After successfully repelling the joint obstruction of the foreign powers and the conservative faction, the New Policies swept across the land of the Great Qing like a spring breeze, bringing forth a vibrant scene of vitality. Inside the modern academy, students intently studied Western scientific knowledge and military theories. In the bright classrooms, only the rustling of pen tips against paper could be heard; they furrowed their brows in deep thought from time to time, or broke into expressions of excitement upon grasping new concepts. Inside the arsenal, machinery roared day and night as workers meticulously improved weaponry and equipment according to newly developed techniques, the splashing sparks illuminating their focused and resolute faces.
Yet internal troubles still loomed heavily over the Great Qing like a dark cloud. The forces of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom did not restrain themselves because of the New Policies of the Great Qing; instead, acting like beasts that had caught the scent of an opportunity, they launched a fierce new offensive while the New Policies were in their initial implementation stage and various domestic factions within the Great Qing had not yet fully integrated. The Taiping Army surged forward like a turbulent tide, capturing cities one after another along the way. Wherever they went, they broke through defenses like bamboo being split, instantly plunging the situation in the Great Qing back into tension, as if the oppressive atmosphere before a storm was growing ever more intense.
Upon learning the news of unfavorable battle reports from the front lines, Su Ran was burning with anxiety. He paced back and forth hurriedly inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his brows locked tightly together like an untieable knot, his eyes revealing deep anxiety and worry. He knew full well that if the momentum of the Taiping Army could not be checked as soon as possible, all the positive changes brought by the New Policies would shatter as easily as soap bubbles. Consequently, Su Ran urgently summoned the military generals of the imperial court to discuss countermeasures.
"Generals, the arrogance of the Taiping Army is now reaching its peak. We must come up with practical and feasible methods to repel the enemy forces and recover our lost territory," Su Ran said, sitting upright on the dragon throne, gazing with burning focus at the generals below. His gaze carried both expectations for the generals and an unquestionable majesty.
A young general stepped forward with high spirits, clasping his fists together and speaking in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, this humble general believes that the reason the Taiping Army wins battle after battle is largely due to their familiarity with the southern terrain and their high military morale. We can utilize the weapons advantage brought by the New Policies to form an elite rapid-response force, bypass the frontal defense line of the Taiping Army, and rely on flexible mobility to strike directly at their rear camps of provisions and baggage, cutting off their supply lines. In this way, the enemy forces will inevitably fall into chaos." As he spoke these words, his face radiated confidence, and his eyes revealed an intrepid drive.
After hearing this, Su Ran nodded slightly, feeling that this plan had considerable feasibility. At that moment, however, an elderly general showed a worried expression and slowly stepped forward. Frowning slightly, he shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, although this plan is brilliant, the risks are immense. Once the operation is exposed, this elite force of our army might not return. I implore Your Majesty to think thrice." The old general's face was carved with the vicissitudes of time, and his eyes revealed caution and apprehension; his many years of campaigning experience had made him deeply aware of the cruelty and uncertainty of war.
Everyone in the imperial court expressed their own views and argued endlessly. Most of the young generals had been influenced by modern military theories, brimming with innovative thinking, and supported the strategy of taking the initiative to attack; meanwhile, the veteran generals, owing to their rich practical combat experience, were more conservative and cautious, worrying that the risks were too high. The atmosphere of the entire court was lively, with the voices of the generals rising and falling in succession—some waving their arms excitedly, while others furrowed their brows in deep thought.
Su Ran fell into deep contemplation. He understood that regardless of which strategy was adopted, they had to be extremely cautious. At that very moment, a courier rushed in, dropped to one knee, and reported loudly, "Your Majesty, urgent reports have arrived from the front lines! The Taiping Army has unexpectedly split into two routes—one continues to besiege cities, while the other shows signs of moving north and pressing directly upon the Capital."
Su Ran was greatly shocked, his expression instantly turning grave. Although the troop strength in the Capital had increased somewhat due to the New Policies, handling two separate routes of the Taiping Army simultaneously still appeared taxing. Just as the situation became extremely critical, Public Eunuch Li hurried in holding a letter, speaking respectfully, "Your Majesty, a letter from Nanyang has arrived."
Su Ran hastily took the letter and unfolded it to read. The letter was written by a Chinese merchant named Chen Qiyuan. Having engaged in commerce in Nanyang for many years, Chen Qiyuan had accumulated vast wealth through exceptional business acumen and keen market insight. Not only had he achieved enormous success in business, but he also possessed a deep understanding of advanced Western industrial technologies, having founded several fairly large-scale factories in Nanyang. In the letter, he expressed his admiration for the New Policies of the Great Qing and stated his willingness to return to the country to invest, assisting the Great Qing in developing modern industry, especially the textile industry. He believed that developing the textile industry could not only introduce Western advanced production technology and management experience to greatly strengthen the economic power of the Great Qing, but could also absorb a large labor force, resolving employment issues for the common people, thereby stabilizing the domestic situation and laying a foundation for the long-term peace and stability of the Great Qing.
After finishing the letter, Su Ran was overjoyed. This was undoubtedly a new opportunity. If he could leverage Chen Qiyuan's strength to develop modern industry, the national power of the Great Qing would surely be further enhanced, and it would also provide a more solid material foundation for dealing with the Taiping Army. But at this moment, with the Taiping Army at the gates, how should Su Ran deploy his troops to deal with the current crisis while not missing this hard-won development opportunity? And once Chen Qiyuan returned to the country, would he truly be able to assist the Great Qing in achieving a breakthrough in industrial development just as he claimed? A series of difficult problems lay before Su Ran like heavy boulders.