orders, how can we expect you to lead the troops? I will fine you one month's salary. Anyone who dares to object must resolve it immediately or you will be demoted."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was as resounding as thunder. Soldiers' salaries were crucial to their livelihoods, and officers' status was also maintained through their salaries. Faced with such harsh punishment, few dared to resist. For a moment, the atmosphere in the conference hall was solemn, with only the silent echo of the wooden table.

"Individual power is ultimately limited. No matter how powerful one is, it is difficult to take care of every area." Zhu Cilang's voice rang out again, sonorous and powerful, leaving no room for doubt:

"What I want is a force that can truly make the army invincible. This army can only become powerful if every officer and soldier takes the initiative. Whether it's improving weapons or deploying strategies, if it relies solely on one person's command, the result is doomed to failure."

These words were not empty declarations. In the past few battles, he had long realized that the outcome of a battle depended not only on the commander's wisdom and courage, but more on the coordinated operations of the entire army and the independent judgment of each soldier.

If he wants to break the traditional feudal thinking and completely change the structure of the army, he must make officers and soldiers fundamentally aware of their own value and guide them to realize their maximum potential.

He continued, "From now on, illiteracy and inefficiency will no longer be tolerated in the military. Literacy will become a requirement for promotion. Only officers who can write and plan strategies will be qualified for higher positions."

He glanced at the officers sitting at the table, clearly seeing their expressions change from confusion to panic, and then to deep uneasiness. Clearly, Zhu Cilang's determination had been conveyed to each of them.

This decision undoubtedly had a huge impact on the military. In the past, officers and soldiers often did not attach importance to literacy. Many people could not even handle basic documents. Many orders had to be passed on orally, which often resulted in errors and omissions.

However, the strength of an army depends not only on fierce combat but also on precise command and systematic management. Only when soldiers can understand orders, comprehend strategies, and propose improvement plans can the army truly become an irresistible force.

"Not only that." Zhu Cilang's eyes became more determined. "From today on, I will improve the military system and establish a brand new general staff to further enhance the efficiency of the army's decision-making and operations."

He paused, his eyes scanning the officers, and continued, "This operational summary is not only to assess the success or failure of the battle, but also to select those with potential to join the General Staff and provide stronger intellectual support for the future of our Ming Dynasty."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire tent fell silent, and every officer weighed the weight of this mission in their hearts. Joining the General Staff meant possessing greater power and influence, an opportunity only a few could obtain.

When the military meeting concluded, Zhu Cilang did not rush to leave. Instead, he announced another important arrangement to the generals: "Although today's meeting is over, what comes next is the most solemn. Preparations for the 'Loyal Ministers' Shrine' are complete, and tomorrow we will hold a dedication ceremony to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the Ming Dynasty."

Early the next morning, except for the main generals of each army, almost every camp of the Ming army stationed in various camps inside and outside Nanjing City sent soldier representatives as required to participate in this grand "Heroes Entering the Shrine Ceremony".

Among them were Liu Bin and several other veterans. They stood in the front row of the queue where the representatives of the Wuwei Battalion soldiers were located, lined up in an orderly manner with firm eyes.

That morning, Zhu Cilang personally led his ministers and generals to the Loyal Ministers' Shrine to prepare for this solemn ceremony. The sacrificial text was read by Zhang Huangyan himself, his voice rich and majestic, echoing throughout the venue:
"From the Jiashen Incident to the Battle of Huaihe River, the Battle of Xuzhou, and the Central Plains Campaign, these heroes who sacrificed their lives for their country fought bravely, held their positions, and sacrificed their lives to ensure the stability of the Ming Dynasty today."

(End of this chapter)