In early May, the war had been going on for almost a month, and the situation in Liaodong immediately became one-sided from a stalemate.
At the foot of Phoenix City, the Ming army was victorious, killing more than 10,000 people, and the Qing army was defeated; at the mouth of the Liaohe River, Chen Yongfu fought with strength and defeated Hauge in one fell swoop, causing him to retreat in embarrassment.
The fastest progress was made in the western Liaoning battlefield.
Li Jizu used artillery to destroy a large number of castles, and his troops arrived at Guangning City, which was only more than two hundred miles away from Shenyang. It could be said that they could arrive in a day or night.
In the season of continuous summer rain, Cao Xi was walking northward in embarrassment with his feet covered with rainwater, wearing an awkward armor, holding a waist knife tightly, and wearing an unknown straw hat on his head.
Due to the reason of escaping, the war horse under his crotch had fallen to the ground. He could only remove one of the horse's legs to use as food along the way.
The defeat of Taipingbao may be said lightly, but for many people, it was no less than a disaster.
On this expedition, Hauge not only brought his Zhenglan Banner and the Emperor's two yellow flags, but also thirty Niulu banners, 80% of which were mostly Han Banners.
Once defeated, Hauge flattered them and took his main force of the Zhenglan Banner to resolutely break out of the encirclement.
The poor Lianghuangqi suffered a disaster and had to be hunted down and surrendered.
"Zuo Ling, we have been fleeing for two days and have not seen any pursuers."
The tall and thin man on the side followed behind him panting, and around him, there were also about 10 people, leading the mules and donkeys, reluctant to let go.
Because it carries their armor, it is a family heirloom and cannot be discarded until a critical moment.
"If there are no pursuers, we have to flee here."
Cao Xi shook his head, and sorrow appeared on his once smooth face: "The Ming army is in hot pursuit. If we return to Shengjing as soon as possible, we can survive."
"You won't get hit, right?" Another person, who was also from Zuoling, couldn't help but say.
"No, we are from the two yellow flags. This battle is not our fault. The regent does not dare to blame us."
Cao Xi has a strong mind.
"But it is precisely because we are two yellow flags that the regent will target us."
These words immediately silenced several people.
Dorgon holds the Zhengbai Banner, and the number of Niulu under his command has exceeded that of the Zhenghuang and Xianghuang Banners. In theory, the two yellow flags are the most respected, but in fact the Zhengbai Banner ranks first among the Eight Banners.
This is also the reason why when Emperor Shunzhi later liquidated Dorgon, he included Zhengbai Banner into the Shangsan Banners.
"Although the defeat of this battle was due to Hauge, the regent cannot escape the blame. The emperor is already 14 years old and got married last year. He should have taken charge long ago..."
"That's right, that's right, it's time for us to shake off the two yellow flags..."
Others began to think about it one after another, and they no longer felt uncomfortable despite the cold rain on their bodies.
Cao Xi was silent for a long time, his thoughts turning over and over again.
His background is higher than these people, so he looks farther away.
His grandfather Cao Xiyuan was the commander of the Shenyang Central Guard. In the third year after his birth, the Eight Banners Army led by Nurhaci captured Shenyang.
Cao Xi, who was only two years old, was captured together with his grandfather Cao Xiyuan and father Cao Zhenyan. When he was in his infancy, he was reduced to a "house slave" in Huang Taiji's mansion, Sibeile in the Later Jin Dynasty.
With Huang Taiji ascending to the throne, Cao Xi's family has also received great benefits, not to mention promotions and official posts, even if they are in charge of the throne.
Even he, only in his 30s, has already become a Niulu Ezhen, the so-called Zuoling.
After many years of prosperous life, he suffered such a heavy blow for the first time, but he did not give up. He collected deserters along the way and finally saved his life.
But also, years of reading and literacy have made him far more knowledgeable than others, and he immediately realized the impact of this defeat.
Taiping Fort is only three hundred miles away from Shengjing, and the Liaohe River is in the hands of the Ming army, which means that the opponent is very fast.
There were not many pursuers along the way. In addition to the fact that the opponent was reorganizing, the biggest reason was that the opponent was probably going upstream along the Liao River.
By then, with sufficient food and supplies, the Ming army will conquer the entire Shengjing city in one go?
What will the Qing Dynasty do then?
What should the Cao family do?
In other words, what is the future of their entire family?
With deep doubts, he set off on his way home.
On the way, I borrowed horses from a manor and returned to Shengjing in a hurry.
There used to be four city gates, but now only one is open, and the entrance is densely packed with people.
A large number of deserters were stopped, registered, and arranged into military camps.
Fortunately, Cao Xi was a military commander and a figure in the Han army, so he had the opportunity to return home.
The depressed streets, the fast-paced pedestrians, and the slightly desolate mansions all point to the future of this city.
"Dad, grandpa——"
Cao Xiyuan, who is nearly seventy years old, is still in good spirits due to his pampering in his youth.
His father, Cao Zhenyan, came from a literary background. When he was in high spirits, his family was captured and he developed a weak temper.
"Just come back." Cao Zhenyan smiled happily, then stepped aside and waited for his father to speak.
Cao Xiyuan coughed, looked at his young grandson, and asked directly: "Did you really see the power of the Ming army in Taipingbao?"
As the former commander of the Shenyang Central Guard and a descendant of Cao Bin, the general of the Song Dynasty, Cao Xiyuan, as the commander of the Shenyang Central Guard, was once the true master of Shenyang, but he was lonely.
Also unwilling to do so.
Since the early Ming Dynasty, the Cao family has inherited the position of commander. More than 200 years of wealth have allowed them to develop a wealthy temperament and a proud heart.
His family had no choice but to become slaves. Such a shame and humiliation made him regret it for the rest of his life. At the same time, he had deep expectations for the Ming Dynasty.
I hope that one day, Liaodong will be recaptured and their family can return to a noble life.
After waiting for nearly 30 years, we finally saw the light of day today.
"The Ming army is better than the Eight Banners."
Cao Xi nodded and said honestly: "Although Prince Su is brave, he is no match for the Ming army. The army was defeated."
"Well!" Cao Xiyuan couldn't restrain the joy in his heart.
The son Cao Zhenyan on the side was hesitant to speak, but finally said it: "The Qing Dynasty is strong and will not necessarily lose."
"You kid, you're just scared of being beaten by them."
Cao Xiyuan cursed, hating that iron cannot be made into steel: "Although you were a playboy back then, you could ride and shoot at least, but now you are wielding a pen, and you have lost all the energy you had back then."
"Dad, don't mention those days..."
Cao Zhenyan shook his head, waved his sleeves and left.
Cao Xi fell silent.
During that time, his grandmother and mother had been kidnapped and taken away to give birth to children for him.
At that time, there were only a few men left in the Cao family.
"I will take revenge..." Cao Xiyuan gritted his teeth and whispered.