Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Zhu Cilang nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Okay, now that you understand, the next step is to actually practice and hone your skills. You must always be prepared for any potential changes. You must be able to lead the army to victory on the battlefield, while also stabilizing its morale and ensuring that every soldier in the army can keep up with your pace."

"I will definitely live up to my mission!" Chen Fu said again, his tone full of firmness and determination.

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly. He knew that this once somewhat unruly general had now begun to truly understand the weight of his responsibility and mission. He sat at his desk, looking at Chen Fu in front of him. His tone was calm but with an undeniable majesty. He sighed and said:
"I've brought you here today, and the first thing I want to do is to make things clear with you. You're a fierce general I personally trained. There's no need to hide things from the past, and there shouldn't be any barriers between us. There are many things that, if you don't speak up, how can I know what's really on your mind? If you have any dissatisfaction or troubles, feel free to speak up. I won't alienate you just because you have some knots in your heart. Again, if others don't dare to speak up, how can a fierce general like you, Chen Fu, not dare?"

Chen Fu lowered his head slightly, feeling a bit complicated. He knew that Zhu Cilang's outspokenness was actually a way of completely resolving the rift between them and giving him a chance to re-evaluate himself.

Zhu Cilang continued, "The second reason is to remind you to remember the important words and to smooth your straightforward nature. If you truly become a Grand Marshal, and you still maintain this temper and blurt out whatever you want, you'll sooner or later be caught. By then, whether I want to protect you or support you like He Nan did, do you think you'll be able to do as you please as you do now? Military management requires discipline, and you can't act entirely based on personal whims. You should understand this."

Chen Fu lowered his head and thought for a moment before finally speaking, "Yes, I understand. The most important thing in governing an army is fairness and justice, with clear rewards and punishments. Acting based on personal preference might not be a problem for a while, but over time, morale will inevitably weaken, and rifts will inevitably form between the soldiers and the generals."

He paused and continued, "Furthermore, if there is no absolute obedience to orders in the army, the authority of the superiors will be lost, and military orders will be difficult to enforce."

Zhu Cilang nodded and chuckled, "I know you understand this. After all, you are a brave general I trained. You don't have to worry about whether I will bear a grudge against you, nor do you need to guess what I am thinking. Now all my thoughts are laid out for you to see. The reason I speak so frankly is not to settle accounts with you, but to open up and untie the knot in my heart."

Chen Fu's worries were slightly relieved after hearing this, and he looked at Zhu Cilang with gratitude. At this time, Zhu Cilang's tone was still gentle, but his words were filled with decisiveness that could not be ignored:

"I summoned you here today to make you understand a truth. Now that you understand this, I will pretend that what happened before never happened. What you need to do most now is to study military simulations and improve your abilities. You already have extraordinary skills and are leading a powerful army outside the Great Wall. How could I not give you a chance?"

Zhu Cilang continued, "Just like today's Taiwan exercise, it's your opportunity. As long as you can seize it, it's yours. If you don't do well enough and someone else seizes the opportunity, then that's their victory. Although I value you, opportunities are not unlimited. If you're not up to the task, I can only promote someone else. The most important thing in the military is still clear rewards and punishments, and fairness and justice. You're right, and I agree completely."

Chen Fu's heart was suddenly shaken. He immediately lowered his head and bowed respectfully, saying, "Yes, I understand. I will definitely seize the opportunity and live up to your majesty's expectations."

Zhu Cilang knew that although Chen Fu was straightforward, he was not stupid. Being able to realize his own problem at this critical moment was already a progress. He nodded slightly and said in a gentle tone:

"I am pleased that you have received guidance from Chang Qingshan and have realized your mistakes. On future battlefields, I do not want to see a general who has lost control. I hope you can make decisions prudently, calmly, and wisely. Only in this way can you truly become an excellent commander."

