Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Inside the central army tent, the flickering candlelight cast a half-bright, half-dark shadow on Zhu Cilang's features. He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and knocked on the long table a few times. The steady thumps echoed throughout the tent, quelling the restlessness of the generals.

Zhu Cilang's voice was low and firm as he slowly scanned the dozen or so generals gathered around the table. "The army will advance in three directions, providing mutual cover. The first group will primarily serve as a diversionary force, with boats providing cover and ready to withdraw at any time. The Royal Army camp has penetrated deep into enemy territory, but the terrain is complex, and with the scouts leading the way, the Dutch army will be unable to ambush or pursue them. If the situation changes, the Royal Army camp will simply hold its ground and await reinforcements. Once I lead the main force to Chikan City, we can then combine forces from within and capture the city."

His tone was resolute, and he pointed at the map with a slight force, as if he wanted to nail the entire map to the table.

This operation did carry considerable risk. Any misstep could leave the three armies isolated and helpless. However, this presented a golden opportunity—the Dutch had just redeployed their troops, and morale within the city was uncertain. He Nan had already deployed covert forces, ready to deploy at any moment. With the right coordination, Chikan City's defenses would crumble in an instant.

Sometimes, taking a risk is the only way to win.

Zhu Cilang saw a striking resemblance between this battle and He Bin's conspiracy to contact Zheng Sen. Many Zheng generals had also harbored doubts about this bold plan, fearing that He Nan lacked control of the situation in the city and that a rash move would only lead to failure.

Ultimately, however, it was Hong Xu's analysis and support that prompted Zheng Sen to make the seemingly risky, but in fact decisive, decision. As a result, Zheng's army swept through the battlefield and won this crucial battle that determined the ownership of Taiwan.

Now, Zhu Cilang had stronger cards in his hand and his strategy was more advanced. The Dutch were struggling and morale was low. If he could strike swiftly, Chikan City would fall in no time.

"The Dutch army is more than capable of defending the city, but less capable of field combat," Zhu Cilang said in a deep voice, his gaze piercing. "We must exploit this advantage to its full potential. Once the Chikan defenders are isolated and helpless, we will launch a fierce attack. We're not afraid of their collapse."

He paused, his tone becoming even more stern. "Regardless of whether there's internal support or not, we must capture Chikan City in one fell swoop! If we wait until the Dutch reinforce their forces or even reorganize their forces in Taiwan, it will be extremely difficult for us to capture the city. Rather than being passive, we should take the initiative now."

"Yes!" All the generals in the big tent responded in unison. Their voices echoed in the tent, and murderous aura was faintly gathering.

Everyone then returned to the barracks according to the plan, and ordered the soldiers to organize their weapons and be ready for battle.

After all the generals had left, Zhou Shixian remained. He stepped forward, bowed, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I request your instructions regarding sending the remaining twenty members of the action team into the city ahead of time. If the situation in the city changes, these individuals can at least provide an early warning and help our army respond."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang pondered for a moment, his gaze slowly falling on the map on the table. On the map, the location of Chikan City's north gate was clearly circled in red ink.

"Send." Zhu Cilang nodded slowly, his voice calm and decisive. "Order them to set off immediately. If the North Gate is safe, these twenty men will assist Hu Shengqiang and take control of the North Gate in one fell swoop. As long as the North Gate is in our hands, no matter how many Dutch troops are in the city, they will not be able to cause any trouble."

"What if the north gate is difficult to control?" Zhou Shixian asked.

"Then let them disrupt the situation in the city," Zhu Cilang said in a deep voice, a fierce look in his eyes. "Let them cause chaos in the city. We only need to hold the Dutch back for a while. By the time the main force arrives, the city will be exposed. By then, Chikan City will be easily conquered."

Zhou Shixian knew that each of the twenty members of the action team was a battle-hardened elite, familiar with the terrain of Chikan City and proficient in stealth, assassination, and sabotage tactics. If they coordinated properly, they could disrupt order in the city and gain a decisive opportunity for the army.

"There's one more thing." Zhu Cilang's eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone slowed down slightly as he spoke. "He Nan's identity is special. Although he's an important figure in the city, his position is unstable. I suspect he's already weighed the situation and knows that the Dutch won't truly trust him no matter what."

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Zhou Shixian asked.

"He Nan is a smart man," Zhu Cilang said slowly. "He should understand that even if he betrays our army, the Dutch may not place him in a high position. The deployment of troops in Southeast Asia is difficult. Even if the Dutch hold Chikan City, at most they will reward He Bin with some honors, and he may not even be appointed the chief officer of Chikan City. On the other hand, if he actively cooperates with our army, his status in the Ming court will surely rise after the success."

