The wind blowing on my face brought the chill of winter, and the sparse snowflakes brought a little bit of coldness.

Zhou Yuji wiped off the water drops on his face, put on his hood and iron mask, and galloped forward along the road under the protection of his personal guards.

The Jianlu suffered a crushing defeat in Haicheng. After receiving an urgent order from Xiong Tingbi, the Liaoxi Corps immediately launched an attack, crossed the Liaohe River, reached Huangniwa, and entered the Liaoyang area.

Nine thousand cavalrymen and a mixed brigade were not a force that the Jiannu in Liaoyang could resist. They could only retreat into the city and wait for death.

The Liaoxi Corps cut off the retreat of the Jiannu in Liaoyang and sent cavalry to Hubiyi for reconnaissance and spying, and the distance from Shenyang was not too far.

When the vanguard of the Liaonan Corps advanced to Liaoyang and surrounded it, Zhou Yuji's Liaoxi Corps received new orders from Xiong Tingbi.

They advanced eastward to Benxi, met up with Dongjiang Town at Yagu Pass, captured Sarhu, and cut off the Jianlu's escape route to the north.

Apparently, Xiong Tingbi had made further adjustments to his deployment based on the changing battlefield situation. Dongjiang Town also received the order, but its strength was still insufficient, so Zhou Yuji's troops were sent to reinforce them.

He fought in the Ping Liao War, made great achievements and served the imperial court.

Zhou Yuji was anxious and passionate. As a fellow cavalryman, Cao Wenzhao's troops had fought bloody battles with the Jiannu and performed well in the Battle of Haicheng.

However, the troops he led waited for the opportunity in western Liaoning, but failed to show the effect of a surprise attack, and did not even fight a battle.

Several war horses galloped over. Zhou Yuji slowed down and waited for Cao Bianjiao to catch up and report.

"Sir, I have completed the mission and no Jianlu escaped." Cao Bianjiao, who was half a horse's head behind Zhou Yuji, began to report.

The area occupied was too large. Although Daishan sent people to all directions to issue orders to retreat and migrate to Shenyang, some villages and towns were still missed.

The Ming army continuously sent out cavalry to sweep along the way, and the fate of the Jianlu who did not have time to escape can be imagined.

Zhou Yuji nodded and praised: "Your movements are getting faster and faster, not bad."

Cao Bianjiao chuckled and said, "It's fast, but killing these Jianlu is not fun at all."

Zhou Yuji smiled and said, "The fun is yet to come. If we can cut off the Jiannu's retreat, they will surely fight desperately, and a bloody battle is inevitable."

"That's what I call a good experience." Cao Bianjiao's eyes gleamed with excitement. As the youngest general of the Flying Cavalry Battalion, he had a strong desire to fight on the battlefield.

Compared with generals such as Zhou Yuji, Cao Bianjiao was not only extremely young, being less than twenty years old, but was also selected by the emperor himself.

Whether it was because he cherished the opportunity or because he was grateful for the emperor's grace, Cao Bianjiao was more eager than others to make achievements. Therefore, he did not ask to serve under his uncle Cao Wenzhao, and Cao Wenzhao also pushed him to Zhou Yuji.

"Little Cao!" Zhou Yuji and Cao Wenzhao were good friends, and he was considered an elder in front of Cao Bianjiao. He spoke earnestly, "I know what you're thinking. You must live up to the Emperor's grace and serve the court. But fighting isn't just about pleasure. The training of the Flying Cavalry cost so much money, and the Emperor has placed so much hope in it. You should understand."

Cao Bianjiao understood and quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "Don't worry, sir. I will never be reckless and would not dare to use the lives of the officers and soldiers of the Flying Cavalry Battalion as a means of advancement."

Zhou Yuji nodded slightly and said, "It's good to think so."

After a pause, he continued, "After pacifying Liao, Lao Cao and I will likely have to return to the capital camp to defend the capital. However, you and the other generals still have much room for maneuver. Expanding the border northward and guarding against the Mongols are both major priorities in Your Majesty's plan."

