Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 71 Why fight?
Early the next morning, as soon as the assembly bugle sounded, all the soldiers of the Tianwu Left Camp immediately rushed out of the barracks.

Chen Tao hadn't slept well the previous night and was feeling a little lethargic. He followed Gu Defu and a dense crowd of soldiers who also had dark circles under their eyes, and soon arrived at the parade ground.

Then, they saw Instructor General Zhang and Battalion Commander Lin standing at the command platform, talking and laughing, showing no signs of nervousness about going into battle.

"Old Zhang, you are finally back?" Lin Changfeng was very enthusiastic towards Zhang Huangyan. He admired this scholar who was not arrogant towards ordinary soldiers and was both civil and military.

Zhang Huangyan nodded enthusiastically when he saw Lin Changfeng and said, "I can't wait to come back as soon as the Tianqi Camp's lecture is over."

Unlike most scholars at that time, he did not look down on warriors. Instead, he was very attracted by officers like Lin Changfeng, who were generous, straightforward, not particular about details, but knew how to do things in moderation. The two of them even had a few drinks together in private.

"I've been waiting for you to come back. Your Majesty is right. These new recruits really need to be encouraged. Military sticks can make them go to the battlefield obediently, but they can't make them understand why they are fighting!" Lin Changfeng sighed and frowned.

He had also noticed the changes in the morale of the soldiers in the past few days. Even several veteran soldiers serving as officers showed fear, which made him very worried.

"Indeed." Zhang Huangyan nodded, his eyes firm as he said:

"I've come back to deliver a message for His Majesty. Only when the soldiers know why they're fighting can they feel confident, boost their spirits, and raise their fighting spirits!"

Since being transferred to Tianwu Zuoying by Zhu Cilang, he and Lin Changfeng, one civil and one military, have cooperated well. His wish to serve the country has finally been realized, and the two have cooperated very harmoniously.

Looking at the army that was growing rapidly and improving with each passing day, he was very excited at the thought that these soldiers would defeat the Tartar bandits and recover the northern rivers and mountains. At the same time, he became more and more impressed by the creator of this powerful army, his mentor, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Lin Changfeng nodded after hearing this, raised his hand and pointed at the soldiers who were lining up and said:
"Not to mention these new recruits, even the veterans under my command are unsure. Unless they win a battle, they'll all be terrified!"

After hearing this, Zhang Huangyan turned his head and looked. At this time, there were rows and rows of soldiers standing densely on the parade ground. Then he and Lin Changfeng walked to the platform on the parade ground.

Lin Changfeng stood on the reviewing platform and turned his head to wink at the two guards behind him. The two guards nodded immediately, then one beat the war drum and the other waved the military flag towards the soldiers who were resting in front of them.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the soldiers who had been standing quietly quickly moved into action. The sound of orderly footsteps soon rang out, and rows of soldiers marched together, instantly surrounding the platform. The momentum was terrifying.

However, Zhang Huangyan was not surprised. This was not the first time he had seen such a scene. The soldiers under Lin Changfeng were as well-trained as any army he had ever seen. These were the reasons why he continued to strengthen his confidence.

Of course, he also knew that both Lin Changfeng and Chang Denggui were merely executors of the plan. They were indeed excellent, but the most crucial person was His Majesty, who was coordinating all of this at the highest level.

In his opinion, Zhu Cilang was not only a master at governing the court and controlling officials, but also an unmatched military trainer. He was a man of both civil and military prowess and was bound to become a wise ruler.

"Old Zhang, they're all gathered here, let's get started." Lin Changfeng pointed at the soldiers near the platform and said. Zhang Huangyan came to his senses, looked around, then cleared his throat and shouted:

"Soldiers, I am Zhang Huangyan, the Chief Instructor appointed by His Majesty. I have gathered you all here today because we are about to go to war, and His Majesty wants me to say a few words to you on his behalf.

However, before that, His Majesty wants me to ask everyone a question on his behalf to see if anyone can answer it. Those who can will be rewarded handsomely! "

As soon as the soldiers heard the word "Your Majesty", they pricked up their ears. After hearing that there would be a huge reward, they became even more alert and all their eyes were focused on Zhang Huangyan.

Zhang Huangyan was delighted to see that his words had taken effect. He had already preached to other camps seven times in the past five days and finally summed up his experience. As long as the emperor was mentioned, these soldiers would be extremely enthusiastic and respond positively.

"Your Majesty wants me to ask everyone, does anyone know why we don't stay in Jiangnan but go north to fight the Tartars?" Zhang Huangyan raised his voice, almost shouting, to ensure that everyone in the audience could hear.

For a moment, the queues around the platform remained silent. They had been beaten and frightened for the past six months and did not dare to speak without the officers' permission.

Moreover, most of them didn't know why His Majesty the Emperor asked these questions. Fighting the Tartars was naturally to defend the court and repay the emperor's grace. What other purpose could there be?

However, under the temptation of heavy rewards, there were still some people who looked around or raised their hands to answer. Under the education of military sticks, they all became very well-educated.

Zhang Huangyan looked and saw five people raised their hands. Starting with the one closest to him, he pointed at the other and said, "You, tell me why we are fighting the Tartars."

Seeing the officer on the stage pointing at him, Gu Defu, who had originally thought he was fearless, still swallowed nervously. He bravely shouted:

"For the sake of serving the court and repaying the emperor's grace, without your majesty, there would be no Palace Army, no Tianwu Left Camp, and many of us brothers would have died by the canal. Even those who survived would still be hungry and full. In order to get a meal, we would have to endure being bullied.
Your Majesty provides us with food and drink, and will build us houses in the future, find us wives, and divide land for us. How can there be so many good things in this world, and yet we have encountered them all? I joined the army to repay Your Majesty's kindness."

Gu Defu recalled the hardships and grievances he had endured when he was pulling the oars along the canal. He became more and more excited as he spoke. He was not a timid person to begin with, and after a moment of nervousness, he soon stopped stuttering. He even had tears in his eyes as he spoke.

And aren’t his remarks also the voices of others?
These soldiers of the Tianwu Left Camp all came from humble backgrounds. In fact, they did not understand the righteousness of the country and family. They only knew that His Majesty the Emperor really did what he said and did not lie. Now they have a life without worries about food and clothing, which they never dared to imagine before!
These people pulling the boats on the canal were once farmers who worked hard to make a living in the fields. They also fought with others for survival, but they were also trustworthy, hardworking and simple, and the ones who knew how to repay kindness.

Zhang Huangyan looked at the soldiers below, whose eyes were red as if they had recalled the hardships they had endured in the past, and his heart was touched again. Although he had seen such scenes many times, he was still touched by this simple emotion every time!
Lin Changfeng stood on the platform, and after listening to the whole thing, he couldn't help but laugh and curse in his heart: "Son of a bitch, each of them can talk more than me!"

　I didn’t provide a link to the book I recommended yesterday, so I’ll add one here.

(End of this chapter)