weaving

Zhang Cheng made the final decision...

If Emperor Chongzhen is still capable, the emperor can let him continue to serve. This would avoid the calamities of war that would lead to a change of dynasty, allow the people to settle down as soon as possible, and enable the country to recover its strength quickly, so as not to fall behind the Western barbarians in this era of great geographical discoveries.

Moreover, the world is currently in a period of great strife...

With bandits like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong wreaking havoc on the people from within, and the Jurchens eyeing the Central Plains covetously from without, the region was beset by both internal and external troubles!
If Zhang Cheng had turned against the Ming court represented by Chongzhen at this time, the world would have become even more chaotic, with many warlords vying for power. It remains to be seen who would emerge as the ultimate winner.

But one thing is certain: no matter which force wins the world, no matter who becomes emperor, it will inevitably be the Han people at the bottom who suffer. As the saying goes, "When the world falls, the people suffer; when the world prospers, the people suffer."

Given the current situation, the best option is to continue supporting Emperor Chongzhen's Ming Dynasty, first quell the rebellion of the roving bandits, then eliminate the external threat of the Jurchens, so that we can free up resources to deal with internal problems...

Such matters included rectifying official corruption, surveying land, conducting a general census of the population, opening up maritime trade, levying commercial taxes, and ensuring that officials and gentry paid taxes together, implementing a system of allowances for those who maintained integrity, and abolishing the privileges and restrictions imposed on various princely residences.

The powerful guarantee for all of this was the "Brave and Resolute Army" in Zhang Cheng's hands!
Of course, if Emperor Chongzhen becomes an obstacle to achieving these goals, Zhang Cheng would not mind "taking his place"!

…………

As the first light of dawn appeared in the east, armored soldiers could be seen emerging from their tents in the dim light, checking for signs of disturbance around the tents. Some soldiers had also woken up.

"Xingzhi".

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xingzhi, who was guarding the entrance to the wooden ladder, immediately jogged over: "Father, you called me."

"What time is it?"

It's almost dawn.

"Let's go back."

Zhang Cheng walked with his hands behind his back, saying, "Go and see if Physician Shi has gotten up yet."

"Should we invite Physician Shi to the commander's tent?"

"No need."

Zhang Cheng readily agreed: "If Physician Shi wakes up, report to him immediately, and I will go to the wounded soldiers' camp to see him."

"Yes."

…………

When Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng returned from the wounded soldiers' camp, it was already dawn.

The generals who accompanied the army, such as Wang Pu, Li Fuming, Chen Yongfu, Hu Zichen, Lin Fangping, Li Changsheng, Su Laohu, Hu Dayou, He Zhenxiong, Chen Zhong, Xu Jinyong, and Xiang Jinbao, had all arrived. Together with their staff officers Sun Shixiang, Hu Yiwen, and Liu Chengzhu, they had been waiting in the commander's tent for a long time.

When Zhang Cheng, the Marquis of Yongning, stepped into the command tent, he glanced at them briefly before heading straight to his command desk. After sitting down on the tiger-skin command chair, he immediately said, "Yesterday's battle was entirely due to your valiant efforts, which ultimately forced the bandits to retreat. All of you here deserve great credit."

Although the enemy retreated, they did not flee in defeat. They remained stationed around Shanche Li, about ten miles away. What do you all think our army's next move should be?

"Continue the attack and drive the enemy out of Kaifeng." Li Changsheng was the first to express his opinion.

Seeing this, Su Laohu quickly chimed in, "That's right, we should press our advantage and not let the bandits catch their breath."

He Zhenxiong chimed in, "Yes, Commander. If we give up the attack now, our soldiers will have died in vain!"

"Chen Zhong, what do you think?" The Earl of Yongning suddenly asked Chen Zhong for his opinion. Chen Zhong didn't seem surprised. He smiled slightly and said, "General, yesterday's bloody battle, although we successfully repelled the rebels, resulted in significant losses for our army, and the soldiers' physical strength was greatly depleted. I think we should rest for another day to recover more strength before fighting again."

