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

"Military Advisor Chen, how many days will it take us to travel from Shaoyang to Xiangyang, and what are our routes along the way?"

On the way, Zhang Da suddenly thought of this problem. He remembered that he had fought a battle with the government troops before, in which many people died. Those troops seemed to be from Wugang. What if he got angry with them if he went there?

Therefore, Zhang Da decided to bypass Wugang.

After Zhang Da and the envoy sent by Yang Sichang set off, they naturally learned his name along the way—Chen Ruizhi, Military Advisor of the Governor's Headquarters.

Chen Ruizhi, with a thin face, began her introduction with a respectful bow.

"Master Zhang, we are going to Xiangyang, which is more than 720 li away. If we travel fast, we can cover 60 or 70 li each day. We will pass through the six prefectures of Baoqing, Changsha, Yuezhou, Wuchang, De'an and Suizhou, and through eight counties of Xinhua, Anhua, Yiyang, Xiangyin, Xiaogan, Yingshan and Zaoyang. It will take us a full ten days to reach the city of Xiangyang."

The Ming Dynasty was vast, so even within the same province it took this long.

While Zhang Da was still amazed, he didn't hear the word "Wugang." However, after thinking about it, he realized he didn't really want to go to Wuchang, so he told Chen Ruizhi about his idea.

"That's natural; everything is as Zhang Gong wishes."

"Then I'll trouble Military Advisor Chen to lead the way."

Zhang Da returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and the two horses rode side by side, their hooves clattering on the frozen bluestone slabs, making a crisp, monotonous sound that carried far through the empty morning mist...

The Ming Dynasty's postal routes were strictly regulated. From the capital to the provincial capitals and prefectural cities, there were official horse roads, three zhang wide, with the imperial road in the middle (unfortunately, only for the royal family) and military and civilian roads on both sides. There was a pavilion every ten li, a post station every thirty li, and a post station every sixty li.

The post road from Shaoyang to Xiangyang was a vital route connecting Huguang (Hubei and Hunan) with the Central Plains. Although it had survived many wars, it remained well-preserved, with a smooth and compacted road surface. Pine, cypress, elm, and willow trees were planted on both sides, but unfortunately, their branches and leaves were withered at this time, giving it a desolate appearance and offering little in the way of beautiful scenery.

On their first day's journey, the two set off from Shaoyang, traveling sixty li north to Xinhua County. They rested briefly at an inn outside the city before changing horses and continuing their journey.

On the second day, they passed through Anhua; on the third day, they arrived at Yiyang; and on the fourth day, they entered Xiangyin.

The further north you go, the more people and vehicles there are on the post road, with grain carts, soldiers, and post station workers coming and going in an endless stream.

At each post station, Chen Ruizhi would present his commander's token, and the post station manager would personally come out to greet him, offering him hay and dry rations, and replacing his horses with healthy ones.

Starting from Yiyang, messenger cavalrymen from the military governor's headquarters began to appear on the post roads. These cavalrymen wore black uniforms with the words "Supervisor" embroidered on their chests, carried bows and arrows at their waists, and held command flags. They galloped back and forth, relaying military intelligence.

Upon seeing the token held by Chen Ruizhi, they all reined in their horses, bowed, and then galloped away.

On the fifth day, the two crossed Dongting Lake and arrived at Wuchang Prefecture.

Wuchang was the capital of Huguang Province, where the governor, inspector, provincial administration commissioner, and provincial judicial commissioner of Huguang all resided. The city was high and the walls were thick, with towering towers and the Han River flowing around it. The river was filled with boats and merchant ships, making it the most important town in Central China.

Because of Zhang Da's suggestion, the two did not enter the city, but continued north along the post road outside Wuchang. At this time, there were four more cavalry guards from the governor's headquarters behind them - they were the personal guards of the Wuchang post station who were ordered to escort them.

Zhang Da's unease completely dissipated. If Yang Sichang wanted to harm him, the most dangerous place would definitely be the sparsely populated part of the journey—he only needed to set up an ambush at a remote post station to easily take Zhang Da's life.

However, Yang Sichang did not have that many.

"It seems not everyone is Sima Yi."

Zhang Da silently praised him and continued on his way.

On the sixth day, they passed Xiaogan; on the seventh day, they arrived at Yingshan; and on the eighth day, they entered Suizhou.

Suizhou is the gateway to Xiangyang. This place is under the direct jurisdiction of the military governor's headquarters. Along the post road, you can see border soldiers from Shaanxi and Henan, wearing iron armor, patrolling in formation, with strict guard.

Every five li in Suizhou there was a checkpoint to check passersby, but the purpose of such a checkpoint was unclear. At each checkpoint, Chen Ruizhi only needed to show his token, and the officer in charge would bow and personally let him pass. Although he looked curious about Zhang Da, the boy in plain clothes, he dared not ask him any questions.

On the ninth day, they arrived at Zaoyang, which was only 120 li away from Xiangyang.

Outside Zaoyang County, a 20-man cavalry honor guard was already waiting. The leader was a fifth-rank garrison officer from the military governor's headquarters, holding a ceremonial flag. Upon seeing Chen Ruizhi and Zhang Da, he immediately dismounted and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

"This humble general pays his respects to Military Advisor Chen. By order of the Commander-in-Chief, I have come to respectfully welcome Lord Zhang!"

