Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

At dawn, the eastern sky began to lighten with the first hint of white.

The heavy wooden doors of Xuanwu Gate creaked and slowly opened.

Zhu Cilang placed his right hand on his sword, stepped on the stirrup with his left foot, and mounted his horse.

Shi Kefa and the Grand Eunuch Han Zanzhou rode side by side on their horses, followed closely by a long line of armored generals.

The group headed straight towards the West Beijing camp and sped off.

With the new dynasty newly established, everything was in need of rebuilding.

As the emperor's personal guard, the command structure of the Beijing garrison had long been in disarray.

The military layout in Nanjing urgently needed to be reorganized, and the battalion organization and training regulations were far from restoring the old system of the three major battalions in Beijing.

With internal and external troubles looming, how can we talk about the great cause of national rejuvenation if we do not have a single army capable of fighting?

Zhu Cilang gripped the riding whip tightly, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

The rapid hoofbeats shattered the morning silence, kicking up plumes of dust.

The fields and houses on both sides receded rapidly.

In the misty morning light, the outline of a drill ground enclosed by a tall wooden fence suddenly came into view.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived at the Small Training Camp!"

Zhu Guobi, the Admiral of Nanjing Xiaojiaochang Camp and Marquis of Funing, tightened the reins and approached the Emperor to report loudly.

Zhu Cilang looked up and saw the Xiaojiaochang Camp, which mainly conducted firearms drills. Its gate was high and its flags were standing in a forest, giving it a somewhat imposing appearance.

He rode forward on his horse, passing the newly lacquered gate.

Twelve Jinyiwei captains, dressed in brand-new flying fish robes, stood solemnly with their hands on their swords, lined up on both sides of the gate.

On the platform on the east side of the drill ground, three apricot-yellow flags bearing the inscription "Governor-General's Beijing Garrison" fluttered in the wind.

The soldiers in the camp were divided into more than ten teams, standing in formation with swords and spears raised, their array appearing solemn and imposing.

At first glance, Zhu Cilang does indeed have a somewhat imposing presence.

Zhu Guobi felt somewhat relieved.

He practically emptied his savings for this moment:

A month ago, they hired 300 young men from the city to serve as "elite troops," and also scavenged well-preserved armor and firearms from various garrisons to assemble the troops.

He further ordered those in the know to remain silent, using heavy rewards and severe punishments as a form of coercion and enticement, just to maintain a semblance of dignity before the emperor for a short while.

Zhu Cilang threw off his stirrups and dismounted.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the shadows of spears and halberds at the gate, he stood tall in the center of the command platform.

Shi Kefa stood solemnly with his hand on his sword, with thirty generals lined up behind him.

Below the stage, swords and spears stood like a forest, their sharp edges gleaming coldly, creating an atmosphere of impending doom.

A hint of doubt crossed Zhu Cilang's mind:

Could it be that I misjudged Zhu Guobi? How could this man still maintain some semblance of decorum in the Beijing Garrison?

Five thousand six hundred troops stood ready, their formation perfectly aligned, clearly indicating meticulous preparation.

After a brief silence, Zhu Cilang spoke:

"Marquis of Funing,"

This form of address made Zhu Guobi's heart skip a beat, and he quickly bowed and replied:

"Your subject is here!"

"To defeat the enemy with firearms, coordination is paramount. I order you to assemble your forces immediately! After the three drumbeats, I will inspect the demonstration of the 'Three-Stage Strike'!"

"Three...three-stage attack?"

Zhu Guobi was wearing a mountain-patterned armor and had a bronze seal of the admiral hanging from his waist. Cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner lining.

This firearms warfare requires strict formations, rotations, and skilled operation. How could his cobbled-together "elite troops" and poorly trained soldiers possibly understand it?

His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself forward and hoarsely gave the order:

"All soldiers, stand at attention! After three drumbeats, proceed with the three-stage firing demonstration! Anyone who fails to form ranks for the demonstration will be subject to military law!"

The first drumbeat sounded dully, and the soldiers below the field rippled slightly in formation.

The drums sounded again to urge the troops on.

The soldiers on the sidelines erupted like boiling water being poured over oil!

The front-row "elite" players completely lacked understanding of rotation and teamwork:

Some men raised their guns but forgot to light the fuse; others fired a shot that went blank, frightening their companions.

The rear ranks of the troops were in even greater disarray:

The gunpowder was sluggishly loaded and spilled all over the ground; the gun barrel was full of gunpowder and exploded with a bang; the shoving and shoving caused people to fall and knock down the flag.

A slick, scoundrel took the opportunity to yell:

"Ouch, this is so crowded! What the hell is going on?"

This led to laughter and even greater chaos.