Cao Bianjiao didn't know much about this. Compared with Zhou Yuji and Cao Wenzhao, although he was selected by the emperor, the emperor would certainly not tell a young man like him about such a long-term war plan.

"Have you ever seen the martial arts sand table?" Zhou Yuji said with a smile, "Such a vast land, though desolate, will become fertile soil once it is cultivated."

Glancing at Xiao Cao, Zhou Yuji continued, "The population of the Ming Dynasty will continue to grow. How many people are currently landless? Your Majesty is thinking long-term. We soldiers must also expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty and secure more land for its people."

Cao Bianjiao nodded repeatedly and said, "Even if the land doesn't grow, the population will increase. Land annexation will be a problem sooner or later. Your Majesty has a long-term vision, which is admirable."

Zhou Yuji raised his head, facing the cold wind, his eyes narrowed slightly, and said in a deep voice: "The Holy Lord is on the throne. It is the time for warriors like us to show our skills and leave our names in history. Don't let us down, don't let us down."

"I understand." Cao Bianjiao said with a sigh, "Sir, I will lead the troops to search and kill the surrounding areas again, and not let a single Jianlu go."

Zhou Yuji raised his hand, and without saying anything, Cao Bianjiao jumped on his horse and rushed out at an angle.

…………………….

With the news of the disastrous defeat at Haicheng, the Jiannu's barely maintained defenses quickly crumbled. Upon receiving the news, both the military and civilians fled north in panic.

There was no way not to escape. The Ming army in Liaodong launched an attack at the same time, advancing northward from east to west on a broad front. The Jiannu no longer had enough troops to resist separately.

Mao Wenlong led the main force to break through the Yagu Pass and approached Hetuala. He also divided his troops to the north and cut off the road between Hetuala and Sarhu.

Deputy General Chen Jisheng led his troops and a mixed brigade from Dengzhen to aid Liao, advancing northward from Fenghuang City, occupying Tongyuan Fort, approaching Lianshan Pass, and heading towards Benxi.

Man Gui's troops, who were waiting for an opportunity in Kaiyuan, received intelligence secretly sent by Leng Sengji again. The entire army was dispatched to the south to attack Tieling and approach Shenyang from the north.

Xiong Tingbi left Huang Long's troops, as well as part of the artillery and cavalry to attack Liaoyang, and led the main force to speed up the march, reaching Hubiyi and Wujingying, less than a hundred miles away from Shenyang.

The entire Liaodong land was in motion, not only the army marching forward, but also the Liao people who came to support the front enthusiastically.

The navy also opened up a passage, carrying supplies and ammunition, entering Liao from Sancha River, and then going through Hunhe River and Taizi River to transport food and supplies for the troops.

Facing the Ming army's all-out counterattack, the Jiannu had lost the opportunity and strength to concentrate their forces and attack the enemy along the way. The main force of the Ming army was too close, and there was simply not enough time and space.

In Shenyang City, Dorgon inherited the Khan throne, and the news of Nurhaci's death was finally announced.

In fact, the news of Nurhaci's death had been circulating for a long time. Although Daishan tried hard to conceal it, the succession of the Khan throne and his role as regent had given people reason to believe that even if Nurhaci was not dead, he would not be able to manage the government.

The city was filled with gloom and mourning. It wasn't just Nurhaci's grief; the family members of the Jiannu who perished in the disastrous defeat at Haicheng numbered in the tens of thousands. This tragic scene was utterly devoid of the joyous cheers and jubilation that accompanied the call to arms.

It was definitely not just a defeat. Daishan, in the name of the regent Beile, issued a series of orders to order the Jurchens to migrate, and the tentative target was Jianzhou.

The Jurchens dragged their families with them, pushed carts and rode on horses. They knew that this order meant the coming of a catastrophe and the end of their days of enjoyment.