Zhu Cilang sneered, his eyes filled with a hint of certainty: "He knows better than anyone who is the real winner."

After hearing this, Zhou Shixian bowed and said, "I'll do it right away!"

After watching Zhou Shixian leave, Zhu Cilang stood outside the tent, watching the gradually dispersing clouds in the morning light, his mind racing. While the situation seemed orderly, Zhu Cilang knew that the outcome of this battle lay far beyond the mere fighting on the battlefield. People's hearts, strategies, and timing were all crucial factors in determining victory or defeat.

This time, I can't make any mistakes.
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On the hillside, a cold wind howled, mingled with the bitter chill of winter, stinging cheeks. Sun Fa huddled against a boulder, his clothes wrapped tightly around him, shivering with the cold. Although he was sheltered from the wind, the chill of the forest still penetrated all-pervasive, a damp chill that seeped into the bones, nearly numb to the fingertips.

To his left and right, a small group of soldiers huddled in concealed spaces, holding their breath, their gaze fixed on the foot of the opposite mountain. There, another flag-bearing ambush unit, their armor faintly visible among the withered grass. Further away, the main army's vanguard scouts, working in concert, formed a solid security network, firmly protecting the entire assault team.

Although this area was under Ming control, and the Dutch army should not be active there, the situation was considered safe. However, this thousand-man raiding party, composed of the Ming army, could not afford to be complacent. To maintain a warlike state, Zhu Cilang specially dispatched dozens of elite scouts to patrol and scout ahead to ensure that nothing could go wrong.

Sun Fa lay on the hillside, staring at the mountain path, guarding it for a whole morning. Not only did he not see any enemy, he didn't even see a rabbit.

"It's so damn cold!" He rubbed his frozen palms, feeling even more unhappy. Then he thought of Lu Jun, who was now huddled comfortably in the military tent, perhaps smoking a cigarette, squinting his eyes and enjoying the warmth of the brazier, and his anger suddenly rose.

This bastard! Why am I here alone in the cold wind while he is so leisurely and happy? The more Sun Fa thought about it, the angrier he became. He wanted to go back to the camp immediately, pull Lu Jun out of the quilt, and drag him to the mountain to bear the cold with him.

"Bah!" He spat fiercely on the ground, then looked up at the gloomy sky, glared angrily for a few times, and couldn't help cursing, "Damn weather!"

Just as he was feeling resentful, a low voice suddenly came from the distance: "General Qi, there's a signal ahead!"

"Huh?" Sun Fa was startled, then suddenly perked up, as if he had instantly woken up from the cold. He suddenly poked his head out, squinting his eyes and looking forward.

On the mountain road in the distance, a dark shadow slowly appeared. It was vague and looked like a human figure, but because the distance was too far, the specific appearance could not be seen clearly.

"This bastard..." Sun Fa frowned and became alert.

The black shadow walked slowly and staggered, as if he was injured, or as if he was deliberately disguising himself.

"He's coming from an unknown source, so don't be careless." Sun Fa's eyes narrowed, and he immediately lowered his voice and ordered, "Listen carefully! Wait until that bastard gets closer before you attack—try to capture him alive. If he resists, kill him on the spot. Don't let him escape, and don't let him hurt us."

"Yes!" The surrounding soldiers murmured in unison, tensing their bodies, gripping their weapons tightly, and staring intently at the approaching shadow. The shadow grew clearer, gradually revealing a human form. He was ragged and covered in mud, and his steps were unsteady, as if every step required an effort. When he occasionally paused to catch his breath, he glanced around warily, as if constantly worried about being followed.

"Huh? Why does he look like one of us..." Sun Fa frowned and was hesitating whether to send someone forward to question him first when the black shadow suddenly quickened its pace and went straight into a bush beside the mountain path.

"It's bad!" Sun Fa's heart suddenly jumped, and he said hurriedly: "Do it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the ambushing soldiers rushed forward like arrows.

"Don't run!"

Several loud shouts rang out, the flash of swords swung, and the grass on the mountain was suddenly disturbed by the figure. The man was obviously very familiar with the terrain. He lowered his body and nimbly dashed left and right among the bushes, leaving several soldiers behind.

"Stop him!" Sun Fa shouted when he saw this and stepped forward with a knife in hand.

