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

The morning after the war finally ended

Inside the Chengyun Hall in Hengzhou, a large crowd had gathered, some sitting, some standing, and some kneeling.

Sitting there is Zhang Da

Standing there were the core generals of Baoqing Prefecture.

Bound and kneeling was Feng Shuangli.

Of course, since the war had only recently ended, the entire hall still contained the lingering smells of blood, smoke, and sandalwood, making it extremely suffocating and oppressive.

"Feng Shuangli, how did things turn out today?"

Zhang Da spoke first, somewhat smugly. Having the enemy kneel before him after a fierce battle was indeed a very satisfying thing.

For every person who triumphs, there is someone who suffers setbacks.

This veteran general, who had fought under Zhang Xianzhong for over a decade, was now in a state of utter disarray.

The thick hemp ropes binding him dug deep into his flesh, his shoulders and back were pierced by spears, and his legs were even broken by his personal guards for refusing to kneel, leaving him lying paralyzed on the bluestone ground...

Faced with Zhang Da's smug question, Feng Shuangli remained silent, staring intently at Zhang Da with a blank expression.

After enduring a period of passive-aggressive behavior, Zhang Da grew bored and snorted coldly, then began to ask questions.

"A worthless, defeated general, yet he dares to put on such airs? Feng Shuangli, Hengzhou has fallen, your two thousand veteran soldiers have been wiped out, and the refugees have scattered. Your death is imminent, don't you realize it?"

As if in response to Zhang Da, Feng Shuangli let out a muffled groan, then turned his head away with a disdainful expression.

"I won't make things difficult for you. I'll just ask you a few questions. If you want to die a quick death, answer honestly. After you finish, I'll give you a whole corpse and preserve your integrity, so as not to disgrace your status as a valiant general."

Zhang leaned forward and asked urgently, "On what day and at what time did your traitorous general Li Dingguo break camp in Hengzhou and head north to Jingxiang?"

"..."

Feng Shuangli didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he were deaf.

How many people did he take with him when he left?

"..."

Still, deathly silent.

Feng Shuangli even clenched his teeth even tighter.

"Which route did Li Dingguo take? Was it the official road from Hengzhou to Liling to Changsha, or the shortcut through the mountains of Youxian and Chaling?"

"hehe……"

Feng Shuangli remained silent throughout the interrogation, which infuriated Zhang Da to the point of exploding.

"Bang!"

Feeling subjected to passive-aggressive treatment, Zhang Da slammed his fist on the table with a loud bang, demanding, "After the Battle of Changban in Jingzhou, how many troops did Zhang Xianzhong have left?"

Finally, under this coercion, Feng Shuang suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with resentment and contempt, and said, "Kill me if you want, but don't even think about getting a single word out of me..."

After saying that, he closed his eyes again, tilted his head to the side, and closed his eyes completely to await death, looking as if he were at the mercy of others.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Wen was immediately enraged. He stepped forward and raised his foot to kick, but Zhang Da stopped him with his hand.

"Brother! This spineless bastard won't listen to reason! He won't feel pain unless we brand him with a hot iron!"

Wang Tui clasped his hands and said urgently, "Your subordinate will bring up the instruments of torture right away—needle acupuncture, finger clamps, nails—one by one. If he doesn't speak after we've used them, I'm his servant!"

"My lord, this man is Zhang Xianzhong's confidant and knows too much. We cannot be polite to him. We must first torture him and then behead him to intimidate the enemy."

Faced with the suggestion from the crowd to use torture, Zhang Da slowly shook his head, and after taking a deep breath, looked calmly at Feng Shuangli.

"No need."

Zhang Da walked down the steps and stood before Feng Shuangli. "You're quite the man."

Feng Shuangli's eyelids twitched a few times, but he remained silent.

"If you refuse to speak, I will not force you. Since you desire death, I will grant your wish."

Zhang Da turned around and stepped back, loudly issuing orders.

"Guards! Drag Feng Shuangli out of the main gate of Chengyun Hall and execute him immediately!"

After speaking, his personal guards quickly stepped forward and helped the limp Feng Shuangli to his feet. At this moment, upon hearing his sentence, the valiant general revealed a relieved smile, struggled to raise his head, and ceased his struggles and angry curses.

