Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 46: Hundred Thousand Strong Army
When Zhu Cilang asked the question, his expression was extremely sincere, and his eyes were full of expectation, and even a little bit of heat, as if he was really a child who had gone through hardships and finally found support and wanted to avenge his king, father, family and country.

But when the ministers and nobles heard these words, they were so frightened that they broke out in cold sweats.

Not only Shi Kefa, Xu Hongji, Zhao Zhilong, Lu Daqi, Gao Hongtu and others, but even Ma Shiying, who was just feeling proud of having received the favor of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his decisive decision yesterday, was stunned by Zhu Cilang's sudden attack.

When Gao Jie, Huang Degong, Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo and other generals heard this, they also immediately wilted. They lowered their heads and dared not hold their heads high, as if they were afraid that they would be noticed by the terrifying Crown Prince who was as ferocious as a tiger or a wolf.

This is what is meant by "When a minister serves his king, his grace and power will be revealed." At this moment, these ministers, nobles, and even military generals did not dare to have any contempt for the king.

After Zhu Cilang seized the initiative, his expression changed, and he asked sternly, "Could it be that you are afraid of the rebels and the Tartars, and therefore unwilling to support my Northern Expedition?"

In the hall, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. In the end, Shi Kefa could only bite the bullet and speak:

"Your Highness, it's not that we are afraid and unwilling to support Your Highness in the Northern Expedition to restore our country and avenge our national humiliation. It's that the world is in turmoil right now, and the people of Southern Zhili are in a state of panic. The Northern Expedition truly requires long-term planning!"

As soon as Shi Kefa finished speaking, the chief noble, Duke of Wei, Xu Hongji, immediately clasped his hands and said:
"Shi Bu Tang is right. The Northern Expedition truly requires long-term planning. The most pressing priorities right now are to consolidate the hearts of the people in the southern provinces, select a prime minister, form a cabinet, ensure the smooth functioning of all ministries, and restore the authority of the imperial court. Only then can we select renowned generals, expand our military, discuss wartime defense, and enforce stricter rewards and punishments."

As Shi Kefa and Xu Hongji, the two leading civil officials and nobles, spoke, the Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Zongzhou, the Right Censor-in-Chief Zhang Shenyan, the Vice Minister of War Lu Daqi, the Earl of Xincheng Zhao Zhilong, the Earl of Chengyi Liu Kongzhao and others also spoke in unison. Even Liu Zeqing followed suit and said a few words about the unclear enemy situation and insufficient food and grass.

Since Zhu Cilang had previously chosen to go straight to Fengyang to quell the rebellion instead of heading south to wait for the support of the generals, even Gao Jie, who was known for his meritorious service as the leader of the army, did not dare to act arrogantly in such an occasion and could only respond cautiously with a few words.

After all, even if Zhu Cilang was about to ascend the throne, this emperor was not established by them. On the contrary, if they were to be held accountable for attempting to support Prince Fu when the news was unclear, they would have to bear the responsibility.

It was not just them, the same was true for the civil officials and nobles in Nanjing. They had no merit of support at this time, so they no longer had the confidence to be arrogant and domineering in front of Zhu Yousong as they had in history.

"Don't the southern provinces still have hundreds of thousands of troops? Can't they all fight?" Zhu Cilang still refused to give in, and even continued to bring up the so-called last words of Chongzhen to persuade everyone:
"If I cannot conquer the north and restore my country, wouldn't I be considered an unworthy descendant who has disobeyed my father and betrayed my ancestors? What's the point of going south to ascend the throne and inherit the throne?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into even greater silence.

Zhu Cilang had to immediately confirm the political correctness of "Northern Expedition" and the first principle of the Nanjing court. At this time, Emperor Chongzhen had already died for his country, and his so-called last words were something that these civil and military officials dared not disobey no matter what.

At this time, the ministers who were frightened by Zhu Cilang's few words did not dare to stand up and say anything, especially the civil officials and nobles, who knew almost nothing about military affairs. They really thought that there were still hundreds of thousands of troops in the south.

As for Gao Jie, Huang Degong, Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo, and the others, each of them had previously inflated the number of troops in an attempt to defraud the imperial court of money and grain, and now they were even more afraid to be the first to speak out. "What? Is there really no more troops available in the south?" Zhu Cilang looked at the silent ministers, his tone suddenly becoming more serious and aggressive.

"Your Highness, there are soldiers in the south." At this moment, Gao Hongtu suddenly stepped out, clasped his hands together, and shouted loudly:

"I believe that the rebels have not yet established a firm foothold in Shandong. The imperial court should immediately send troops into Shandong to demonstrate its determination to suppress the rebels. At the same time, we should reduce land taxes in Shandong and Northern Zhili to win over the people, and then try to retake the capital!"

"Are there really troops in the south?" Zhu Cilang finally waited for the minister who advocated war and advancement, and immediately confirmed it.

"There really are soldiers, and in Jiangbei alone, there are hundreds of thousands of soldiers ready to fight!"

At this moment, Ma Shiying suddenly spoke, and Gao Jie, Huang Degong, Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo and others were caught off guard and were stabbed in the back.

"Gao Jie's army alone boasts 30,000 armored soldiers and 9,000 mules and horses. Huang Degong's army also boasts 30,000 men. Liu Zeqing recruited troops from various Shandong tribes on his way south, and now commands four generals, with an army of tens of thousands. The same applies to Liu Liangzuo. These numbers are based on the memorials these four men submitted to me earlier, requesting food and wages. The documents are in the government office."

Moreover, what Gao Butang said is true. The people of Shandong are still strong. As long as Your Highness holds high the banner of restoration, the army will surely rise up to welcome the royal army. With the four generals of Jiangbei and more than 100,000 strong troops as a base, the bandits are nothing to be afraid of!
Your Highness, this is a golden opportunity that must not be missed. If we do not seize this opportunity and launch an expedition to the north, and wait until the people lose all confidence, it will probably take another ten or twenty years, with millions of people dying, before we can recover the northern kingdom."

Zhu Cilang stared at Ma Shiying, slightly startled. Was this guy so quick to react, so clever? He'd guessed his true purpose, and shown no fear of those generals who were practically beyond his control. With a desperate attitude, he'd become the foremost minister supporting the Northern Expedition. Gao Hongtu, a minister considered radical, seemed pale in comparison.

With such courage and intelligence, it is no wonder that Ma Shiying was able to quickly adjust his position and remain invincible in the confrontation between Fu and Lu in the original history. In just a few months, he rose from a local governor to the most powerful official in the Hongguang Dynasty!

"Is it really so?" Zhu Cilang turned his gaze to Gao Jie and asked softly.

However, when Gao Jie heard this, he felt like there was a thorn in his back and a lump in his throat. He did not dare to answer for a long time. The arrogance that he used to have when he claimed to be the most meritorious minister following the Emperor seemed to have disappeared in an instant.

"Huang Degong, do you have 30,000 troops under your command?" Zhu Cilang saw this and then turned to look at the second general stationed in Jiangbei.

"Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo, what about you? Do you have 30,000 soldiers and horses capable of fighting?"

As a result, Zhu Cilang completely seized the initiative in his upcoming military reorganization plan. Facing him, the legitimate crown prince who personally suppressed the rebellion and commanded the army, the so-called Four Commanderies of Jiangbei were completely powerless!
(End of this chapter)