Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 53 Zheng Family
Under Zhu Cilang's deployment, the reconstruction of the Nanjing Beijing Camp, the renovation of the Xinpukou Camp, the resettlement of Liu Liangzuo's troops in several other camps of the Palace Army in Yingtian Prefecture, and the resettlement of Liu Liangzuo's troops were all progressing in an orderly manner.

The strength of the troops under Liu Liangzuo was very weak. After they surrendered to the Qing Dynasty in the original history, they performed very poorly. There were no famous generals of the Green Camp under his command. The only three who could be mentioned were Shen Bao, Cao Hu, and Hu Shoujin, who all served as deputy generals of the local garrison army of the Qing Dynasty and guerrillas.

If Zhu Cilang had not been worried that Gao Jie, Huang Degong, and Liu Zeqing, the three generals stationed in Jiangbei, would become disloyal because of his direct dismissal of Liu Liangzuo, he would have dealt with this waste long ago.

Both he, the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and the Nanjing court lacked a significant victory at this time to prove that they were worthy of unconditional support and trust.

As Li Zicheng retreated westward in defeat and the Qing army entered Beijing, the situation inside the Great Wall suddenly changed dramatically.

In the Nanjing Garrison, in Zhu Cilang's temporary palace, Zheng Sen, who was studying at the Imperial College under the tutelage of the famous Jiangsu and Zhejiang scholar Qian Qianyi, was summoned and was carefully looking at the newspaper handed to him by Zhu Cilang.

The newspaper reported the exact news that Li Zicheng had retreated from Beijing in defeat, Wu Sangui had betrayed his country and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, and that the Qing army had already entered Beijing. Zheng Sen had heard a lot of news in Nanjing these days, but he did not expect the situation to be so complicated.

"Your Highness, while the rebels and the Tartars are fighting each other, this is our chance to rally our army and launch a northern expedition." After reading the newspaper, Zheng Sen felt an itch in his heart. He immediately clasped his hands together and poured out all his thoughts and ideas.
"The rebels have now occupied Shanxi, Henan, Shandong and other places, forming a three-sided encirclement of the Tartars. The Tartars will definitely march west first and then south. This is the opportunity for our dynasty to mobilize troops and blunt their edge.

I believe that with Your Highness's recent trip south, the foundation of the country has been established, the three armies and six ministries in the southern capital are full of talented people, and the people are at peace. Jiangnan has been prosperous since ancient times, with thriving trade, abundant money and food, and a thriving population."

Zhu Cilang listened patiently. Zheng Sen had never led troops or handled complex government affairs, so his ideas were still quite immature. However, he nodded in agreement from time to time, showing his appreciation. After the other party finished speaking, he smiled and said,
"Da Mu, you are right. I summoned you here today for two main reasons. The most important of these is to discuss the defense of Jianghuai."

"The defense of Jianghuai?" Zheng Sen was slightly stunned. What he had just talked about was the strategy of the Northern Expedition.

"Yes, it's Jianghuai's defense."

Zhu Cilang stood up and walked towards a long table in the hall, asking, "Damu, do you know how many routes from north to south have led to unification of the country since ancient times?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chenggong nodded firmly. He had really thought about this question and knew clearly when and under what historical conditions it happened.

"Well, I was right about you!" Zhu Cilang quickly stopped beside a long table covered with a large map. This map was still the traditional territorial map of the late Ming Dynasty, and was drawn in a very abstract way.

He picked up a thin bamboo stick beside the table and pointed at the map while saying:

"Now the rebels occupy Shaanxi, and the western rebels occupy Sichuan. The mountains there are high and the roads are dangerous. In addition, due to years of war, the land has become barren. It is basically impossible for the Tartars to move south from Sichuan.

To the north of Huguang, however, there are still rebellious troops. If they want to fight the Tartars, even if they march south, they will be powerless to oppose the imperial court. To the south of Huguang, I have already asked the Changsha Military Supervisor Du Yinxi to coordinate the provincial affairs, and Qin Liangyu of Shizhu in eastern Sichuan to assist in organizing the army. The Shizhu chieftain is still very loyal and reliable.

