It's time to start taking action again, but this time Shandong's planning is much more cautious than before.
Shandong is no longer the Shandong that it once was, far away from the center of world trends and able to focus on development.
Today, Shandong has grown into one of the major forces in the world and has the ability to determine the direction of the world.
The world's attention is also focused on this, which makes Shandong have to have more considerations no matter what it does.
If we want to attack North Korea here, we need to be prepared for other directions.
What worries Zuo Mengeng the most is the war situation in the Central Plains.
After the Battle of Hong'an, Hong Chengchou was defeated and came to Shandong to buy weapons to regroup and prepare to encircle and suppress the northwest rebels again.
At this time, the Northwest Rebel Army divided its forces again.
After Gao Yingxiang escaped from Hong'an, he headed westward and returned to Shaanxi.
After breaking Fengyang, Gao Yingxiang's ambitions were completely aroused.
His eyes were fixed on the big city again.
He chose Xi'an.
Gao Yingxiang overestimated his ability and surrounded Xi'an City for more than 30 days, but could not get in. Instead, he waited for Hong Chengchou.
Xi'an is not only an important town in the northwest, but also the seat of the vassal state of the King of Qin. When Hong Chengchou heard that Xi'an was besieged, he immediately pursued him non-stop.
The two sides took up positions near Lantian and had a fierce battle.
Gao Yingxiang thought that Hong Chengchou was newly defeated and had insufficient troops. He was no match for him, so he planned to decide the outcome in a single battle.
He didn't know at all that Hong Chengchou had changed his skills and his strength was greatly enhanced.
Seeing that Gao Yingxiang's entire army was out, Hong Chengchou, a seasoned man, formed a turtle formation.
He deliberately placed the infantry in front to attract Gao Yingxiang to invest his troops. After the main force of the rebel army came forward, the cavalry in front of the Chinese army's formation suddenly dispersed to the left and right, revealing the new artillery that was waiting for them.
Dozens of cannons roared wildly, plowing out alleys of flesh and blood from the rebel array.
This kind of light artillery, which can hit three miles away, caused Gao Yingxiang to suffer heavy losses.
Even his cavalry troops were attacked head-on by Hong Chengchou's musketeers. Not only were they unable to break up the Ming army's formation, but three generals were killed on the battlefield.
With the support of artillery, the morale of the officers and soldiers was greatly shaken, and they turned from defense to attack, killing tens of thousands of rogue bandits.
Gao Yingxiang was so haunted by his soul that he did not dare to fight anymore, so he could only lead his troops and horses to run all the way back to Henan.
Hong Chengchou was deeply moved by the fact that he achieved an unprecedented victory with an absolutely inferior force.
These weapons are only used in Shandong, and they are already so powerful.
What level should the Shandong New Army reach?
But no matter what, a great victory cleared away the gloom of the Ming army.
Hong Chengchou took advantage of the victory to pursue Gao Yingxiang, biting his tail, and vowed to kill this most famous bandit leader.
In March, Hong Chengchou waited for Cao Wenzhao in Xinyang.
The arrival of this Ming army warrior made Hong Chengchou even more confident.
He asked Cao Wenzhao to go to Suizhou and eliminate the peasant army there.
Cao Wenzhao was diligent and hard-working, and never acted cunningly in battle. As soon as he arrived in Suizhou, he launched a thunderous offensive.
Seeing that northern Henan was untenable, Gao Yingxiang had no choice but to go south, planning to go to Huguang to see the situation.
But here, Gao Yingxiang met Lu Xiangsheng.
Although Lu Xiangsheng's troops are not equipped with advanced firearms, he manages the army rigorously and treats rewards and punishments fairly, so his subordinates are the most invincible.
It was another battle in which a small number defeated a large number, and Gao Yingxiang's plan to enter Huguang went bankrupt.
What's more serious is that Lu Xiangsheng also blocked his way forward. If Hong Chengchou chases him from behind again, Gao Yingxiang will be in despair.
