Late Ming Dynasty: Starting with the overthrow of the county magistrate, a rebellion was launched to

Upon hearing Yang Sichang's words, Zhang Yingyuan immediately took a deep breath, but remained deeply troubled.

"Commander-in-Chief, the same question remains: even if we wanted to transfer him, would he come? Zhang Da isn't exactly shrewd, but he's not stupid either. Would he send his elite troops to the Jingxiang battlefield?"

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," Yang Sichang replied confidently. "Zhang Xianzhong and Zhang Da are already enemies. Once he swallows up Jingzhou and Xiangyang, he will definitely march south next, first taking Hengzhou, then breaking through Baoqing, and pacifying central Hunan. Zhang Da will understand this. Zhang Xianzhong will not tolerate him."

"Moreover, he has already offended the rebel army. If he still doesn't take action, it would be considered holding onto his military power and betraying the court. From then on, he would please neither side, and wouldn't he be someone everyone in the world could criticize?"

Zhang Yingyuan pondered for a long time before finally bowing.

"The commander-in-chief's wisdom and foresight are truly admirable. I doubt even Zhang Da would dare to do this; this is the only way to break the deadlock right now."

"Then it's settled."

Yang Sichang's tone hardened, and he said decisively, "Immediately draft a memorial and an imperial edict, and send them to Zhang Da's camp in Hengzhou by express courier. The messenger must depart before dawn."

"Yes, sir!"

……

……

Almost at the same time, in the pine forest of Jingzhou, at the main tent of the Great Western Army.

Zhang Xianzhong was also holding a core secret meeting.

Only four people participated: Sun Kewang, Liu Wenxiu, and Ai Nengqi. Even their personal guards were not allowed to approach them.

Just like Yang Sichang's time, the atmosphere inside the tent was equally oppressive.

"Hehe, Yang Sichang retreated to Dangyang and hasn't moved an inch."

After reading the report from the scouts, Zhang Xianzhong began to ponder carefully. "He's not moving... he must be waiting for reinforcements and supplies. Could it be that he still wants to fight again? Does he still want to swallow me whole?"

At this moment, Sun Kewang spoke first.

"Father, no matter what, the Ming army can't afford to lose, and we probably can't afford to lose either. The old camp's elite troops have suffered too many losses, the morale of the refugee army is unstable, and our food supplies are running out every day. If we lose for another month, we'll collapse on our own without even fighting."

Liu Wenxiu also quickly said

"In Qizhou, I have captured the Prince of Jing and transported all the wealth and provisions over, but it still can't make up for the deficit at Changbanpo. The Ming army under He Renlong has a firm hold on the supply lines, and we simply cannot sustain this stalemate for long."

Ai Nengqi sighed, "We still can't take Jingzhou City. That old dog, Prince Hui, is hiding in the city waiting to die. Our casualties are getting heavier and heavier. There's no point in continuing the siege."

Zhang Xianzhong raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the silent Sun Kewang.

"Kewang, you usually have the most ideas. Tell me, how should we fight now?"

Sun Kewang took a deep breath, stepped forward, and his gaze was solemn.

"If Father is unwilling to retreat like this, then if we are going to fight, we should fight quickly—deploy the elite troops and fight a decisive battle."

"Our army now has far fewer soldiers capable of fighting. No matter how many refugees we can recruit, they will be easily routed by the Ming army. The truly capable fighters are still the veteran elites. And there is only one person in the entire army who can bring out the full potential of the veterans."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xianzhong's eyes flickered, and a name came to mind: "You mean Dingguo?"

"It is indeed General Anxi!" Sun Kewang nodded emphatically, "Li Dingguo!"

However, Zhang Xianzhong sighed.

"Dingguo recently sent word that he failed to stop Zhang Da at Huaqiao Pass and should be defending Hengzhou now. If he leaves, Hengzhou will probably fall into Zhang Da's hands. No... that won't do! We can't give it to Zhang Da, not even to those other vassal kings! Absolutely not!"

"But Father! If we don't do this, how can we resist Yang Sichang and launch the next attack? Although Dingguo was defeated by Zhang Da at Huaqiao Pass, it wasn't because he was inferior in combat strength. However, in terms of commanding troops, boosting morale, and charging into battle, Dingguo is the number one general in our Great Western Army!"

"The battle in Jingxiang is now at a stalemate. Our army's morale is low and its troops are disorganized. We need a peerless general to lead the veteran elite troops and break through the Ming army's defenses in one fell swoop!"

"Only with the return of General Dingguo can we stabilize the army's morale, defeat Yang Sichang, and capture Jingzhou!"

After hearing this, Zhang Xianzhong's brow furrowed. Even without news of war, he remained wary of Zhang Da.

"If Dingguo is transferred, what will happen to Hengzhou?" Zhang Xianzhong's tone grew increasingly serious. "Zhang Da is right outside Hengzhou, watching us like a hawk. If Dingguo leaves, Feng Shuangli will be left to fend for himself alone. Moreover, if Zhang Da takes advantage of the situation to march north and strike directly behind our lines, cutting off our retreat, our army will be attacked from both sides and will surely perish!"

