In the long history of Manchuria, Chu Ying's story is like a lightning bolt, illuminating the cruel nature of power struggle. As Nurhachi's eldest son and designated heir, Chu Ying should have inherited the great cause and led Houjin to glory. However, as fate would have it, the thirty-six-year-old prince was deposed and executed by his father in the prime of life. Chu Ying's tragedy is not just the tragedy of one person, but also a microcosm of the early turmoil of the entire Manchurian regime.
After Chu Ying, Nurhachi's other favorite concubine, Abahai, also experienced the ruthlessness of power change. She had stood at the pinnacle of power, but was eventually forced to die. Abahai's deathbed words, "That's what they did to me", seem to say something about a game of thrones.
Why did Chu Ying end up like this? What can Abahai's story teach us? How many similar tragedies were unfolding during the rise of the Manchurian Empire? What lessons can this history leave for future generations?
Chu Ying's childhood
Chu Ying, a figure destined to leave a strong mark in the history of Manchuria, was born in 1580. His father, Nurhachi, was in the prime of his reign and was fighting to unify the Jurchen tribes. Chu Ying's childhood was spent in the shadow of swords and swords.
When Chu Ying was three years old, an assassin raid became a turning point in his life. On that day, Nurhachi hid the young Chu Ying, Dai Shan, and his daughter Dongguo under the cabinet, while he himself stood up to fight the Assassins. This scene was deeply imprinted in Chu Ying's young heart, and it also made him understand the difficulty of survival and the importance of strength since he was a child.
Growing up in such an environment, Chu Ying soon showed extraordinary talent. He was brave and strong, wise and brave, and won the love of Nurhachi. Nurhachi personally taught him mounted archery and the art of war, laying the foundation for his later military talents.
Chu Ying's first military campaign took place when he was 18 years old. In the first month of the twenty-sixth year of Wanli (1598), Nurhachi sent Chu Ying to lead an army to conquer the Jurchen Anchulakulu in the East China Sea. This operation is a great challenge for Chu Ying, and it is also an opportunity to prove herself.
Chu Ying led the army deep into the enemy's territory and captured more than 20 tunzhai in succession. His command skills were on full display during this operation. He was good at using the terrain, skillfully arranging ambushes, and turning the tide of the battle many times in a disadvantage. Especially when attacking the last cantonment, Chu Ying personally led the elite assault and broke through the enemy's defense line in one fell swoop, and won the final victory.
The victory overjoyed Nurhachi. He personally held a grand celebration ceremony for Chu Ying, bestowed on him the title of "Humba Tulu" (warrior), and promoted him to the title of Baylor. This is not only an affirmation of Chu Ying's personal ability, but also a declaration to everyone: Chu Ying has become an important pillar of the Later Jin regime.
However, it was the Battle of Wujieyan that really established Chu Ying's military prestige nine years later. In the first month of the 35th year of Wanli (1607), Nurhachi sent Chu Ying, Dai Shan, and their uncle Shuerhaqi to receive the surrendered tribes and families. On the way back, they were ambushed by the Urabe.
Faced with an enemy army several times his size, Shulhaqi advocated standing still, but Chu Ying and Dai Shan insisted on fighting. In this battle, Chu Ying showed amazing courage and tactical talent. He personally led an elite cavalry to break through the enemy's defense line and smash the Yellow Dragon. His heroic actions greatly boosted morale, and in the end he won more with less, and won a big victory.
The Battle of Wujieyan not only earned Chu Ying the honorific title of "Alhattu Tumen" (a man of strategy), but more importantly, this victory opened up a passage for the Later Jin to the Ussuri River basin and the middle and lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River, laying the foundation for future expansion.
In the following years, Chu Ying made many military exploits in the process of Nurhachi's unification of the Jurchen tribes. His military talents and political wisdom were fully displayed, and he won the trust of his father and the support of his subordinates.
Finally, in June of the 40th year of Wanli (1612), Nurhachi officially appointed Chu Ying as the prince and authorized him to take charge of the country. This marked the pinnacle of Chu Ying's status, and he became the most powerful person outside of Nurhachi.
However, the pinnacle of power is often also the beginning of danger. Although Chu Ying's position as the prince was not easy to come by, it was even more difficult to maintain. He will face challenges from his brother, his minister, and even his father. Can this young prince successfully navigate this complex political situation and inherit his father's great cause? History is about to give the answer.
After Chu Ying was appointed as the prince, the seemingly bright future was gradually overshadowed. The political dilemma he faced came from three main aspects: the conflict with his brother Baylor, the conflict with the five ministers, and the questioning of his ability to govern.
