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

The second group of envoys was sent by Yang Sichang. Coincidentally, the second group arrived less than half an hour after the first eunuch envoy.

This time, it wasn't the elaborately dressed eunuch procession that arrived, but a rider dressed in a light blue outfit, with a bow and arrows at his waist, looking travel-worn.

The rider galloped in, followed by two attendants, both soldiers.

Upon seeing the procession outside the city gate in the distance, the rider immediately reined in his horse, dismounted, and galloped forward. He bowed respectfully to Zhang Da, his tone enthusiastic.

"The Imperial Envoy of the Xiangyang Military Command greets Lord Zhang!"

In stark contrast to the arrogance and rudeness of the previous angel from the capital, this messenger was humble and courteous.

"The angel has come from afar, please rise quickly." Zhang Da hurriedly stepped forward and personally helped the other up. "What are your orders, Commander-in-Chief?"

"You're too kind, Lord Zhang. I'm no angel, just a minor official under the Commander-in-Chief." The envoy smiled and stood up. "I've come not to deliver military orders, but on the Commander-in-Chief's orders to invite you to the Xiangyang headquarters for a chat."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Did Yang Sichang invite his eldest son to Xiangyang?

What kind of place is Xiangyang? It was the headquarters of the Huguang Bandit Suppression Headquarters, the location of the military governor's headquarters, and a place where powerful generals such as Zuo Liangyu, He Renlong, and Meng Ruhu gathered!

Although Zhang Da was no longer a thief, he still felt uncomfortable about someone asking him to go to that place on his own.

Zhang Wen's expression also changed drastically. He immediately stepped forward, his previous good impression of the envoy completely gone.

"My elder brother, as the magistrate of Shaoyang, needs to guard the county and pacify the people, so it is inconvenient for him to travel far. Please ask that you go back and tell Governor Yang that he appreciates your kindness, but he is sorry that my elder brother cannot keep the appointment."

Li Er also gripped his sword tightly, watching the envoy warily.

"Xiangyang is far away and rife with bandits; none of us can go there."

Perhaps fearing that Zhang Da might act on his own initiative and repeat his previous night raid on the government troops' granary, Zhou Wenqu quickly walked to Zhang Da's side and whispered...

"Brother, this must be a trap!"

Everyone chimed in, urging Zhang Da to refuse.

Zhang Da also disliked going to Xiangyang, but just as Zhou Wenqu had worried...

Deep down, I still crave adventure.

So Zhang Da didn't immediately express his opinion, but looked at the envoy sent by Yang Sichang and asked in confusion.

"My lord, why do you want to see me?"

"Unbeknownst to you, Lord Zhang, ever since the Battle of Daning Pass, the Commander-in-Chief has often mentioned you to his generals, saying that you are young and promising, insightful about the enemy's situation, and a rare talent for pacifying the people and defending the land in these chaotic times. The Commander-in-Chief has always wanted to meet you and see this rising star for himself."

"No! Brother, we are at their mercy, like fish on a chopping board. If we go there, we could easily lose our lives!"

Zhou Wenqu laid his mind straight, speaking without hesitation in front of the envoy, and everyone, seeing this, desperately tried to dissuade him.

The situation immediately became awkward, and the envoy quickly explained.

"My master has always been eager to find talented people, which is evident to everyone, both in the imperial court and in the martial arts world. This invitation is by no means malicious; it is simply out of a desire to cherish talent. Before setting off, the master specifically instructed me that it would be perfectly acceptable if Lord Zhang did not wish to go."

Having said that, the envoy said no more, but stood respectfully to the side, waiting for Zhang Da's reply.

Zhang Daxian first gestured for everyone to remain calm and not say anything more. After thinking for a moment, he felt that this matter was of great importance and needed further consideration. Therefore, Zhang Daxian personally accompanied the envoy into the city, and they toured Shaoyang County along the way.

The envoy observed very carefully, praising it endlessly as he walked.

He spent a whole day in Shaoyang, visiting every important place in the county, and only returned to the county government office in the evening, repeating the same statement:

"I will wait at the post station for Lord Zhang's reply. Whether you go or not, I will report back to the Commander-in-Chief truthfully."