"slow."

Zhang Da called out to his personal guards, and just when everyone thought he had changed his mind, he said slowly with a cold gaze, "Cut off the head, seal it in a wooden box, do not damage the face, and sprinkle it with salt to preserve it."

Although Li Dingguo abandoned the city and fled, Feng Shuangli was still a major traitor. After he was beheaded, wouldn't it be wonderful if his head could be sent to Yang Sichang and Chongzhen as a victory report?

"Drag him away," Zhang Da waved his hand.

A short, sharp scream rang out outside the hall, followed by silence.

The guards returned carrying the still-dripping wooden box to report their mission.

"My lord, Feng Shuangli has been beheaded, and his head is here!"

The eyes inside the box were wide open, still radiating a fierce aura. Zhang Da glanced at it casually and then looked away.

"Hand over the leg to the king, seal it properly, place it in a secret room and guard it strictly, to be used for future reports of merit."

After the guards withdrew, another soldier quickly entered from outside the hall, bowed, and clasped his hands in greeting.

"My lord, at this moment, twenty-three local gentry, officials, and elders have gathered at the street corner outside the palace, earnestly requesting an audience with you, begging you to pacify the people, restore order, and open the granaries to distribute grain. In addition, the messenger from Yang Sichang's military headquarters has come for the third time to urge you, asking when you will head north to Jingzhou and Xiangyang to provide assistance."

Zhang Da frowned slightly; so many troubles had come knocking on his door right after the fight.

How annoying!

"Let the local gentry and officials wait in the palace first," Zhang Da ordered in a deep voice. "Tell Yang Sichang's messenger that I have just captured Hengzhou and am busy with military affairs. I will see him again in three days. The matter of heading north can be discussed later."

……

Before long, more than ten gentry, officials, and elders, dressed in long gowns, wearing square headscarves, and with fearful expressions, filed into the main hall under the guidance of their personal guards.

Most of them had gray hair and walked cautiously. The hall was still in disarray after the recent battle. They stared at Zhang Da, who stood in the center, dressed in full military uniform.

There was awe, and also unease.

Leading the group was Liu Bingzhong, a professor at Hengzhou Prefectural School. Over sixty years old, he had served as a staff member in the Prince Gui's mansion. During the previous war, he risked his life to protect the school's collection of books, which earned him considerable prestige in the city.

Therefore, he was the first to step forward, and bowed tremblingly in respect.

"This old man, Liu Bingzhong, pays his respects to Lord Zhang. Your Excellency personally led the righteous army to quell the rebellion of the bandits, saving the people of Hengzhou from dire straits, clearing away the clouds and fog, and restoring life to the city. The entire population is moved to tears of gratitude!"

Seeing this, the others also bowed and echoed in unison.

"Greetings, Lord Zhang! Thank you for saving Hengzhou!"

Zhang Da raised his hand expressionlessly, indicating that no further words were needed; after all, they had likely said similar things to Feng Shuangli as well.

"Elders, there's no need for such formalities. The bandits are causing chaos and bringing misery to the people. As the Deputy Military Commissioner of Baoqing in Huguang, it is my duty to protect the land and ensure the safety of the people."

Liu Bingzhong was the first to stand up, first letting out a soft sigh of relief, then his face filled with worry.

"Your Excellency is a virtuous and righteous man, a celestial being descended to earth. With your presence in Hengzhou, this place will surely shine brightly and prosper for generations to come."

The guest who praises me is probably asking me for something.

"Please speak freely, whatever you have to say. As long as it benefits the people, I, Zhang Dading, will have no objections."

Liu Bingzhong finally spoke upon hearing this.

"My lord, you are unaware of the extent of our suffering. Hengzhou has been ravaged by bandits and war, leaving it scarred and devastated. Shops are closed, streets are deserted, and refugees are everywhere, starving and freezing... We, your humble servants, humbly beseech you to immediately order the pacification of the people, the opening of granaries to distribute grain, the restoration of markets, and the dispatch of troops to suppress the villains, thus restoring peace to Hengzhou!"