Zhu Cilang paused, his gaze deepening as he spoke, "Your current mission is to internalize these teachings and truly enhance your leadership. Every battle, every deduction, is not just a test against the enemy, but also a test of your own abilities. You must understand that those who achieve great things often rely not on momentary courage, but on long-term accumulation and patience."

Chen Fu listened to Zhu Cilang's words, his mind clearing. After a long period of reflection and adjustment, he no longer pursued quick success and instant gratification as before, realizing that he must grow through steady, cumulative progress. Zhu Cilang's expectations of him lay not only for bravery on the battlefield, but also for military management and strategic planning.

"Your Majesty, I will live up to your expectations." Chen Fu said solemnly, his eyes full of firm determination.

Zhu Cilang smiled slightly, a look of relief in his eyes as he said, "Remember, opportunities always come to those who are well prepared. I value your abilities, but even more so, your ability to grow into an even more outstanding general through continuous learning and hard work. This Taiwan exercise is a stage for you to showcase your talents and a moment for you to prove yourself. I look forward to seeing you give your best performance in this exercise."

Chen Fu's heart was not only filled with gratitude, but also full of motivation. This was not only an opportunity, but also a test.

"I will do my best and will never let your majesty down." Chen Fu said loudly.

If Zhu Cilang hadn't held Chen Fu in high regard and was fully aware of his exceptional talent and virtue, he would never have engaged in such a lengthy conversation with him at such an important moment. Therefore, Chen Fu knew that seizing such an opportunity would determine his future path.
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As the sound of firecrackers echoed through the sky, the Spring Festival atmosphere permeated the air, and the soldiers' holiday reached its climax. Liu Bin, Chen Liang, and other soldiers on leave from the first batch returned to the barracks one after another, and the second batch of soldiers on leave quickly took over their positions, continuing the lively celebrations across the country.

The borderlands and the capital of the Ming Dynasty seemed to be gripped by the intense festive atmosphere. The streets and alleys were filled with laughter and joy, and the faces of the people were filled with joy and anticipation. However, amidst this bustle, Zhu Cilang presided over the customary ancestral worship and heaven worship ceremonies and participated in the National Day celebrations, but none of this could completely relieve his worries.

Facing the impending war, he needed to grasp every detail; any slackness could lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, after completing these necessary rituals, Zhu Cilang did not choose to rest in the palace and enjoy the holiday relaxation as in previous years. Instead, he chose to inspect the military camps, personally observing the soldiers' drills and inspecting their combat readiness, just like last year.

Although today was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhu Cilang's heart was already surging with anxiety. He planned to launch a surprise attack immediately after the Lantern Festival, quickly occupy Taiwan, and even recapture important areas such as Taipei in one fell swoop. The urgency of this plan kept him vigilant even during the holiday, and he continued to hold himself and the generals around him to extremely strict standards.

By this time, the training grounds at the West Camp were bustling with activity, flags flying and soldiers standing in awe. Following orders from the General Staff, each battalion had allocated a portion of its forces for the drill. This wasn't a pre-arranged exercise, but rather a surprise inspection ordered urgently by Zhu Cilang the previous night. Prior to this, no one knew the specifics of the drill, and no advance preparations had been made.

This sudden mobilization caused some trouble to the soldiers, especially those officers and soldiers who had not yet taken leave. Their dissatisfaction and complaints were inevitably spread privately. Even so, military orders were as firm as a mountain, and everyone knew that complaining at such a time would be useless.

All they could do was obey orders and devote themselves to the drill to the utmost. Zhu Cilang's troops quickly arrived at the Western Camp. The generals at the front of the line, such as Zhang Huangyan, Chen Fu, Lin Changfeng, Chang Qingshan, Ma Bao, and others, all greeted the emperor's arrival with high alert.

Zhu Cilang's inspections were not just a routine checkup of the soldiers; they were also a test of their command and control over the battlefield situation. Every detail could not be overlooked, and any small mistake could result in Zhu Cilang's severe criticism.

