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

Wugang back then was certainly not as glamorous and colorful as it is today.

Walking at night is difficult.

Even Zhang Da's Wugang headquarters

Speaking of the hot spring in the back garden of Wugang Prefecture, it was originally dug by Prince Zhu Qifeng of Min for his own enjoyment. He diverted hot spring water from the back mountain into the garden, built pools with bluestone, surrounded by carved stone railings, and planted with lush bamboo all around. It was secluded and elegant, and ordinary people were not allowed to approach. In addition, Zhang Da was extremely strict in managing his army, and the area inside and outside the headquarters was heavily guarded. The hot spring area was designated as an inner garden forbidden area, and apart from his trusted confidants, guards, and personal maids, no one else could get close.

So even without attendants, Zhang Da was not afraid. Alone, he walked along the winding path towards the hot spring in the back garden. At this time, the night breeze brushed his face, and the cool air was refreshing.

Zhang Da walked briskly, his mind filled with the gentle faces of the two women and their alluring actions, without the slightest vigilance—this place was already under the control of his trusted confidants, surrounded by guards, and the forbidden area was heavily guarded, so who could possibly harm him here?

As Zhang Da walked to the bamboo grove outside the hot spring, the moonlight was blocked by the bamboo leaves, making the surroundings even darker. Only two ram's horn lanterns beside the stone path emitted a dim yellow light, making the bamboo shadows sway and flicker.

Just then, a slender figure quietly emerged from the depths of the bamboo shadows, stood in the middle of the stone path, and blocked the way.

"Damn! You scared the hell out of me!"

To be fair, this entrance was truly frightening. Even Zhang Da was taken aback, stopped in his tracks, and felt his heart rate rise sharply.

The woman was dressed in a coarse blue dress, with a simple hairpin and a slender figure. Her hair was slightly disheveled, but her face was quite beautiful. However, her complexion was pale, her eyes were filled with tears, and she looked pitiful. Her gaze towards him was filled with sorrow and anxiety.

Damn, the more I look at it, the more it looks like it! Could it really be something dirty?

This was a forbidden area late at night, a secluded spot within the inner garden. Ordinary maids and servants would never linger here, let alone stand alone in the middle of the road.

"Who are you? Why are you lingering here so late at night? This is forbidden territory, leave immediately!"

Zhang Da mustered his courage and reprimanded, deliberately using the authority of a superior in his tone.

An ordinary woman would have run away after being frightened by Zhang Da like that, but this woman only trembled slightly, looked up, and tears instantly rolled down her cheeks like pear blossoms in the rain, her sorrow even more profound. Then, she bent her knees and knelt directly before Zhang Da, kowtowing and weeping.

"Waaaaah, I'm innocent! I'm innocent!"

The woman's voice choked with sobs, her pitiful tone particularly moving in the quiet night, evoking deep sympathy.

Seeing that the woman was alone, frail, and crying like that, Zhang Da's initial wariness vanished instantly.

"This woman doesn't seem like an assassin or a villain. She's probably someone's daughter who's been wronged and has nowhere to turn, so she's come to me to complain."

The evil old society!

"If you have any grievances, stand up and tell me."

However, the woman remained kneeling, weeping and pleading.

"Waaah! May I ask, Your Honor, do you know where Lord Zhang is? Only he can settle the score for the injustice I have suffered."

Oh my, this actually happened in our own fiefdom...

Showing off one's abilities in front of others is a very enjoyable thing, and Zhang Dayi also became interested and stopped hiding his identity.

"I am Zhang Da!"

The woman immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Zhang Da, pleading, "This humble woman...this humble woman begs Lord Zhang to do me justice!"

Zhang Da's expression shifted slightly. He stepped forward, getting closer to the woman, and said gently...

"Stand up and speak, there's no need to kneel. Since I am in charge of the military and political affairs of Baoqing, I am the official in charge of the people here. If you have any grievances, just tell me, and I will definitely help you."

"This humble woman dares not rise. I bear a grave injustice and have no choice but to beg Your Excellency to redress my grievances. If Your Excellency refuses to help me, I will have no choice but to die!"

"Tell me, what exactly is the injustice you have suffered? Have you been oppressed by corrupt officials, humiliated by powerful figures, or had your family members murdered and your property seized? If what you say is true, I will severely punish the culprits and bring you justice. Even if they are imperial relatives or powerful gentry, I will show them no mercy. I swear to uphold justice for you!"

Just kidding. Now that he's the boss here, Zhang Da really doesn't believe there's anything he can't solve. It's a perfect opportunity to publicize his love for the people and show his benevolence.

The woman's emotions calmed down a bit, and she slowly raised her head, looking at Zhang Da with teary eyes.

"My father is a loyal and righteous man, generous and kind, helping those in distress and saving countless lives. He has never done anything wrong, yet now he has been framed by villains and is in dire straits, his life hanging by a thread! I, alone, have traveled thousands of miles from Sichuan to central Hunan, enduring countless hardships, all to beg you, sir, to save my father's life!"

