Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

He Nan seemed to have anticipated Wan Jiu's worries. His smile was still gentle, but he said with a bit of indifference:
"Liu Xun crossed the sea to join the Li family back then, hoping to gain employment, and ultimately climbed the ranks to become a guerrilla fighter in the Fujian army. Ever since Zhang Tiandao heard about this, he's become much more astute. He's a completely different person now, incredibly jealous, especially given the Li family's current influence in Fujian. Naturally, he has his own plans."

After hearing this, Wan Jiu still couldn't hide his inner uneasiness, but he didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly.

Meanwhile, within the main camp in Quanzhou City, the atmosphere remained tense and oppressive. Zhu Cilang had just received the latest intelligence from Guan Shisheng, relayed through the Zeng family caravan's smuggling channels within Chikan City. Although the situation appeared calm, he could still sense an indescribable sense of crisis looming over the situation.

He stood in the center of the tent, silently flipping through the intelligence in his hands. With each line, his brow furrowed, a look of deep thought appearing on his face. After a moment, he leaned back in a reclining chair in the tent and closed his eyes, as if trying to find a clear direction in his chaotic thoughts. A series of scenarios, plans, and contingencies flashed through his mind, interweaving into a complex situation.

"This matter cannot be taken lightly," Zhu Cilang sighed softly, pondering inwardly. Zhu Cilang had secretly arrived in Fujian and taken command of Quanzhou, intending to personally recapture this treasured island of vital importance to the Ming Dynasty. As the ruler of a nation, Zhu Cilang still personally oversaw military affairs, but this time the situation was different.

He knew that if he wanted to quickly stabilize the Ming Dynasty's situation in the southeast, he had to rely on his own command. Therefore, Fujian became the focus of his personal deployment. However, the situation was more complicated than he had imagined.

Jinyiwei spies in Southeast Asia had yet to detect any movement by the Dutch East India Company. While the action team within Chikan City had begun to explore, they still had no clear intelligence regarding the specific deployment of the Dutch army. The Dutch Governor-General, seemingly extremely cautious at this time, created layers of obscurity, complicating the Ming intelligence network and preventing them from accurately assessing the enemy's true intentions.

"If we cannot accurately confirm the deployment of the Dutch army, we will not be able to determine the direction of their actions. More importantly, if I don't know the enemy's configuration, how can I adjust my own troop deployment? Not to mention adjusting the final troop deployment plan." Zhu Cilang took a deep breath, feeling a little uneasy.

The Ming Dynasty's original plan was to launch a surprise attack to break through the Dutch defenses. However, if a large number of troops were mobilized too early, they would likely be detected by the Dutch patrol ships stationed on the front line. Once the movement was leaked, the thoroughness of the plan would be undermined, and it might even fail.

Just as Zhu Cilang was lost in thought, his eyes suddenly opened, as if he had suddenly figured something out. He stood up from the recliner and walked towards Zhou Shixian who was standing nearby waiting for orders.

"Shixian, after analyzing the situation for a while, I have a clearer understanding of the current situation." Zhu Cilang said in a steady and powerful tone:

"Although the Dutch have a small garrison in the Far East, their forces are certainly formidable. Even the so-called Dutch Governor-General cannot mobilize all his troops to Chikan City. It seems entirely possible to mobilize one or two thousand Dutch soldiers, but the problem is that behind these Dutch soldiers will undoubtedly be a large number of mercenaries."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious as he continued, "He Nan and Guan Shisheng are now weak and alone. Facing such a large enemy force, they may not be able to cope."

Zhou Shixian nodded silently with a solemn expression. Indeed, the Dutch were best at mobilizing their forces through the use of mercenaries. Mercenaries were characterized by their flexibility and lax discipline. If the Dutch governor combined these mercenaries with the regular army, they would likely form a formidable force in both quantity and quality.

"If the Netherlands really arranges it this way, the situation for He Nan and Guan Shisheng will become even more complicated." Zhou Shixian said in a low voice, with a hint of uneasiness in his tone.

Zhu Cilang's gaze became more determined. He knew that this decisive battle was related to the future of the Ming Dynasty. Any underestimation of the enemy and negligence could bring fatal consequences.

