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

"Since you are all of one mind and willing to live and die with Nanyang, then please each perform your duties without fail. Anyone who disobeys—" Zhang Da's voice suddenly turned stern, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, "will be dealt with according to military law, without any leniency!"

"Here you go!"

The generals naturally agreed.

Zhang Da nodded, turned and walked to the map. He first pointed to the two passes, Neixiang and Xixia, west of Nanyang City. This was the only way to enter Henan from the Shangluo Mountains, and it was also very likely the first barrier for Li Zicheng's army to march into Nanyang.

"General Chen Yongfu, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You have over 4,300 men under your command. Leave 1,100 men to assist in the defense of Nanyang's main city, and the remaining 3,200 men to immediately break camp and rush to Neixiang and Xixia Pass to reinforce the passes with all their might. Do not aim to annihilate them completely, but only to blunt their momentum. Remember, do not engage in open battle with the elite troops of the rebel army. Holding the line and defending the passes will be the greatest achievement!"

Chen Yongfu clasped his hands in a deep fist salute.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Zhang Da waved his hand slightly, turned his gaze to his deputy general Zuo Guangxian, and said in a deep voice, "Deputy General Zuo Guangxian!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Your 2,300 Shaanxi border troops are all elite cavalry and infantry, skilled in field battles and raids. You won't need to worry about defending the city; you'll have to take on the burden."

Zhang Da's finger traced the path of Nanzhao County, north of Nanyang City. "You will lead two thousand elite troops north to Nanzhao, guarding the Sanya Pass in the Funiu Mountains. Primarily cavalry, send out light cavalry scouts thirty li daily. Encounter any small groups of rebel troops and annihilate them immediately. If you encounter the main force, retreat to the pass, forming a defensive alliance with Chen Yongfu's troops. Leave three hundred men to garrison the outskirts of Nanyang City, responsible for relaying military intelligence. If the main city is attacked, return immediately to its defense!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

Zhang nodded, then turned his gaze to Lieutenant General Liu Hongji.

"Lieutenant General Liu Hongji! Your unit of 1,100 men is stationed at Fangcheng to guard the eastern passage to Nanyang."

"General Ma Jinlu! Your 900 men are stationed in Wuyang to guard against bandits roaming from the direction of Ruzhou. At the same time, you are to gather the refugees in the surrounding area. If you encounter the main force of the rebel army, you must immediately abandon the city and retreat to Nanyang to preserve your strength. Do not linger in battle."

"Zhou Shilu, guerrilla commander, your unit of six hundred men is specifically responsible for the defense of Nanyang City. Anyone who dares to spread rumors, mislead the public, or collude with the rebels will be executed on the spot!"

"Commander Wang Dingguo, your unit of five hundred men is stationed at Xiaodian Pass, between Nanzhao and Nanyang. Your duties include relaying military intelligence, receiving the fleeing troops of Zuo Guangxian, and guarding the transport of supplies. Anyone who dares to abandon their post will be punished according to military law!"

Finally, Zhang Da looked at Huang Degong, who was coming to reinforce from the direction of Yunyang. Although he was a guest general, his troops were all elite and formidable. "General Huang Degong!"

Huang Degong strode forward, his voice booming, "Your subordinate is here!"

"Your 1,500 elite troops are the general reserve force for the Nanyang defense line, stationed at the Dragon King Temple, ten miles south of Nanyang City. Your unit need not engage in battle lightly. Only when the defense lines are in danger should you lead your troops to attack and defeat the enemy in one blow. Do you understand?"

Huang Degong clasped his hands in greeting and replied, "This subordinate obeys! I will await your orders and rush to your aid at any time!"

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Da's skillful deployment of over 11,600 troops from Nanyang and Yunyang resulted in the complete annihilation of all soldiers.

After all the generals had received their orders, and the Zhenlu Hall was silent, Lieutenant General Ma Jinlu stepped forward first, clasped his hands, and asked...

"Commander Zhang, your defense arrangements are flawless; I am utterly convinced! However, there is still one question: in your opinion, how many days will Li Zicheng's army besiege Nanyang?"

Upon hearing this, the generals echoed his sentiments and all looked at Zhang Da.

Zhang Da knows nothing!

However, in order to boost morale, he still walked to the map, closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, his mind rapidly processing the data.

Li Zicheng is currently reorganizing his troops and gathering refugees at his old camp in Lushi, which will take two days to assemble his main force; the mountain road from Lushi to Neixiang is rugged, and a forced march will take three days; if the pass at Neixiang is blocked, it will delay the journey by three days, so the total...

