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

When Zhang Da uttered the words "Luoyang cannot be lost," the three were shocked, followed by fury.

What kind of happy occasion is this? It's just burying your head in the sand.

Before Li Xianfeng and Wang Shaoyu could roll their eyes at Zhang Da, Zhang Da began to explain his reasoning.

What, Li Zicheng was just bluffing, using a feint to attack in the west?

Luoyang was a fortified city with powerful cannons, while Nanyang had few soldiers and generals.

In the end, Zhang Da even offered his head as collateral, swearing a solemn oath that Li Zicheng would definitely attack Nanyang!

Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, remained slumped in his armchair, his expression shifting from surprise to doubt, then from doubt to bewilderment. Military and state affairs, strategies and tactics, were like abstract theories to him. He couldn't understand a single word of Zhang Da's technical explanations.

However, he also knew one thing: it seemed that the rebel leader might not attack Luoyang anymore, and judging from the appearances of Wang Shaoyu and Li Xianfeng beside him, it seemed that Zhang Da was not talking nonsense...

Then a rough, labored breath rolled down his throat, and his fat hand pointed tremblingly at Zhang Da.

"Zhang, Vice Commissioner Zhang... According to you, that bandit Li Zicheng really isn't going to attack Luoyang?"

Before Zhang Da could speak, Li Xianfeng stroked his beard and nodded, his expression gradually turning relaxed, as if everything was under control.

"Your Highness, what Vice Commissioner Zhang said is indeed very true. Luoyang is a high-lying city with deep moats and complete military defenses. With Your Highness in charge, if the enemy were to launch a rash attack and besiege the fortified city for too long, the government troops from Huguang and Shaanxi would gather from all sides, and the enemy would have no way to escape."

Wang Shaoyu echoed his sentiments, his earlier cowardice vanishing completely.

"The governor is absolutely right! The rebel's banners are pointing east, clearly a bluff to lull our Luoyang garrison into a false sense of security. Once the defenses of Nanyang are relaxed, he will suddenly turn back and launch a full-scale attack. This is precisely the kind of feint attack he's employing, a strategy of weakening the enemy before strengthening them!"

Just moments before, the two had been as anxious as stray dogs, fearing the fall of Luoyang and the loss of their lives; now, however, they felt a surge of relief and secret joy.

Zhu Changxun, already somewhat naive, listened to the two men's back-and-forth banter, every word of which resonated with his own thoughts. His fat face immediately broke into a wide grin, his eyes narrowing into slits, and he exclaimed repeatedly...

"Good! Good! It's good that we won't attack Luoyang! It's good that we won't attack Luoyang! As long as I am safe and Luoyang is unharmed, let Li Zicheng go to Nanyang if he wants, what does it have to do with me!"

After his initial joy, he found Zhang Da increasingly pleasing to the eye, feeling as if he were a lucky star who had dispelled his worries. He immediately raised his hand, intending to summon his attendants to fetch gold, silver, and silk as a reward.

"Zhang Qianshi has come from afar to bring this good news; his service is commendable. Men, fetch…"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Changxun's smile vanished instantly.

Although this man was travel-worn and looked tired, he didn't seem like someone who had come to Luoyang specifically to curry favor with me.

This person must have ulterior motives! And they're far-reaching.

"Zhang Qianshi, you braved the snow to come to Luoyang, surely not just to say these words and ask for a reward from me? If you have something to say, speak frankly, there's no need to hold back."

Zhang Da was waiting for this sentence, so he immediately stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Highness is wise. I have come here to offer a brilliant plan that can defeat the enemy in one battle, pacify Henan, and enable Your Highness to achieve unparalleled merit, become famous throughout the land, and enjoy wealth and honor for ten thousand years!"

"Oh? Please elaborate." Zhu Changxun had heard too many flattering, exaggerated, and boastful remarks, so he didn't react much to Zhang Da's words. He only asked because Zhang Da had just brought him good news.

"We urge Your Highness to prioritize the overall situation in the Central Plains, and to dispatch elite troops from Luoyang at double speed to strike directly at the stronghold of the rebel leader, encompassing Lushi, Luoning, and Yiyang!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the temperature inside the hall plummeted.

The last trace of a smile vanished from Zhu Changxun's face, his fat face flushed crimson, and he became furious. However, he was too slow; before it was his turn, Wang Shaoyu, disregarding his previous composure, began to hurl insults.

"Outrageous! Zhang Da, how dare you! You actually instigate the Prince to mobilize troops out of the city?"

"Even if the rebel leader doesn't attack Luoyang, who can guarantee he won't turn back halfway and launch a surprise attack on our army? If the troops in Luoyang move, the city will be left vulnerable. If we lose it, who will bear the consequences for the prince's life, the prince's wealth, and the people of the city?"

"You want to risk the Prince's life and fortune for the safety of your city of Nanyang? This is outrageous! Your Highness, this is utterly rebellious!!!"

Wang Shaoyu's voice and expression were fierce, his arms were bared, and he was filled with rage; he was clearly genuinely furious.

After all, if Prince Fu really agreed, he would be the first to lead troops out of the city...

