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

From the ethereal emptiness, darkness was born. Within that darkness, a chill and a suffocating feeling gradually arose, along with the complaints of soldiers, the whispers of generals, and the howling of wind and snow—all swirling together and entering Zhang's brain.

"The main force of the rebels... their banners are pointing straight at Luoyang!"

Not Nanyang

It is Luoyang

How could this be!

Did I faint?

Zhang Da heard Zuo Guangxian's panicked shouts, the soldiers' commotion, and... a faint hint of relief and mockery.

"Lord Qianshi!"

"Lord Zhang!"

The cold snowflakes hit my face, and a sharp pain shot through my philtrum.

Whether from the cold or from being pinched, Zhang Da woke up. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Zuo Guangxian and the other generals.

"My lord, you were just overcome with anger!"

Zhang Da propped himself up and sat up, feeling dizzy and weak all over. He coughed twice and glanced around. The soldiers at the pass had already stopped what they were doing and were gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

Then came the commotion.

A very obvious disturbance.

It wasn't fear, nor excitement... it was a restless feeling of relief.

Zhang Da's heart sank suddenly, a sense of foreboding washing over him, and he said in a hoarse voice...

"Why is there such a commotion in the military?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Guangxian's face showed both embarrassment and helplessness.

"Reporting to the Vice Commander, the scouts just now said that the main force of the rebels is advancing eastward, heading straight for Luoyang. I think the brothers have endured these seven days, suffering from both cold and hunger, and are already at their breaking point. Now that the rebels aren't coming, they are naturally relieved..."

"so what?"

"Therefore, I have already ordered the brothers to pack their belongings, break camp, and return to Nanyang City to rest. After all, since the enemy is not attacking Nanyang, there is no point in us staying here in this freezing cold."

"What did you say?!"

Zhang Da suddenly stood up, his anger, which had not yet subsided, surged to his head again, and he almost fainted again.

"Zuo Guangxian! Who gave you permission to do this?! Do you know what you're doing?! This Sanya Road is the throat of western Henan, and you think you can just retreat like that?!"

Zuo Guangxian looked troubled and bowed.

"My lord, I had no choice but to do this. The brothers are already full of complaints. If we force them to stay here, they might mutini even before the rebels attack! Besides..."

"..."

Zhang Da was speechless.

While unconscious, Zhang Daquan finally understood.

Li Zicheng's claim of attacking Luoyang is definitely a lie! You have to know that Luoyang was not captured until the fourteenth year of Chongzhen's reign, when the Prince of Fu was roasted like a pig. Could Li Zicheng have besieged it for two years in a row?

No way! If he were that capable, why would he need to attack Luoyang? He would have headed straight north already!

This must be a feint! A diversionary tactic! A show of force, a pretense of attacking Luoyang to lull the Nanyang defenders into a false sense of security, before suddenly turning around and launching a full-scale assault on Nanyang!

Traitor!

However, before Zhang Da could explain to those around him that since the news of Li Zicheng had spread, it was too late to say anything now.

Even if Zhang Da forces them not to retreat, what good will it do? General Chen of Neixiang, Lieutenant General Liu of Fangcheng, and Lieutenant General Ma of Wuyang, their soldiers have long been unable to endure it. Now that they know that the rebels are attacking Luoyang, they will surely withdraw their defenses and return to protect themselves.

If one place is withdrawn, then everyone will withdraw, and the entire Nanyang defense line will collapse in an instant! At that time, what use will Zhang Da's lone battle be?

Zhang Daxin's painstakingly constructed Nanyang defense line, set up over several days, collapsed without a fight.

He lost before he even faced Li Zicheng head-on or had a chance to use his strategies.

A crushing defeat.

A deep sense of frustration, like the swirling snow, completely enveloped Zhang Da.

"Haha...hahaha..."

Zhang Da suddenly let out a low, bitter laugh, his laughter hoarse and helpless...

Only your own soldiers are the ones you can use effectively!

"That's enough...that's enough..."

Zhang Da slowly closed his eyes, waved his hand, and his voice was utterly exhausted.

"If you want to retreat, then retreat... Issue the order: all defensive lines are to be withdrawn to Nanyang and hold the city..."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Guangxian and the others immediately beamed with joy and bowed, replying, "Yes, Your Majesty! This subordinate will make the arrangements immediately!"

As everyone turned to leave, preparing to break camp, Zhang Da suddenly opened his eyes. The weariness and despair in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an almost obsessive determination.

"etc!"

He sternly stopped Zuo Guangxian, as if he had made up his mind.

"Left Vice General, lend me a hundred elite cavalry."

Zuo Guangxian was taken aback and asked in confusion.

"My lord, now that we are about to retreat to Nanyang, what use do you have for cavalry?"

"Go to Luoyang! Li Zicheng is using a feint attack in one direction while his main attack is still aimed at Nanyang. I need to go to Luoyang to personally persuade the governor."

Listening to Zhang Da's frantic words, Zuo Guangxian and the surrounding generals stared at him in disbelief.

Now that Luoyang has become the target of everyone's anger, Zhang Da isn't afraid... That's right, he was personally sent by the Grand Marshal, so if Luoyang falls, he won't be able to escape responsibility either.

However, it's still necessary to offer advice.

"My lord! Luoyang is the main target of the rebel forces, and it must be heavily besieged and fraught with danger! If you go to Luoyang, it will be tantamount to walking into a trap, with a slim chance of survival!"

"Moreover, the Prince of Fu, General Wang, and Governor Li in Luoyang... probably won't listen to you."

Zhang Da remained unmoved.

"My mind is made up, no further words are needed!"

Writing letters to persuade these incompetent fools is useless; I must go to Luoyang in person.

Besides... if you can't persuade them, you can still escape, right?

It's the same old story: as long as someone can send troops from Luoyang to launch a surprise attack on Lushi, Luoning, and Yiyang, the situation in Henan will surely be resolved!

We still need to do our best.

Zuo Guangxian finally agreed to Zhang Da's request and personally selected one hundred elite cavalry for him.

At the pass, the soldiers who were preparing to retreat stopped what they were doing when they heard Zuo Guangxian's shout and saw Zhang Da. They silently watched the boy in the wind and snow.

In their eyes, Zhang Da dared to go to Luoyang, which was about to be besieged, for the sake of Nanyang, for the people, and for the crumbling Ming Dynasty.

What an extraordinary person!

Finally, at Zhang Da's command, the cavalrymen surrounded him, turned their horses around, and galloped northwards towards Luoyang, braving the swirling snow.

Horse hooves trampled the snow, splashing up snowflakes.

In the wind and snow, the young knight's figure grew farther and farther away, gradually disappearing into the vast white snow.

At the Sanya Pass, Zuo Guangxian led the remaining soldiers, standing silently, gazing in the direction they had left, remaining silent for a long time.

The wind and snow intensified.

Zhang Da spurred his horse and galloped wildly. The cold wind was like a knife, cutting painfully against his face. But he didn't care at all; only one thought occupied his mind.

For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, for the sake of the people, and for the sake of my own career, I must protect Nanyang!

We must win!