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

After Zhang Da's various strategies brought stability, Hengzhou, which had recently suffered from war, began to recover. Even some people on the city walls sincerely raised Zhang Da's banner.

So the military flag embroidered with the words "Baoqing" stood side by side with the original vermilion banners of the Prince Gui's Mansion, fluttering in the rising sun.

"My lord, we now have control of all four gates of Hengzhou. Troops have been stationed in all twenty-three streets and alleys, seven water gates, and three granaries within the city. As for the refugees, they are being housed at the South Parade Ground, where over three thousand starving people have been taken in. Most of them can be used to strengthen our army."

Inside the Chengyun Hall, Zhang Da did not relax in the slightest despite the city's fall. Instead, he listened carefully to the soldiers newly recruited by Wang Tui while taking out account books, maps, letters, and several secret letters from Feng Shuangli's body from the Guiwang Mansion's treasury.

"What about Feng Shuangli's remaining troops?" Zhang Da didn't even look up, drawing lines on the map with his brush. "Kill the stubborn ones, and try to persuade the rest to surrender."

"A total of 1,127 remnants and prisoners were captured, including 304 veteran soldiers and the rest were refugees who had been taken hostage. The veteran soldiers have been imprisoned in the west wing of the Prince Gui's Mansion, while the refugees have been dispersed and resettled, incorporated into the militia, and participated in the cleanup of the city."

Zhang Da nodded slightly, as if he had thought of something, and then looked up and asked.

"Where is Yang Sichang's messenger? Is he still waiting at the post station?"

"My lord, the messenger's surname is Chen. He is very irritable. He has been waiting since last night and has urged us three times. This morning, he sent someone to ask again, saying that the military situation in Jingzhou and Xiangyang is urgent. Please make a decision as soon as possible."

At this point, Zhou Wenqu couldn't stand it any longer and took over the conversation, speaking in a low voice.

"Elder brother, this man is Yang Sichang's confidant, so we can't keep him waiting. We should meet with him first and give him a clear answer, which will also shut the court up."

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Da felt it was time and put down his brush.

"Let him in."

A moment later, a middle-aged scholar with a thin face, dressed in a blue official robe, hurriedly entered the hall, looking very anxious.

"Your humble servant Chen Ziqian, a junior officer in the Ministry of War, pays his respects to Lord Zhang."

"I've been so busy appeasing the people of the city that I neglected Lord Chen. I hope you won't take offense. Come, let's have a few drinks together."

As Zhang Da spoke, he stepped off the stage, grabbed Chen Ziqian's sleeve, and offered to take him somewhere for a meal and drinks.

Faced with this kind offer, Chen Ziqian's expression instantly stiffened, and he then righteously refused.

"My lord, this is absolutely not possible! It is the Grand Coordinator who has ordered me to travel day and night, by urgent dispatch, to urge you to immediately head north to Jingzhou and Xiangyang to aid the front lines."

"Now the battle in Jingxiang is at a stalemate. Although Zhang Xianzhong has suffered heavy losses, he is still stationed in Songlin, clearly still harboring rebellious intentions. Moreover, Li Dingguo has led three thousand elite troops north. If they were to join forces, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, I earnestly request that you, my lord, not delay and quickly send troops north to resist the enemy!"

Who says you can't hit someone who's smiling at you?

Zhang Da secretly rejoiced and muttered a complaint, but did not reply immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

"Master Chen, you must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and let's talk."

Chen Ziqian was taken aback. Although his anxious expression was obvious, he dared not disobey Zhang Da's words and could only sit down in the lower seat.

"Sir Chen, I have a few questions for you. I hope you will answer them truthfully."

"Please speak, sir."

"How many of the imperial troops were killed in the Battle of Changban? Please tell us the truth, Your Excellency."

"Of our 50,000 elite troops, over 12,000 were killed in action, over 8,000 were seriously wounded, and fewer than 30,000 are still capable of fighting. Twenty-one artillery pieces were destroyed, supplies are running low, and morale is low. Alas, it is a terrible sight."

Zhang nodded, then asked, "I heard that General Zuo Liangyu is seriously injured. Just how serious is his injury? Is he still able to command troops?"

Chen Ziqian's expression changed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he still told the truth.