"We must make all preparations in advance," Zhu Cilang said in a low but resolute voice. "Immediately issue orders to continue strengthening reconnaissance efforts around Chikan City. We must grasp the Dutch army's specific deployment and action plan before they arrive. At the same time, strengthen communication with He Nan and Guan Shisheng to ensure they receive timely support at this critical moment."

He turned around, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, and said, "There can be no mistakes in this battle."

"Your Majesty, don't worry. The Governor's deception won't last long." Zhou Shixian said, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He lowered his head to look at the military map in his hand, then raised his head and looked at Zhu Cilang with a firm gaze. "As long as He Nan pays a little attention, based on the use of food and fodder in Chikan City, he can roughly infer the movements of the Dutch army."

Zhu Cilang nodded slightly, his brow furrowed. As the situation gradually shifted, he became increasingly aware that if Chikan City fell under the control of the Dutch East India Company, the strategic situation in the entire southeastern sea region would undergo a drastic shift. Every move would hinge on the future of the Ming Dynasty; if the opportunity was missed, the consequences would be disastrous.

"But the Dutch East India Company is very likely to take this opportunity to adjust the troop deployment in Chikan City." Zhou Shixian's voice sounded again: "Not only will they displace He Nan and other defenders from the city defense line, but they will also strengthen the defense of Chikan City's southwest coast. As for the northern region, if they have sufficient troops, they will definitely deploy more troops in that area."

After hearing this, Zhu Cilang couldn't help but take a deep breath, his lips drooping slightly as he said, "This is exactly what I'm most worried about."

He paced back and forth, his inner anxiety becoming increasingly evident. "Taiwan is vital to the future of the Ming Dynasty. If Chikan City falls into Dutch hands, the entire coastline will be cut off, and the strategic difficulties will be unimaginable. If Chikan City is not captured quickly, the consequences will be disastrous."

Zhu Cilang paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table. "The plan to raid Chikan City must be carried out ahead of time. If we delay any further, once the situation changes, the situation will be irreversible. If He Nan is replaced by the Dutch army from Batavia, even ten Guan Shishengs will not be able to save the situation."

His words carried an unmistakable urgency and determination. War is never a simple game of chess; every move is fraught with uncertainty. The lag in intelligence forced him to take risks with every decision. Even relying on the faintest clues, he had to make a decisive move. But it was this gamble that determined the outcome of the situation.

Zhou Shixian listened to Zhu Cilang's words, and a serious look appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty, although the Dutch army entered Chikan City only yesterday, the East India Company may not act so quickly. Guarding the city gates has always been a lucrative job. Unless they discover a major problem, the Dutch will not easily change their defenses. Otherwise, they themselves know that once the morale and military spirit of Chikan City are shaken, the city defense will be impossible to maintain." Zhou Shixian's analysis made Zhu Cilang feel a little more relaxed. He stood up straight, thought deeply for a moment, and then softened his tone and said:

"You're right. The Dutch wouldn't easily adjust their troop deployment at this time. But if they really wanted to attack us from behind, it would be a matter of seconds. If there were more than a thousand Dutch soldiers in Chikan, the Han army inside would be completely powerless to resist. After all, their training and equipment are far inferior to those of the Dutch."

Zhu Cilang was silent for a moment, a ruthless look in his eyes. He knew that if the current plan failed, and Chikan City's defenses were breached, the entire Southeast Sea region would be plunged into chaos. He couldn't allow that to happen. He had waited too long and couldn't afford to miss this crucial opportunity.

Zhu Cilang's voice was clear and firm: "If we allow the Dutch to adjust their deployment at their own pace, all our careful planning over the past six months will be wasted."

Zhou Shixian nodded, fully aware of the current urgency. He said, "Yes, Your Majesty, now is the critical moment to determine victory or defeat. If we delay, the Dutch will have more time to adjust their strategy. This will not only affect the defenses of Chikan City, but will also threaten the security of the entire southeastern coast of Ming Dynasty. We must act swiftly and decisively, and we must not give the Dutch any chance to catch their breath."

Zhu Cilang listened, thought for a moment, and whispered, "That's right, we can't wait any longer."