Seeing that he couldn't escape, the black shadow suddenly took out a signal rocket. As soon as his finger touched the fuse, a flying knife shot out and hit his wrist with a "puff".

"Ah--!" The black shadow screamed and the signal arrow fell out of his hand.

"Still want to report? Dream on!" Sun Fafei rushed forward, kicked the man to the ground, put the knife to his neck, and said viciously: "Tell me! Where are you from? Who sent you?"

The man's face was filled with pain, blood dripping from his wrist onto the ground. He gasped and gritted his teeth, "One of us... I'm... one of us..."

Sun Fa was stunned and looked at the man carefully, and found that the corner of his sleeve that was exposed was actually a piece of Ming army uniform.

"Captain Qi, this man seems to be one of ours!" A soldier stepped forward and reminded.

"What's your name?!" Sun Fa moved the knife slightly away and asked sternly.

"Liu...Liu Xing..."

"Liu Xing?" Sun Fa's heart was suddenly shaken. He pulled He Xing up and asked anxiously, "Where's the information?!"

Liu Xing gritted his teeth, slowly reached into his arms, and took out a tightly folded oil paper package from his underwear.

"Hurry...quickly give this to His Highness." His voice was intermittent due to his weakness. "There are accomplices in the city...The Dutch...are preparing to move out the day after tomorrow..."

Sun Fa's face changed. He took the oil-paper bag and immediately said to his confidant, "Quick! Send someone to carry the person back and inform His Highness!"

He took a deep breath, looking at He Xing's frail figure, his heart tightening. This intelligence had come at a very dangerous moment, and He Xing had desperately tried to deliver the message, and he was probably exhausted.

"This kid... is really desperate." Sun Fa sighed secretly, then took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth: "Old Lu, Old Lu, it seems that this time it's not me who will suffer the loss by hiding in the cold wind!"

After saying that, he glanced coldly at the distant mountains and forests, a cold gleam in his eyes: "The day after tomorrow? Then let those damn Dutch see who is the real boss!"

"At the south gate of Chikan City, Hu Shengqiang was ultimately too impatient." Zhu Cilang closed the secret letter and narrowed his eyes slightly. A moment ago, he had been excited by the intelligence He Xing had risked his life to deliver, but that joy was fleeting as reason brought him back to composure.

He had already developed this habit - whenever he encountered good news, he would always try to find hidden dangers and risks in it, so as to correct his judgment and reduce mistakes in decision-making.

The content of the secret letter was not brief. It described in detail the latest intelligence that He Nan and the action team had gathered in Chikan City, involving the mobilization of various troops in the city in recent days. It also included Hu Shengqiang's personal analysis and suggestions as the person in charge of the Jinyiwei in the "Taiwan Island War".

"Hu Shengqiang is too impatient after all." Zhu Cilang glanced at the few lines of words calmly, and his brows couldn't help but frowned slightly.

The letter mentioned some specific details about the city's movements, such as the patrol routes of the Dutch cavalry and the deployment of the city's defense forces. However, most of this information was based on inferences based on clues and lacked solid evidence. In particular, the time for the city gate rotation, which concerned him the most, was actually He Bin's guess.

"Guess..." Zhu Cilang sighed softly, feeling vaguely uneasy.

Opportunities for war are fleeting, and the accuracy of intelligence is crucial to the success or failure of the entire battle. Most unexpectedly, the secret letter also revealed another piece of news: Guan Shisheng, the commander of the Han army at the South Gate, had defected to his side.

"That's really good news."

Although Guan Shisheng wasn't completely loyal to the Dutch, he had a mediocre reputation and was known for his timidity, making him unlikely to achieve great things. His sudden defection to the Ming army amidst these circumstances only made Zhu Cilang feel uneasy.

"Guan Shisheng..." Zhu Cilang tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, feeling a little hesitant.

This man possessed modest abilities and limited courage. If not for the urgency of the situation, he likely wouldn't have taken the risk of choosing a side. Zhu Cilang worried not only about Guan Shisheng's loyalty, but also about his wavering at crucial moments. In a chaotic situation, hearts and minds are unsettled. The most formidable threat lies not in the enemy, but rather in those who are weak-willed and unable to control their stance.

"People like this are often the most likely to make mistakes at critical moments."

Zhu Cilang was thankful for his earlier decision to have Zhou Shixian send a final reinforcement. Otherwise, Hu Shengqiang wouldn't have been able to stabilize the situation with only those thirty or so men, and he wouldn't even be able to guarantee He Nan's safety. (End of this chapter)