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

Three days later, at dawn.

The day to send troops has finally arrived.

At this moment, the north gate of Hengzhou City opened wide, and five thousand Baoqing soldiers marched out in formation.

Banners fluttered in the wind, and swords and spears stood like a forest.

Zhang Daqiang, dressed in full armor and riding a warhorse, stood at the front of the battle, his battle spirit high.

Behind him were three thousand elite soldiers.

On both sides were two thousand newly recruited young and strong refugees.

Further behind were three hundred cavalrymen, seven small red cannons, and two hundred supply wagons.

Zhang Da originally wanted to say a few more inspiring words, but then he thought that he had already said enough, so he stopped rambling and just shouted at them.

"All troops, march! Head north to Jingzhou and Xiangyang!"

Then the bugles sounded, and the drums and gongs resounded.

His 5,000-strong army then marched north along the official road in a grand procession.

Although it was a chaotic time, and many vagrants paid tolls along the way, Zhang Da, with the largest armed force, naturally didn't attract any unreasonable highwaymen demanding tolls.

So they traveled north for another three days, and all was well.

At this time, the army reached the territory of Xiangtan.

The sky was overcast, a light drizzle fell, and the official road was muddy and difficult to traverse. Five thousand Baoqing soldiers, dragging their baggage and artillery, wound their way north along the Xiang River. Their morale wasn't high, but it wasn't about to collapse either. After all, the grain and fodder captured in Hengzhou were plentiful, and each soldier carried three catties of dry rations and two strings of copper coins from the Prince Gui's residence—Zhang Da hadn't shortchanged his brothers this time.

"Brother, Xiangtan County is thirty li ahead."

Wang Tui rode forward, pointing to the map, "Beyond Xiangtan to the north lies the territory of Changsha Prefecture. The Prince of Changsha has sent men to welcome us, saying that provisions and weapons have been prepared, and requesting that the army enter the city to rest and reorganize when it passes through the territory."

Zhang Da wiped the rain off his face in frustration and said impatiently.

"Prince Ji? How is he still alive? He's so lucky and has such a long life; it's time for him to enjoy his blessings."

Hearing Zhang Da's sarcastic tone, Wang Tui asked in confusion.

"Does Dalang mean... not to enter Changsha?"

"Inbound," Zhang Da said calmly. "Why not take the provisions and weapons that are delivered to our door for free? But we need to head north immediately after replenishing our supplies."

Wang Tui nodded in agreement.

Just as the army continued its northward march and was approaching Changsha, an important force also arrived at the Jingxiang battlefield.

Li Dingguo's 3,000 elite troops, after a four-day and four-night forced march, have arrived at Zhang Xianzhong's camp!

Now, in the Great Western Army, those who can fight are either injured or no longer available. The only ones who have both military strength and manpower that can be mobilized are Li Dingguo and no one else.

Therefore, upon hearing the news, Zhang Xianzhong came out of his command tent and personally went out to greet him.

Seeing the grand scene, and noticing that his adoptive father's left arm was in a sling, his face was pale, and his steps were unsteady, it was clear that his injuries from the Battle of Changban had not yet healed. However, the ruthless and fierce aura of a warlord in his eyes remained undiminished.

"Dingguo!" Zhang Xianzhong stepped forward and embraced Li Dingguo with one arm. "Good! Good! It's good that you're here!"

Li Dingguo rarely saw his adoptive father treat him like this. Overwhelmed with emotion, he knelt on one knee and began to bow.

"Father, I am late. Please punish me."

"What punishment? Get up and speak quickly." Zhang Xianzhong personally helped him up and led him into the command tent.

Inside the tent, since Li Dingguo's return was indeed a major event, everyone was present. Generals Sun Kewang, Liu Wenxiu, Ai Nengqi, and Liu Jinzhong were all gathered, but they were all injured and had solemn expressions.

The map inside the tent marked the locations of the various Ming army units—Yang Sichang retreated to Dangyang, He Renlong guarded the grain route, and Meng Ruhu and Zhang Yingyuan were stationed in the north and south respectively, forming a defensive triangle.

Everyone's here, time to discuss important matters.

"Dingguo, come and see." Zhang Xianzhong pointed to the map. "That old dog Yang Sichang didn't dare to attack again after the Battle of Changban, hiding in Dangyang like a coward. What's most infuriating is that He Renlong's 10,000 troops are stuck on the supply route, and our army can't get supplies. Prince Hui in Jingzhou is still holding out, the city is high and the walls are thick, we can't take it in a while."

