Although Luoyang has gradually declined since the Tang Dynasty and is no longer the capital of the dynasty, its political significance is still comparable to the two capitals in the north and south. It is far from being comparable to Chang'an in the northwest, let alone Chengdu in the southwest.
Because Luoyang is located in the middle of the world, it has been the place where emperors aspired to the throne and where heroes competed since ancient times.
Since ancient times, those who conquer the Central Plains may not be able to conquer the world, but those who want to conquer the world must eventually conquer the Central Plains.
It was precisely when King Chuang conquered Luoyang that he became qualified to conquer the world. He was recognized by the northern literati, and they defected to him one after another. He transformed from a rogue bandit into a hero who was qualified to conquer the world.
This kind of righteousness is invisible and intangible, but it definitely affects the fate of people in the world and the dynasty.
After all, if even Luoyang was conquered, the literati and gentry in the world would not be able to help but think that the imperial court was really going to end or that it would not survive.
Some careerists and literati who want to take advantage of the dragon's power will be ready to take action and will no longer be able to keep their peace.
This type of literati can be found throughout all dynasties in China.
The reason why Chongzhen issued the urgent order to let Sun Chuanting leave Tongguan and break into the army for a decisive battle was because the political significance of Luoyang was too great. After being conquered, it had shaken the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, which was more serious than when the ancestral graves of Fengyang were dug up.
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Therefore, Li Guo and Sun Kewang naturally wanted to conquer Luoyang again to undermine the morale of the Ming Dynasty and the authority of the emperor.
But the two also knew that it was almost impossible to break through Luoyang before the Ming Dynasty's armies arrived.
Moreover, the two of them were not stupid. They knew that even if they finally conquered Luoyang, they would definitely suffer serious losses of troops and generals. It would be difficult for them to defeat the various Ming armies they had captured.
Therefore, the two of them only prepared for three days under Luoyang City, and then hurriedly launched a feint attack.
Because the real purpose of the coalition forces was not to capture Luoyang, but to attract the Ming army to a decisive battle near Luoyang. Not only would Luoyang be within easy reach, but the world would be so vast that the army could roam freely at will.
Although Li Guo and Sun Kewang didn't have much hope of winning in the decisive battle with the Ming army, after all, they were both veteran generals who had experienced many wars. They had already known whether they could win the battle.
But even if you know that you will lose more than you will win, you can only put all your money into it, because there is still a chance of winning. If you don't fight, the army is nestled in the northwest. It is safe for the time being, but when the main force of the Ming army moves south from the grassland, it will really
There is no chance to fight anymore.
After all, the confrontation between Jiannu and the main force of the Ming army on the grassland could not last too long. In the end, they could no longer hold back, and it would be Jiannu who retreated first. Both Chuang Wang and Li Guo knew this very well.
If the Ming army and Jiannu were about to engage in a decisive battle, King Chuang wanted to wait in the northwest.
But the main force of the Ming army obviously didn't want to fight Jiannu, and Jiannu didn't want to fight, so the Chuang army had to fight hard.
Because Jiannu could retreat to the northeast, but the Chuang army could not defend the northwest, there was no choice at all.
The army only feigned attack in Luoyang for three days and then stopped because Liu Zeqing had already led 50,000 troops across the Yellow River and arrived at Hongnong. Zuo Menggeng also led 50,000 troops to Ruzhou.
However, neither army continued to advance. They obviously wanted to wait for the morale of the Chuang Army and Daxi Army to plummet before they entered the decisive battle.
At this moment, in the big tent outside the city, Li Guo and Sun Kewang were both yelling angrily.
"Brother Li, looking at the posture of the Ming army, it is obvious that they want to kill us. Although the food and grass we carry this time is sufficient, it can only last for three months at most, so wasting it like this is not a long-term solution!"
"Then I wonder what Brother Sun has to say?"
"Continuing to pretend to attack Luoyang will have little effect, and a forceful attack is even less advisable. At this moment, we can only actively seek a decisive battle with the Ming army." Sun Kewang said in a deep voice.
"The Ming army is divided into three groups. Which one does Brother Sun think our army should attack?" Brother Li also knew that he had no choice but to take the initiative to attack.