Zhang Da reined in his horse, looking at the brightly armored and well-mannered honor guard before him, and was filled with emotion.

No wonder the eunuch sent by Emperor Chongzhen always acted like a nouveau riche, and was too lazy to even enter the county town.

This is what a real honor guard looks like!

Zhang Da was the one who usually greeted the envoy from below the horse. But seeing this scene, Zhang Da, a country bumpkin, had never experienced anything like it before. He quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

"Thank you for your trouble, General."

So the honor guard escorted the two and continued northward.

At noon on the tenth day, the outline of a majestic city finally appeared on the horizon.

Chen Ruizhi reined in his horse and pointed ahead, saying respectfully, "Lord Zhang, Xiangyang City is just ahead."

Zhang Da looked up and was instantly awestruck by the magnificent city before him.

Xiangyang, located in the middle reaches of the Han River, is situated at the junction of four provinces: Hubei, Henan, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. It borders the Nanyang Basin to the north, connects to the Jianghan Plain to the south, links the Qinling-Bashan Mountains to the west, and controls the Dabie Mountains to the east. Since ancient times, it has been known as "the throat of the world and a strategic location fought over by military strategists."

During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was the northern garrison of Chu. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Biao ruled Jingzhou and established his capital in Xiangyang. During the Three Kingdoms period, Guan Yu's flooding of the seven armies and the Battle of Fancheng both took place here. It was an important town during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, and the Song Dynasty.

By the late Ming Dynasty, Xiangyang had become the most important military stronghold in Huguang!

The Xiangyang city wall was entirely clad in blue bricks, nearly three zhang high, two zhang wide, and over ten li in circumference. The wall was covered with numerous watchtowers, crenellations, and various other defensive structures, including cannons and artillery emplacements. It even housed firearms such as the Hongyi cannon and the Tiger Crouching Cannon, which Zhang Da had only ever seen in historical records.

Each of the four corners of the city wall has a corner tower, which soars into the clouds and has a magnificent presence.

Because the city is located east of the Han River, the river is surging and hundreds of feet wide. Naval warships are moored at the docks, with sails and masts like a forest.

The city was surrounded by moats on the west, south, and north sides, each five zhang wide and three zhang deep.

For miles around the city, there were government army camps stretching as far as the eye could see, with tents and flags blotting out the sky. Large banners bearing the characters "Yang," "Commander-in-Chief," and "Ming" fluttered in the cold wind...

Zhang Da was speechless, staring greedily at Xiangyang...

If I owned this...

Before Zhang Da's greedy thoughts could fully emerge, they were once again suppressed by the magnificent aura of Xiangyang City, rendering him unable to move...

The magnificent city walls and the perfectly disciplined soldiers made Shaoyang County seem like a thatched hut compared to a palace, or a local militia compared to a heavenly army...

Zhang Zhen had previously dreamed of being the ruler of the world, with a harem of wives and concubines.

However, upon reaching the city of Xiangyang, all those unrealistic thoughts vanished, leaving only a humble, subservient desire to kneel down...

If Xiangyang was already in this state, what about Beijing?

Alas, it's so difficult, as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Zhang Da stared blankly at Xiangyang City, his heart filled with complex emotions, unsure of what to say.

Just as Zhang Da was marveling, a group of people slowly walked out from the drawbridge outside Linhan Gate, one of the six gates of Xiangyang City. The leader was dressed in a scarlet third-rank official robe with a jade belt around his waist and a refined appearance. Behind him were dozens of civil and military officials. The military officers were dressed in armor and held weapons, while the civil officials were dressed in official robes and held tablets. They stood on both sides, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Seeing this, Chen Ruizhi whispered to Zhang Dadao

"Lord Zhang, the one who has come to greet you is Wan Yuanji, the military advisor of the Grand Coordinator's headquarters and the Director of the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of War. Lord Wan is a trusted and important minister of the Grand Coordinator, known for his strategic acumen and deeply respected by the court and the public. When ordinary generals come to see the Grand Coordinator, Lord Wan never comes out to greet them, but today he has come out of the city gate to greet you personally."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Da quickly straightened his robes, dismounted, and hurried forward to greet Wan Yuanji. However, it was Wan Yuanji who took the initiative to bow and greet him with a humble tone.

"This is the young man from Shaoyang County? Meeting him today, he is indeed a young hero, living up to his reputation. The Commander-in-Chief is already waiting at the headquarters and has specially ordered me to come and welcome Magistrate Zhang into the city."

Zhang Dalian bowed deeply, his posture extremely respectful.

"I am Zhang Da, a mere country bumpkin. How dare I trouble Lord Wan to personally welcome me? I am truly humbled. Lord Wan is an important official of the court. I have been impolite."

Wan Yuanji smiled

"Lord Zhang, there's no need for such modesty. In the Battle of Daning Pass, without your accurate prediction of the enemy's movements, how could our army have achieved such a great victory? Please, Magistrate Zhang, enter the city."

Zhang Da declined repeatedly, but finally accepted Wan Yuanji's enthusiastic invitation and walked alongside him. Surrounded by an honor guard and civil and military officials, they stepped onto the drawbridge of Xiangyang City, passed through the heavily fortified barbican, and entered the city...