Zhang Cheng nodded, but did not express his opinion. Instead, he asked Lin Fangping, "Fangping, what do you think?"

"Commander, I remember you once told us in the military academy, 'We should pursue the enemy with our remaining strength and not seek fame like Xiang Yu.'"

Lin Fangping continued leisurely, "The traitor Li today is like the overlord of yesteryear, nearing the end of his road. We should press him with our full force and not allow him to catch his breath!"

After listening to Lin Fangping's words, Chen Zhong looked thoughtful, but he was pondering the matter of the "Military Academy".

For more than a year, he had stayed in Yanhe Town, wholeheartedly training the Yanhe Camp troops and managing the power and relationships of Huaiqing Prefecture for the Earl of Yongning. He was originally quite satisfied.

But after hearing Lin Fangping's words today, I couldn't help but feel a little lost: "Have I been away from the Marshal for too long? It seems that I'm starting to fall behind everyone's pace of progress!"

He even thought, "After this battle, should I go to see the commander-in-chief and ask to return to his side to learn more skills?"

However, the Earl of Yongning could neither see nor hear Chen Zhong's inner thoughts.

Marquis Yongning, Zhang Cheng, glanced at the generals, then turned his gaze to advisors Sun Shixiang and others, and asked, "Mr. Sun, what are your thoughts?"

Sun Shixiang stroked his beard and smiled, but said nothing, only glancing at Hu Yiwen with his eyes...

"Commander-in-Chief, Gongqiao believes that our royal army has seized the initiative of the bandits and taken control of the battlefield. We should take advantage of this moment of high morale to launch a full-scale attack, coerce the bandits, and force them to withdraw from Kaifeng Prefecture," Hu Yiwen said.

"Commander-in-Chief..." Liu Chengzhu's face showed a hint of doubt, and he hesitated to speak.

"Speak freely during today's military meeting."

“Commander, Chengzu believes that our royal army does not necessarily have to keep an eye on Li the traitor.”

Upon hearing Liu Chengzhu's words, the Earl of Yongning's expression changed slightly, and he pressed for details, asking, "Tell me more."

"The bandits under Shanche Li fought hard for half a day yesterday, and their physical exertion was no less than that of our soldiers. However, they are numerous and powerful. If our royal army pushes them too hard, they may fight our soldiers to the death, which would be a loss."

"In Chengzu's opinion, our royal army should leave behind a portion of its main cavalry force, along with musketeers, artillery, and supply wagons. While we cannot guarantee that we will be able to force Li out of Kaifeng Prefecture, we can certainly be in an invincible position."

"Chengzu believes that our royal army should send some infantry and cavalry to rush to the Xianggong Temple. If we can cooperate with General Zhice and General Guodong, we can help General Chen Zheng's White Tiger Camp to come out."

"At that time... my royal army could easily advance on the main force of the rebels led by Shanche Li, defeat Liu Zongmin's rebel troops outside Xiangong Temple, or attack the old camp of the wandering bandits in Zhuxian Town!"

After hearing Liu Chengzhu's words, a strange light flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes, his expression as if he had met a kindred spirit.

"Great. Everyone's suggestions are excellent."

Yongning Bo said loudly, "As you all have said, after yesterday's battle, our army has completely gained the upper hand. The situation between the enemy and us in Henan has now reversed. It can be said that 'the advantage is in our hands'!"

"However, you must not become arrogant because of this. We must still pay close attention to the enemy army and never give them any chance to catch their breath. At the same time, we must do our best to reduce the casualties of our soldiers."

The Earl of Yongning continued, “What Chengzu just proposed is quite to my liking. Since most people think of advancing troops to Shanche Li, coercing the traitor Li, and forcing him to withdraw from Kaifeng Prefecture.”

Then we'll do the opposite. We'll use a small number of cavalry, combined with infantry and chariots, to intimidate the main force of Shanche Li's bandits, while sending another elite cavalry force south to Xiangong Temple to join forces with the Tengshe, Qinglong, and Baihu battalions to launch a full-scale attack on Zhuxian Town.

"Yes." (End of Chapter)