Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

At this time, the entire main force of the Imperial Guards had been mobilized near the Ming army camp in Quanzhou City. The Imperial Guards, originally stationed in Nanjing City, nearly 6,000 elite soldiers, had all moved to the central army camp outside Quanzhou City.

Moreover, the main generals of the Guards also gathered here, ready to respond to orders from the upper level at any time.

At the same time, the Imperial Guards and the Wuwei Battalion also dispatched elite troops, totaling three cavalry thousand-man divisions. The Wuwei Battalion dispatched two cavalry thousand-man divisions, commanded by Lin Changfeng himself, to deploy the sea assault. This force had already assembled in Quanzhou, ready to embark and attack the southwest coastal landing port of Chikan City.

Zhu Cilang's deep-seated worries hadn't diminished, but had instead intensified. Facing the impending "Taiwan Raid," he knew the key lay in He Nan, the insider who would play a crucial role.

The Dutch army had already established layers of defensive positions along the western coast of Chikan City, deploying over a thousand Dutch soldiers. With the arrival of a large number of reinforcements, the city's defenses became even stronger.

If the stalemate could not be broken in the short term, once the Dutch army launched its full force, Chikan City would be difficult to resist. The situation had changed beyond his initial expectations. Every layout against the enemy was fraught with uncertainty and danger. If he was not careful, all his efforts would be ruined.

At this point, he no longer relied solely on troop movements, but instead realized that he must take a broader perspective and coordinate the overall situation to ensure the ultimate success of his grand plan. In this contest fraught with uncertainty, whoever could assess the situation at the critical moment would seize the initiative for victory.

Zhu Cilang had already made the most serious decision in his mind. Neither the lurking traitors nor the relentless pressure from the Dutch army could stop him from moving forward.

Now was the perfect time to act. According to the General Staff's deductions, if the main force landed from the north and then launched a surprise attack on Chikan City, it would take at least a full day from the time they disembarked to the city walls. Otherwise, maintaining combat effectiveness and fully operational during such a long assault would be nearly impossible. Therefore, even if the northern route successfully reached the city walls, they would not be able to launch an immediate assault. Instead, they would have to rely on the vanguard to contain the Dutch army and buy time.

However, once the Dutch defenders in Chikan City were on alert, the various Han and Dutch troops would have quickly assembled, scaled the city walls, and firmly held their position. Without the main Ming army arriving, He Nan would have faced enormous difficulties in instigating a mutiny and seizing the north gate.

Therefore, in the early stages of the battle, the Ming army's primary mission in the north wasn't to attack directly, but to provide cover and contain the enemy, creating the perfect opportunity for He Nan inside the city to launch an internal attack. By contrast, while a seaborne assault wouldn't be able to reach Chikan directly, it could allow for a flanking landing at the harbor to the south of the city. There were no iron chains blocking the river there, theoretically allowing the Ming army to quickly penetrate.

However, according to intelligence sent back by Guan Shisheng, the Dutch army had already deployed a heavy force in the area. With three thousand troops participating in the battle, the Royal Guard Battalion, the Wuwei Battalion, and the Xiaoqi Battalion, successfully breaking through the Dutch defenses would be no easy task and would likely result in a difficult battle.

However, if they could successfully start a battle at the port, no matter how the battle progressed, it would inevitably tie down a large number of Dutch troops outside the city and draw the main attention of the Dutch defenders. This was precisely the key to He Nan launching the attack, raising the flag of rebellion, and seizing the north gate.

At this point, the fighting raged outside Chikan City. To the south, the navy was holding off Dutch reinforcements. Inside, He Nan had successfully secured the city's north gate. The main Dutch force, ambushed southwest of Chikan City, was distracted by the Ming naval forces, leaving them unable to attend to the unfolding events within. Now, the Ming army's final assault was about to begin. A raiding force, secretly infiltrating from the north, must swiftly cross the mountains and reach Chikan City's north gate to meet He Nan and secure complete control of the crucial city gates.

This force was the last two thousand commanders of the imperial army stationed at the Quanzhou camp. They were the decisive force in this battle and the most crucial link in Zhu Cilang's overall plan. But now, this assault force faced an immense challenge. They had to cross the sea, land silently, and traverse the mountains and valleys stealthily.

Due to the rugged mountain roads, they could hardly carry any baggage except the most basic armor and weapons. Once their whereabouts were discovered, they would be isolated and helpless, and facing the well-equipped Dutch army, they would most likely be annihilated.

