100 Decisive Battles - From Ancient Times to the Present by Paul Davis

Author:Paul Davis
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2014-06-08T04:00:00+00:00

As if dealing with the Manchus was not bad enough, the Mings had to contend with a number of effective peasant uprisings. The most successful of these was led by Li Tzu-ch’eng. He dislodged Ming armies and took control of Honan and Shensi provinces, just south and southwest of Peking, in 1640. By 1644, he felt himself strong enough to march on the capital city. As Li’s forces approached Peking, the Ming Emperor Chuang-lieh-ti recalled two frontier armies to defend the city. The largest of these was at Shanhaikuan, commanded by Wu Sankuei. Some sources say that General Wu would not march to his emperor’s defense; others say that he marched but could not arrive in time. Either way, Li and his rebels captured Peking easily on 25 April 1644. Just before the city fell, the emperor committed suicide. General Wu learned of the emperor’s fate while on his way to the capital and considered surrendering in response to Li’s demands and the fact that the rebel general held Wu’s father hostage. Instead, Wu returned to Shanhaikuan. Li, after pillaging the capital, followed.

The Manchus had lost their own leader in 1643 when Abahai died at the age of 51. His 5-year-old son was next in line to succeed him, and did, but actual power was in the hands of the regent, Abahai’s brother Dorgon. Dorgon had considered contacting some of the rebel groups to have some inside assistance, but General Wu contacted him first. Caught between two enemies, Wu decided he would rather deal with the Manchus than Li, so requested their assistance to defeat Li’s rebels and regain the capital. Dorgon was glad to help.

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