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

"Waaaaah, I'm innocent! I'm innocent!"

"Stop shouting, you corrupt officials! Don't you feel ashamed saying such things?"

After Wu Yingshao was released, he was immediately escorted onto a prison cart by Zhang Da's tenant farmers and paraded through the streets alongside captured county magistrates, registrars, grain officials, and other officials.

These local officials and tyrants never imagined things would turn out this way, and they all wept and begged for forgiveness.

However, the people of Shaoyang were unmoved. Clearly, they had been oppressed for too long, and they gathered around, cursing and hurling rotten vegetable leaves and stones at them, causing them to bleed from the head.

After the procession through the streets, the group was escorted to the execution ground on the western outskirts of the county town.

At this time, a respected village elder stood on a high platform and publicly read out Wu Yingshao's numerous crimes, including concealing disasters, condoning corrupt officials, exploiting the people, and withholding military pay. In the end, he even revealed that Wu had affairs with his own female relatives.

"Wu Yingshao, you guilty of these crimes, will you admit to them or not!"

Wu Yingshao gazed at the sky, sighed softly, and still uttered those fabricated things.

"I admit it."

The wind swept across the execution ground, ruffling his disheveled hair.

A flash of light, and a head fell to the ground.

The county magistrate, registrar, grain officer, and others were also executed in turn, their blood staining the land of the western suburbs red.

Afterwards, people would often gather in the streets and alleys of Shaoyang to discuss it:

"Just who exactly is Zhang Da, the leader?"

Every time this happens, an "insider" always appears to explain.

"That's Zhang Da, the head of Renfeng Village. Although he's young, he's courageous and resourceful. He doesn't burn or loot, and he doesn't harm the common people. He only kills corrupt officials. He's a kind and righteous man. Why not let him be the prefect?"

Just as Zhang Da's heroic deeds were spreading throughout the county, the protagonist, Zhang Da, had already arrived at the county granary.

The Baoqing Prefecture in Huguang Province governed five counties. Among them, Shaoyang County was an attached county of Baoqing Prefecture. The prefectural government and the county government were governed in the same city. Therefore, all the grain taxes collected from the other four counties were naturally stored in Shaoyang County!

The granary doors were wide open, and the aroma of grain wafted out. New millet, old rice, beans, wheat, and other grains were piled up in stacks, with sacks stacked high. Zhang Da had never seen so much grain in his entire life.

"So many people starved to death, I thought the granaries were empty, but I never imagined... they would rather feed rats and insects than give anything to the people."

Zhang Da sighed, then ordered some of the grain to be moved out and distributed on the spot to the starving people in the city and the refugees who had followed him in the uprising.

And outside the granary, rows of carriages stood ready, waiting to deliver this year's grain tax to the governor's office, a rank higher than the prefectural governor's.

Beside him, Zhou Wenqu, known as "Little Zhuge Liang," held the county's household registration and land records, quietly reporting the county's situation line by line.

"Dalang, in Shaoyang County, there are nearly 500,000 mu of registered farmland, and the actual cultivated land beyond the abandoned areas can be counted; there are more than 36,000 registered households and more than 170,000 registered people. There are more than 2,000 households in the city's wards, and villages and towns are scattered throughout the area. In addition to the summer tax and autumn grain tax, there is also the Liaodong military tax... Therefore, the grain tax for August should be paid..."

Zhou Wenqu, frantically typing away on the abacus with several county clerks, stood by, listening silently with his eyes down.

After a while, Zhang Da noticed that Zhou Wenqu's expression was growing increasingly grim, so he walked aside and greedily inhaled the aroma of grain emanating from the granary. Only after transmigrating did he realize that having his lungs filled with the fragrance of grain was truly a blessing in life.

"Ah, eldest brother, I've done the calculations—Baoqing Prefecture is due to deliver 8,723 shi of autumn grain this month, plus three taxes, totaling 4,810 taels of silver."

???

"Cough cough... What? How much? This much? You... Little Zhuge, you didn't miscalculate?"

Zhang Da was so startled by this astronomical figure that he coughed, expelling the grains from his lungs.

It's very painful to gain something and then lose it again.

Zhou Wenqu, seemingly aggrieved and annoyed by this series of questions, directly showed Zhang Da the August grain tax records submitted to the court in previous years.

"Damn it, aside from the new recruits' training fees, it's pretty much the same."

Zhang Da, utterly shocked, touched the cold sweat beading on his forehead and looked at the warehouse full of grain sacks.

I'm so reluctant to part with it!

