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

When Zhang Da predicted that Li Zicheng's next move would be to attack Nanyang, he deliberately stopped talking and instead looked at the generals in the hall.

This time, no one showed disdain, contempt, or inward self-insult. Everyone was incredulous astonishment. After the astonishment, they subconsciously turned to look at the "Map of Henan Province" on the wall, silently considering the possibility of Zhang Da's words.

On the map, in the exchange of words, and in the eye contact among the generals.

They suddenly realized that the probability of Li Zicheng attacking Nanyang seemed quite high...

If the rebel leader really launches a full-scale attack on Nanyang, with the current troop deployment, the city will likely fall and its inhabitants perish in an instant!

The others, including Lieutenant General Ma Jinlu and Garrison Commander Wang Dingguo, who had just spoken sarcastically, now had faces that alternated between pale and flushed. They lowered their heads, not daring to meet Zhang Da's gaze. They felt both ashamed and uneasy, wanting to refute Zhang Da's assertion but unable to find any flaws in their arguments.

Zhang Da stood with his hands behind his back before the map, still silent, seemingly waiting for something.

The silence lasted for the time it takes to burn half an incense stick. Seeing that no one in the hall spoke, finally, General Chen Yongfu of Nanyang could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhang Da.

"Commander Zhang! My men are foolish and have offended us earlier. I hope you will forgive them! Since you are certain that the rebel leader will launch a full-scale attack on Nanyang in the south, please explain the reasons why!"

As soon as Chen Yongfu finished speaking, Zuo Guangxian hurriedly stepped forward to flatter him.

"General Chen is absolutely right! Vice Commissioner Zhang has keen insight and has seen through the rebels' schemes. We are completely convinced. We humbly request that you analyze in detail why the rebels, instead of attacking Luoyang, a vital city with abundant resources, would choose to attack Nanyang instead?"

The other generals also came to their senses and bowed to Zhang Da in unison.

"We earnestly request that Vice Commissioner Zhang speak frankly!"

Seeing this, Zhang Da stopped being presumptuous, stepped forward, returned the salute to the generals, and began to explain his reasoning to them.

"Generals, let me ask you this: what is Nanyang's position in Henan?"

Before anyone could answer, Zhang Da said to himself, "Nanyang, formerly known as Wancheng, is a vital strategic location between the Central Plains and Huguang, and a major military and political town in southwestern Henan!"

This place is connected to the Shangluo Mountains to the west and is the only way for Li Zicheng's old camp in the Funiu Mountains to move south.

It borders Huguang to the south and serves as the northern shield of Yang Sichang's military headquarters in Xiangyang.

Connecting to Ruzhou and Kaifeng in the east, it serves as a gateway to the heart of the Central Plains;

It connects to Sanya Road in the north, providing direct access to the outskirts of Luoyang.

"By capturing Nanyang, Li Zicheng would have complete freedom of movement—he could advance eastward, sweeping through Runing and Kaifeng, and dominating the Central Plains; he could retreat to the Funiu and Shangluo Mountains, relying on their natural defenses to hold out against the government forces; to the south, he could threaten Xiangyang in Huguang, cutting off the government forces' north-south connection; and to the north, he could launch a surprise attack on Luoyang at any time, keeping Prince Fu constantly on edge."

The generals nodded in agreement, and then Chen Yongfu continued.

"Moreover, the military strength of Nanyang is not as strong as that of Luoyang. Our troops in Nanyang and Yunyang are barely able to defend the city, let alone fight in the field! In addition, we also have to divide our forces to guard the key route from Shangluo into Henan... Under such disadvantages, even Li Zicheng would probably drool over it."

"The areas surrounding Nanyang, including Dengzhou, Xinye, Tangxian, and Zhenping, are all grain-producing regions with weak defenses. Li Zicheng can procure grain locally and replenish his supplies as he fights!"

