Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 47 Military and Political Power
"Gao Jie, could it be that your previous report of 30,000 soldiers and 9,000 mules and horses was a lie to me?"

With just one sentence, Ma Shiying cleared himself of the charges and also did Huang Degong a favor.

In one night, he not only saw through Gao Jie's arrogance, but also knew that he had many conflicts with Huang Degong. Huang Degong and he had a close relationship. The two of them had just pacified the rebel general Liu Chao in Yongcheng, Henan last April. Naturally, he had to find ways to win him over.

After hearing this, Zhu Cilang had roughly guessed Ma Shiying's purpose. It seemed that this guy, just like in history, had seized the opportunity and wanted to enter the cabinet and become the most powerful official in the new dynasty.

Ma Shiying would naturally avoid fighting with an emperor like Zhu Yousong, but when faced with a crown prince like Zhu Cilang who was burdened with national hatred and family feuds and had a clear attitude, he had to change his words and become a loyal, brave and fearless advocate of war.

Ma Shiying's abilities in military and political affairs were not outstanding, but his decisiveness at critical moments, his ability to adapt to the situation, and his acumen in flattery far surpassed those of Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu and others.

"Gao Jie, I know you are loyal. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. I will definitely not blame you!" After Zhu Cilang pressed the issue, he did not continue to put pressure on him.

He knew Gao Jie didn't have that many soldiers, but he also didn't know exactly how many combat-ready soldiers the other side had. He wanted to use this opportunity to both put a stop to Gao Jie's arrogance and find out the actual number of soldiers under the four Jiangbei generals.

Gao Jie's Adam's apple moved nervously when he heard this. He had not expected Ma Shiying to be so ruthless, and he had not expected the prince in front of him to be so cruel. In the end, he could only clasp his hands and say nervously:

"I do have 30,000 men under my command, but most of them are rebels and militiamen from various places who are unwilling to join the bandits, so they followed me south. As for those who are truly equipped with armor and weapons and can fight in the field, there are only about 10,000 of them.

There were 9,000 mules and horses, most of which were pack mules, and some were donkeys. There were only nearly 2,000 military horses. However, due to insufficient bean fodder, only a thousand of these military horses were truly capable of fighting.

If it were not so, I would not have rushed south, but would have gone north to defend the king. The reason I went south was because the rebels were pursuing me closely, and all regions had suffered from severe disasters for several years, making it impossible to supply military supplies.

"So that's how it is. Mr. Gao is also in a dilemma!" Zhu Cilang sighed slightly, but did not let go of the others. He then looked at Huang Degong and asked:

"Huang Degong, how many soldiers and horses do you have who can actually fight?"

"I have nearly 30,000 young and strong men under my command who are capable of fighting." Huang Degong heard Gao Jie's initiative to explain, and Zhu Cilang changed the way he addressed him. He became even more nervous and confessed honestly:
"But there is a shortage of armor and weapons, and a serious shortage of mules and horses. There are less than 10,000 armored soldiers, and most of them are old and inferior. There are only a few thousand horses."

After hearing this, Liu Zeqing was afraid that he would be the last one left, so he knelt down in desperation and confessed everything:

"I originally commanded over 30,000 men, but like General Gao, most of them were soldiers from various prefectures in Shandong who were unwilling to join the rebels. Since the Shandong rebels rose up, we suffered heavy losses on our way south. Now, only 20,000 men remain. The army's baggage has also been severely damaged, and the soldiers are short of weapons and armor. If we were to send out the troops now, I'm afraid we would only have less than 10,000 men capable of fighting."

Liu Liangzuo had lied the most at first, fearing that he would become the vanguard of the Northern Expedition because of his strong army and horses. However, he had been in Nanzhili all the time, so it was not easy for him to find an excuse. However, when he saw Liu Zeqing kneeling down first, he could only bite the bullet and make up a reason:
"I originally had over 20,000 soldiers and horses under my command, but some time ago, while Your Highness was suppressing the rebellion, we were attacked by rebels and suffered heavy losses. Now we only have over 10,000 soldiers and horses left. Due to years of fighting bandits, weapons, armor and horses are also in short supply. I'm afraid there are only 5,000 or 6,000 soldiers left who can fight at this time."

Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu, Liu Zongzhou, Lu Daqi, Xu Hongji, Zhao Zhilong, Liu Kongzhao and other ministers and nobles looked at these military leaders who were usually domineering and arrogant, and even dared to let their troops plunder the prefectures. Now, in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, they were all trembling with fear and scrambling to give orders to their troops. They were simply surprised.

When they first heard that Zhu Cilang had suppressed the rebellion in Zhongdu, they were a little bit unbelieving. They even speculated that a certain military leader was so bold that he had kidnapped His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu, Xu Hongji and others, and they were very worried about it.

But today, it seems that His Highness really has the aura of an emperor. Those warriors that Ma Shiying and Lu Jiude could not completely control were subdued by His Highness with just a few words!