He quickly turned around and walked hurriedly to the map on the side. He pointed at the marked Chikan City and said, "If we attack according to the original schedule, we will probably miss the best opportunity. Now, we must launch the attack early, the sooner the better!"

Zhou Shixian's heart couldn't help but beat faster, and he secretly admired the emperor's decisiveness. At such a critical moment, he had never seen such a calm and decisive leader.

Zhou Shixian's tone grew more serious as he continued, "Your Majesty, our action team is ready. Once the order is given, we will set out immediately. However, the problem is how to ensure that the raid will not be detected by the Dutch army. After all, their defenses cannot be underestimated."

Zhu Cilang stood in front of the map, pondering for a moment before a sneer curled up his lips. "We must take advantage of the Dutch army's confidence. They believe they control Chikan City's defenses, so they'll let down their guard. We can seize this opportunity to strike first. We must seize the moment to act."

Zhou Shixian was shocked when he heard this, but then he nodded in understanding and said, "I understand, Your Majesty. We will quickly adjust our deployment to cooperate with the surprise attack plan."

Zhu Cilang turned to look at Zhou Shixian, his eyes gleaming with determination as he said, "Yes, Shixian. The fate of Chikan City depends on this moment. We will definitely win!"

Zhu Cilang was well aware that every change in history could trigger a chain reaction, and even the smallest action could unknowingly change the course of events. Therefore, his concerns were not limited to the Dutch reinforcements; the problem went far beyond that.

Although He Nan had long harbored the intention of defecting, with the Dutch army's reinforcements steadily increasing and their momentum growing stronger, would He Nan continue to hold his ground? Would he dare to take the risk of defecting? This was the question Zhu Cilang pondered deeply. For him, the power of any single individual was not worth relying on; what truly deserved attention was the shifting tides and fluctuations in the overall situation.

"If I were the Governor-General of the Netherlands, facing the current situation, I would definitely ask Koichi to take action immediately after I leave." Zhu Cilang stared at the map in front of him, and said in a low voice with some deep thought:

"This way, not only can both sides maintain good relations, but if the situation deteriorates, we can also mediate between the two countries. After all, the Dutch military is growing stronger by the day. Once reinforcements from Batavia enter the city, the Han army in Chikan will be completely unable to resist. The Dutch governor's secret troop movement is actually a sign of distrust of the Han army, indicating that the matter can no longer be delayed."

He paused, his eyes gleaming deeply. "Furthermore, the situation has intensified. There's no turning back. We can't wait any longer. If they want to break through, I'll naturally have them execute the contingency plan and be ready at all times."

Zhou Shixian stood beside Zhu Cilang, his expression still calm and alert, but he knew in his heart that this kind of overall consideration was far beyond the ability of simple military deployment to deal with.

"But, is Guan Shisheng's preparation complete?" Zhou Shixian asked hesitantly. "Although there are contingency plans, if the operation is launched suddenly, the action team may not have sufficient time to prepare. In the rush, any omissions could affect the overall situation and even ruin Your Majesty's plan."

His words betrayed a deep concern for the unfolding situation. Zhou Shixian was not only a loyal subject, but also a highly prudent counselor. Zhu Cilang valued him because he knew how to foresee potential pitfalls in decision-making. He didn't blindly agree with others, but rather dared to express his own honest opinions and alert his superiors to potential risks in their decisions.

Only such a thoughtful person can remain calm in an emergency and provide more complete support for Zhu Cilang's decision-making.

"There's no time to wait for them to get ready." Zhu Cilang shook his head slightly, his tone revealing a resolute determination.
"Guan Shisheng's abilities have been proven in the Chaohui Campaign. He's definitely not someone who just waits for orders. Otherwise, Shixian, you wouldn't have chosen him to carry out this operation. The contingency plan has been prepared in advance, and the situation has changed. He will definitely be able to make corresponding adjustments based on the actual situation and carry out the necessary actions."

Zhu Cilang paused, his gaze piercing the tent's curtains as he spoke, "Time is of the essence; decisions cannot be delayed." He whispered, "Yagyu, immediately send someone to notify the General Staff and summon the commanders of each battalion to hold a military meeting."

As soon as the order was given, Yagyu immediately turned and left, quickly disappearing outside the tent. (End of this chapter)