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

Today is the day to welcome the imperial envoy.

Zhang Da hadn't slept all night. Before dawn, he got up, changed into a crisp, dark blue official robe, and after thinking for a moment, put on a light armor with fine scales over it. He tied his hair up with a plain wooden hairpin.

This solemnity was solely due to the extraordinary nature of the envoy they were meeting.

I heard he met Emperor Chongzhen.

Although Zhang Da was well-traveled and knowledgeable, he had never actually seen a real emperor before, so he was particularly solemn about this occasion.

Last night, the imperial envoy from the capital arrived in Baoqing Prefecture, and he will surely reach Shaoyang at noon today.

Therefore, today Zhang Da personally led core leaders such as Zhang Wen, Li Er, Zhou Wenqu, and Liu Binghuo, along with three hundred elite local militiamen in bright armor and gleaming weapons, to line up outside the south gate of Shaoyang County.

The troops lined both sides of the official road, with large banners bearing the character "Ming" fluttering in the morning breeze. Even the local militia who usually patrolled were now dressed in neat uniforms, giving the formation a somewhat imposing presence reminiscent of government troops.

Zhang Da stood at the very front of the line, his gaze calmly fixed on the end of the official road to the south.

"Brother, it's freezing cold. Is it really worth us making such a big fuss to welcome that eunuch from the capital? You be careful, I can handle it."

Zhang Wen frowned, his expression displeased: "Brother, in my opinion, we should just send someone to wait at the city gate. Why go out of the city ourselves? What if this envoy is only pretending to appease us while secretly plotting something..."

"Shut up," Zhang Da interrupted softly, his gaze still fixed ahead. "Heaven's will is above, and the law is paramount. We are now redeeming ourselves through meritorious service; it is precisely at times like these that we must abide by the rules..."

Zhang Da felt like Song Jiang, who wanted to be granted amnesty, spouting a series of principles, but he wasn't sure if it was right or wrong.

However, Zhang Da still held considerable influence at this point, so the crowd remained silent, standing quietly in the cold wind and waiting.

About half an hour later, the sound of horses' hooves and wheels finally came from the end of the official road in the distance.

A group of more than ten people slowly approached. At the front were two Imperial Guard captains dressed in flying fish robes, with round bellies, thick hips, and wide waists. If it weren't for the embroidered spring knives at their waists, they would be unrecognizable.

In the center was a carriage with a blue silk curtain, and sitting on the shaft was a pale-faced, beardless eunuch wearing a eunuch's hat; behind him were several servants and guards.

The angel from the capital has arrived.

Zhang Da took a deep breath and knelt down first.

"Zhang Da, the prefect of Shaoyang, led all the officials and people of the county to respectfully welcome the imperial envoy!"

He knelt down, and the three hundred local militiamen and dozens of leaders behind him also knelt down, their voices echoing across the fields.

"Welcome, angel!"

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the curtain was lifted by a fair and slender hand.

A middle-aged eunuch slowly descended the steps. He wore a blue round-necked robe, a jade belt around his waist, and had a gaunt face with arrogant eyes. His chin was slightly raised as he glanced at the kneeling crowd.

"You're Zhang Da?" the eunuch asked, his voice shrill and grating, carrying the imperious air of someone who had long held a high position.

"Zhang Da, the sinner, pays homage to the angel."

Zhang Da remained kneeling, without raising his head.

"Hmph, at least they know the rules." The eunuch snorted and gestured to his attendants behind him, "Bring the imperial edict."

The bright yellow brocade box was brought out, and the eunuch held it with both hands, unfolded it expressionlessly, cleared his throat, and read it aloud.

The edict was very long.

First, he was reprimanded for his crimes of killing officials and seizing the city, and for his unauthorized use of force. He was severely criticized for "disregarding the law and being a traitor."

Then, the tone shifted abruptly, praising him for "insightfully understanding the enemy's situation and offering strategies to defeat them," highlighting his significant contributions. Finally, Emperor Chongzhen issued an edict allowing him to atone for his crimes by temporarily commanding the local militia in Shaoyang, pacifying the area, collecting taxes, and defending the border.