"No matter which road you attack, the other two roads and the Ming army in Luoyang City will immediately attack you. Therefore, you must divide your forces to contain the two roads. Only by attacking one road can you have a chance to win.
This is my plan. Brother Li will lead an army of 100,000 to continue to besiege Luoyang and contain Gao Jie and Hongnong's Liu Zeqing troops in the city. I will lead an army of 200,000 to bypass Luoyang and go east to attack Wu Sangui's front army. I don't know.
What do you think, Brother Li?"
Sun Kewang said slowly, and then looked straight at Li Guo.
"Of course it's the best, but there are still 50,000 Ming troops in Ruzhou. If Wu Sangui chooses to retreat and not fight, the Ming troops in Ruzhou will attack and attack from both sides. Can Brother Sun be sure?"
Li Guo thought about it and then asked.
Although the Daxi Army seemed to be a little stronger than the Chuang Army, it was only too strong. He did not think that Sun Ke would be able to defeat the 110,000 troops of Wu Sangui and Zuo Mengeng.
As for containing Gao Jie and Liu Zeqing, he was quite confident. After all, Gao Jie's 30,000 men were huddled in the city and only a small number of troops were needed. The main purpose was to guard against Liu Zeqing's 50,000 troops.
"Hmph, I have an army of 200,000 people. If I still can't defeat a mere 100,000 Ming army, then I might as well just surrender and surrender."
Sun Kewang snorted coldly, with determination and perseverance on his face.
"Then I wish Brother Sun a great victory and a great slaughter in all directions!"
Li Guo didn't hesitate anymore and said with a fist.
He knew that Sun Kewang's plan was the best.
After the two agreed, the next day, Sun Kewang led an army of 200,000 people to set up camp and march eastward. Li was given half of the food and grass.
"Brother, isn't it too unjust for us to do this?"
After setting up camp at night, the three brothers gathered together. After Sun Kewang finished explaining his plan, Liu Wenxiu frowned slightly and said.
"Third brother, at this time, how do you care about justice? Do you want to watch my 200,000 brothers confess to being in the Central Plains?"
"Brother, I still feel that since we are doing such an unjust thing and taking huge risks, it is better to fight Wu Sangui to the death. We may not have a chance to win." Liu Wenxiu thought about it and said solemnly.
"Third brother, it's not that the eldest brother insists on gaining other people's ambitions and destroying his own prestige. Most of the brothers in the army are from the south and have never seen the power of cavalry charging into battle. Wu Sangui has six thousand real cavalry in his hands for a decisive battle.
We have no chance of winning at all."
"Yes, third brother, what the eldest brother said is right. This Central Plains area is flat and plain. We can't stop Wu Sangui's cavalry at all. As long as we can't stop the Ming army's cavalry, no matter how many people there are, they will be destroyed."
Ai Nengqi also advised, obviously he also knew how powerful the cavalry was.
"I don't believe Wu Sangui is really willing to use his cavalry to charge directly into the formation." Liu Wenxiu gritted his teeth and said.
"Third brother, things are different now. The six thousand cavalry are not Wu Sangui's servants, but the cavalry of the imperial court. The turtle grandson will not feel sorry for him. He will definitely let the cavalry lead the charge directly, and the army will follow and kill him.
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"But brother, once we give up the food and baggage, if the sneak attack fails, we will not even have the chance for a decisive battle."
"Third brother, the eldest brother doesn't know the danger of a sneak attack on Xiangyang, but if there is some way, the eldest brother will never do it."
Sun Kewang also sighed.
"Forget it, just follow Big Brother's advice."
Liu Wenxiu nodded helplessly.
"Third brother, the lives of my fourth brother, my two hundred thousand brothers, and the future of my Great Western Army all depend on you."
Sun Kewang was overjoyed, and then held Liu Wenxiu's hand tightly.
Liu Wenxiu didn't say anything, but nodded solemnly.
That night, Liu Wenxiu secretly left the camp with 10,000 carefully selected elites, and ran lightly to the southwest.
The next day, Sun Kewang and his army did not continue eastward, but turned south to kill Ruzhou.
After Wu Sangui learned about it, he immediately pressed forward with an army of 60,000. At the same time, he ordered Zuo Menggeng to lead his army out of Ruzhou to intercept, prepare for a north-south pincer attack, and annihilate the Daxi Army near Baisha.