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

Nanyang City

The rebel army, which had already stormed into the city, suddenly retreated like a tide, leaving behind only tents, weapons, and scattered corpses outside the city, like... like stray dogs.

In the very center of Nanyang City, Chen Yongfu and Huang Degong led their remaining troops to retreat to the central street. They had long since run out of ammunition and food, and more than half of their soldiers had been killed or wounded. All of them wore expressions of despair. Some felt that Ren Ci was ready to surrender, while others were preparing to commit suicide to save their reputation.

Suddenly, the shouts of the rebel army subsided, the dust settled, and the army retreated. Everyone was filled with astonishment and disbelief.

Chen Yongfu, leaning on his broken spear, staggered up the city wall, gazing in the direction the rebel army had retreated, tears streaming down his face.

"They've retreated... The thieves have really retreated..."

Huang Degong was also overjoyed, beating his chest and stamping his feet.

"Quickly! Gather the remaining troops, reassure the people, close the city gates again, and hold the city while awaiting reinforcements!"

When the news spread, the soldiers and civilians in Nanyang City, who had been in despair, cheered and shouted. The whole city was filled with the joy of surviving a disaster.

The soldiers spread the news, and the people burned incense and prayed.

Meanwhile, deep in the Funiu Mountains, Zhang Dazheng led five hundred elite troops in a rapid eastward retreat, with thousands of rebel cavalry in hot pursuit, their hooves echoing as the distance between them continued to close.

Zhang Da cursed loudly as he spurred his horse forward at breakneck speed, fearing he would be caught.

"Pass on my order!" Zhang Da ordered in a deep voice, "The entire army will retreat in three routes! The main force will follow my personal guard captain and return to Luoyang along the main road, following General Wang's footsteps."

They took a mountain path, detouring to Yiyang to distract the enemy.

I will lead a hundred elite troops, taking the northern fork in the road to lure the pursuers towards Xiong'er Mountain, drawing them deep into our territory before seeking an opportunity to escape!

The generals were all shocked upon hearing this and knelt down to dissuade him.

"My lord, you mustn't! Xiong'er Mountain is treacherous and desolate. It's far too dangerous for you to lead only a hundred men to lure the enemy! We are willing to follow you to cover your retreat!"

How can this be? How am I supposed to escape if there are too many people?

In Zhang Da's view, it made no difference whether there were five hundred or a thousand men; if Li Zicheng caught up, they would all die. It was better to take fewer men and run into the mountains, where their chances of escape might be greater.

"No need for further words!" Zhang waved his hand firmly. "I alone will lead the pursuers away, and all three armies will escape safely! Remember, upon returning to Luoyang, immediately close the city gates, strengthen defenses, and await my return! If I do not return within three days, report this battle to Commander Yang; do not worry about me!"

Having said that, Zhang Da no longer hesitated. He led a hundred elite soldiers to turn their horses around and gallop towards the fork in the road to the north. Along the way, they deliberately abandoned their armor and flags to create the illusion of a hasty escape and attract the attention of their pursuers.

The rebel general, seeing the Ming army on the north side with its bright flags and small numbers but commanding presence, fell for the trap. He abandoned the other two routes and led several thousand light cavalry in a full-scale northward pursuit, roaring that he would capture Zhang Da alive.

Without anyone slowing him down, Zhang Da's speed increased even more, deliberately choosing treacherous mountain paths. The northern slope of the Funiu Mountains was steep, with towering cliffs and rugged trails, making it difficult for runners to escape and even more difficult for pursuers to catch.

In addition, Zhang Da drove at high speed, deploying feints along the way. The rebel army's pursuit was blocked by trees at times and flags in the mountains at other times. They thought the Ming army had an ambush and dared not venture deep into the mountains, which greatly slowed down their pursuit.

Zhang Da fought off his pursuers for a day and a night, gradually widening the gap between them...

The following day at noon, Zhang Da led a hundred men to shake off the pursuers and arrived at Changshui Town, where they joined up with the main force led by Wang Shaoyu.

Wang Shaoyu, who had escaped, was overjoyed to see Zhang Da return safely. He led his entire army to kneel and welcome him with thunderous cheers.

"My lord! You're finally back!" Wang Shaoyu feigned tears of joy, bowing deeply. "I've sent men to scout ahead; Luoyang is safe. The main force of the rebel army has retreated to the western Henan mountains and dares not pursue them any further!"