At the same time, after listening to the explanations of the so-called four generals under his command, Zhu Cilang had already taken the initiative in terms of the number of troops under his command and the future allocation of money and food to each department, instead of spending millions of military pay a year and failing to support a combat-ready army as in history.

He knew that as long as the old and weak were eliminated, military discipline was enforced, training was strengthened, and the supply of military pay, food, and weapons was guaranteed, these troops would still be able to fight. In the original history, after surrendering to the Qing Dynasty and being streamlined, they became the Green Camp Army and were able to fight. Facing the Eight Banners Army, they were not so bad that they could not even defend the city.

"So, Jiangbei actually has less than 30,000 soldiers and horses capable of fighting, and less than 3,000 cavalry?" Zhu Cilang narrowed his eyes, and scanned the people in front of him with a sharp gaze, and then asked quietly:
"Can we fight against the Tartars in the north, recover our country and avenge my father with such a small number of troops?" "There are still 60,000 troops in Nanjing's Beijing camp, maybe they can be used!" After offending the four generals, Ma Shiying opened fire on the civil officials and nobles who actually controlled the Beijing camp. He had basically determined the purpose of Zhu Cilang's so-called northern expedition and made up his mind to be a lone minister.

You know, he has lost the chance to rescue the emperor, and this is the only way for him to join the cabinet now!
"Because of the plague, there are not many soldiers left in the Beijing Camp who can fight!" Shi Kefa hurriedly explained. Although he knew nothing about military affairs, he was not blind. After two previous failed attempts to go north to support the king, he already knew that the Beijing Camp in Nanjing was just an empty shell.

"We also need to leave troops to defend the vicinity of Nanjing. If Your Highness wants to march north, I'm afraid he can only mobilize more than 10,000 troops. Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other places..."

"I understand!" Zhu Cilang raised his hand to stop Shi Kefa, and then said:

"I know something about military affairs. With this small number of troops, let alone a northern expedition to annihilate Chuang, if it weren't for the strategically located Jianghuai region, the numerous fortified cities, and the natural defenses, I'm afraid even protecting our dynasty would be extremely difficult at the moment."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; at least His Highness knew that a Northern Expedition was absolutely impossible. But no one dared to speak, fearing that they would be held responsible.

After Zhu Cilang achieved his goal, he suddenly became gentle and slowly asked the ministers:

"According to what Lord Gao and Lord Xu just said, if we want to launch a northern expedition and restore our country, we must first rebuild the imperial court and stabilize the people's hearts. Only then can we work on finance, taxation, military supplies, and famous generals, and gradually achieve our goal. Am I correct?"

"Your Highness is a man of both civil and military strategy, and has a deep insight into the general trend of the world. What you said is absolutely right!" Ma Shiying bowed and flattered him without caring whether he was being asked or not.

Upon seeing this, Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu, Xu Hongji, Liu Kongzhao and others despised Ma Shiying even more. Your Highness the Crown Prince should not be deceived by such a sycophantic villain.

"Your Highness is right. The country cannot be without a king for a day. The most urgent task now is for Your Highness to ascend the throne as soon as possible. Only in this way can you call on the world and take care of the situation!" Shi Kefa secretly pulled Gao Hongtu, who was about to say something, and immediately spoke out.

He was now very worried that Zhu Cilang would change his mind and continue the Northern Expedition, which would be disastrous.

Although Gao Hongtu had a strong enterprising spirit, he was not a person who did not know the overall situation. After hearing how miserable the Jiangbei tribes were, he no longer dared to call for an immediate Northern Expedition. He was also worried about the same thing that Shi Kefa was worried about.

"I second the proposal. Your Highness, please go to Nanjing as soon as possible to ascend the throne, issue orders to the world, and take care of the situation!" Gao Hongtu said immediately.

"Your Highness, we second the motion. Please go to Nanjing as soon as possible to ascend the throne, issue orders to the world, and take care of the situation!" Seeing this, all the civil and military ministers also echoed.

As long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince does not insist on a Northern Expedition and immediately goes to Nanjing to ascend the throne, they are willing to make any concessions. A Northern Expedition at this time is clearly a suicide mission!
But no one dared to say such words, otherwise they would be attacked by everyone.

Zhu Cilang naturally noticed the little tricks of Shi Kefa and Gao Hongtu, but he did not really want to launch a northern expedition immediately. Instead, he wanted to use this opportunity to force everyone into a corner, and then naturally take back the military and political power that a wartime emperor should have, and then proceed slowly.

"That's fine!"

Zhu Cilang sighed deeply, but just when the ministers were about to let go of their worries, he suddenly stood up and shouted:
"Since you want me to ascend the throne in Nanjing first and then proceed slowly, from now on, all matters concerning government, personnel, finance, taxation, military supplies, and everything related to the Northern Expedition must be given top priority. I must review them all and make my own decisions!"

　Thanks to book friend Yuekenlu Dazhuang for the reward.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)