Moreover, what if the higher-ups still don't appreciate the grain after we hand it over, and they send troops to attack? How many people would be willing to risk their lives for us if we have neither money nor grain?

Zhang Da was caught in an extremely contradictory and conflicted situation.

"How about this, we'll pay less autumn grain this year, just 1,450 shi, and with the regular tax plus three liang... 1,000... no, 500 taels will be enough."

"Brother, you... if you follow this method of payment, you might as well not pay a single tael. Just write a letter, vehemently criticizing the governor of Huguang, and then openly admit at the end that we are rebelling. That way, we can save the remaining grain tax to recruit soldiers and buy horses."

Zhang Da also wanted to, but relying on his memories from his previous life, he knew that Zhang Xianzhong had fought in various battles after raising an army in Huguang, and finally died in Sichuan.

What does this mean? It means that he will leave Huguang sooner or later. When that time comes, will the governor of Huguang, who will be free to act, see him as a rebel and then crush him like an ant in order to get promoted?

Build high walls, delay declaring yourself king; it's best to keep a low profile.

"Ahem, a letter really needs to be written. Little Zhuge, could you write a letter for me to the governor or viceroy? The gist of it is to plead poverty, saying that the county's grain tax has been squandered by those corrupt officials, and that we really have no money this year, so we'll owe it to them for now, but we'll definitely pay it all next year when the harvest is plentiful."

Zhou Wenqu frowned, not believing that those old foxes in high positions would believe him, but at this point, there really weren't any good solutions.

"etc"

Zhang Da pulled out a short knife from his pocket, loosened his hair tie, and was about to cut off his own hair when he suddenly stopped.

"Speak more sincerely, and have someone go to the execution ground in the western suburbs to find a dead man's head, cut off his hair, and say that I, Zhang Da, am swearing by cutting off my hair that I will definitely repay the grain in the future. Send these things along with the confessions of the corrupt officials to the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission."

At Zhang Da's instruction, some of the grain tax from the granary was distributed to the starving people, and then gradually moved out and placed on horse-drawn carts outside the granary, ready to be sent to the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission...

Sigh, it really hurts.

Even though only a small amount was given, Zhang Da still sighed with heartache. Just as he was forcing himself not to look at the scene to avoid getting sad,

"elder brother"

Zhang Wen, the second younger brother of Zhang Dajia, also ran quickly to the granary, looking excited.

"Brother, the deserters dare not cause trouble, and the chaos in the city is over! There is no one resisting at all. I have led my men through the streets and alleys, posting notices and establishing the three rules. Now, the four gates, the county government office, the granary, the armory, the post station, the ferry crossing, and other key locations are all guarded by reliable tenants and trusted brothers from my family. Haha, brother, our Zhang family is about to prosper!"

If there's one person Zhang Wen admires most at this moment, it's probably his elder brother.

Hearing that the grain chief, Chen Daoquan, had caused his father's death from anger, he would have stabbed Chen Daoquan to death to silence him and protect the Zhang family had his elder brother not intervened.

Now, not only has the Zhang family been preserved, but the county history will remember the names of the two brothers a hundred years from now!

"How was the situation in the village when you brought people from your hometown to support me in the county? Was there any unrest?"

"Those spineless cowards would rather freeze their doors and windows shut; what trouble can they possibly cause now?"

Zhang Da frowned, clearly dissatisfied with these words.

"Don't say that. If they hadn't increased the land tax so much, would so many people have been willing to start a rebellion with you? Now that the rebellion has succeeded, they should also have some credit. Once things are more stable in the county, take your people back to their hometowns, say some nice things, and invite them to the county for a chat."

At this moment, Zhang Wen said, both angry and helpless.

"It's no use. I've seen many servants from wealthy families in the county trying to gather information, but every time I ask them to pass on a message to their masters, they make excuses. I suppose even if we succeed, they won't dare to have much to do with us. Just like your father-in-law, Zhou Jizong, who conspired to raise rents and force tenants to rent, is now standing aside and watching the outcome."

Zhang Da remained calm and unconcerned; in his view, it was nothing more than something he had expected.

"It's alright. They're afraid of dying too, afraid of being purged by government troops. As long as the county is stable, they won't act rashly. If we can keep the government troops in check, the entire Shaoyang County will be under our control."

However, the news of killing officials and seizing the city must have already been reported to Baoqing Prefecture and Huguang Provincial Administration Commission...

If he were truly charged with treason and rebellion...

"Bring Wu Yingshao and Tao Gong's families here!"