This is the biggest concern. Although Li Dingguo is stuck and can't get up, Zhang Da is also in a bad situation, unable to move either...

Actually, judging from the initial task Zhang Xianzhong gave Li Dingguo, Li Dingguo has already done a very good job. The Xiangbei battle situation has not been affected by the Baoqing Army, has it?

Sun Kewang, disregarding everything else at this point, immediately began to explain after learning what Zhang Xianzhong feared.

"Father, it's still uncertain whether Zhang Da will lead his own troops north! He's not entirely loyal to the court, and even if he did, so what? Zhang Da has just fought two bloody battles at Huaqiao Pass and Qingcao Slope. I don't believe his core troops haven't suffered losses, his forces haven't been depleted, and his soldiers aren't exhausted. With rest and reorganization, he can't possibly head north immediately!"

After Sun Kewang finished speaking, Liu Wenxiu added...

"Besides, isn't General Feng Shuangli also in Hengzhou? As long as we instruct him to defend Hengzhou to the death with its strong fortifications, no matter how Zhang Da taunts, provokes, or attacks the city, he will not engage in battle. We don't even need to demand that he hold the city; we just need to hold it for a month. Once Father King has decisively defeated Yang Sichang and pacified Jingzhou and Xiangyang, we can then march south. Zhang Da will be like a turtle in a jar! How could he not surrender at the mere sight of us?"

Ai Nengqi's eyes lit up at this moment.

"That's right! Hengzhou is a high-lying city with deep moats and ample supplies. As long as we hold our ground and don't venture out, even if Zhang Da is a capable commander and manages to capture it, his troops will be completely exhausted, and he will be unable to advance north..."

"Your subject agrees! The most important task at present is to eliminate Yang Sichang, seize Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and annex the wealth of King Hui. Once we have Jingzhou and Xiangyang, our territory will triple, our army will increase by 100,000, and even if Zhang Da has extraordinary abilities, he will be no threat!"

After he finished speaking, for some reason, everyone's eyes fell on Liu Jinzhong, as if they were waiting for his response.

"Father," Liu Jinzhong finally spoke up, "I also think it makes a lot of sense."

Therefore, everyone unanimously pushed this suggestion to Zhang Xianzhong.

However, Zhang Xianzhong still didn't immediately agree, knowing all too well how terrifying Zhang Da was.

It's too dangerous to turn your back on someone like that.

"Father, we can't hesitate any longer!" Sun Kewang urged urgently. "The opportunity is fleeting! Yang Sichang's army is also in disarray now, and he's waiting for the Sichuan army. We're waiting for General Dingguo. Whoever gets fresh troops first will win! If we drag this out any longer, once the Sichuan army arrives, we won't be able to leave even if we want to!"

"Father!" Ai Nengqi knelt on the ground. "The survival of Jingzhou and Xiangyang depends on this battle! General Dingguo is the only one in our army who can come to our aid! Please give the order, Father!"

"Father!"

"Father!"

The four generals inside the tent all knelt down and pleaded in unison.

Looking at his four adopted sons and then at the complex and tangled battleground in Jingxiang on the map, Zhang Xianzhong finally made up his mind.

"Okay! Alright!"

With a sharp shout, Zhang Xianzhong finally made this difficult decision.

"I approve!"

Everyone looked up abruptly, their eyes bursting with ecstasy.

Zhang Xianzhong stood up, and his expression became solemn.

"Issue my royal decree—"

"First, I hereby order General Li Dingguo of Anxi to immediately lead three thousand elite soldiers from the Hengzhou Old Camp, marching day and night north to Jingzhou and Xiangyang, to join the central army, and to be under my personal command!"

"Second, appoint Feng Shuangli as the supreme commander of Hengzhou's defenses. Gather all refugees, surrendered soldiers, and supplies, and defend the city to the death. Do not allow them to leave the city, nor engage in open battle with Zhang Daye. No matter how he provokes, insults, or attacks the city, hold firm and do not leave!"

"Thirdly, the day Dingguo arrives in Jingzhou will be the day of the all-out attack! I will defeat Yang Sichang in one fell swoop, capture Jingzhou, and take Prince Hui prisoner!"

"I will obey my father's command! I will go through fire and water, even unto death!"

The four generals responded with a resounding roar, their voices echoing throughout the camp.

……

……

The night was deep, and the starlight was dim.

A swift horse and a troop of elite soldiers left the Songlin camp without a sound, galloping south towards Hengzhou.

At the Ming army's command tent in Dangyang

Yang Sichang's urgent imperial edict had been written and stamped with the seal of the Grand Coordinator's office. The 800-li urgent messenger was ready to depart.

"Commander, everything is ready," Zhang Yingyuan reported as he entered.

Yang Sichang looked at the night view outside the window and said calmly.

"Tell the messenger to proceed without stopping and to deliver the imperial edict to Zhang Da within three days."

"This subordinate understands."

The messenger galloped away, disappearing into the night...