Zhu Guobi shouted at the top of his lungs, brandishing his whip, but even his personal guards couldn't control him. His voice was drowned out by the clanging of armor, shouts, and screams.

Zhu Cilang thought to himself: Just as I thought, the Beijing Garrison is rotten to the core!

As the second drumbeat ended, the chaos intensified.

Before the last drumstick had even left the drumhead, several muffled thuds sounded as several people pushed, tripped, and tumbled into a heap, knocking down a group of them in the process.

A rusty musket fell to the ground with a clang, its barrel visibly bent.

Zhu Guobi's face was deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. He waved his arms in vain and shouted:

"Attention! Form ranks! Violators will be subject to military law!"

But no one paid any attention.

"Enough—!"

A thunderous roar drowned out the noise!

Zhu Cilang was furious. The very foundation of the Ming Dynasty had been hollowed out to this extent!

He strode to the front of the platform, his black cloak fluttering in the wind.

"Clang—!"

A dragon's roar pierces the chaos!

The Emperor's Sword was drawn, its cold light dazzling.

The sword tip pointed directly at the chaotic army formation below the stage.

"Zhu Guobi!"

His voice was icy cold:

"Is this the Beijing Garrison you showed me? Is this the 'Tiger Warriors' you've been raising at the expense of the nation's treasury?"

"This is neither a proper formation nor a coherent unit! How can such a rabble possibly defend against the iron cavalry of the Jianzhou Jurchens?"

"Deceiving the emperor and violating military discipline! Unforgivable crimes! Guards!"

Two Imperial Guards rushed forward instantly and, without a word, lifted the limp Zhu Guobi from the ground.

"Remove Zhu Guobi's title of Marquis of Funing! Strip him of his post and reduce him to commoner status! Confiscate his official seal and seal immediately!"

The Imperial Guards roughly removed his mountain-patterned armor and took off the "Admiral's Copper Seal" hanging from his waist, presenting it to Zhu Cilang with both hands.

Zhu Guobi, wearing only a thin shirt, knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with tears:

"Your Majesty, I deserve to die!"

"Your Majesty, please have mercy... three months! Just three months!"

"I will reorganize the army! If I fail, I am willing to offer my head!"

Zhu Cilang's wrist guards creaked. If I spare you today, how will I convince the troops of military law tomorrow?

His voice was as cold as iron:

"Lax military discipline, to this extent, is a cardinal sin in military matters! Military law is as imposing as a mountain; it cannot be treated lightly!"

His gaze swept over the mess below the stage, and then over the generals on either side—

Shi Kefa nodded slightly, his expression grave.

Xin Chengbo Zhao Zhilong's eyes flickered, and he lowered his gaze, remaining silent.

Several nobles either looked ashen-faced or had suppressed dissatisfaction flashing in their eyes.

"Nanjing is the birthplace of Emperor Taizu, the foundation of the nation!"

"As the admiral, you have managed to ruin the Beijing Garrison to such an extent that it is practically useless!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your fury!"

Earl of Xincheng, Zhao Zhilong, stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"The deep-seated problems in the military are not the result of a single day's work."

"The Marquis of Funing came from a family of generals for generations. His grandfather, Yongle, fought valiantly in the northern deserts, and his father, Wanli, defended Liaodong to the death!"

"Considering the generations of loyal and valiant men, we beg you to grant us the opportunity to atone for our crimes through meritorious service!"

"Zhao Qing, you are mistaken!"

Zhu Cilang's gaze passed over the prostrate Zhu Guobi and fixed on the face of Zhao Zhilong, who was bowing and pleading for mercy.

Those of noble birth are united and protect each other—and so it is indeed so.

He sneered inwardly, "From this day forward, it must begin with this man:"

"The merits and achievements of our ancestors should not be used as a shield for dereliction of duty today!"

"If we consider merit and achievements, how many meritorious officials did the founding emperor have? If his descendants all hold their positions without doing anything, how can the Ming Dynasty survive?"

His words carried immense weight.

"The Beijing Garrison has fallen into such a state of decay that, as the Admiral, I have an inescapable responsibility!"

"These deep-seated problems didn't arise overnight; they require drastic measures!"

After speaking, Zhu Cilang threw the bronze seal at Shi Kefa with his backhand:

"The military tally and other important instruments of war must not be treated lightly!"

"Minister Shi, effective immediately, you will temporarily lead the Xiaojiaochang Camp, change its flags and banners, and rebuild the 'Three Thousand Camp'!"

"The 'Redundant Personnel Elimination Order' shall be promulgated immediately!"

"Your Majesty, I would gladly die for you! I will not fail the great trust placed in you!"

Shi Kefa accepted the bronze seal with both hands and bowed deeply.