"General Zuo's left arm was slashed by Zhang Xianzhong, and the tendons and bones were broken. He has been sent back to Xiangyang to recuperate and will not be able to fight again in the short term."

Zhang Da nodded thoughtfully again.

"May I ask how many reinforcements Governor Yang can currently mobilize? And when will the Sichuan army arrive?"

"Shao Jiechun's Sichuan Army has set off from Chongqing, but the journey is long and it will take at least half a month to reach Jingzhou and Xiangyang. At present, our army has almost no troops that can be mobilized. He Renlong's 10,000 troops are holding the supply line and cannot be withdrawn. Meng Ruhu and Zhang Yingyuan's troops are both devastated and unable to launch a large-scale offensive."

After hearing this, Zhang Da slowly stood up, walked to the map, and seemed to be looking at something.

"Therefore, on the Jingxiang battlefield, both the imperial court and the Great Western Army are at their last gasp. Whoever gains reinforcements first will be victorious."

Chen Ziqian's eyes lit up, and he quickly stood up.

"Your Excellency is indeed wise! Now that Li Dingguo's three thousand elite troops are marching north, if no one can stop them, Zhang Xianzhong will surely be able to break the deadlock, defeat Governor Yang in one fell swoop, and take Jingzhou! At that time—"

"By then, Prince Hui had been captured, Jingzhou and Xiangyang had fallen, Zhang Xianzhong had swallowed up the wealth of the princes, expanded his army by 100,000, and there was no one left to resist him in the entire Huguang region."

Zhang Da picked up the conversation, his tone calm, "I already know all of this, you don't need to repeat it."

He turned around and looked directly at Chen Ziqian.

"As the saying goes, you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Lord Chen, are you aware of how many casualties our army suffered during the attack on Hengzhou?"

Chen Ziqian opened his mouth, but was speechless.

"You want me to head north immediately? What will I take with me? I can't possibly send wounded and starving soldiers to fight Zhang Xianzhong to the death, can I?"

Chen Ziqian was, after all, a civil official, and he was at a loss for what to do in this situation, so he remained silent for a long time.

Zhang Da took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly.

"Steward Chen, report back to Commander Yang and tell him that I have captured Hengzhou and quelled the bandits in central Hunan. In three days, I will personally lead five thousand elite troops northward to reinforce Jingzhou and Xiangyang. Until then, Commander Yang must maintain a firm stance and refrain from engaging Zhang Xianzhong in a decisive battle."

Three days! The time it takes to decide the course of a war might only be a few hours... Three days is too long.

However, Chen Ziqian knew that saying more would be futile, so he could only bow and agree.

"Your humble servant obeys. I hope Your Excellency will keep your word and send troops out in three days, so as not to fail the court's high expectations."

After saying this, he hurriedly left the main hall...

After the messenger had gone far away, Zhang Wencai walked out from the side hall, his face full of resentment.

"Brother, I have no objection to sending troops in three days, but where will those five thousand elite soldiers come from? I'm afraid they're just refugees and scattered soldiers, aren't they?"

"Not only that, brother, are you really not tempted by Hengzhou?"

Zhou Wenqu looked at Zhang Da with a meaningful gaze.

"It seems we'll have to leave Hengzhou to be guarded by our own people..."

Zhang Da understood Zhou Wenqu's meaning. After all, the local vassal king had died in the war, and the suggestions from Hengzhou and the imperial court were now weak.

At this time, it's perfectly legitimate for us to station troops and safeguard the goods for the imperial court!

"Zhou Wenqu, you should stay here and not head north. How about you stay in the rear and mobilize troops and supply provisions for us?"

Zhou Wenqu naturally nodded in agreement.

"Then it's decided."

Zhang Da stood up. "Pass down the order: the entire army will rest for three more days. Little Zhuge, I'll assign you three hundred elite troops to guard this area. You'll then manage our rear well..."

That night, outside Hengzhou City, at the Baoqing Army camp.

Everyone and everything is proceeding at a rapid pace.

Zhang Da, however, lay on the makeshift couch in the back hall, unable to fall asleep no matter what he did.

Li Dingguo is still too dangerous.

"We can't delay any longer."

Zhang Da rolled over and finally closed his eyes.

There's still so much to do tomorrow.