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

The officials, gentry, and local bullies from the four counties who accompanied Zhang Da were terrified upon hearing his verdict. They collapsed to their knees, their faces smeared with mud, and then begged for mercy, a sight that sent chills down the spines of those who heard it.

"Brother! You absolutely mustn't!"

"Young Master! You mustn't!" Little Zhuge hurriedly stepped forward and whispered his dissuasion, "Even if your appointment had been officially approved, Zhou Tingchen is a county magistrate appointed by the court. To execute him without the court's permission would likely arouse suspicion! It would be better... better to detain him first, report to Governor Yang, and await the court's decree before taking further action. That would be much safer!"

Li Er also stepped forward, sword in hand, to stop him.

"Brother, Wenqu is right. We have just stabilized Hunan and our foundation is not yet solid. We cannot give others a handle to use against us. These corrupt officials and wicked gentry have committed heinous crimes and cannot escape. Even if we delay their execution for a few days, we will not be able to swallow their sins."

"You don't need to persuade me anymore."

As if he had made up his mind, Zhang Da pointed at the corpses scattered all over the ground and roared...

"Today I will kill these beasts. Let's see if I can still hold this official position! Countless innocent people are suffering, their wails echoing across the land. These wronged souls deserve to be released. In chaotic times, severe punishments are necessary! Today I will act on behalf of Heaven to execute this corrupt official, to appease public anger and restore order!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Da walked up to a cavalryman, snatched the broadsword from his hand, and saw Zhou Tingchen, the magistrate of Xinhua County, collapse to the ground, defecating and urinating, screaming in agony.

"Mind your life, Vice-Commander! I know my crime! I beg your mercy, Your Excellency!"

A flash of cold light...

After Zhou Tingchen let out a scream, the head fell to the ground, and blood gushed out.

The head rolled in the mud and snow, blood gushing from the severed neck, staining a patch of snow red.

Upon seeing this, the remaining officials and gentry completely collapsed. Some fainted on the ground, while others kowtowed frantically, their cries of "Spare us! We are willing to return our land and distribute our money and grain! We beg you, Your Excellency, to spare our lives!"

"Drag them away and take them into custody."

Zhang Da sheathed his sword, wiped away the blood droplets, and the blade once again gleamed coldly. He glanced at the crowd and began to set the rules.

"From this day forward, in Baoqing's four counties and one prefecture, any official who is corrupt, abuses power, levies exorbitant taxes, or conceals disasters; any local gentry or powerful figure who seizes fertile land, hoards goods, or preys on the people, regardless of rank or power, shall be executed on the spot! Their property shall be confiscated and their land distributed to the poor and weak! Anyone who dares to commit another offense will suffer the same fate as these beasts."

The surviving villagers, who had been huddled in the corners of their dilapidated houses, trembling with fear, were startled by these words. They then prostrated themselves on the ground, wailing and weeping, their cries echoing through the mountains.

"Long live Judge Zhang! Long live the Vice Commissioner!"

Zhang Da was very satisfied and returned the blood-stained knife after wiping it clean.

"Detain all corrupt officials and disgraced gentry in the four counties and await further orders! Immediately open the granaries to distribute grain to the disaster victims and appease the people. Only retain the approved public grain; exempt all additional taxes and levies. Repair the city defenses, appease the displaced people, restore production, and revitalize central Hunan!"

"Here you go!"

Zhang Wen, Zhou Wenqu, Li Er, Sun Min and other core subordinates responded with a resounding roar, their morale soaring.

The soldiers received their orders and immediately went to the four counties. They acted swiftly and decisively, and the people rejoiced as soon as the decrees were issued, bringing a sense of renewal to the barren land.

On that day, Zhang Da set up a branch office in the Wugang Prefecture government to coordinate operations.

Since Wugang was originally the territory of the Min King, who was arrogant and had seized countless farmlands and the state granaries were all hoarded by the king. However, Zhang Da did not give him any face and immediately ordered that all the farmland, granaries, gold, silver and valuables that he had seized be confiscated and used for relief, city construction and military support.

Prince Zhu Qifeng of Min was used to being arrogant and extravagant, so how could he bear such humiliation?

Relying on his status as a member of the imperial family, he even spoke rudely. However, Zhang Da just wanted to make an example of him. How could Prince Min, Zhu Qifeng, compare to Prince Fu? How many soldiers did he have?

Zhang Da sent men directly to him, rebuking him for "abusing the people and harming the country, like a parasite," and then dispatched troops to surround his palace, where they remained locked in a stalemate.

Three days later, the Prince of Min personally went out of his palace to apologize to Zhang Da, promising that he would not do anything that violated the laws of the court again.

From then on, the central Hunan region was shaken, and no powerful figure dared to provoke him again.