First of all, the contradiction between Chu Ying and his brother Baylor is deepening day by day. As Nurhachi's eldest son, Chu Ying was already in a special position among the brothers. However, when he was made the crown prince, this peculiarity became even more prominent, causing dissatisfaction among the other brothers. Especially Dai Shan, as the second son of Nurhachi, he is not inferior to Chu Ying in military talent. In the Battle of Wujieyan, Dai Shan also made great achievements, and even personally killed the general of Ulla, Bokdo.
Dai Shan has always been suspicious of Chu Ying's status as the prince. At a military meeting, Dai Shan openly questioned Chu Ying's strategic decision, arguing that he was too aggressive and could put the army in a dangerous situation. This public disagreement not only exposed the contradictions between the brothers, but also made the other Baylors see the possibility of challenging Chu Ying's authority.
Secondly, the conflict between Chu Ying and the five ministers is also becoming more and more serious. The five ministers were Nurhachi's right-hand men and made great contributions in the process of establishing the Later Jin regime. Among them, El, Feiyangu, Gegege, Anfyangu and Shuto were all experienced politicians and military strategists. However, when the young Chu Ying came to power, these old ministers felt that their position was threatened.
In particular, at a meeting to discuss the conquest of the Ming Dynasty, Chu Ying proposed a bold plan, advocating an immediate all-out attack. Among the five ministers, Elfang and Feyangu strongly objected, arguing that the time was not yet ripe and that they should continue to accumulate strength. The dispute eventually ended with Chu Ying's concession, but it also planted the seeds of intensified contradictions in the future.
The five ministers began to secretly conspire in an attempt to limit Chu Ying's power. They slandered Nurhachi, claiming that Chu Ying was young and vigorous and lacked the ability to coordinate the overall situation. These remarks gradually influenced Nurhachi's view of Chu Ying.
Finally, Chu Ying's ability to govern has also been questioned. Although Chu Ying has repeatedly made military achievements, he is unable to deal with complex government affairs. For example, in dealing with the Mongol tribes, Chu Ying adopted a hard-line policy, causing some originally friendly tribes to switch to support the Ming dynasty. This not only weakened the power of the Houjin, but also brought a lot of trouble to Nurhachi's great cause of reunification.
Another controversial event was Chu Ying's policy of surrendering Han Chinese. Chu Ying advocated strict control over these generals and limits their power to prevent their possible betrayal. However, this practice aroused the dissatisfaction of many talented Han generals, and some even chose to rejoin the Ming Dynasty. This not only caused a brain drain, but also deprived Houjin of some potential allies.
A change in attitude
Chu Ying's policy mistakes gradually aroused Nurhachi's dissatisfaction. In a private conversation, Nurhachi harshly criticized Chu Ying's approach, demanding that he must correct his mistakes or face serious consequences.
With the passage of time, Nurhachi's attitude towards Chu Ying began to change significantly. He no longer trusted Chu Ying as fully as before, and began to listen more to the opinions of the other Baylors and the Five Ministers. In some important decisions, Nurhachi even directly bypassed Chu Ying and made decisions in person.
This change in attitude was soon noticed by the ministers of the DPRK and China. Some of those who originally supported Chu Ying began to turn to other Baylors, especially Dai Shan. Chu Ying's power base began to falter, and his influence in the court was declining.
Faced with this situation, Chu Ying did not take effective countermeasures. He continued to go his own way, and even became more arbitrary. During an important military campaign, Chu Ying insisted on acting according to his plan despite the opposition of the crowd, which resulted in heavy losses for the army. This defeat became the last straw that broke the camel's back, and completely shook Nurhachi's trust in Chu Ying.
In this way, Chu Ying gradually slipped from the pinnacle of power. His political predicament deepened, culminating in his tragic fate. However, this is only the beginning, and even bigger storms are coming.
Chu Ying's political career reached a turning point in the sixth year of the Mandate of Heaven (1621). In this year, the Later Jin army captured Shenyang, an important town in eastern Liaodong, and achieved a major victory against the Ming Dynasty. However, at this moment that should have been celebrated, Chu Ying's fate took a sharp turn.
After capturing Shenyang, Nurhachi decided to move the capital from Hetuara to Shenyang. This decision sparked a heated debate between the DPRK and China. Chu Ying was resolutely opposed to moving the capital, believing that Hetuara was located in the traditional hinterland of the Jianzhou Jurchens, with a dangerous terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an ideal capital city. Although Shenyang was strategically located, it was too close to the main force of the Ming army and was vulnerable to attack.
