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

After Yang Sichang read Zhang Da's letter about suppressing Zhang Xianzhong, his attitude towards Zhang Da gradually changed...

Absurd, utterly absurd! The one who could write down a plan that everyone in the tent agreed with was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy.

Are all the officials in the imperial court just sitting around doing nothing?

Yang Sichang spent half his life in officialdom and many years suppressing bandits. He had witnessed Zhang Xianzhong's cruelty and tyranny, knew that Li Zicheng was fierce, unpredictable, and lacked a solid foundation, and also knew that Zuo Liangyu was arrogant and difficult to control with his troops, and He Renlong was brave, unruly, and untamable...

But what about this young man named Zhang Da? He possesses the ferocity of a thief, the composure of an official, the strategy of a general, and the steadfastness of a defender of the land!

Perhaps he really can shoulder great responsibilities?

A faint hint of appreciation and surprise pierced his heart.

What if I could meet this person? No, that's impossible.

It will not be tolerated by etiquette and law, nor by the morale of the army.

Then another thought surged up in Yang Sichang's mind and he couldn't suppress it: why not let him go for now?

The most important task at present is to encircle Zhang Xianzhong and complete the strategy of "four main points and six corners, forming a net on all ten sides".

If Zhang Xianzhong is not eliminated, Huguang will surely fall, and if Huguang falls, the whole country will be shaken.

Zhang Da is merely a local threat, while Zhang Xianzhong is a major threat. If this young man was truly forced into rebellion by corrupt officials and cruel bureaucrats, seeking only a place to live and a way to survive, and not intending to overthrow the Ming Dynasty... then why couldn't Yang Sichang temporarily suppress his anger and use his strength to stabilize Hunan?

Give him a way out, give him a legitimate status, and in return, he can fight a war without any worries.

Even... if we could really recruit him to our side, wouldn't that be another brave and capable general?

Once this thought took hold, it grew wildly like a vine.

That's right! The imperial court is currently... lacking nothing but talent!

Yang Sichang opened his eyes, his gaze still completely calm.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the generals in the hall, including Meng Ruhu, He Renlong, Zhang Yingyuan, and Wan Yuanji, and spoke the words he had long wanted to say.

"Zhang Da's strategy, which involves holding the three strategic passes in eastern Sichuan and trapping Xianzhong at Fangzhu, has been verified by everyone on the map. I presume you all agree with this approach. Are there any further objections?"

The generals remained silent.

Yang Sichang nodded slightly upon seeing this, his tone remaining calm.

"Since the generals have no objections, then let's proceed with this plan."

Having said that, Yang Sichang raised his hand, and the military orders fell one by one.

"Zhang Yingyuan, as fierce as a tiger, led his three thousand troops and five hundred firearmsmen to eastern Sichuan overnight to defend Daning Pass, Baima Pass, and Tiemenkan Pass, constructing fortifications and stockpiling supplies. Anyone who dares to let a single horseman into Sichuan will be punished according to military law!"

"He Renlong, advance towards the outskirts of Fang County, pressing forward relentlessly, burning grass to cut off food supplies, harassing us day and night, forcing Xianzhong westward into our perilous territory!"

"Wang Yunfeng, lead 500 light cavalry to garrison Xinhua and monitor Shaoyang. He is to observe but not provoke or attack. If Zhang Daru remains docile and guards the border, he shall remain inactive; if he dares to expand his army and seize territory, he shall report immediately!"

Military orders were issued like rain, and the generals naturally obeyed. Just as they were about to turn around, Wan Yuanji stepped forward and whispered the question that everyone was most concerned about.

"Commander-in-Chief, Zhang Da has murdered officials and seized the city; his crime is unforgivable. If our army does not advance to suppress him, what should we do? Should we appease him, sever ties, or something else?"

Upon hearing this, the generals who were about to leave the tent all stopped and turned to look.

Yang Sichang did not answer immediately, but instead looked at everyone and said with a relaxed expression.

"So, what do you think? Should we fight Zhang Da now, or make peace?"

The hall instantly split into two factions.

He Renlong shouted sternly, "Of course he deserves to be beaten! This traitor killed a fourth-rank prefect and routed the government troops. He must be executed to uphold military discipline! He must be killed to vent the anger of the troops! After dealing with this traitor, we will kill him."

Meng Ruhu immediately retorted, "No! This man is a great talent; if the court could..."

As the argument began, Yang Sichang raised his hand and gently pressed it down, and the hall fell silent instantly.

