Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1110 Obsession in the Heart
The Guanning Iron Cavalry fought extremely resolutely and bravely under the command of Wu Sangui. Even though their numbers were less than those of the Eight Banners led by Sony and Oboi, they still caused considerable casualties to the Eight Banners.

After only two rounds of charge, the cavalry led by Oboi suffered hundreds of casualties. On the other hand, although the Guanning Iron Cavalry also suffered casualties, the number of casualties was much less than that of the Eight Banners.

Seeing this scene, Aobai was furious. When had the Eight Banners suffered such a loss? Ever since the old Khan started his army, the Eight Banners had been invincible. When had the Ming army, which had always been beaten by the Eight Banners, become so strong? And it was true that the Guanning Iron Cavalry was able to fight before, but it had never been as difficult to deal with as it was today.

Oboi stared straight ahead, wishing he could chop the Guanning Iron Cavalry and Wu Sangui, who were leading them, into meat paste. Just as he turned his horse's head and was about to order the cavalry to charge again, Sony shouted at him anxiously not far away, which sobered his fevered mind a little.

"Wu Sangui! I'll teach you a lesson some other day, so you know how powerful your grandfather is!" Aobai wiped his face and cursed, suppressing the anger in his heart. Sony was right to remind us that now was not the time to fight a lingering war, and it would not be a good thing to continue to tangle with the Guanning Iron Cavalry.

Although he was not afraid of Wu Sangui's Guanning Iron Cavalry, he should not forget that there were still Ming army chasing behind him. Once the large Ming army arrived, they would not be able to escape.

Thinking of this, Aobai adjusted his tactics and took advantage of the opportunity to charge again to break through the blockade of the Guanning Iron Cavalry with his advantage in numbers, and then ran south with his men without looking back. Seeing this, Wu Sangui was helpless. After all, the Guanning Iron Cavalry was short of manpower. Although it caused considerable casualties to the enemy, it was unable to keep Sony and Aobai.

However, even if the enemy ran away, Wu Sangui would not sit idly by. He issued an order to follow and pursue without hesitation. In this way, one in front and one behind, the Guanning Iron Cavalry took advantage of the situation to kill and pursue. In order to successfully get rid of the pursuit of the Guanning Iron Cavalry, Sony and Aobai, who were running away, could only constantly divide some small forces along the way to turn around and fight with the Guanning Iron Cavalry. However, at this time, the morale of the Eight Banners Cavalry had fallen, while the morale of the Guanning Iron Cavalry was high. Wu Sangui's cavalry was unstoppable, constantly killing the enemies who blocked them, and still biting the opponent tightly.

When the battle reached noon, the Ming army finally arrived. In order to speed up, the pursuing Ming army used the war horses in the army to speed up, and only then did they barely catch up.

Although these Ming troops were not real cavalry, their numbers were much larger than the Guanning Iron Cavalry, not to mention that there were main forces following behind. When they saw the friendly forces coming, the Guanning Iron Cavalry immediately cheered loudly, while the Eight Banners who were fleeing were in despair and their morale plummeted.

The chase and fight lasted until the evening, when Sony and Aobai finally arrived at Xining Fort with the remnants of their troops. The Eight Banners defenders of Xining Fort also received the news in advance and took the initiative to go out of the fort to support their own troops.

At this time, the Eight Banners troops that escaped from Panshan had lost one third of their number, with less than 2,000 people left. Generals Sony and Aobai looked even more miserable. When they arrived at Xining Fort, they looked back at their troops, who were like dogs that had lost their homes, and they couldn't help but shed tears.

These were warriors who had fought with them for many years! Why were they in such a state now? They had fought with Nurhaci and Huang Taiji for many years, and had never suffered such a defeat?
But now is not the time to be sad. Sony and Aobai knew that they were still not out of danger. Although Xining Fort could stop the Ming army for a while, it could not stop the full-scale attack of the Ming army. Compared with Panshan, Xining Fort was far behind in terms of the number of defenders and the stability of the defense line. Even Panshan could not be defended, how could the small Xining Fort be defended?

After a short rest in Xining Fort, Sony and Aobai continued to lead their troops to the east. At this time, the Ming army that arrived later also launched an attack on Xining Fort without hesitation. Although the defenders of Xining Fort resisted tenaciously, they were too few in number. How could they stop the Ming army? After only resisting for less than an hour, the Ming army took Xining Fort and continued to follow Sony and Aobai southward to pursue.

More than 300 miles south of the capital, there is a county town. Compared with other county towns in the Ming Dynasty, this county town is not much special and looks very ordinary. Except for its location slightly closer to the capital, there is not much else special.

But this county town is home to a very special person, who is Sun Chengzong, the former commander-in-chief of Ji and Liao, Minister of War, Grand Secretary of the Dongge, Grand Tutor, Grand Master of Imperial Households, and Right Pillar of the State of Ming Dynasty.