"Damn it, even after all this, they still won't help me."

Zhang Da, wanting to ignore this person, wearily addressed the generals.

"The entire army will rest for one hour, then immediately depart and return to Luoyang!"

On November 14th of the twelfth year of the Chongzhen reign (1644), Zhang Da led his surprise attack army back safely to Luoyang.

Wang Shaoyu had already sent a messenger ahead to report the victory. Inside Luoyang, Prince Fu Zhu Changxun and Governor Li Xianfeng were both surprised and delighted to learn of the great victory in the surprise attack, the burning of the rebel army's supplies, and the lifting of the siege of Nanyang. They felt a great weight lifted off their shoulders.

Zhu Changxun, unlike his usual stingy and timid self, personally led all the civil and military officials of Luoyang out of the city for ten miles to welcome him. The people of the whole city also lined the streets to cheer, eager to catch a glimpse of the young vice commissioner's demeanor.

Upon seeing Zhang Da, Zhu Changxun quickly stepped forward, his obese body bowing deeply, his tone extremely respectful.

"Zhang Qianshi is truly a genius sent from heaven! He destroyed the foundation of the rebels and relieved the dangers of Luoyang and Nanyang. His merits are great for the country. On behalf of all the soldiers and civilians of the city, I thank Qianshi for his great kindness!"

Li Xianfeng also bowed in praise.

"Your Excellency, with three thousand light cavalry, launched a surprise attack over a thousand miles, burning the enemy's provisions and destroying their main camp, achieving a complete victory with minimal losses. Your strategy is unparalleled, and I admire you to the utmost!"

Zhang Da dismounted, returned the salute with clasped hands, and said calmly, "This is thanks to the soldiers' bravery and the Prince and Governor's efforts in holding the rear. I dare not take credit for it."

Thus, after Zhang Da entered the city, the entire city of Luoyang was shaken. The powerful and gentry who had previously looked down on Zhang Da now all came to visit him, bringing generous gifts and treating him with utmost respect; the soldiers guarding the city and the people within the city all praised Zhang Da's reputation and regarded him as a pillar of the Central Plains.

Prince Fu immediately ordered that gold and silver from the Prince's Palace be used to reward all the soldiers and provide compensation for the wounded and the injured. He also held a grand banquet in the Prince's Palace to welcome Zhang Da and celebrate his victory. The level of courtesy he received far exceeded that of any other official in the past.

Meanwhile, in the western Henan mountains, the enraged Li Zicheng led his remaining troops back to the depths of the Funiu Mountains. At this time, their food supplies were exhausted, morale was low, and most of the soldiers deserted. Of the original 30,000 troops, only about 10,000 remained, mostly the old, weak, sick, and disabled. They were forced to go into hiding to rest and recuperate. In the short term, they were no longer able to attack Nanyang and Luoyang, and the situation in the Central Plains suddenly eased...

Inside Nanyang City, Chen Yongfu and Huang Degong rallied the remaining troops, comforted the people, and repaired the city's defenses. When they learned that it was Zhang Da who had risked his life to launch a surprise attack on Li Zicheng's rear, they were instantly moved to tears and were completely impressed by his strategy.

At this point, the Ming armies in Nanyang and Luoyang were both under Zhang Da's command, and the young Vice Commissioner's reputation shook the Central Plains.

Zhang Da didn't stay in Luoyang for long. In fact, the so-called victory banquet was just a quick bite before he prepared to bid farewell to Prince Fu. After all, the remaining battles should be handled by the locals, and his continued presence wouldn't be of much use.

It's time to go back.

Meanwhile, Prince Fu of Luoyang, Chen Yongfu of Nanyang, Huang Degong, and others also wrote memorials about the battles that had taken place in the area and sent them to the capital.

So, on the third day after Zhang Da's triumphant return to Luoyang, Prince Fu once again stood at the gates of Luoyang.

"Why don't you stay a few more days, sir? Are you really planning to leave?"

Prince Fu was still very reluctant to part with the person in front of him. After all, as long as he was there, he could basically live a life of eating, drinking, and having fun without having to worry about anything.

"Prince Fu, please don't worry."

After Zhang Da pretended to be reluctant to part with Prince Fu and said a few more words, they finally parted ways when they had nothing more to say.

"Set off, back to Xiangyang"