After the envoy left, a heated debate immediately broke out in the main hall of the county government.

Without exception, everyone advised Zhang Da to decline.

"Eldest brother, you absolutely cannot go! The Xiangyang headquarters is surrounded by heavily armed forces, fraught with danger. If you go, you will surely be harassed, plotted against, and even secretly harmed by them!"

"Yang Sichang, as the imperial commander-in-chief, appears upright and honest, but in chaotic times, people's hearts are unpredictable! What if he wants to use this opportunity to detain you in Xiangyang, strip you of your military power, and seize your city? What then?"

"Brother, you can't go!" Li Er knelt on one knee, earnestly pleading, "The brothers can't do without you, and the people of Shaoyang can't do without you! If anything happens to you, what will happen to all of us?"

Liu Binghuo, Sun Min, Wang Tui, and others also knelt down, pleading in unison, "Please, Elder Brother, think it over carefully and do not go into danger!"

Not a single person in the room supported his decision to go to Xiangyang.

Although Yang Sichang was a high-ranking military commander, holding the imperial sword and in charge of all military affairs in the country to suppress bandits, it would be difficult for him to deal with Zhang Xianzhong if he really wanted to kill him. However, killing a mere Shaoyang official would be a piece of cake, and there was no need to resort to such despicable means as the Hongmen Banquet.

If word got out, it would be a laughingstock to the world and a disheartening blow to other local powers that the Grand Coordinator of the Imperial Court had plotted to assassinate a local official who was redeeming himself through meritorious service.

Yang Sichang wouldn't harm himself... right?

But what if?

Zhang Da is only eighteen this year. Why should Yang Sichang personally summon him? What does he have that makes him worthy of Yang Sichang's attention?

Now, Zhang Da's greatest hope and desire is that Yang Sichang, too embarrassed to directly ask about the strategy for suppressing the bandits, will use the pretext of summoning him to personally inquire about Zhang Xianzhong's movements after entering Sichuan and his subsequent military tactics.

This is just the best ending.

But what if this really is a trap?

Politely declining is the safest, most secure, and most correct choice.

However, Zhang Da also felt that in order to truly gain the power to contend for the Central Plains, he had to go to

I transmigrated to this chaotic late Ming Dynasty not to wait for death, not to become a local tyrant living in a remote corner, not to cling to my small piece of land in Shaoyang and eke out a living.

I have witnessed corrupt officials oppressing the people, seen refugees starving to death everywhere, and government troops burning, killing, and looting. I have personally witnessed the chaos of the world and the people's miserable lives.

A few years later, Li Zicheng captured Beijing, Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself on Coal Hill, the Qing army entered the pass, the Yangzhou Massacre and the Jiading Massacre occurred, and Hubei and Hunan suffered horrific war, leaving thousands of miles deserted.

If he only holds onto Shaoyang, it will be utterly crushed by the Qing army's hooves in a few years.

At that moment, Wang Er's words rang in his ears once again.

"A true man is born in chaotic times; he should seize the opportunity to rise up and dominate the world. How can he be trapped here, waiting to be granted amnesty?"

"You have the ability, the strategy, the support of the people, and the army, so why not accomplish something truly remarkable and renowned throughout the world?"

Yes

Why not?

To live a truly extraordinary life, you must protect those around you, carve out your own niche in this chaotic world, and accomplish great deeds that will make you famous throughout the land—that requires taking risks.

Going to Xiangyang to see Yang Sichang was his best opportunity.

This is a road leading to heaven.

As long as he could gain Yang Sichang's trust, he could enter the core circle of the imperial court's suppression of bandits, and then he could legitimately expand his army, train troops, and seize power. He could then gradually rise from the magistrate of Shaoyang to the prefect of Baoqing, then to the military commander of Huguang, then to a regional warlord, and finally become a force capable of influencing the situation of the world...

The hall was silent; everyone held their breath, awaiting his final decision.

Zhang Da stood up and looked at everyone. His eyes gradually changed from hesitation, struggle, and unease to firmness, sharpness, and brightness.

"We still have to go to Xiangyang; there's no need for you all to try to persuade me anymore."