Soldier! Soldier!

  Chen Zhaoniang and Tang Heniang died one after another, which was no less a blow to Zhu Jin than the defeats of Wulongjiang and Xinghua. However, this strong man still reorganized his troops, recruited soldiers, and gradually restored the vitality of Zheng's army. However, Zheng Jing's move to recruit able-bodied men from local areas also affected the plan to migrate to Taiwan, which made Chen Yonghua very worried and sought refuge in Ci'an Temple.

  "Descendants, now that the number of immigrants has decreased sharply, King Wang still wants to withdraw troops from Taiwan, what's good about this?"

  "Mr. Chen, my father King Wang wants me to learn from you about government affairs, but why are you asking me instead?" Zheng Kezang naturally didn't believe that someone as talented as Chen Yonghua would be at a loss for what to do because of a single conscription order, so the only explanation was that this action was merely an expression of respect for the Crown Prince and not actually expecting to gain anything from this report. "Besides, sir, you're not unaware that I'm in mourning."

  "The young master is naturally clever, and he has also judged the situation of our clan today early on, so I thought to inform him." Chen Yonghua explained his original intention. "I also think that one person's plan is short-sighted while two people's plan is far-sighted, and I hope the young master will not be self-conceited."

  "It seems like Mr. Chen wants me to say something, so I'll try." Zheng Kezang sighed and began to speak in a low tone. "In my opinion, the current situation is that all the troops in the Western Expedition, except for General Liu Guoxuan's unit from Huizhou, have not been defeated and still have the will to fight. However, even if they are replenished and reorganized, it's unlikely they'll be able to fight again. Therefore, Mr. Chen should advise His Majesty to withdraw all the troops back to Dongning, disband those that should be disbanded, and reorganize those that need to be reorganized. The insufficient troops can be supplemented by dispatching some from Taiwan."

  Chen Yonghua's expression changed, he was originally asking Zheng Kecang about the prospects of the real stage, but since Zheng Kecang deliberately brought up the issue of reorganizing the troops, why not try to probe Zheng Kecang's depth again: "Shi Sun, the enemy situation in the front is like a raging fire, what if the Northern Barbarians take advantage of our troop movements to attack Siming?"

  "The Beidi army wants to attack Siming, where is its navy? The original Geng department's navy has been exhausted, and the two parts of Qibing Town and Miao Zhi Xiu are separately in Dinghai and Wenzhou outer sea. If this heart disease cannot be solved, how can the Tartars dare to cross the sea easily?" Zheng Kezang had obviously considered this aspect before, so he said it was reasonable. "Moreover, the Tartars have recently occupied Zhangquan, and there are still many disobedient people in the local area. If they do not pacify their own rear, how can the Beidi army advance lightly?"

  Chen Yonghua nodded, acknowledging Zheng Kecang's words. The Qing army would not have launched a strong attack on Siming without naval support, so although Zhu Jin's position seemed precarious, as long as the Ming-Zheng naval forces were intact, he was actually safe and sound.

  "As for the new soldiers recruited by His Majesty on the mainland, wasn't it recently that His Majesty strictly ordered Generals Wang Jinggong, Shen Rui and Zhang Xueyao to relocate their families to Taiwan? We should start from this aspect and also include the families of the newly recruited soldiers. Moreover, we should advise His Majesty to proclaim to the heroes of the four corners that those who come to our province to join the army will be granted 30 mu of land for their relatives who come to Taiwan, and they will be exempt from taxes for three years. Perhaps this way, we can recruit more soldiers."

  Zheng Kezang spoke in one breath, his mouth dry and thirsty. He picked up the cup to take a sip, but found Chen Yonghua's gaze somewhat fixed. Zheng Kezang knew that he was pondering his words, so he quietly gave him time to digest them. When Chen Yonghua lifted his head again, Zheng Kezang continued.

  "When it comes to mobilizing troops from Taiwan, my intention is that if we can hold out, we will hold out; if we cannot hold out, we will drag things out. If dragging things out is also impossible, then for every one soldier we send out, two households must be recruited in return. This way, we may be able to ensure a long-term plan." Zheng Kezang added, "Yang Xian Yang and others have also received the emperor's order in Qiongzhou, but Mr. Chen would do best to use fast ships to report back, telling him not to follow orders. Even if he has already mobilized his subordinates, he should prioritize staying by your side. After all, under the pressure of the northern caitiffs' great power, Shang Zhi's loyalty is not necessarily unwavering."

  Although Zheng Kezang's words contained some things that violated the norms of monarch and minister, father and son, Chen Yonghua was quite in agreement: "The descendant's words are very insightful, I should immediately draft a memorial to the emperor, but there is one thing, the immigrants entering Taiwan, the land is lacking, many mouths to feed, last time we have already had several battles with the aboriginal tribes in the Northern Route Pacification Office, if we want to expand again, what about the soldiers?"

  "Isn't the Emperor planning to mobilize old soldiers from Taiwan?" Zheng Kezang raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, and immediately instructed, "Although the situation on the mainland is tense, it's not to the point of immediate collapse. After mobilizing these old soldiers, rather than having them waste precious grain in Siming, it would be better to send them out to fight a few battles in Taiwan, which would also help restore their morale."

  Chen Yonghua burst out laughing and applauded: "The young master's idea is great! This way, it's a win-win situation. I, your humble servant, have indeed learned something."