As Li Dingguo listened to Zhang Da recount the current situation, he realized he already knew almost everything on the way, so he stared at the map somewhat absentmindedly.

"Father, Hengzhou... has fallen."

The atmosphere inside the tent suddenly froze.

Zhang Xianzhong remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand.

"I already know about Feng Shuangli's matter. Well... he's dead, so be it. I will treat his wife and children well... Enough of this. Hengzhou may be lost, but we can take it back later. Right now, the most important thing is to defeat Yang Sichang and capture Jingzhou!"

"Father is wise." Sun Kewang stepped forward and began discussing important matters. "Now that Dingguo has arrived, our army's morale is greatly boosted. Yang Sichang's remaining troops number only 30,000, and their supplies are running low. The Sichuan army will take at least half a month to arrive. As long as our army launches a general offensive, we will surely defeat the enemy in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, Li Dingguo shook his head in disagreement.

"No. Although Yang Sichang is crippled, he is holding the fortified city of Dangyang. Our army has been fighting continuously, our soldiers are exhausted, and our supplies are insufficient. Forcibly attacking the city is a poor strategy."

"So what does Dingguo mean by this?" Liu Wenxiu asked anxiously. "If this drags on any longer, our army will be attacked from both sides once the Sichuan army arrives!"

Li Dingguo walked to the map and pointed to a place name between Dangyang and Jingzhou.

"This place—Maicheng."

Everyone was taken aback.

That was the famous Maicheng.

It is forty li from Dangyang and thirty li from Jingzhou, a vital passage connecting the two places. The story of Guan Yu's defeat at Maicheng is also widely known, and everyone present knows it.

"Yang Sichang is currently holding Dangyang, while Prince Hui is besieged in Jingzhou. The two are mutually supportive and interdependent. If our army launches a strong attack on Dangyang, the Jingzhou garrison will surely come out of the city to contain it; if we launch a strong attack on Jingzhou, Yang Sichang will surely send troops to its aid." Li Dingguo paused, "But as long as our army occupies Maicheng, cuts off the connection between the two places, and attacks them separately, the two will be unable to support each other from both ends."

The people inside the tent instantly understood his intention and excitedly asked...

"You mean—besiege the enemy's stronghold and attack their reinforcements?"

"Exactly." Li Dingguo nodded emphatically. "Your son is willing to lead three thousand elite troops to raid Maicheng overnight, seize the strategic location, and cut off the government army's communications. Father, you can lead the main force to feign an attack on Jingzhou, luring Yang Sichang to come to the rescue. Once the Ming reinforcements enter Maicheng, your son and Father will attack from both sides and annihilate them in one fell swoop!"

"Good!" Zhang Xianzhong slammed his hand on the table, aggravating his wounds. Despite wincing in pain, he still laughed loudly. "Well done, Maicheng! Dingguo, if you can capture Maicheng, I will credit you with the greatest merit!"

……

……

At the same time, in Xiangtan.

Unlike Li Dingguo, Zhang Da's Baoqing Army camp was set up on the banks of the Xiang River, with campfires flickering, showing no sign of urgency.

I'm just a little irritable.

Because someone else wrote to urge me.

Zhang Da sat in his tent, feeling frustrated, with three urgent reports laid out in front of him.

The first letter was written by Yang Sichang himself, and the handwriting was extremely messy, clearly written in a hurry or in anger.

"Zhang Xianzhong seems to be making unusual moves. We must head north immediately; there is no time to lose."

The second letter contained intelligence sent back from Jingzhou by the Detective Division.

"Li Dingguo has arrived at Zhang Xianzhong's camp, greatly boosting the morale of the Great Western Army. They may make a big move soon."

The third letter was a secret report personally delivered by Wang Tui.

"Elite troops of the Great Western Army have been spotted moving in the direction of Maicheng, suspected to be Li Dingguo's forces, but their intentions are unclear."

It goes without saying where Li Dingguo is preparing to attack.

Maicheng...

Even those unfamiliar with military strategy could see the strategic significance of Maicheng.

"Our army is still three days' journey from Jingzhou and Xiangyang. Even traveling day and night, it will take at least two days. What if... what if Yang Sichang can't hold out?"

Zhang Da muttered to himself, then remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"Pass down the order: break camp at dawn tomorrow and march day and night. Also, send a messenger by express courier to Yang Sichang's headquarters—tell him that our army has reached Xiangtan and will arrive in Dangyang within three days. Please, Commander-in-Chief, hold your ground and do not act rashly, especially do not send troops to relieve Jingzhou!"