Therefore, the generals, contrary to their previous silence, began to present various pieces of evidence suggesting that Li Zicheng would attack Nanyang.

"Currently, the main force of the Grand Marshal is entirely engaged in suppressing Zhang Xianzhong, with heavy defenses deployed in the Three Gorges, Hanzhong, and Jingzhou areas. Henan's military strength is severely depleted, leaving it unable to spare troops to reinforce Nanyang. Li Zicheng has precisely recognized this, which is why he dares to attack Nanyang with confidence, starting weak and gradually growing stronger!"

"Li Zicheng has just regrouped from Shangluo Mountain and urgently needs a major victory to boost morale and rally the displaced people. Luoyang is difficult to capture, and a prolonged siege would only result in heavy losses and a complete loss of popular support; while Nanyang's defenses are weak, and our forces are dispersed, making it extremely easy to breach. Given this mutually beneficial approach, why wouldn't Li Zicheng take it?"

Having said this, Zhang Da watched with great satisfaction as the generals in the hall discussed the matter animatedly, and finally, he personally made the conclusion.

"Based on these five points," Zhang Da confidently surveyed the room, "Li Zicheng will not attack Luoyang; he will inevitably attack Nanyang. This is the inevitable trend of the times, and his only choice!"

After he finished speaking, the Zhenlu Hall fell into a deathly silence once again, even quieter than before, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Good news! Li Zicheng is not attacking Luoyang.

Bad news! Li Zicheng is preparing to attack Nanyang!

This would be worse than attacking Luoyang. At least if Li Zicheng attacked Luoyang, their lives wouldn't be in danger. But if Li Zicheng attacked Nanyang, and if anyone could defend it, I'm afraid...

Immediately, a sense of panic spread among the generals.

People are afraid of death. Even generals who are used to seeing dead people are still afraid when faced with the possibility of dying in the future.

Chen Yongfu's face turned deathly pale. He staggered back two steps, muttering to himself, "In this case, our lives are probably in danger..."

The fear spread wider and stronger, and the generals were no longer thinking about how to defend themselves, but rather discussing whether they could survive.

"Aren't you all being a bit too pessimistic about others?"

Zhang Da spoke coldly, clearly angry, even more so than when the generals had scolded him.

A group of people were beaten like this by Li Zicheng? Just a few months ago, he was even wanted by the government and living a life of humiliation.

Upon hearing this, Ma Jinlu, the garrison commander Wang Dingguo, and other cowardly and disheartened men were so ashamed that they wanted to disappear. They all bowed deeply to Zhang Da and apologized profusely.

Deputy General Zuo Guangxian also stepped forward first and bowed deeply to Zhang Da.

"Commander Zhang is a remarkable man. He remained unfazed even when facing a formidable enemy. He must already possess a brilliant strategy to counter it. Please inform him!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd, who had just been in despair, instantly perked up and looked up at Zhang Da, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Seeing this, Zhang Da knew the time had come and, without further hesitation, immediately walked to the center of the map.

"I would like to ask you all, before we arrange our troops and defend our territory, is there anyone who wishes to surrender to the rebel leader?"

Zhang Da looked around at the crowd, and after hearing his words, they naturally and immediately expressed their loyalty with righteous indignation.

Although Zhang Da knew that a considerable number of them were likely to surrender after the defeat, at least on the surface, no one dared to do so.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhang Dalian said three times

"With such loyalty from you generals, how can our army not be victorious? I can also assure you that as long as you unite as one and fight bravely, Li Zicheng has nothing to fear. This battle may very well be his death day!"

After saying this, Zhang glared angrily and slammed his fist on the table.

"Gentlemen, are you willing to join me in saving the world from collapse?"

Seemingly infected by this atmosphere of facing death head-on, the generals also stood up.

"But at the behest of the officers."

Zhang Da was very satisfied with the atmosphere and waved his hand.

"Please be seated, everyone. I will arrange the details."