  "Mr. Chen's praise is misplaced, I am just using expedient tactics, not the right way." The so-called right way is to use strong military power and advanced technology to push down all obstacles in front of the enemy, this right way Zheng Kezang can't do it now, so it's indeed not a humble remark. "Yu Xiuyi will soon be fulfilled, I should still ask Mr. Chen for advice on how to govern."

  Chen Yonghua knew that Zheng Kezang was giving the order to expel the guests, but he still had one more thing for Zheng Kezang to handle: "The princes Shisun, Shouning and others have started occupying official land again. Not only that, this time even the princes Yongtai (Zheng Kuan), Shunchang (Zheng Yu) and Zhao'an (Zheng Wen) are making trouble together. What can be done about it?"

  "What? They're encroaching on official land again?" Zheng Kezang was shocked and asked back. "Where did they get the manpower from?"

  Chen Yonghua sighed and said: "I've investigated, several of your uncles actually forced the refugees who came to Taiwan to become slaves, I'm afraid there are already thousands of them."

  "Damn it!" Zheng Kezang was furious. He knew that one of the requirements for achieving industrialization was to drive laborers off the land, but Taiwan had not even reached that step yet, let alone reverting back to the harsh serf system. "Mr. Chen, is this your doing? Why did you only find out now, what were you doing earlier?"

  Zheng Kezang's accusation left Chen Yonghua speechless, he couldn't say that he wasn't a Zhuge Liang who handled everything personally, nor could he claim control over Taiwan in the name of Lu Mi, so all he could do was stand up and bow: "Your subordinate has committed a crime, I will go to the king to confess my guilt!"

  "Alright, let's not say such useless words." Zheng Kezang shook his head and apologized to Zhu Jin. Zhu Jin was already worried about the situation on the mainland, and this would only add fuel to the fire. "You are the Grand Commander of Dongning, I am the Regent of Taiwan. If everything is pushed onto the Emperor's shoulders, what are we supposed to do?" Zheng Kezang hesitated for a moment. "How much surplus is left in the official treasury?"

  Chen Yonghua didn't know why Zheng Kezang asked this question, hesitated for a moment, and reported the number: "Except for military expenses, official salaries, and the savings of the granary, there are still 34,000 taels of silver available in the government. If it's urgent, the Ministry of Revenue can also borrow a few thousand taels from the Yu Guo Treasury first."

  Zheng Kezang knew that the number Chen Yonghua reported was definitely a trap, otherwise Dongning would not have only this little reserve, but he didn't point it out: "It should be enough, Mr. Chen, you immediately send someone to Yinggui Li's commercial building, find Director Parsons and purchase 2,000 black slave laborers, and make sure they arrive within the year."

  What about the black slaves? Chen Yonghua is no stranger to the black slaves. In Zhu Cheng's team, there was once a 300-strong black slave fire gun squad. Although some of these black slaves have grown old or died, some of them settled in Dongning due to their military achievements. But what does Zheng Kechang want to use official silver to buy black slaves for?

  "The purchased black slaves have two uses." As if seeing Chen Yonghua's confusion, Zheng Kecang took the initiative to explain. "One is to exchange with my several uncles for the detained immigrants, this is courtesy before force, if they still dare to make progress and shake the situation in Taiwan, I will not be able to replace my father to enforce family law."

  Chen Yonghua hesitated for a moment, using the official money to buy off the troubles caused by several of Zheng's uncles. He was somewhat reluctant, but after all, Taiwan belonged to the Zheng family, and since Zheng Kezang had made such arrangements, he couldn't think of any reason to oppose it. So, gritting his teeth: "If using money can buy long-lasting peace, I'll accept it. Ah yes, Shisun just said there's another use for it."

  "Yes," Zheng Kezang had already suppressed the anger in his heart and spoke calmly. "My intention is to select strong men from the black slaves and enlist them in the army, so that even if His Majesty orders the Taiwanese veterans to be transferred westward one after another, Governor Chen will have an additional force that can be reinforced at any time besides the Brave Guard."

  "Is there another force that can be reinforced anywhere?" Chen Yonghua savored Zheng Kecang's wording, keenly discovering the subtlety within. He immediately thought of something and confirmed it. "What you're implying, Young Master, is that apart from this unit made up of black slaves, there are other forces? What kind of force? The Tongzi Camp?"

  "That's right," Zheng Kezang replied with a calm tone. "The Tongziying army has already trained for a while, and I suppose you should have known that, Mr. Chen." Chen Yonghua's face turned red, apparently he had set up informants in the Tongziying camp, but Zheng Kezang had found out. "I've discussed with several officers, even the best sword is useless if it's not used, so after completing a period of training, the Tongziying army will also go to battle along with the Yongwei and reorganized old soldiers."

  Zheng Kechang's ambition has been thoroughly exposed. Chen Yonghua looked over at him with a serious expression: "Does the young master know what he is doing?"

  "I am clear about what I'm doing." Zheng Kezang was naturally aware that if the Tongzi Camp were just a group of playmates, others would not have any opinions. But if this army continued to support him after experiencing the trials of war, it would be an opportunity for some people to sow discord between father and son. "I told Father three years ago." Zheng Kezang pointed towards the mainland. "In the future, I will follow Father to conquer the world, and Father agreed in person. Could someone still spread rumors about this?"

  "It was actually King Wang who gave his consent." Chen Yonghua let out a sigh of relief. "In that case, I can rest assured."

  "Mr. Chen is good to me, I'm not very grateful." Seeing that Chen Yonghua seemed to really care about himself, Zheng Kecang naturally had to show some appreciation. "I'll have to ask Mr. Chen for more guidance in the future."

  "Should I obey?"