Who killed the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Cilang slowly scanned the audience below the stage.

The sunlight slanted across the drill ground, the soldiers hung their heads, their armor was damaged, their guns were askew, and the field was silent.

"I want to recreate the glory of the Three Great Camps, with 'five armies lined up with cannons and divine siege engines holding grenade launchers'."

"The deep-seated problems within the Beijing Garrison must be eradicated with iron fist starting today."

As his voice fell, the generals turned pale, and the red tassels on their helmets trembled slightly.

After inspecting the small training camp, Zhu Cilang did not say a word, mounted his horse, and led his men to the large training camp.

Looking at the various military outposts in the capital, the state of decay was strikingly similar:

The musketeers were firing in disarray, aiming their shots at the sky and missing their targets; some were even selling armor and weapons privately.

The grain and silver stored in the camp were also embezzled; the various malpractices were shocking.

Zhu Cilang immediately ordered that the Dajiaochang Camp be renamed the "Five Armies Camp" and that the Puzikou Camp be merged into it.

Thus, the name "Three Great Camps of the Capital" was re-established, but in the end, it was just a name change.

After inspecting several battalions, Shi Kefa bowed and presented the troop register, on which were clearly written in ink:

A total of 61,600 people.

Sixty thousand? It would be extremely fortunate to have even ten thousand soldiers capable of fighting.

What Zhu Cilang saw were only withered old men and rotten equipment in the camp.

Between the pages of those thick rosters, who knows how many fictitious positions were hidden, how many powerful and wealthy people stuffed in to embezzle salaries from street ruffians and gentry servants.

......

Afternoon, at the Central Military Governor's Office.

Zhu Cilang sat upright in the main seat, his posture as straight as a sword.

His trip was specifically to rectify the Beijing garrison. The officials below him had stiff expressions and even held their breath very quietly.

He got straight to the point:

"I observe that the capital garrison has fallen into such a state of disarray. What good strategies do you, my ministers, have to revitalize the army's morale?"

Minister of War Shi Kefa stepped forward and reported:

"Your Majesty, the problems within the capital garrison are not a recent development. I request that the military register be reformed, the weak be eliminated and the strong retained, in order to revitalize the garrison."

The generals below the hall unanimously agreed:

Left Commander-in-Chief: "We believe that we should recruit more new soldiers."

Right Vice-General: "I second that proposal! We must recast our armor and weapons."

Zhu Cilang abruptly raised his hand, stopping the commotion.

That's just empty talk, like scratching an itch through a boot. Where in the national treasury is there any money or grain left for you to squander like this?

His words immediately silenced all the noise:

"Recruiting new soldiers? Casting weapons? These are all distant goals. The most urgent task is to immediately reduce the number of redundant and weak soldiers in the army."

He turned to look at Shi Kefa.

"The Ministry of War is hereby ordered to thoroughly investigate the military register. Within seven days, all those who are physically weak and unable to fight shall be removed from the military register."

"Another edict encouraging war will be issued to all camps; I will personally lead the three armies on a northern hunt."

"Those who are willing to take up arms to defend the nation, stay; those who cling to life and fear death—go!"

Zhu Cilang was going to personally lead his troops north, so those who were afraid of death should leave as soon as possible.

"My lord, I obey your order!"

Shi Kefa's expression hardened, and he immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhu Cilang's gaze swept over the map on the wall; the winding ink lines resembled the veins of the empire's decline.

"In the past, Qi Jiguang led three thousand miners to quell the Japanese pirates."

"I hereby order the Five Armies Commandery to select such a fierce and powerful army for me within thirty days. If they fail to do so within the deadline, they will be punished according to military law."

"Your subject...accepts the decree!"

The generals responded in unison.

Several noble generals exchanged glances instinctively, each seeing the panic in the other's eyes—

One of the earls had cold sweat beading on his forehead, while the other old marquis's fingers trembled slightly inside his sleeve.

This is not a selection of soldiers; it is clearly an attempt to sever the foundation upon which they have relied for generations to siphon off the nation's resources.

Everyone knows that the garrison system has long been a mere formality, with local warlords holding their own armies and acting independently.

The prestigious title of the Five Military Commissions, which supposedly "oversees all military affairs in the country," is now so powerful that even the stagnant waters of the Beijing Garrison are difficult to stir up.

Zhu Cilang slowly stepped down from the main seat, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"As for the position of Commander of the Beijing Garrison—"

The ending note was drawn out for an extremely long time.

"From this day forward, I will no longer bear the surname Zhu, nor will I inherit the family name of Xu, nor will I benefit from the family's reputation."