As for Jiangxi, I have already issued an order to transfer He Tengjiao from Huguang and reorganize the battalion in Jiangxi. No matter how arrogant Zuo Liangyu may be, he is already half-buried in the ground. He has no capital to rebel. All he wants is a sure sign from me to ensure the safety of his descendants."

"Your Highness means that as long as the court can hold the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, the Tartars will be unable to do anything to us for a while?" Zheng Sen frowned slightly. Although he understood the meaning of Zhu Cilang's words, he still couldn't understand why he didn't seize the opportunity to launch a northern expedition. "Indeed, the Zheng family has indeed produced a talent!" Zhu Cilang smiled. He looked at Zheng Sen's puzzled eyes and then said:

"The key to a northern expedition is a strong army, especially cavalry. To conquer the Tartars and restore our country is my father's last wish, and I will never forget it. The imperial court will certainly launch a northern expedition in the future, but the time is not right now."

Although Zheng Sen did not think that there were no soldiers in the south, he was not stupid enough to argue with Zhu Cilang at this time. At the same time, he also guessed why Zhu Cilang had summoned him.

"Your Highness, you need a navy to guard the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers. If the Qing army penetrates deeply, they will surely lose sight of the big picture. The navy can go up the river and cut off their retreat!"

"That's the first thing." Zhu Cilang was very satisfied with Zheng Sen's agility. He then walked towards the window, took a look at the blue sky outside, and then said quietly:
"The Fujian Navy has been transferred to Nanzhili, and the losses are bound to be considerable, especially the weapons and firearms on board, which all need maintenance. The daily military supplies for nearly 10,000 sailors are also not a small amount, and all of this will be allocated from the Ministry of Revenue.

Oh, by the way, the firearms from Fujian and Guangdong, especially the batch of banjiu-foot muskets that were transferred to Dengzhou earlier, are in great demand by the Nanzhili army. We'll take as many as we can and then march north with the navy."

"Serving the country is the Zheng family's duty!" Zheng Sen quickly expressed his opinion. He had no objection to this, but he was just worried that his father would not agree.

However, before he could express his concerns, Zhu Cilang immediately said:
"The second thing is the maritime trade in the southeast. Although the north has temporarily fallen into the hands of the Manchus, trade with Japan and Korea cannot be abolished. The South Seas are even more vast. The annual maritime trade profits along the southeast coast should be over four million taels, right?"

Zheng Sen couldn't help but be shocked when these words were spoken. Just now, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sounded as if he relied on the Zheng family, but now it immediately turned into a threat.

It should be noted that at this time, although the Zheng family was the dominant force at sea, they had not yet completely monopolized the entire maritime trade. In the original history, a key factor in the Zheng family's maritime trade reaching its peak was the Qing Dynasty's ban on maritime trade in the areas under its control, which allowed Zheng Chenggong's caravans to seize the market vacancy.

"Your Highness has a far-sighted vision, and I admire you." Zheng Sen didn't know what to say for a moment, and hurriedly flattered him to hide his panic. After all, he was still just a student of the Imperial College with a distinguished family background.

Seeing this, Zhu Cilang smiled gently, and then continued:
“This palace has always been very supportive of overseas trade, but the Tartars are used to being barbaric and only know how to plunder. I’m afraid they don’t understand these things at all.

After I ascend the throne, I plan to integrate the guilds of Nanzhili, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces, especially all kinds of commercial goods for overseas trade. We must prevent some unscrupulous merchants from selling inferior goods as good ones and damaging the reputation of our Ming Dynasty overseas.

These matters, I do not understand, when the time comes, I will have to rely on the Zheng family to send people to assist. Of course, if the Zheng family is unwilling, there are many families in Nanzhili and Zhejiang who often go out to sea for trade.

They say your Zheng family is the emperor of Fujian. The Zheng Mansion is even bigger than my palace. Sometimes, when you live in a big house and get used to the comfort, you don't want to do trivial things. It's not surprising!"

　Thanks to book friends Yuekenlu Dazhuang, Oh, little lady, don’t run away, and Qingshanxi for the rewards.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)