Zhang opened his eyes wide, and said, half-guessing, half-confused...

"Ten days."

"Starting today, on the morning of the tenth day, Li Zicheng's main force will surely be at the gates of Nanyang and launch the first attack!"

The room erupted in commotion, and the generals were startled. However, this time no one refuted Zhang Da; instead, the generals, emboldened by the deployment of their troops, began to shout and clamor.

"If the thief dares to come in ten days, he will never return!"

Just as the generals were filled with high spirits and their fighting spirit was soaring, Zhang Da had other plans in mind.

Now that I'm not very useful anymore, where should I go?

These generals appeared to be extremely loyal, but in the chaos of war, when armies collapsed like a house of cards, many surrendered.

In the major battle with Li Zicheng a few days later, a considerable number of generals will surrender to Li Zicheng due to their defeat...

Given that Nanyang's defenses were already weak, if the troops outside the city were to be defeated... he would be basically doomed if he were trapped inside.

Zhang Da was unwilling to so easily entrust his life to these Ming army generals.

Just then, Zhou Shilu, seeing Zhang Da deep in thought, asked in confusion.

"Commander Zhang, we are all responsible for defense and have our own duties. So...where do you plan to be stationed?"

Is there even a question? As the military supervisor and vice commissioner, Zhang Da is in charge of all the armies. He should be stationed at the Nanyang Prefectural Government Office, directing and coordinating the overall situation from the center!

However, Zhang Da smiled faintly at this moment, contrary to everyone's wishes.

"Generals, I have made all the necessary arrangements for defense, troop strength, and tasks. Each defensive line has a commander in charge. Commanding on the battlefield and adapting to changing circumstances are your duties. My staying in Nanyang City would be nothing more than sitting and discussing strategies, which would be of no benefit to the war effort."

Upon hearing this, the generals suddenly had a bad feeling.

Then Zhang Dayong pointed to the Sanya Pass, where Zuo Guangxian's troops were stationed north of Nanyang City, and said in a deep voice...

"I have decided not to remain in the main city of Nanyang, but to immediately proceed to Sanya Road and join Vice General Zuo Guangxian's cavalry battalion in garrisoning!"

"What?!"

The generals were shocked, and Chen Yongfu quickly stepped forward to dissuade them.

"Commander Zhang, you absolutely mustn't! Sanya Road is one of the main attack routes for the rebel army. The battle is fraught with danger. As the supervising officer, you are in charge of commanding all the troops. How can you risk your life to go to the front-line pass? If anything happens to you, the morale of the Nanyang army will surely be thrown into chaos!"

Zuo Guangxian also quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

"My lord, although my unit has elite troops, arrows are merciless and swords have no eyes on the battlefield. How can you, with your precious health, remain on the front lines? I am confident that I can hold Sanya Road; there is no need for you to personally go to this dangerous place!"

Generals such as Huang Degong and Liu Hongji also spoke out to dissuade him, all believing that Zhang Da, as the commander-in-chief, should sit in the center and not take such a risk.

Staying in the city, the real danger would be if you sold me out!

Zhang Da raised his hand to stop the crowd from dissuading him.

"Gentlemen, there is no need for further words. Since I am bound to live and die with you all, I cannot hide in the city and enjoy peace. Sanya Road is the northern barrier of Nanyang, and the fighting is fiercest here. My presence here can boost morale and allow me to deploy troops from the northern route at any time, which is far more useful than sitting in the city."

He looked at the generals, feigning sincerity.

"Moreover, our soldiers are fighting valiantly on the front lines; how can I, an officer, hide in the rear and live a life of ignominy? Only when the commander-in-chief and the soldiers live and die together can the entire army fight with all its might!"

These words brought tears to the eyes of the generals, who all praised them.

"Our esteemed commander has risked his life to fight alongside us on the battlefield. Such a commander is a rare find indeed! Even if we are shattered to pieces, we will defend Nanyang and live up to your trust!"

"This humble general will fight to the death to protect the Vice Commander Zhou, and defend Sanya Road to the last man!"

The other generals also knelt down and shouted in unison.

"We are willing to fight to the death with you, Commander! We will not retreat until Nanyang falls!"

However, Zhang Da only hoped that if the army suffered a crushing defeat, he could break through with the cavalry battalion, either retreating back to Shaoyang or fighting in Huguang, there would always be a glimmer of hope.

Zhang Da pretended to help the generals up.

"Gentlemen, please rise. Time is of the essence. Return to your respective defense zones immediately, reorganize your troops, and strengthen your defenses. Remember, I stand with you to the death."