Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 731 Initial Successes of Reform
As dawn broke, the sound of orderly footsteps and the clanging of weapons echoed across the Beijing garrison's drill ground. Zhu Biao stood on the reviewing stand, watching the soldiers training below, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips. Just a month ago, this unit had been listless and dispirited; now, it was completely transformed.

"Kill!" With the instructor's command, the front-row soldiers thrust out their spears in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, the tips of their spears gleaming coldly in the morning sun.

"Good!" Zhu Biao couldn't help but cheer. He noticed that the soldiers' dark faces were no longer filled with numbness and resentment, but with a spirit he hadn't seen in a long time—the pride and fighting will of soldiers.

Stepping down from the reviewing stand, Zhu Biao casually stopped a young soldier who was resting: "The training is so tough, are you getting used to it?"

The soldier immediately stood up and saluted, beads of sweat sliding down his face: "Your Highness, although we are tired, we are well-fed and well-paid, so we feel at ease."

Another soldier with a freckled face chimed in, "Instructor Lin said that if we hone our skills, we can both save our lives and earn merit!"

“Yes,” an older sergeant remarked, “I used to think being a soldier was a chore, but now I think it’s an honor!”

A warm feeling welled up in Zhu Biao's heart. He continued his patrol of the camp and saw the aroma of food wafting from the cooking area, where several cooks were distributing breakfast. Unlike the porridge that was so scarce in the past that you could see your reflection in it, now each soldier received two coarse steamed buns, a bowl of thick porridge, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.

"Your Highness," the cook captain said with a simple smile, "as you and Mr. Lin instructed, we're now providing three meals a day, all of them substantial. Look, the soldiers look much better."

Zhu Biao nodded, his gaze falling on the soldiers practicing swordsmanship not far away. Although their movements were not yet skillful, each of them was completely focused, their eyes shining with seriousness. This was in stark contrast to the perfunctory and lazy scenes of a month ago.

After bypassing several training formations, Zhu Biao finally found Lin Che in the spear training area. The scholar in the blue robe was personally demonstrating the thrusting motion of the spear, his back already soaked with sweat.

"Keep your wrist steady, keep your waist and stance low!" Lin Che's voice was already a little hoarse, but still firm and powerful. "Remember, on the battlefield, one wrong move can mean the difference between life and death!"

Zhu Biao stood quietly to the side watching until the training was over before stepping forward: "Sir, your method is truly miraculous! Such a transformation in just one month!"

Lin Che wiped the sweat from his brow, a tired but satisfied smile on his face. "Your Highness flatters me. The principle is actually quite simple—treat your soldiers with sincerity, and they will fight to the death for you. These soldiers are all from farming families; they are very honest and simple. If you treat them well, they will naturally fight with all their might."

He took the handkerchief handed to him by his personal guard and wiped his face. "They don't ask for much, just enough to eat and wear, timely pay, and a little respect."

Zhu Biao nodded with deep feeling. He recalled the numbness and resentment in the soldiers' eyes when he inspected the military camp in the past, which stood in stark contrast to the energetic faces of the soldiers today.

“However,” Lin Che’s tone shifted, his expression turning serious, “this is just the beginning. The real challenge is how to extend this method to the entire army, especially to those units on the border where the problems are more deeply entrenched.”

Zhu Biao's smile faded, and he gestured for Lin Che to follow him to a secluded spot. "I was just about to discuss this matter with you, sir. Yesterday, I went to the palace to meet my father and gave a detailed report on the achievements of the Beijing Garrison reform. My father was delighted and has agreed to let me choose one of the three northern garrisons to pilot the reform. Where do you think we should begin?"

Lin Che's eyes lit up, and he immediately led Zhu Biao to the sand table room next to the drill ground. This room was specially set up for military simulations, with a huge sand table in the center, on which the terrain and garrison situation of the northern border of the Ming Dynasty were meticulously marked.

Lin Che picked up a slender baton and pointed to a spot on the sand table: "Datong Town." His voice was deep and firm. "This place connects Xuanfu to the east and Yansui to the west. It is the foremost of the nine border towns, directly facing the threat of the Mongol tribes. Its strategic location is extremely important." He drew a circle with the baton above Datong: "The Datong garrison is in a state of constant readiness. The soldiers have a strong sense of crisis, making them most likely to gain support for reforms. Moreover," a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "the Datong General Liu Xun is a confidant of certain people in the court. If reforms can be successfully implemented in his territory, it will have a demonstrative effect."

Zhu Biao smiled knowingly: "Sir, you're trying to catch the kingpin first." He carefully examined the layout on the sand table. "I've heard of Liu Xun; he's said to have been operating in Datong for many years and has deep roots there."

“Exactly,” Lin Che tapped his baton lightly on his palm. “If we can establish a foothold in Datong, the resistance from other border towns will naturally be much less. Moreover, Datong has a unique geographical location; once the reforms are successful, their effects will be directly apparent on the front lines against the Mongols.”

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of a question: "Sir, the soldiers on the border have fought against the Mongols for many years and have developed their own set of combat methods. Won't our new methods conflict with their customs?"

Lin Che gave Zhu Biao an approving look: "Your Highness's considerations are thorough. Indeed, the border troops have their own traditions. My suggestion is to retain their effective tactics and only reform their training methods and military discipline. In particular, we must improve their treatment and resolve the issue of arrears in military pay."

He walked to the other side of the sand table: "I've studied the military reports from Datong Town over the past decade and discovered an interesting phenomenon—every autumn and winter, when the Mongols raided south, the Ming army suffered a particularly high number of defeats. Does Your Highness know why?"

Zhu Biao shook his head. Lin Che continued, "Because it's autumn and winter, the border is bitterly cold, and the soldiers are poorly clothed and hungry, so naturally they have no will to fight. Meanwhile, the officers are drinking and making merry in their warm mansions, embezzling the soldiers' winter clothing and rations."

"Bang!" Zhu Biao slammed his hand on the edge of the sand table, causing several small flags to fall over. "Outrageous!"

Lin Che calmly helped up the small flags: "Therefore, our reforms in Datong must start from the most basic things—ensuring that every soldier has warm winter clothing, sufficient rations, and timely pay. If we can achieve these three things, our combat effectiveness will immediately increase by 30%."

Zhu Biao was about to respond when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside. A guard rushed in: "Your Highness, Vice Minister Zhang of the Ministry of War requests an audience, saying he has important matters to discuss."

Zhu Biao frowned. "This Zhang Huan has always opposed military reform; his arrival here now can't be anything good." He turned to Lin Che, "Sir, please excuse me for a moment; I'll go and meet him."

Lin Che shook his head: "Your Highness, since we're going to implement reforms, we'll inevitably face these opponents sooner or later. Perhaps I could also meet this Lord Zhang; maybe I'll gain some insight."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. The two straightened their clothes and went to the reception hall outside the drill ground. A moment later, a middle-aged official in a scarlet robe with a serious face strode in; it was Zhang Huan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects." Zhang Huan bowed respectfully, but after rising, he looked Lin Che up and down with a wary gaze. "And this is..."

"This is Mr. Lin Che, my military advisor," Zhu Biao introduced calmly.

A hint of disdain flashed in Zhang Huan's eyes: "So you're just a commoner." He turned to Zhu Biao, his tone becoming urgent, "Your Highness, I have important matters to report, may I?"

(End of this chapter)