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

The Dabashan Mountains, where Sichuan and Hubei meet, are shrouded in extremely dense, lingering fog that persists all day.

Between the Seven Luminaries Mountain and the Wushan Mountain lies the ancient Ba Salt Road, hidden in the dense forests and cliffs, which is being pounded by countless footsteps. This is the deadly road that Zhang Xianzhong risked his entire army's lives for, and also the lifeline that allowed him to deceive Yang Sichang, Zuo Liangyu, and He Renlong's hundreds of thousands of troops.

This road starts from Daning Saltworks in Sichuan in the west, passes through Tangjiaba and Tuchengzi, traverses the dense forests on the southern slope of Shennongjia, and connects to Zhushan and Fangxian in Huguang in the east. The entire route is more than 300 li long and no more than 1 zhang wide. In the most dangerous places, it can only accommodate one horse at a time.

Because this road is too difficult to travel, it is not suitable for marching. Since ancient times, only salt carriers were allowed to carry salt and heavy loads on this road. The government troops never set up defenses here, regarding it as a desolate path where "birds don't even defecate and beasts don't even perch."

However, no one could have predicted that Zhang Xianzhong, the "Eight Kings" who ruled over seven provinces, would gamble the breakout of tens of thousands of troops on this salt road that was so obscure it wasn't even marked on a map...

A few days ago, in the Daning Mountains of eastern Sichuan, the temporary headquarters of the Great Western Army was located.

The crackling campfire illuminated Zhang Xianzhong's scarred and menacing face.

Inside the tent stood four generals: Sun Kewang, Li Dingguo, Liu Wenxiu, and Ai Nengqi, all clad in armor and with solemn expressions.

"That old dog Yang Sichang has placed Zuo Liangyu at Daning Pass and nailed He Renlong to Jiudaoliang, locking us off by both land and water. If we don't leave soon, we'll starve to death in eastern Sichuan."

Zhang Xianzhong's voice was like a broken gong as he began to speak, "If we fight openly, we'll only face certain death. But if we take the salt road, pass through Shennongjia, and strike straight into the heart of Hubei and Hunan, we might have a way to survive."

Sun Kewang stepped forward and said in a deep voice

"Father, although the salt route is treacherous, it has one advantage—the people along the way are all starving, and we can quickly expand our forces by taking them with us. However... if the army breaks out lightly equipped, I'm afraid we won't be able to take all the supplies, provisions, and the elderly and weak with us."

"Discard the baggage train if possible, and let the old and weak travel slowly with the army. Let the vanguard cavalry break through the pass first!"

Zhang Xianzhong waved his hand decisively. In fact, the plans that needed to be prepared had already been laid out; this was just a formality.

"Three days later, Li Dingguo and Sun Kewang will feign an attack on Daning Pass, creating a false impression to distract that scoundrel Zuo Liangyu; I will personally lead 12,000 elite veterans in a night raid on the strategically important Baima Pass on the salt route. Once we breach the pass, we will be within half an hour of entering the territory of Huguang. Yang Sichang will then be unable to encircle us!"

Before the words had even finished, and before the generals could nod in approval, the tent flap suddenly rustled, and a slender figure quietly entered, kneeling and kowtowing.

"Father, there is one more thing. Zhang Da is a great threat to us. I am willing to go to Xiangzhong to assassinate Zhang Da and clear the way for the army."

The newcomer was dressed in a blue cloth outfit, simple clothes and a simple hairpin, but could not hide the heroic spirit and determination between his brows.

The woman was not Zhang Xianzhong's biological daughter, but the daughter of a salt worker at the Daning Saltworks. Her father was forced to death by the government army's exorbitant taxes, and she was sent to live with the army from a young age. Zhang Xianzhong adopted her as his goddaughter and named her Zhang Feng'e.

Since she was in the military, she naturally learned martial arts from a young age, was also literate, and understood righteousness, earning her the reputation of a "heroine" in the army.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xianzhong turned around abruptly as if stabbed in the back. The murderous glint in his eyes, which had been present during discussions of important military and political matters, vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of pity.

Throughout history, how many assassins have met a good end?