Zhang had anticipated this reaction, but his expression remained unchanged as he continued to persuade him in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, this is a golden opportunity to defeat the rebels. The main force of the rebels has been mobilized and is rushing south to Nanyang. Our army only needs a few thousand light cavalry to march at double speed. We don't need to fight a bloody battle. We just need to burn the grain and make a show of force. When the rebels hear this, their morale will be thrown into chaos and they will collapse without a fight!"

"If Your Highness trusts the garrison of Nanyang, you could even send elite troops to raid their rear, attacking from both the north and south. Li Zicheng will surely be captured! The world can be at peace!"

"On the contrary, if we sit idly by and watch the rebels breach Nanyang, there will be no more important cities in the Central Plains to stop them. The rebels will only grow stronger, and their next target will surely be Luoyang. At that time, the city will fall, people will die, all the wealth will be taken by the rebels, and your wives, concubines, and children will be lost. What use will your vast fortune be then?"

"How dare you! You lowly clerk, how dare you spout such heretical nonsense!"

Humans are lazy and ignorant.

At this point, Zhu Changxun wouldn't listen to a word, and interrupted sharply, "Enough! No more words! My mind is made up. Not a single soldier from Luoyang will be allowed to leave the city!"

According to the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty, princes were not allowed to interfere in local military and political affairs and had no right to mobilize troops. However, Zhu Changxun was the beloved son of Emperor Shenzong and the uncle of the current emperor. His favor and privileges surpassed those of all other princes, and all civil and military officials in Luoyang depended on him and acted according to his wishes.

Governor Li Xianfeng was mediocre and cowardly, and General Wang Shaoyu was greedy and afraid of death. Both of them were opportunists who knew how to protect themselves. Zhu Changxun was the one who had the final say in Luoyang, so they dared not disobey him in the slightest.

Zhang Da knew things were going badly and could only look at Li Xianfeng. Theoretically, Li Xianfeng was the highest commander in Luoyang, and if troops were to be mobilized, he carried some weight.

"Governor Li and General Wang, both of you are officials appointed by the imperial court and have a duty to defend the territory. If Nanyang falls, Luoyang will surely suffer; if the rebel Li Zicheng is not defeated, the Central Plains will never have peace. Why don't you two persuade the Prince to seize this heaven-sent opportunity and work together to defeat the mad bandits?"

However, Li Xianfeng remained timid and indecisive, his gaze darting away, shaking his head repeatedly, and offering a forced smile while bowing.

"Zhang Qianshi, Your Highness is wise and thorough in your considerations. The defense of Luoyang is of utmost importance, and the troops should not be moved lightly. This matter... should be discussed at length."

Wang Shaoyu was even more direct, standing with his arms crossed and speaking in a cold tone.

"Commander Zhang, our duty is to defend Luoyang, not to suppress bandits. Let the rebels go wherever they want, as long as they don't attack Luoyang, we'll be fine."

"..."

Zhang Da was speechless. Even though he knew these three were all incompetent fools, the fact that they could say such things to his face still left Zhang Da feeling powerless and angry. Then, a chill ran through his body and spread to his limbs.

They discarded the unparalleled merit that was offered to them and the easy opportunity to defeat the enemy as if it were worthless.

Content with a corner of the world, living a life of debauchery.

With such a prince, such a governor, and such a general, how could the Ming Dynasty not perish? How could the people of the Central Plains not suffer terribly?

"well"

Zhang Da sighed softly. In the end, he was still not important enough. Although he held the titles of Assistant Military Supervisor of Henan and Military Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief, and carried the Commander-in-Chief's token of Yang Sichang, in Luoyang, let alone himself, even Yang Sichang himself would have to give him face.

"Since Your Highness and the two gentlemen are determined not to send troops, I, Zhang, will say no more. Nanyang is my place of duty; even if I am torn to pieces, I will live and die with the people of Nanyang. Farewell!"

Having said that, he turned to leave. Seeing that he was about to leave, Zhu Changxun unusually spoke up to stop him, trying to win him over.

"Zhang Qianshi, wait! Nanyang is already a dangerous place. Why go back to your death? Why not stay in Luoyang? I will guarantee you wealth and honor! There are many concubines in this mansion. I will send you a few to serve you every day. I guarantee you will live a carefree and happy life. Why go to Nanyang and wade into that mess?"

With Zhang Da, the Assistant Commissioner, as a witness, Luoyang was naturally even more secure. Zhang Da, however, did not stop walking, his back to the three men.

"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated. However, as a subject of the Ming Dynasty, I have a duty to defend this land and dare not live in disgrace. Farewell!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped out of the Chengen Hall.

"Ungrateful and utterly foolish!"

Li Xianfeng and Wang Shaoyu exchanged a glance, both letting out a sigh of relief, and quickly bowed in flattery.

"His Highness is kind and benevolent, and cherishes talent. It's just that this Assistant Magistrate Zhang is too stubborn and refuses to listen to good advice; it's his fate."

Zhu Changxun waved his fat hand, completely forgetting about Zhang Da.

"Enough, enough, let him be! Prepare wine, summon the beauties, I need to calm my nerves!"

Inside Chengen Hall, the extravagant scene of silk and bamboo instruments, fine wine and beautiful women was restored, as if the famine and war outside had nothing to do with this magnificent palace.