His sword sheath suddenly struck the steps, creating a loud echo.

"What I want are true warriors in full armor and sharp weapons, and statesmen with profound knowledge of history and classics who possess the talent to govern the country."

"Those who command troops must possess both virtue and talent; the two complement each other and neither can be lacking."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Zhilong, the Earl of Xincheng, strode out of the train:

"Your Majesty! I have something to say from the bottom of my heart."

His face flushed red, and he spoke with all his might.

"Hereditary succession was a system established by Emperor Taizu."

"The officers and soldiers of the Beijing Garrison have all been loyal and virtuous for generations. Suddenly changing the ancestral laws might discourage the nobles and undermine the foundation of the court!"

He took a deep breath.

"Many of those veterans have connections with noble families."

"If we were to suddenly abolish these policies, wouldn't those who have served the country for decades be left destitute in their old age? It would also likely incite unrest and rebellion."

"The sons of Xun Gui are loyal and devoted, having practiced martial arts and studied military strategy since childhood. They are truly Your Majesty's natural right-hand men. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Zhu Cilang slowly moved forward and stopped in front of Zhao Zhilong.

"Lord Xincheng, what a wise and experienced way of governing the country you have to say."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone suddenly turning sharp:

"You keep saying you're loyal to the ancestral system, yet you never mention how much money the Beijing garrison is being paid without working, or how much of the armor and weapons are rusted."

"What Zhu Guobi and his ilk relied on but the tiger skin of 'loyalty to ancestral rules'? What they eroded was the very foundation of 'generations of loyal and virtuous officials'?"

Each word was as sharp as ice, ringing out with a clear, resounding clang.

"The Capital Garrison is the Emperor's sword; how can we allow vermin to erode its edge!"

Zhu Cilang's voice was like a booming bell, resounding throughout the palace:

"From this day forward, I will personally don armor and oversee the training. All—"

His gaze swept over the military officers in the hall, his words as firm as iron:

"Anyone who neglects military training will be beheaded! Anyone who falsely reports troop numbers will be executed by dismemberment! Anyone who withholds rations or pay will have their entire family executed!"

The menacing words echoed in the hall, and the assembled officials were so terrified by this unprecedented severity that they were practically paralyzed with fear.

Amidst this horror—

Shi Kefa stepped forward and loudly proclaimed:

"Your Majesty is wise! The Book of Wei Liao Zi says: 'Severe punishments instill fear within, and fear within strengthens resolve without.'"

Severe punishments instill fear and respect within the military; this internal respect and respect makes the military force invincible in the face of external threats.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang immediately realized that only Shi Kefa seemed to support his new policies.

But he remained unmoved:

"Minister Shi is truly to my liking!"

"I shall emulate the founding emperor, erecting an iron stele at the drill ground. His head shall be displayed publicly, his ill-gotten gains and titles confiscated, and even imperial relatives shall be executed without mercy!"

"As for the positions of the commander of the Beijing Garrison and other generals—"

He paused, noticing a glimmer of hope in the eyes of the nobles.

"Those who inherit official positions through hereditary means must pass two tests personally set by me: 'Military Strategy and Theory' and 'Live Military Drills'."

"The best will remain in their positions, while the worst... will step down and make way for more capable individuals."

The hall fell into a deathly silence; the air was so heavy it was suffocating.

The faces of several nobles instantly drained of color, turning deathly pale.

They knew that their sons were indulging in pleasure, had long since lost their skills in archery and horsemanship, let alone studying military strategy. These two tests were like a guillotine.

Zhu Cilang's icy voice rang out again:

"Shi Kefa!"

"Your subject is here!"

Shi Kefa straightened his back abruptly and responded in a loud voice.

"Seven days!"

Zhu Cilang's authority is beyond question.

"Seven days from now, I want to see the actual roster of the Ministry of War."

"I saw the 'Edict to Encourage Warfare' spread to every corner of the Beijing Garrison, and I saw the detailed plan for selecting and training soldiers presented by the Five Military Commissions."

He swept his gaze over the nobles who were almost terrified:

"The one-month deadline remains unchanged! One month later, I will inspect my 'Three Thousand Qi Family Army' at the Great Parade Ground."

"If the deadline is exceeded, and if even the slightest misconduct is discovered—"

Zhu Cilang's voice was like a final verdict:

"Those involved, bring your heads to me!"

"Yes...yes!"

The voices were uneven, tinged with a hint of panic.

Xincheng Earl Zhao Zhilong clenched his teeth, his cheeks bulging, and finally uttered the words "As you command" through his teeth.