His gaze swept over the crowd, his words clear and unbiased, devoid of any personal bias:

"Zhang Xianzhong is a disease of the heart and mind. Zhang Da is a scab on the hands and feet."

If we suppress Zhang Da today, it will take at least one month, and at most three months. Xianzhong will surely flee west into Sichuan, and the country will be difficult to control again.

"For now, we will temporarily detain Zhang Da, neither attacking nor appeasing him, neither sealing off nor killing him, allowing him to defend his territory and not aid Xianzhong. This will allow our army to focus all its efforts on annihilating the bandit. Once Xianzhong is beheaded, we will then march south and take Zhang Da as easily as taking candy from a baby."

He paused, then his voice suddenly became sharp:

"Gentlemen, which policy do you think is the best for the country?"

With a single sentence that clearly pointed out the advantages and disadvantages, there was no further argument in the hall.

He Renlong's face turned pale and then red, and finally he clasped his hands and said, "The commander-in-chief has great foresight, and this humble general... is convinced."

The other generals bowed in unison: "We leave the decision to the Commander-in-Chief!"

Seeing that he had achieved his desired effect, Yang Sichang calmly gave the final instructions:

"Firstly, the case is temporarily suspended. Zhang Da killed an official and seized the city. His crimes are on record, but he will not be prosecuted or pardoned. This is considered a local upheaval and will not be included in the case of rebellion."

Secondly, he was not granted an official position. The imperial court had no right to grant official positions to rebellious people. Zhang Da was not allowed to call himself a county magistrate or garrison commander, nor was he allowed to handle official business in the prefecture or county. Shaoyang remained under the jurisdiction of Baoqing Prefecture.

Thirdly, obey orders but not proclamations. Shaoyang must strictly guard its borders, and is not allowed to attack or plunder neighboring counties or expand its troops privately; if Xianzhong flees to central Hunan, Zhang Da must lead his troops to intercept him and redeem himself through meritorious service.

Fourth, the grain tax will remain unchanged. Shaoyang will pay grain tax annually, with the amount reduced to show the court's leniency, and tax resistance and non-payment will not be tolerated.

Fifth, I sent an envoy to appease Zhang Da. I dispatched Wang Chengzhu with my personal edict to Shaoyang to reassure Zhang Da.

Yang Sichang nodded slightly, his gaze returning to Shaoyang on the map. A fleeting hint of appreciation for talent vanished from his eyes, replaced by a cold, calculating look.

Zhang Da, you're so desperate to live that you've even resorted to groveling. Now I'm offering you a way out; I hope you won't betray my good intentions.

Before long, horns sounded inside and outside the camp, and horses galloped.

Meng Ruhu's troops marched west into eastern Sichuan, He Renlong's troops advanced towards Fang County, Wang Yunfeng's troops headed to Xinhua, and Wang Chengzhu packed his bags and headed straight for Shaoyang with an imperial edict.

With the situation in Xiangyang now settled, Yang Sichang could finally focus all his attention on Zhang Xianzhong, without any further distractions...

Meanwhile, the smoke of battle had mostly dissipated within Shaoyang City.

Since defeating Huang Chaoxuan, Zhang Da has devoted all his energy to four things: securing the borders, pacifying the people, reorganizing the army, and stockpiling grain.

At this moment, Zhang Da stood atop the city gate, gazing out over the entire county town.

Now the city's defenses are complete, the cavalry is taking shape, rural refugees have returned to their fields, shops have reopened, and the gentry no longer hesitate, all betting their fortunes on themselves...

"Brother, the land survey in the four villages is complete. There is no concealment of farmland, and all the gentry have delivered grain. The granaries can support the entire city for more than a year. The armory is fully equipped with swords, spears, and armor, and the firearms have been repaired and are in good condition."

Zhou Wenqu routinely reported matters within the county to him.

"Isn't there an official named Wang Yunfeng recently? What's he doing stationed in Xinhua?"

"They're probably monitoring us, aren't they? They must have been instructed by Yang Sichang to refrain from making things difficult for us for the time being."

Zhang's lips curled slightly, and he said no more.

Finally, by sacrificing his pride, he achieved a peaceful and satisfactory outcome.

What he needed was precisely this most precious time.

"Young Master!" Zhang Wen rushed up the city wall, his expression excited. "The Zhou family has arrived! Zhou Jizong is personally escorting the bride; they've reached the South Gate!"