"Feng'e, you...you are a young woman, and Baoqing Prefecture is heavily guarded. Zhang Da is as cunning as a fox. You will face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death on this journey. Once captured, you will surely be subjected to cruel torture and humiliation. I will send other strong and capable soldiers. You can stay and fight alongside the army."

Zhang Feng'e shook her head in opposition, crawled half a step on her knees, kowtowed, and wept.

"Father, you may not know this, but I come from the salt trade and am familiar with the mountains and rivers of Sichuan and Hubei. I often disguise myself as a woman when I travel, so I am less likely to arouse suspicion. That young Zhang is arrogant and disdainful of everyone. He will not be wary of a weak woman. Only if I go can I strike him successfully."

She raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes, and continued...

"Besides, the soldiers are the seeds of national restoration; they should be fighting on the battlefield, not perishing among assassins. I am all alone, with no ties to anyone. If I can eliminate Zhang Da, this thorn in my side, I would gladly give my life!"

Brave man!

Zhang Xianzhong used somewhat inappropriate vocabulary to describe the woman before him, and gazing at this frail yet resolute woman, an indescribable sense of tragic grandeur surged within him.

What a brave warrior! With such a brave warrior, how could our army not be victorious?

Zhang Xianzhong stepped forward and personally helped Zhang Feng'e up. He then gently patted her shoulder with his rough hands, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Alright... I agree..."

Zhang Xianzhong didn't want anyone to see him shed tears over this matter, so he turned and pointed to the map, as if speaking to himself, but also as if addressing the woman and the other generals in the tent.

"Three days from now, at midnight, our army will launch a surprise attack on Baima Pass and breach it at dawn. You should make your move two days before the pass is breached. At that time, even if Zhang Da knows the news, it will be useless. He will surely think that our army is still engaged in a fierce battle in eastern Sichuan and will be relaxed. This will be the perfect opportunity for you to assassinate him."

Zhang Feng'e lowered her head

"This humble woman will remember this."

Zhang Xianzhong nodded and continued speaking personally in front of the woman.

"After we break through the pass, our army will then take Fang County and Zhushan in Huguang." Zhang Xianzhong pointed heavily with his finger. "These two counties are the gateway to Yunyang, and their garrisons are weak, so they can serve as our base. Then we will send troops to take Xingshan and Guizhou, controlling the north bank of the Yangtze River. At that time, Yang Sichang's encirclement will collapse on its own—Feng'e, do you understand what I mean?"

Logically speaking, such a major military operation should not be disclosed to an assassin who is about to go to the enemy camp to carry out an assassination.

It's better if the assassination attempt failed and he committed suicide; what if he had been captured alive?

Therefore, Zhang Xianzhong simply wanted Zhang Feng'e to confess after being captured, so that she would suffer less physical pain.

Zhang Feng'e understood perfectly well. Deeply moved after hearing about the army's core strategy, she felt even more justified in her death.

"Father, there's no need for further words! I wish to be your daughter again in the next life."

Zhang Xianzhong paused, took a deep breath, and then a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"I have made a pact with you, a vow of life and death: If you succeed, on the day I enter Hunan, I will build a temple for you to worship, with incense burning continuously for generations; if you fail, it will not matter, I will still build a temple, and I will surely raze Baoqing to the ground and place that great bandit's head in front of your temple to avenge you!"

Zhang Feng'e bowed again solemnly, her voice calm and undisturbed.

"This humble woman does not ask for a temple to be built, nor for any honors or mourning; she only asks that her father pacify Huguang as soon as possible and save the people from suffering."

Having said that, Zhang Feng'e turned and left. A flash of green light, and she vanished into the cold mist outside the tent. She didn't look back, leaving only a resolute silhouette that earned the deep respect of Zhang Xianzhong and his four generals.

Even the peerless hero Li Dingguo couldn't help but sigh softly as he gazed outside the tent.

"This woman's character is no less than that of a man."

Zhang Xianzhong closed his eyes, exhaled a long breath, and when he opened them again, he had regained his ruthless and domineering nature.

"Issue the order: the entire army must lower its flags and cease all activity, and block all news. Anyone who dares to leak even a single word about the salt route will be executed by slow slicing! Three days later, launch a feint attack and a surprise attack simultaneously!"