Nurhachi, however, and the other Baylors disagreed. They believed that moving the capital to Shenyang would give them better control over the newly conquered Liaodong region, while also deterring the Ming Dynasty and demonstrating the strength of the Later Jin. The controversy ended with Nurhachi's support for the relocation of the capital.
Chu Ying's opposition not only did not change the situation, but instead caused Nurhachi's dissatisfaction. In the following series of military campaigns, Nurhachi began to gradually reduce Chu Ying's involvement. Chu Ying, who was once dominant, is now marginalized and can only watch as other Baylors, especially Dai Shan, gradually take over his duties.
In the spring of the seventh year of the Mandate of Heaven (1622), a sudden event became a turning point in Chu Ying's fate. At that time, the Later Jin army was attacking Jinzhou. Chu Ying was ordered to lead a partial division to attack the rear of the Ming army. However, on the march, Chu Ying's troops were ambushed by the Ming army and suffered heavy losses.
This defeat gave Chu Ying's political enemies an opportunity. Among the five ministers, Erzhen and Feiyangu immediately slandered Nurhachi, claiming that Chu Ying deliberately responded passively to the battle, resulting in the loss of the army. They suggested that Chu Ying might be dissatisfied with the move of the capital to Shenyang and therefore intended to sabotage the military operation.
Although these allegations lack direct evidence, they have raised the alarm of Nurhachi. He began to re-examine Chu Ying's actions, including his previous opposition to the relocation of the capital, his conflicts with the five ministers, and his controversy over the handling of the Han Chinese surrender to generals.
At this sensitive moment, Chu Ying made another fatal mistake. At a military conference, when Nurhachi proposed to further expand the offensive against the Ming Dynasty, Chu Ying openly objected. He believed that the strength of the Later Jin was not enough to confront the Ming Dynasty in an all-out way, and that a more cautious strategy should be adopted. This remark was not only seen as a challenge to Nurhachi's authority, but also interpreted as a distrust of the post-Kim cause.
Nurhachi was furious and severely reprimanded Chu Ying on the spot. This scene was seen by the other Baylors and ministers, and Chu Ying's political status suddenly fell to the bottom.
In September of the seventh year of the Mandate of Heaven, Nurhachi finally made up his mind to depose Chu Ying. In a solemn ceremony, Nurhachi publicly announced that Chu Ying had committed crimes such as "neglecting military affairs and disobeying the holy will", revoked his position as prince and the title of Baylor, and put him under house arrest.
Chu Ying's deposition caused a great shock in the Later Jin Dynasty. Many people didn't expect that the eldest son, the former prince and Nurhachi, would end up like this. However, something even more shocking is yet to come.
In the first month of the eighth year of the Mandate of Heaven (1623), Nurhachi suddenly ordered Chu Ying to be executed. It is said that the immediate cause of this decision was the discovery that Chu Ying was still secretly contacting some of the old ministries during his house arrest in an attempt to make a comeback. Regardless of the truth, the thirty-six-year-old Chu Ying did not escape the catastrophe in the end.
Chu Ying's death
Chu Yingzhi's death caused a huge shock in the Later Jin Dynasty. Many people did not expect that Nurhachi would be so cruel to his eldest son. This incident not only completely changed the power structure of the post-Jin, but also made everyone see Nurhachi's iron-fisted rule.
Chu Ying's tragedy has provoked deep reflection on the change of power. In this nascent Manchurian regime, even the emperor's eldest son and designated heir could lose everything overnight. This ruthless political reality foreshadowed that the Later Jin Dynasty and later the Qing Dynasty would be an arena full of power struggles and intrigues.
Chu Ying's deposition and execution was not only a tragedy for one person, but also a microcosm of the early turmoil of the entire Manchurian regime. It revealed the contradictions and conflicts within this emerging regime, and also laid the groundwork for the subsequent change of power. After Chu Ying, more people will be involved in this brutal power game, including Nurhachi's favorite concubine Abahai.
With the fall of Chu Ying, the power structure of the Later Jin regime changed dramatically. During this turbulent period, a seemingly inconspicuous figure gradually emerged, and she was Nurhachi's favorite concubine, Abahai.
Abahai was born in Yehbe and was the daughter of Yehbel Narimbulu. In the third year of the Mandate of Heaven (1618), Houjin attacked Yehe City, and Abahai was captured and became Nurhachi's side concubine. At first, Abahai was not taken seriously, just one of many concubines. However, she quickly won Nurhachi's favor with her ingenuity and political skills.
After Chu Ying was deposed, Abahai began to make a name for himself in the court. She is keenly aware of the power vacuum and skillfully uses her position to fill the void. Abahai first recruited a number of important ministers and generals, including Elfang and Feiyangu, among the five ministers. Through private conversations and small favors, she gradually built up her own support network.