However, for this very reason, the Dutch army did not deploy a large force in the northern mountains, establishing only simple checkpoints along key routes. These defenses posed no threat to the elite "Night Guards" of the Royal Guards. Using the cover of darkness, they could move swiftly and stealthily eliminate these checkpoints without alerting the main force, thus clearing the way for the main force.

Of course, the success of the entire battle still depends on He Nan's support. Without internal support, this lightly armed force of thousands of people would have no ability to attack the city, and rashly appearing at the gates of Chikan City would be tantamount to self-destruction.

……

……

With the last Ming troops embarked, the crossing force was about to depart. The northern special forces had already set off under the cover of darkness, and the Ming troops near the harbor had also completed their battle preparations. The entire battle plan had taken shape, and victory or defeat would soon be decided at the Battle of Chikan City.

Zhu Cilang stood in his tent, gazing into the distance, knowing full well that this was a risky move. But in some battles, there's no chance of victory without a fight. Success in this battle would completely reverse the situation in the southeast, allowing the Ming army to retake Taiwan and shatter the foundations of Dutch rule in the East.

On the evening of the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, at the north gate of Chikan City, darkness fell. A cold wind swept through the halls, swaying the lights atop the towers. Wan Jiu, who hadn't been awake for duty for over six months, finally resumed his duties and stood on this familiar tower once again. The night deepened, dark shadows swirled outside the city walls. The occasional bark of a dog could be heard from a distant village, but within the city, a complete silence reigned, as if it had been just another night of duty, nothing unusual.

In a small hall on the side of the tower, several trusted men sat around an old wooden table. A faint aroma of wine wafted from a jug on the fire, and a few plates of leftover meat lay on the table. They leaned against each other, looking relaxed and slightly tipsy, occasionally chatting in low voices. It was clear that they didn't regard the patrol as a stressful task.

Though they appeared lazy, they knew deep down that the Dutch soldiers were conducting regular patrols, so they couldn't let their guard down. However, despite the Dutch patrols' strictness, the real vigilance came from these veterans, who had been working in the city for many years. Often, before the Dutch soldiers even showed up, word had already spread throughout the walls. By the time they actually ascended the towers to conduct their inspections, anything that needed to be covered had already been covered, anything that needed to be cleaned up had already been cleared.

The Lantern Festival holiday temporarily masked the turbulent currents within the city. As usual, the festive atmosphere would continue for several days, beginning on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Although undercurrents were already stirring between the Ming and Dutch, the surface remained calm. Both Dutch and Han Chinese reveled in the festive relaxation. Though they were foreign rulers, having long established themselves in this land, the Dutch were forced to adapt to local customs. The thirty to forty thousand Han Chinese on the island were all celebrating the festival. Street lights remained ablaze, and vendors hawked festive sweets and cakes, giving the city a semblance of peace.

Under this apparent calm, He Nan quietly came to the top of the city wall under the pretext of a night patrol. On the surface, he was just checking the guards and ensuring the defense of the north gate was impeccable, but in reality, he was in a corner of the city wall hall, whispering to a man dressed as a servant.

This man was none other than Guan Shisheng, one of the Ming Action Team's undercover agents in Chikan City. At this moment, the two were discussing a plan to rebel against the Ming Dynasty, a plan that would determine the survival of Chikan City.

This was He Nan's defense zone, so it made sense for him to come here for an inspection. The soldiers in the city wore similar attire, making it difficult for ordinary people to distinguish their identities. Therefore, Guan Shisheng could not only perfectly conceal his identity here, but also safely meet with He Nan. Compared to other secret rooms or dark alleys where spies might be hiding, this open tower became the safest place for conversation.

Guan Shisheng hadn't received Zhou Shixian's latest directive, but as a member of the action team, he knew the fleeting nature of opportunities. Even without clear orders, he couldn't wait. He had already made some advance arrangements based on his own judgment. While the final direction of action would undoubtedly require the Emperor's approval, the groundwork and preparations for the operation had to be completed before the order arrived, otherwise he would be caught off guard at the critical moment and miss the opportunity.

He was never a soldier who simply followed orders mechanically; rather, he was a ruthless character who knew how to navigate chaos and survive crises. He understood better than anyone that in a war environment characterized by extreme information scarcity, decision-making often relied not on comprehensive intelligence but on sharp insight, calm judgment, and decisive action. The lack of any of these elements would lead to the failure of the entire plan.

