Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 49 New Team

Xu Hongji and Zhao Zhilong, the two senior Nanjing garrison officers, commanded their troops and carefully maintained order, fearing that any accidents would occur.

However, as they looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince riding on his horse with high spirits, and the people on both sides of the street who were kneeling on the ground and shouting loudly after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince led the armored cavalry out of the city gate, they did not feel that they needed to be careful about anything.

Such a powerful and wise king, in such a solemn and dignified occasion, is not the place for some embarrassed and distressed prince. How could any villain dare to rebel against his king?

In the Fengyang government office, both of them had seen the true face of the Crown Prince who was riding on a horse in front of them and looked elegant and gentle. In their hearts, they were filled with nothing but awe!

At this time, Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu, Zhang Shenyan, Jiang Yueguang and other civil officials who were also welcoming His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to Nanjing were also filled with awe.

What is “respected” is Zhu Cilang’s identity as the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty and the future ruler of the Ming Dynasty, while what is “feared” is the imperial aura that this future emperor has displayed in recent days and now.

However, in addition to awe, Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu and others also felt mixed emotions.

On the one hand, they all knew the current crisis, and only a king with the courage and spirit of a great leader could turn the tide. And the sight of Zhu Cilang, clad in armor, riding a horse, and commanding a large army, perfectly matched their imagination of a leader who would restore the country.

But on the other hand, they did not want Zhu Cilang to be too arbitrary, and they were even more worried that he would appoint treacherous officials, especially Ma Shiying, who had entered Nanjing with them and was feeling very proud.

Ma Shiying's previous outspoken advice had already earned him the political capital to rise to prominence. After gaining Zhu Cilang's approval, he was now firmly working towards becoming a lone minister.

These civil officials who claimed to be loyal and dedicated to the public were not only worried about Zhu Cilang's favoritism towards treacherous officials, but were also worried about his emphasis on military men and the neglect of civil officials.

If this development continues, the Ming Dynasty will surely repeat the mistakes of the Han and Tang dynasties and fall into chaos caused by military separatism!

Not to mention those far away, just Gao Jie, Huang Degong and others who followed into the city were now arrogant. Although they were respectful to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and did not dare to disobey him in the slightest, they had completely lost their previous respect and awe towards these civil officials.

After the questioning and lashing that day, Gao Jie had to think twice before pretending to obey Zhu Cilang but actually disobeying him. He no longer had the courage to embezzle the troops as he had at the beginning.

However, as the most meritorious general among the four generals of Jiangbei, he still had no respect for those civil servants who came late, unless they were sent by Zhu Cilang to reorganize the army.

And now, Gao Jie looked at the people kneeling on the ground and shouting, the majestic and orderly army formation in front of the palace, and the back of the man riding on a horse wearing gilded mountain armor, and he did not dare to show any disrespect in his heart.

In fact, whenever he thought about how Li Benshen and Xing had successfully dissuaded him, he felt somewhat fortunate. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to compete with Zhou Shixian, Chen Fu, and Chang Denggui, the three founding fathers of the Dragon Army.

Thinking of this, Gao Jie secretly glanced at the three people in front of him. He knew very well that if he wanted to go further, he had to surpass those three people in military achievements.

As for Huang Degong, Liu Zeqing, Liu Liangzuo and others who were on par with him, Gao Jie did not take them seriously. Even Huang Degong, whom he once feared, he did not think could cause any trouble at this time.

When it comes to saving the emperor, being a step late is always a step late!
Zhou Shixian, Chen Fu and Chang Denggui faced the countless people kneeling and watching on both sides of the street. At this moment, they raised their heads proudly, their faces full of excitement and pride. This was the army they led after following His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, overcoming all obstacles and going through hardships.

All their previous hesitation, wavering and desperation have now transformed into ambition to achieve great things. They have no doubt at this moment that by following His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, they can revive the Ming Dynasty and restore the northern country.

Chen Fu's heart surged with excitement, his eyes seeming to see the glorious future of conquering the Wolf's Lair and trampling over Mount Yan. Not only these high-ranking officials and generals, but also Zhao Zhengdong, leading his team of trackers, marched into the city. He was draped in silver-white armor and holding aloft a large banner. Facing the surging shouts, he also raised his head excitedly, his face throbbing with excitement.

In the neatly-organized flag team behind him, Gu Defu held a spear in his hand, his eyes always fixed on the flag representing the "Palace Front Army". Hearing the cheers of the people on both sides, his legs actually felt a little weak, but his heart was filled with more excitement and joy!

All the soldiers of the Palace Army were immersed in such an atmosphere. It was the first time for most of them to leave Northern Zhili and Shandong, and it was also the first time for them to enter the capital with such a majestic attitude.