Zhu Cilang didn't enter the drill grounds directly, but instead stood at a distance, observing the army's movements. He knew that the most important thing about such surprise inspections was whether they could uncover real combat problems and alert everyone. His eyes were sharp as a knife as he observed the soldiers' movements. This was not only a test of their physical fitness and tactical prowess, but also a comprehensive review of the entire army's combat effectiveness.

As the drills on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year gradually reached their climax, everyone focused their attention on every detail of the exercise. Although the soldiers had complaints in their hearts, under Zhu Cilang's stern gaze, they still quickly adjusted their state and threw themselves into the training.

After all, facing the upcoming battle of Taiwan, the performance of each of them may determine the success or failure of the battle and whether the Ming Dynasty can win the war.

Zhu Cilang saw many bright spots in these training sessions, but also discovered some problems. Rather than rushing to criticize, he chose to carefully record the strengths and weaknesses of each step after the drills, intending to improve them one by one later.

For him, this exercise is not only an assessment of the army, but also a test of his own command ability. Only through continuous summary and improvement can he truly know himself and the enemy, and win every battle.

On the parade grounds, soldiers from the five battalions of the Imperial Guard had already formed up. Together with the Imperial Guard, a total of nearly four thousand men stood at attention. Inside the camp, in addition to the elite troops participating in the review, other soldiers from the Wuwei Battalion and the Iron Cavalry Battalion stood aside, observing this long-awaited grand review with great anticipation.

This was a display of military morale and a crucial step in Zhu Cilang's military reforms. Golden sunlight bathed the battlefield, a tense and solemn atmosphere permeating the air. Zhu Cilang, clad in an exquisite suit of golden gilt armor with mountain motifs, shimmered in the sunlight, evoking an extraordinary presence.

As he stepped onto the reviewing stand, the imperial flag and the Imperial Guards' banners fluttered high in the wind, pulsing like the throbbing of war drums. To his left and right stood his trusted ministers and generals: Zhang Huangyan, Chen Fu, Chang Qingshan, and Lin Changfeng, standing erect with solemn expressions. Behind him stood Ma Bao, Ma Shiying, and other important military officials, their gazes fixed on each unit, their expressions dignified.

In the distance, the commander of the Imperial Guard, Liu Sheng, led a group of fully armed Imperial Guards in a state of alert, ensuring the safety and dignity of the parade. Over the past six months, after countless meticulous preparations, the Ming army had completed numerous reforms to its core combat capabilities, the most significant of which was the standardization of military uniforms.

This reform not only enhances the military's image but, more importantly, strengthens the army's cohesion and sense of honor. The military's image significantly impacts the soldiers' combat effectiveness. Military uniforms, as a symbol of a soldier's identity, represent not only the military's majesty but also the soldier's pride and sense of responsibility. Through this reform, he hopes to inspire soldiers' fighting spirit and make them more resolute and fearless on the battlefield.

Furthermore, Zhu Cilang also required numerous innovations and improvements in the design of military uniforms, incorporating advanced elements from later generations to make them more practical and convenient. Newly added individual equipment, such as the multifunctional "marching backpack," was extremely popular among soldiers.

This backpack not only accommodates soldiers' daily needs but also provides much-needed storage space on the battlefield, significantly improving soldiers' survivability during prolonged combat. Every piece of equipment and every improvement is designed to ensure soldiers can maximize their combat effectiveness in harsh environments.

Through continuous improvements to military uniforms and individual equipment, Zhu Cilang gradually built a more powerful and efficient army, and the results of these reforms will become their solid backing in future wars.

After this round of uniform changes, the Ming army's uniforms gradually became more standardized. Ordinary soldiers wore yellow armor with white or blue armor with white, while cavalry wore yellow armor with black or blue armor with black. Musketeers wore red armor with black, symbolizing the power and awe of fire.

The navy is the most eye-catching. Although the navy's uniforms are still in the planning stage, according to Zhu Cilang's idea, the navy's uniforms will be unified in blue, thus highlighting the navy's unique and important position in the Ming army. (End of this chapter)