He Nan felt a strange tightening in his heart as he looked at the taciturn man before him. He had always considered himself cautious and intelligent, but Guan Shisheng's presence left him feeling unpredictable. This man's words and actions revealed a certain calmness—neither the arrogance of a seasoned veteran nor the fearlessness of a young calf, but rather a natural, steady ruthlessness.

Especially this afternoon, when Guan Shisheng threatened Liu Xun, He Nan truly realized that this guy's ruthlessness wasn't just bluster; it was something deep in his bones. He wasn't the type to act impulsively, but once he struck, he didn't hesitate. This gave He Nan a chill. He couldn't help but wonder what this man had been through to acquire such a strong mental fortitude.

What puzzled him even more was that, in such a dangerous environment, Guan Shisheng only brought two people with him each time, as if the entire Chikan City was his territory. Was he truly confident? Or was he crazy?
If it were He Nan, he would never risk his life alone in an enemy city, even if he had an insider. Furthermore, this was a Dutch territory, and if he were exposed, he wouldn't even have a chance of escaping alive. But Guan Shisheng seemed unfazed, even appearing to be at ease.

"Before tomorrow, we must establish control of key points in the city." Guan Shisheng's voice was low and firm, interrupting He Nan's thoughts.

"Someone is already watching." He Nan lowered his voice and said, "But you also know that once you take action, there will be no turning back."

"That's why we have to take advantage of the few days after the Lantern Festival when security is relaxed to make final arrangements." Guan Shisheng looked out the window as the night deepened. "Anyway, this matter is no longer a matter of choice for us; it's the inevitable trend of the times."

He Nan was silent for a moment, and finally nodded slowly.

Outside the city walls, a cold wind whipped through the city, causing the torches below to flicker. In the distance, the rhythmic tread of Dutch soldiers patrolling the cobblestones made a clatter. Inside the city, the afterglow of the festival lingered, with sporadic firecrackers still blasting through the streets, as if the city was still immersed in celebration.

But anyone with a discerning eye could see that beneath this surface, a storm was quietly brewing. He Nan knew in his heart that he had no way out. And Guan Shisheng's presence, like a sharp blade, was piercing the darkness of Chikan City.

This city has reached the most critical moment.

He Nan continued to scan his surroundings cautiously. Although it was dark, there were still scattered lights dotting the streets of Chikan City. The city's security was tight, but in his eyes, it was already full of loopholes.

Today, following Guan Shisheng's instructions, he met with Liu Xun, the garrison commander at the South Gate. This meeting was supposed to be a test, but Guan Shisheng, known for his decisiveness, suddenly acted mid-conversation, leaving Liu Xun caught between a rock and a hard place. After a series of coercion and inducements, Liu Xun was ultimately ensnared and implicated, becoming a key pawn of the Ming army lurking within the city.

He Nan knew that once the South Gate was under their control, the advance of the Ming army's reinforcements would become extremely smooth. At present, the external reinforcements to Chikan City still had to cross mountains and rivers, and even had to use rafts to build floating bridges to cross the river, which was time-consuming, laborious and extremely risky.

If Liu Xun cooperated, the defenses of the South Gate would be vulnerable at a critical moment, allowing the Ming army to quickly break through the defenses and advance directly into the city. This would not only significantly reduce the Ming army's losses, but would also greatly increase the chances of capturing Chikan City.

He was no stranger to Liu Xun; the two had worked together for years, and he had a deep understanding of his character. Liu Xun wasn't particularly loyal to the Dutch; were he not in the military, he would have been a pragmatic man. Furthermore, he had been unable to advance in the military for years, lacking strong backing. This had engendered resentment and long-held resentment towards the Dutch for their unfair treatment. He Nan knew that such a person only needed a little push to betray him.

In reality, Guan Shisheng had long been eyeing the South Gate's vulnerability, and this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment move. To pave the way for this operation, he worked closely with He Nan, leveraging the commercial networks of the Zeng and Gong families within the city to quietly lay a tight net, gradually dragging Liu Xun into the trap.

All of this wasn't a hasty decision, but rather based on the Li family's vast commercial influence and their precise grasp of the situation within the city. What they didn't expect was that Kiichi's actions unexpectedly accelerated their plans.

(End of this chapter)