Before long, everyone was led to the front of the warehouse.

Facing the enemy who killed the breadwinner of their family, they naturally didn't treat Zhang Da well, looking at him with a mixture of fear and anger.

Zhang Da could only groan inwardly and began to plead with them, saying things like, "We'll let you go, but you mustn't speak ill of us." After a few words of persuasion, Tao Gong's family pretended to reluctantly agree, and Zhang Da happily saw them off to the carriage outside the warehouse, ready to depart.

However, the family of Wu Yingshao, a seventh-rank official, was quite defiant. No matter what Zhang Da said, they continued to look at him with resentful eyes. Zhang Da was very annoyed and didn't want to say anything more. He pointed to the carriage road outside.

"I have prepared carriages and money to send you to safety. You only need to tell the outside world that we are not rebelling against the court, but only trying to eliminate evil and bring peace to the people. We will continue to pay taxes as usual and will not violate the laws of the court. If you can do this, I will let you leave safely."

The Wu family members looked at each other, and no one agreed.

In order to save her life, she spoke ill of her husband (father) in front of everyone, ruining his reputation.

What's the difference between this and death?

"Brother, these people are tired of living a life of luxury and don't know what's good for them. Let's just go all the way..."

Frustrated, Zhang Wen viciously pressed his hand against his neck, harboring murderous intent.

Zhang Da had also considered this idea, but... the harm should not extend to family members. Killing an official can be explained, but killing the family members as well is nothing short of rebellion.

The thought of Zhang Da stirred up another wave of unease within him; he couldn't kill him, nor could he let him go.

"Brother, why don't we keep Magistrate Wu's eldest son here, so they won't dare to speak recklessly?"

"I'm very fond of this young strategist!"

Zhang Da's expression shifted slightly, and he followed up on what they were saying.

"Although Magistrate Wu is dead, I think his eldest son is quite talented. How about this, let's leave the eldest son here, and you all go first. If he becomes successful in the future, I will follow the example of Yao and Shun and return the position of magistrate to the young master."

Before they could agree, Zhang Da immediately signaled Li Er beside him to take action.

Li Er stepped forward and brought the eldest son of the Wu family closer. The Wu family members cried out in anguish to stop him, but were forcefully pushed aside.

"You need not panic," Zhang Da said, looking at everyone. "As long as you are careful with your words and actions and do not cause trouble, I will certainly not mistreat your young master once the situation stabilizes."

Zhang Da immediately waved for his men to escort the remaining family members to the carriage. Just as Zhang Da thought the matter was resolved and was about to drive the carriage out of the city, a person jumped off the carriage—it was none other than the third daughter of Magistrate Wu Yingshao.

She rushed to Zhang Da's side, bringing a fragrant breeze to his face.

Zhang Da subtly sniffed the air; his hormones were surging again. Fortunately, the clothing worn by the ancients was extremely loose, so there was no need to deliberately conceal it.

"I'll exchange him for my brother! I'll stay here, and you can let him go with his family."

"Yo ho!"

Zhang Wen, standing to the side, chuckled first.

"You're quite bold, young lady. It's a pity you're of no use to us, otherwise I'd really like to keep you here for a bit of eye candy."

The girl was not afraid at all, and bit her lip to persist.

“The officials aren’t fools. They can tell at a glance that you’re holding my brother hostage. If you keep me, just say that I’m staying in the county to atone for my father’s sins and to take care of the local area. Outsiders won’t be suspicious. That way, we’ll both have room to maneuver.”

Zhang Wen was stunned by these words and turned to look at Zhang Da.

"You're quite clever and adorable, and very eloquent. You must have been well-liked by your parents and siblings at home, right?"

After much deliberation, Zhang Da finally agreed to her request.

So the eldest son of the Wu family was released again.

"You may leave without worry. I have kept her here only to gain the trust of the officials outside, and I have no other intention. As long as you do not cause any trouble, I will ensure her safety and return her to you in perfect condition in the future, so that you may be reunited."

The Wu family members wept bitterly, but had no other choice. Finally, escorted by the village soldiers, they boarded the carriage and left the city with the grain transport convoy.

After everyone had gone, Zhang Da looked at the girl beside him, suppressing the masculine energy within him, and said in a calm tone.

"Was it your mother who secretly instructed you to step forward?"

The girl lowered her head and remained silent.

Zhang Da didn't want to ask any further questions. He turned and looked towards the government office in the center of the county town, muttering to himself...

"I hope you'll actually be of some use, allowing me to remain the ruler of this county for a while longer."