In the eighth year of the Mandate of Heaven (1623), Abahai gave birth to Nurhachi's fourteenth son, Dorgon. The birth of this child further strengthened Abahai's position. Nurhachi was particularly fond of this old man, and therefore trusted Abahai even more.
Abahai took full advantage of this opportunity and began to actively participate in the government. She often spoke in Nurhachi's ear, offering her own views on various government affairs. At first, many ministers complained about this, arguing that a woman should not interfere in state affairs. Abahai's advice, however, is often to the point, showing her remarkable political acumen.
For example, on the issue of dealing with the Mongolian ministries, Abahai proposed the strategy of "uniting Mongolia with the Ming". She suggested that Nurhachi win over the Mongol tribes through marriages and other means to resist the pressure of the Ming Dynasty. This suggestion was endorsed by Nurhachi and has achieved remarkable results in subsequent practice.
Abahai's influence was not limited to domestic affairs, but she was also quite accomplished in the military field. In the ninth year of the Mandate of Heaven (1624), a fierce battle broke out between the Later Jin and the Ming Dynasty in Ningyuan. At the pre-war military conference, Abahai proposed a bold plan: to send a light cavalry to bypass the main force of the Ming army and take Liaoxi directly. Although this plan is risky, if successful, it may completely disrupt the deployment of the Ming army.
Nurhachi took this advice and sent Daizen to lead elite cavalry on this mission. As a result, this light cavalry successfully broke through the Ming defense line and captured several important towns, forcing the Ming army to divide its forces to deal with it, which ultimately led to the victory of Houjin after the Battle of Ningyuan.
The success of this military operation further increased Abahai's prestige. Many generals began to admire her military talents, and some even called her a "female military teacher".
However, Abahai's rise has also aroused the fear of other forces in the DPRK and China. In particular, Daizen and other Baylors were concerned that Abahai might affect future succession issues. In order to balance the forces, Abahai began to adopt a more cautious strategy. She keeps a low profile on the surface, but in fact she is constantly strengthening her position through the bond of Dolgon.
Abahai's influence
In the tenth year of the Mandate of Heaven (1625), Nurhachi decided to make Huang Taiji, the son of his eldest son Chu Ying, the prince. This decision came as a surprise to many, as Huang Taiji was not the oldest or most meritorious of Nurhachi's sons. Rumor has it that Abahai was behind this decision.
Whatever the truth, Abahai did form some degree of alliance with Huang Taiji. She seems to realize that supporting Huang Taiji's succession to the throne may be the best option to protect her future position and that of Dorgon.
As Nurhachi advanced his age, the various factions in the DPRK and China began to prepare for a future change of power. In this complex political situation, Abahai has shown a masterful balance. On the one hand, she continued to support Huang Taiji, and on the other hand, she did not forget to win over other Baylors, trying to maintain a delicate balance between the various forces.
In the eleventh year of the Mandate of Heaven (1626), Nurhachi suddenly fell seriously ill on the way to conquer the Ming Dynasty. This news was like a bombshell, causing a huge shock in the post-Jin dynasty. The various forces began to work in the shadows to prepare for the upcoming transfer of power.
At this critical juncture, Abahai once again demonstrated her political wisdom. She quickly organized an alliance with Huang Taiji as the core, including a number of important Baylors and ministers. The formation of this alliance laid the foundation for Huang Taiji's smooth succession to the throne in the future.
After Nurhachi's death, Huang Taiji succeeded to the throne as he wished. Although Abahai was no longer the emperor's favorite concubine, her political influence did not diminish as a result. On the contrary, as the queen mother, she played a more important role in the new regime. Her son, Dorgon, also grew into a powerful political figure under the auspices of Huang Taiji.
The rise of Abahai not only changed the political pattern of the Later Jin, but also laid the groundwork for the establishment and development of the Qing Dynasty in the future. Her story shows how a wise woman can use her wits and skill to earn her place in the male-dominated political arena in these turbulent times.
In the first year of Tiancong (1627), Huang Taiji officially succeeded to the throne of Khan and became the new ruler of Houjin. The succession process was not without its challenges, but was fraught with complex political games and power struggles.
Although Huang Taiji has the support of Abahai, the challenges he faces are still enormous. First of all, he was not the oldest or most meritorious of Nurhachi's sons. Secondly, as the son of the late Chu Ying, his identity has also become a sensitive topic to some extent.
In order to consolidate his dominance, Huang Taiji adopted a series of shrewd political strategies. He first co-opted a group of important Baylors and ministers, including Daishan, Amin and others. By granting them important positions and privileges, Huang Taiji succeeded in defusing potential opposition.