In the following days, Zhang Da remained in Wugang, no longer putting on an act, and directly regarded himself as the master of the entire central Hunan, issuing decrees and investigating the corruption of officials in the four counties.

Unfortunately, the investigation revealed a shocking truth: almost every county and prefectural official was corrupt, from petty extortion to major embezzlement of relief funds. Clerks and local gentry colluded with each other. Zhang Da initially intended to use a drastic measure, executing them all, but the number of offenders was simply too large. He had no choice but to order the most serious crimes to be executed in the marketplace, their heads displayed at the city gates; those with minor offenses were dismissed from their posts, stripped of their titles, their homes confiscated, and imprisoned; only a few honest and upright officials were spared, promoted exceptionally, and temporarily appointed to their posts. He then selected loyal and courageous men from the army and sent them to the four counties to manage government affairs and fill the vacancies.

Under Zhang Da's thunderous rebuke, the four counties gradually saw a cleansing of officialdom and a sweeping away of long-standing malpractices.

The people of central Hunan had never seen such a courageous and principled official who stood up for them. As a result, the name "Zhang Qingtian" spread far and wide, and refugees flocked to him in droves, causing a surge in the population of Shaoyang, Wugang, Xinhua and other places.

That afternoon, Zhang Da was looking at the confiscated erotic books, thinking that after the cleanup was nearly complete, he must have a good intimate time with Yang Qianqian and Zhou Nianhui.

I'm really angry right now!

Suddenly, a guard rushed in and said, "Reporting to the lord, a special envoy from the capital has arrived outside the prefectural government office and requests an audience with you."

"Special envoy?" Zhang Da paused, raising his eyes. "That eunuch from last time?"

"Exactly."

"Moreover, the eunuch was respectful and did not carry any ceremonial entourage. He only brought a dozen or so eunuchs with him and waited quietly outside the door, not daring to enter without permission."

Good timing!

Zhang Da put down his pen and smiled faintly.

Last time in Shaoyang, this damned eunuch demanded bribes and was arrogant and rude. This time, however, he is so respectful. It must be because the imperial court has bestowed rewards upon him, and he knows that he is no longer the same as before, holding real military and political power in central Hunan, so he dares not be disrespectful anymore.

Thinking of this, Zhang Da's smile grew even stronger.

"Please let him in."

Before long, a eunuch dressed in a scarlet palace attendant's robe slowly entered. He had a fair complexion and humble features; he was none other than Eunuch Liu, who had delivered the imperial decree last time.

As expected, upon entering, he bowed respectfully with hands clasped, a broad smile on his face, and spoke in an extremely humble tone.

"Zhang Qianshi, it's been several months since I last saw you, and your demeanor is even more impressive than before. You command four counties and one prefecture, your power is awe-inspiring in central Hunan, you have repeatedly defeated bandits and brought peace to the southwest. This is truly commendable, and your future is limitless!"

Zhang Da stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful but not arrogant manner.

"Eunuch Liu has come a long way, enduring hardships. He must have come by imperial decree, and I, Zhang, await your arrival."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Da knew he was safe, but being able to hear the contents of the imperial edict firsthand was naturally a very enjoyable experience.

Eunuch Liu laughed

"Your Excellency is too impatient! But Your Excellency has performed an unparalleled feat. After the news of the victory reached the capital, His Majesty was overjoyed and praised you several times as 'a young man of loyalty and bravery, a pillar of the nation.' In addition, Governor Yang strongly recommended you to the court. No one in the court has any objections. Today, I have come to issue an imperial edict, officially appointing you as the Vice-Commander-in-Chief of the military and political affairs of Baoqing!"

Having said that, Eunuch Liu straightened his expression, took out the bright yellow imperial edict, unfolded it, and said loudly...

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhang Da, a young leader of the righteous cause in Baoqing, Huguang, has abandoned darkness for light and vowed to serve the country. He led a light cavalry raid a thousand miles to overthrow the rebel leader's old camp, relieving the crisis in Nanyang. His merit is invaluable to the nation. He is hereby appointed as the Deputy Military Commissioner of Baoqing, Huguang, concurrently serving as the Councilor for Pacifying the People. He is in charge of the military and civil administration of four counties and one prefecture: Shaoyang, Xinhua, Xinning, Chengbu, and Wugang. He is subject to orders but not summons. He is responsible for collecting and disbursing his own taxes and provisions, recruiting and training his own troops, and appointing his own officials. The court will not send supervisors. He shall pay a fixed annual tribute of 5,000 shi of grain, with the remainder to be used locally. You shall be loyal and steadfast, pacify the region, resist the bandits, protect the southwest, and secure Jinghu. This decree is hereby issued."