"Sichuan?" Zhang Da was taken aback, his brows furrowing slightly.

Why are people from Sichuan coming to me? My reputation for being upright, honest, and caring for the people has spread so far.

Wait, even so, there's nothing I can do. Sigh, I've overestimated myself.

Wait a minute... No, that's not right... My jurisdiction now only includes four counties and one prefecture in Baoqing, far away in central Hunan, thousands of miles away from Sichuan, with overlapping mountains and treacherous roads. This woman came all alone from Sichuan to find him to save her father, something seems a bit strange...

But then Zhang Da thought again, perhaps this woman had heard of his reputation and traveled a long distance to ask for his help.

It's worth noting that historical records also mention people who traveled for days through mountains just to catch a glimpse of Hai Rui, this upright official, only to turn back again after seeing him once.

After all, in times of chaos, it is not uncommon for people to be displaced and travel thousands of miles to seek help. Thinking about it this way, the doubts were suppressed.

"I'm afraid this matter isn't up to me," Zhang said. "My reach isn't that far, and even if it were, I couldn't do it, as it would easily arouse suspicion. However, I can report the injustice your father suffered to Governor Yang—who exactly is your father? Where in Sichuan is he located? Who harmed him? Tell me in detail, and don't panic."

The woman looked at him, her eyes filled with even greater sorrow, tears streaming down her face. She choked back sobs, speaking clearly, word by word.

"My father is Zhang Xianzhong, the Eighth King and the Great Western King! I beg you, sir, to save my father's life!"

"Zhang Xianzhong?!"

These three words, upon entering his ears, exploded like thunder in Zhang Da's ears.

broken

In an instant, the thought popped into Zhang Da's subconscious, causing his expression to change drastically, his pupils to shrink, and his blood to almost freeze!

In a flash, Zhang's mind raced, and he understood many things.

In order to survive, he cooperated with the imperial court and offered a plan to besiege Zhang Xianzhong... This matter didn't spread far, but anyone who looked into it would likely know.

Historical records indicate that Zhang Xianzhong had no biological daughters to carry on his legacy. Therefore, the woman in front of him who claims to be Zhang Xianzhong's daughter... is probably an assassin sent by Zhang Xianzhong to carry out his assassination!

At this thought, alarm bells rang in his mind, his hair stood on end, and he instinctively wanted to retreat and draw his sword to subdue the enemy.

But it was too late.

The woman, who had just been weak and kneeling on the ground weeping, changed her entire demeanor the moment she revealed her identity!

Her tears instantly dried, her sorrow vanished, and a deep-seated resentment and determination appeared on her beautiful face. Her eyes flashed with a cold light, like a drawn blade!

In an instant, Zhang Da felt a strong killing intent.

"Who are you……!"

Before Zhang Da could even finish shouting or react, he saw the woman spring up from the ground with a swift and ruthless movement, her body like an arrow! She was clearly a highly trained assassin!

As she rushed forward, the woman reached into her bosom with her left hand and pulled out a three-and-a-half-inch-long poisoned dagger. The blade was as thin as a cicada's wing, and even in the night, by reflecting the starlight, Zhang Da could still see the eerie blue light emanating from the blade...

"Give me your life!"

The woman shouted sharply, her voice like tearing silk, and thrust her dagger straight at Zhang Da's vital heart. Her move was ruthless and cunning, clearly indicating that she was determined to die with him and kill him on the spot!

Under this fierce killing intent, Zhang Da was no longer panicked... The adrenaline in his body made him react instantly. Zhang Da suddenly leaned back and used the dangerous military move "Iron Bridge". He used his waist and back to exert force, and his whole body was like a bent bow, barely avoiding the fatal stab!

The woman's dagger grazed his clothes, its cold edge cutting through the fabric and sending a gust of wind through him.

"Damn it, where's my knife?!"

No one would carry a knife while bathing, so Zhang Da could only firmly plant his feet on the bluestone slab. Then, using the momentum, he swung his right hand horizontally, using his palm as a knife, and struck heavily at the woman's wrist holding the dagger, intending to knock the weapon away.

However, the woman was prepared. With a slight twist of her wrist, the dagger slashed back in a cunning manner, and Zhang Da seized the opportunity to kick her.

Then, the force caused the two to instantly widen the distance to be five or six steps apart.

The two remained frozen in place.

Zhang Da couldn't run away easily, fearing the woman might throw a knife behind her; the blade that emitted a ghostly blue light was probably poisonous...

The woman was also a little exhausted from the strenuous exercise and was catching her breath...

"Young lady, I have no grudge against you, why are you doing this..."

As the adrenaline subsided, Zhang Da felt a fear he had never experienced before.

He was also afraid of death.

"You corrupt official! You aided and abetted the wicked, a lackey of the Ming Dynasty, flattering Yang Sichang, devising a plan to encircle and annihilate my Great Western Army, cutting off my father's escape route. Today, I will avenge my father and take your dog's life!"