At the same time, Huang Taiji also noticed the contradictions between the Manchurian aristocracy and the Han Chinese. In order to better rule the newly conquered Liaodong region, he began to implement a series of reform measures. The most important of these was the establishment of the "Eight Banners Han Army" system, which incorporated a large number of Han Chinese into the Eight Banners system, making them an important part of the military power of the Later Jin.
Reform measures
This move not only strengthened the military strength of the Later Jin, but also effectively resolved the contradictions between the Manchus and the Hans. Many Han Chinese, who had been hostile to the Later Jin, gradually identified with the new regime as a result of their inclusion in the Eight Banners system. This laid an important foundation for the Later Jin Dynasty's conquest of the Central Plains.
In military affairs, Huang Taiji showed extraordinary talent. He inherited Nurhachi's military ideas, but with some innovations. In the second year of Tiancong (1628), Huang Taiji personally led an army to attack Korea, which not only achieved a military victory, but more importantly, forced Korea to recognize the suzerainty status of the Later Jin Dynasty and cut off the connection between Korea and the Ming Dynasty.
The victory in the Korean War greatly enhanced Huang Taiji's prestige in the army. Many generals began to genuinely recognize the abilities of the new Great Khan. At the same time, this victory also opened up a new diplomatic situation for the Later Jin and accumulated important strategic resources for the future confrontation with the Ming Dynasty.
In terms of domestic affairs, Huang Taiji also carried out a series of important reforms. He noted that the original tribal system of the Later Jin Dynasty could no longer adapt to the expanding territory and complex political situation. As a result, he began to gradually build a more systematic and institutionalized set of government institutions.
In the third year of Tiancong (1629), Huang Taiji set up six departments, namely the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Households, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Criminal Affairs and the Ministry of Industry. This move marked the beginning of the transition to centralization in the Later Jin Dynasty and laid the institutional foundation for the establishment of the Qing Dynasty in the future.
At the same time, Huang Taiji also pays attention to cultural construction. He realized that in order to truly rule the Central Plains, it was not enough to rely on force, but also to gain cultural identity. Therefore, he vigorously advocated Manchu education, but also encouraged the study of Han culture. With his support, Hou Jin began translating and compiling a large number of Chinese classics, laying the foundation for future cultural policies.
In terms of external relations, Huang Taiji has adopted a more flexible strategy. On the one hand, he continued to exert military pressure on the Ming Dynasty, and on the other hand, he also sought peace through diplomatic means. In the fourth year of Tiancong (1630), Huang Taiji sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty and proposed peace talks. Although the peace talks were ultimately unsuccessful, they showed Huang Taiji's political wisdom and long-term vision.
Huang Taiji also attached great importance to relations with the Mongol tribes. He continued the strategy of "uniting Mongolia and controlling the Ming" during the Nurhachi period, and won over the Mongolian nobles through marriages and canonizations. In the fifth year of Tiancong (1631), Huang Taiji personally led an army to the west, successfully subduing many Mongolian tribes such as Horqin and Khalkha, and greatly expanding the sphere of influence of the Later Jin.
In terms of economy, Huang Taiji has also made important contributions. He noted that the original economic system of Houjin was no longer able to meet the growing needs of the country. As a result, he embarked on a series of economic reforms. The most important of these is to encourage agricultural production and develop the fertile land in the eastern Liaoning region. At the same time, he also supported the development of handicrafts and commerce, laying the foundation for the economic prosperity of the Later Jin.
In the eighth year of Tiancong (1634), Huang Taiji made a major decision: to change the name of the country from "Houjin" to "Daqing". This decision was not just a name change, but also a declaration of ambition to establish a new dynasty. From this moment on, Huang Taiji was no longer satisfied with being the head of a local government, but set his sights on the entire Central Plains.
This series of reforms and measures enabled the Houjin, which was originally only a local power, to gradually develop into a new empire capable of challenging the rule of the Ming Dynasty. The succession of Huang Taiji not only brought about the change of political power, but also created a new historical stage. Under his leadership, the Later Jin – now the Qing Dynasty – is growing stronger at an unprecedented rate.
However, Huang Taiji's reforms and expansion also brought new challenges. With the expansion of the territory and the change of the system, the contradiction between the original tribal aristocracy and the emerging bureaucracy became increasingly prominent. How to balance these different interest groups, how to deal with Manchu-Han relations, and how to deal with the counterattack of the Ming Dynasty are all major issues that Huang Taiji needs to face. The resolution of these problems will directly affect the future direction of the Qing Empire.