A standard edict employing both kindness and severity

Although he was not promoted, not granted a title, and not rewarded with gold, silver, or land, it was enough.

"This sinner, Zhang Da, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

He kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the cold bluestone slab with three crisp thuds. Behind him, the crowd roared "Long live the Emperor!" their voices shaking the heavens.

After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch slowly rolled it up, put it back in the brocade box, and handed it to his attendant behind him.

According to etiquette, after the angel finished proclaiming the decree, he should have entered the city to rest, where local officials would host a banquet in his honor, and then discuss local affairs.

But this eunuch from the capital didn't even glance at the city gate. He stood motionless, looking down at the spot, and slowly extended his right hand.

That hand was fair, clean, and had neatly trimmed nails. It hung there in mid-air, neither speaking nor retracting, its indifferent gaze fixed on Zhang Da, the meaning of which couldn't be clearer.

Although Zhang Da had made preparations long ago, intending to bring the eunuch into the county to secretly give it to him, he didn't expect that he couldn't wait this long.

Zhang was astonished that this eunuch could act without even trying.

Sure enough, the officialdom at the end of the Ming Dynasty was rotten to the core, from top to bottom.

"Bring me the silver."

The guard immediately presented a heavy silver ingot, weighing about fifty taels, on a black lacquered wooden tray, and bowed as he handed it to the eunuch.

The eunuch didn't even lift an eyelid. His hand, suspended in mid-air, remained motionless, and his arrogance deepened, as if he were looking at an ignorant, uncultured country bumpkin.

Zhang Da was somewhat displeased, but he didn't show it. He gestured to his guards to bring another ingot of silver, which, along with the previous fifty taels, was placed on the plate, making a total of one hundred taels.

The eunuch kept his eyes downcast, a faint sneer even playing at the corners of his mouth, his hand still hovering steadily in mid-air, showing no intention of retracting it.

Is this still not enough?!

At this point, Zhang Da's brothers behind him began to stir with discontent, and some even stood up and stared directly at the eunuch to express their dissatisfaction.

"Step back! Don't be rude!"

Zhang Da slowly stood up, dismissed the unruly individuals, and then nodded to Sun Min beside him.

Sun Min looked pained, but dared not disobey. He turned around and took out a well-sealed silver box from the carriage behind him, and opened it in front of everyone.

Inside the box, three hundred taels of silver were neatly stacked, each ingot being a ten-tael official-minted silver coin...

Sun Min, carrying the silver box, walked heavily step by step to the eunuch, bowed, and said...

"My lord angel, this is but a small gift, nothing more. I hope you will accept it with a smile."

The eunuchs finally made their move.

He slowly withdrew his hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, and finally revealed a faint smile, his shrill voice softening.

"Your Majesty is wise and magnanimous. You must take good care of yourself, safeguard the borders and ensure the safety of the people, and do not fail to live up to His Majesty's grace."

Having said that, he said no more, gestured for his attendant to take the silver box, and turned to get into the carriage.

"Your Excellency, I have prepared a simple banquet at the county office..." Zhang Da said, trying to persuade him to stay.

"No need," the eunuch said without turning his head. "I have to rush back to the capital to report back, and I have no time to waste."

As soon as he finished speaking, he climbed into the carriage, flanked by officers of the Imperial Guard. The wheels rolled, and the group sped away without even entering the gate of Shaoyang County.

Zhang Da watched the group's retreating figures, and it seemed he could still vaguely hear a sentence...

"This remote and impoverished place will never be visited again."

Only when the angels' procession completely disappeared at the end of the official road, leaving no trace, did the crowd outside the city erupt in anger.

"You damned eunuch! This is blatant robbery!"

"Absolutely shameless! Brother, you're too easygoing! If it were me, I wouldn't give him a single cent, and see what he can do about it!"

The crowd was filled with righteous indignation, and their curses continued unabated, extending from the eunuchs to the capital, and from the capital to the imperial court.

Zhang Da stood there, gazing at the end of the official road, his face calm and silent.

Another pair of envoys are coming.