At a critical moment, an unexpected person saved him.
That is Zhang Xianzhong.
At first, Zhang Xianzhong also wanted to march into Huguang from the Dabie Mountains, but was beaten to a bloody head by Lu Xiangsheng in Macheng and had to return to the Dabie Mountains to eat dirt.
This time Lu Xiangsheng led a small number of troops from his headquarters to the north to stop Gao Yingxiang, but Huguang and other places were left empty.
Zhang Xianzhong finally found an opportunity and immediately turned the vast land of Hu Guangda upside down like a wild horse that had escaped the reins.
Before Lu Xiangsheng had time to digest the joy of victory, he heard that there was a fire in the rear, so he could only turn his troops around and stabilize the rear route first.
When Lu Xiangsheng withdrew, Gao Yingxiang immediately came back to life.
Gao Yingxiang, who finally realized that he was outnumbered, ran all the way to Hanzhong.
When he learned that Gao Yingxiang had returned to Shaanxi, Hong Chengchou was extremely depressed.
He quickly ordered Cao Wen to take a shortcut and attack the base of the peasant army, and then come to Hanzhong to meet up.
"The march this time is tortuous and the journey is long. It is really hard for the general. I have gathered my troops and are waiting for you in Han."
Cao Wenzhao admired Hong Chengchou very much and never compromised in executing orders.
"Bing Xian, although you can rest assured, Gao Yingxiang will definitely not get any favors if the general is around."
Seeing Cao Wenzhao who was eager to fight, Hong Chengchou was filled with emotions.
"If all the generals are like you, why worry about winning?"
Hong Chengchou personally helped Cao Wenzhao mount his horse and watched his beloved go away.
But I never thought that this farewell would be an eternal farewell.
On the fifth day of May, Cao Wenzhao rushed to Shangzhou.
Gao Yingxiang's troops are renovating thirty miles outside the city. The camps are scattered all over the mountains and plains with no end in sight. At night, the lights are shining brighter than the stars in the sky.
Cao Wenzhao was fearless.
That night, he led his nephews Cao Bianjiao, Cao Dingjiao, Dusi Bai Guangen and other generals to launch a night attack, catching Gao Yingxiang by surprise.
In the dark night, no one knew how many Ming troops came. The rebel army was in chaos. The people and horses trampled on each other, causing heavy casualties.
They retreated all the way to Jin Lingchuan before they could stabilize their position.
Seeing Cao Wenzhao's relentless pursuit, the rebels gathered thousands of cavalry and took advantage of the terrain to counterattack.
Cao Bianjiao took the lead and led his own soldiers to charge head-on.
These heavily armored cavalry were extremely brave and defeated the unarmored rebel cavalry.
The rebels were so frightened that they no longer dared to fight and fled.
Gao Yingxiang complained endlessly, not understanding why he had become a thorn in the side of the Ming army and would not let him go.
If the fight continues like this, all his men and horses will be gone.
While still in shock, he heard good news.
His good nephew Li Zicheng was not far away and had just won a battle.
When Gao Yingxiang was chased by Cao Wenzhao and had no way to go to heaven or to the earth, Li Zicheng was besieging Ning County.
Hong Chengchou received the training and quickly sent deputy generals Ai Wannian, Liu Guozhen, Liu Honglie and other generals to the rescue.
Li Zicheng was fearless, and while besieging the city, he fought fiercely with Ai Wannian in the field.
As a result, the three thousand cavalry led by Ai Wannian were completely wiped out, and he himself became a prisoner.
Ai Wannian and Li Zicheng are fellow villagers. Because their families are very wealthy, they often bully Li Zicheng.
Being caught by Li Zicheng this time gave him a chance for revenge.
Li Zicheng gave an order and beheaded Ai Wannian, releasing his evil spirit for many years.
Knowing that Li Zicheng was so good at fighting, Gao Yingxiang finally grasped at straws.
He quickly sent someone to contact Li Zicheng to discuss ways to deal with Cao Wenzhao.