This was the first time they enjoyed such treatment. The excitement, excitement, and pride gave them an unprecedented sense of belonging and honor, and strengthened their determination to be loyal to the Ming Dynasty until death!

Amidst the people's thunderous shouts, Zhu Cilang rode his horse through Chaoyang Gate and into Donghua Gate to pay homage to the ancestral temple. He then went out of Xihua Gate and finally used the Nanjing Inner Garrison as his temporary palace to handle the official business of the court.

At this time, the palace in Nanjing was still under repair and the coronation ceremony was still under preparation. There was still some time before the final enthronement, but the military affairs in Jiangbei and the integration of the Nanjing Beijing Camp were urgent, and ministers from various departments were also waiting for new appointments.

On the second day, in order to deploy defenses against the enemy, run the court, and prepare for the coronation ceremony, Zhu Cilang, in accordance with the results of previous discussions with ministers, issued temporary appointments of officials at all levels of the Nanjing court in the temporary palace - Nanjing Nei Shoubei Mansion.

Li Banghua, formerly the Left Censor-in-Chief, was appointed Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion. Following the late emperor's will, he also served as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and Minister of War, adding him to the cabinet. Shi Kefa, formerly the Nanjing Minister of War, was appointed Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and concurrently Minister of Rites, adding him to the cabinet. Gao Hongtu, formerly the Minister of Revenue, was promoted to Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and continued to serve as Minister of Revenue. Ma Shiying was promoted to Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion and concurrently Right Censor-in-Chief.
At the same time, some adjustments were made to the original officials at all levels in Nanjing. Xu Hongji, Duke of Wei, was promoted to the position of Zuo Zhuguo, in charge of the Zuofu Seal and the Imperial Lecture. Jiang Yueguang, the former Zhanshi Palace Chancellor, was appointed as the Left Vice Minister of Rites. Zhang Shenyan was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, and Liu Zongzhou was appointed as the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. Other officials of the yamen were also arranged one after another.

According to ministers such as Li Banghua, Shi Kefa, Gao Hongtu, and Ma Shiying, this meant allowing "upright people" to occupy important positions, so that the new dynasty could have a new look and the current situation could be truly improved.

Of course, such distribution, in addition to making the best use of talents, is actually because Zhu Cilang has to take into account the power of important officials who follow the emperor in the northern capital and the Nanjing faction, and at the same time balance the court with the newly supported confidants in Jiangbei to prevent the situation in the court from getting out of his control.

Zhu Cilang was naturally not a spineless person like Zhu Yousong. He had troops in his hands and did not rely on the ministers to rescue him. It was no problem for him to control the ministers. The current arrangement had allowed many people to get what they wanted, balanced the power of the court, and ensured the stability of the court for some time to come.

After the civil service was temporarily arranged and the new cabinet and ministries were formed, it was time to make military arrangements.

The original "Four Towns of Jiangbei" in history, except Gao Jie, lost their so-called support due to the arrival of Zhu Cilang, and also lost their original prestige. In addition, with the deterrence of Zhu Cilang's army, they are now more obedient than the other, waiting for the court's arrangements.

Based on the current situation and the strength of the various tribes in Jiangbei, Zhu Cilang made some slight changes to the garrison.

Gao Jie's troops, the most powerful among the four towns, were stationed in the prefectures and counties north of Fengyang Prefecture, as well as Xuzhou Prefecture. Huang Degong, who had a strong army and was loyal, was assigned to Huai'an Prefecture. The two of them supported each other and formed the first line of defense in Jiangbei to resist enemies from the north.

Liu Zeqing was transferred to garrison Luzhou Prefecture, and at the same time, his troops were divided into the southwest of Fengyang Prefecture. Chen Fu, who was temporarily appointed as the general of Fengyang, led a new camp that merged the Governor Lu Zhenfei's camp and the Fengyang camp. The two of them jointly guarded against enemies from Henan. Even the troops deployed by Liu Zeqing in Fengyang Prefecture had to accept Chen Fu's command when necessary.

As for Lu Zhenfei, the governor of Huai'an, he was responsible for the unified supply of food and fodder for the armies in Jiangbei, coordinating the laborers, repairing the city defenses of various prefectures, and supervising the supply of food to the militias in various places.

Liu Liangzuo, the weakest who had led his army to surrender in history, was transferred to Zhenjiang Prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River. The nominal reason was to replenish his troops and restore his strength.

As for Yangzhou Prefecture and Yingtian Prefecture, they became the garrisons of the Palace Army. This army had already taken shape and had received basic training. Zhu Cilang planned to lead it personally. At this time, Chang Denggui, who had become the battalion commander of the Beijing Camp, was temporarily leading the training.

(End of this chapter)