Gaoyang is Sun Chengzong's hometown. After the Jiyi Incident, Sun Chengzong was ordered by Emperor Chongzhen to preside over the counterattack, commanding the various Ming troops to finally drive Huang Taiji and the Eight Banners Army back to Liaodong. But when Sun Chengzong was preparing to reorganize the army and once again supervise Liaodong, he was once again idle because he was feared by Emperor Chongzhen, and had no choice but to retire for the third time and return to Gaoyang. When Zhu Shenzhui was the regent, he wanted to use Sun Chengzong, but at that time Sun Chengzong refused on the grounds of old age and illness. When Zhu Shenzhui officially ascended the throne and became the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he sent someone to invite Sun Chengzong again. Sun Chengzong had no choice but to enter Beijing at an old age due to the situation. Although he did not officially return to the court because of Sun Chengzong's insistence, the emperor gave him preferential treatment and kept him in Beijing to preside over the teaching hall, serving as the chief master of the teaching hall, teaching the prince and the prince.

During these days in the capital, Sun Chengzong and Zhu Shenzhu met many times, and the two would often discuss issues concerning court politics and state affairs. Sun Chengzong had very complicated feelings towards Zhu Shenzhu. On the one hand, he believed that Zhu Shenzhu's use of such means to seize the throne was not in accordance with the etiquette system. On the other hand, Sun Chengzong also admitted that Zhu Shenzhu was a far better emperor than Emperor Chongzhen, and even his student, Emperor Tianqi, was not as good as Zhu Shenzhu.

Under Zhu Shenzhui's leadership, many of the Ming Dynasty's ills were resolved one by one, especially the internal strife was quelled and foreign enemies were blocked. Through foreign trade and a series of other means, the Ming Dynasty's financial problems were alleviated, the administration gradually improved, and the country showed signs of revival.

Such feelings were very contradictory, and made Sun Chengzong very entangled. However, Sun Chengzong was not an ordinary person after all. He paid more attention to reality and the future of the country. During these days in the capital, he not only gave advice to Zhu Shenzhui, but also fulfilled his duties as the chief teacher of the teaching hall, patiently taught the crown prince and the princes, and was deeply trusted by the emperor, the crown prince, and the princes.

Sun Chengzong even thought that if he were 20 years younger, he might have made up his mind to follow this wise ruler and make a career. Unfortunately, he was too old, and after experiencing five dynasties, Sun Chengzong could not get over some things psychologically. This must be the helplessness of this old minister.

More than three years ago, Sun Chengzong once again retired to his hometown on the grounds of old age. This time, the emperor finally agreed to his request after failing to persuade him to stay, and gave Sun Chengzong a great honor by sending Jinyiwei to escort him back to Gaoyang.

After returning to Gaoyang, Sun Chengzong usually stayed at home and did not go out or meet outsiders easily. In addition to instructing and training his grandchildren, he would write something in the study, or make a pot of tea, sit on a recliner, close his eyes and recall the turbulent past.

Three years had passed in a flash, and Sun Chengzong was now much older than when he left Beijing. After all, he was an eighty-four-year-old man, with white hair and beard, and his energy was not as good as before.

More than a month ago, Sun Chengzong suddenly felt unwell, and his family quickly invited a doctor to treat him. After the doctor examined him, he told Sun Chengzong's family that the old man was not sick, but mainly because of seasonal climate changes and old age. In other words, Sun Chengzong was like a machine that had been used for a long time. It had been running for 84 years and began to have problems, which could not be reversed. In addition, Sun Chengzong had been in the army for a long time as a commander in Liaodong in the early years, so his condition was inevitable.

Faced with the doctor's diagnosis, Sun Chengzong's family members couldn't help but feel sad. They knew that Sun Chengzong might not live long. Although everyone will die, even the emperor who is high above cannot escape the cycle of life and death, how can the relatives be calm when this day is approaching?
On the other hand, Sun Chengzong himself was indifferent to life and death. He lived long enough, at the age of 84. How many people in the world can live so long? Moreover, Sun Chengzong was originally a generous person. It was enough for this old minister to see the gradual revival of the Ming Dynasty. It was a pity that the Liaodong war that Sun Chengzong had always been concerned about continued. The Jiannu in Liaodong had never been pacified. This can only be said to be a pity.

When the news reached the capital, Zhu Shenzhu was very concerned about Sun Chengzong's health and specially sent an imperial physician to treat Sun Chengzong. In order to appease Sun Chengzong, Zhu Shenzhu also sent someone to tell him that the court was ready to go to war against Liaodong. The Ming Dynasty had been preparing for this war for a long time, and Liaodong would be decided in one battle. He hoped that Sun Chengzong would take good care of himself, and when Liaodong returned victorious and the army returned, he hoped that Sun Chengzong would come to the capital to witness this historical scene with him.

Sun Chengzong, whose health was deteriorating day by day, was immediately cheered up when he heard the news. The Liaodong issue could be said to be Sun Chengzong's only obsession. Even if he closed his eyes, he would not rest in peace if the Liaodong issue was not resolved.

The emperor's news was like a shot of adrenaline, giving Sun Chengzong hope. From that day on, his health suddenly and inexplicably improved, and he even looked rosy-cheeked and energetic, much healthier than before he got sick. Every day, Sun Chengzong spent nearly half of his time in his study, where a huge map of Liaodong was hung, covered with dense symbols marked by Sun Chengzong.

At Sun Chengzong's request, the emperor also instructed the General Council to send the situation on the front line to Gaoyang and Sun Chengzong every day by express horse. Looking at the battle situation and the layout of the Ming army, Sun Chengzong's laughter came from the study from time to time. This laughter was so loud and so heartfelt.

(End of this chapter)