Chapter 54 Eventful Times

In July of the first year of Yongchang in the Dashun dynasty (1644), the eastern district of Xi'an city housed the most sprawling and magnificent complex of buildings—the imperial palace of Li Zicheng’s Dashun regime. Times had changed. This place had once been the auspicious cradle of Li Zicheng’s triumphs. Yet, following his brief and uneasy stay in Beijing, compounded by the relentless pursuit of the Manchus and the crushing defeat of the elite Dashun forces at Yipianshi outside Shanhai Pass—which cost him twenty to thirty percent of his veterans—his subsequent successive defeats beneath the walls of Tongguan had dealt him a mortal blow. The painstaking efforts of the past few years were now on the verge of total collapse.

Faced with the relentless pursuit of the Manchus and Wu Sangui, Li Zicheng was utterly powerless. He had shrunk back into the safety of Xi'an city, not even daring to entertain the thought of reclaiming the strategic stronghold of Tongguan to serve as a defensive screen for Xi'an.

Confronted with one defeat after another, the one-eyed Li Zicheng sat despondently on the throne of his imperial palace, resembling a beaten fighting cock. Supporting his cheek with one hand, his lifeless eyes swept across the civil and military officials filling the hall. The eyepatch strapped diagonally across his face to conceal his disfigurement added an even more tragic air to his appearance.

Fresh battle reports had just arrived, stating that Wu Sangui had been created Prince Pingxi by the Manchu Prince Regent Dorgon, and was currently assembling an eighty-thousand-strong army in Taiyuan. Furthermore, military dispatches revealed that not only was Wu Sangui on the move, but in Beijing, Dorgon had ordered Prince Ying, Ajige—who had fought fifty-six consecutive battles and captured sixty-three cities—to lead fifty thousand Banner troops. This massive army had already reached Zhending Prefecture in Hebei and would join forces with Wu Sangui in ten days at the earliest. Their objective, needless to say, was to uproot the threat entirely by launching a concerted assault to shatter Xi'an, the center of power of the Dashun regime.

Li Zicheng in the grand hall possessed none of his former swagger and panache. Having experienced such violent reversals of fortune, he no longer retained the reckless drive of a gambler. He cast a glance down at Liu Zongmin, seated below him—the second-in-command of the Dashun court, a single rat dropping that had ruined a whole pot of porridge. Had it not been for his forcible seizure of Chen Yuanyuan, Wu Sangui’s favorite concubine, matters would never have deteriorated to this present state.

The hall was preternaturally silent. The two factions of civil and military officials sat separated on either side, casting furtive glances at one another, occasionally lowering their heads to heave long sighs. Most of them wore dejected expressions.

"General of State," Li Zicheng said, "say something. How shall we counter the enemy?"

Liu Zongmin still retained a shred of bravado. After all, eight years ago he had been so impoverished that even securing a meal was a problem; in the years since, what luxury had he not enjoyed? He had even spat upon the emperor of the Great Ming dynasty. What did losing a few cities matter? What was the loss of a couple of hundred thousand troops? They could simply start all over again. It was not as though they had never lost before; back in the day, when they were hounded by the Ming forces until only eighteen men remained, they had still survived.

"Your Majesty," Liu Zongmin declared, "in my view, over these past two months, our Dashun army has merely suffered from underestimating the enemy. Successive victories made commanders at all levels lose their heads, allowing that dog-traitors Wu Sangui and the Manchu Tartars to exploit the situation. At present, I can still mobilize three hundred thousand troops. Intelligence indicates that only twenty thousand Tartar soldiers are garrisoned at Tongguan. Dorgon must assume that we will only retreat blindly westward and southward; he will never expect us to seize the initiative now. As long as we concentrate our superior forces to capture Tongguan in one fell swoop, and then take Taiyuan before Ajige joins forces with Wu Sangui, we can then await Ajige’s five thousand Tartar soldiers at our ease beneath the walls of Taiyuan."

Over the years, not only had Liu Zongmin’s waistline expanded, his rank elevated, and his wealth multiplied, but his boastfulness had also grown exponentially. Whenever the Dashun army caught sight of Manchu banners, the only thought that crossed their minds was flight. The mere prospect of reclaiming Tongguan was a remote possibility, let alone capturing Taiyuan, which was defended by Wu Sangui’s formidable Guanning Iron Cavalry. Such a plan was utterly detached from reality, especially since the Dashun court was currently struggling to put food on the table.

Li Zicheng chose to treat his words as if they had never been spoken, refusing to look at him further. Instead, he shifted his gaze to his nephew, General of the Guard Li Guo. "Li Guo, what is your opinion?"

Li Guo was equally devoid of a viable strategy. The Dashun army had suffered defeat after defeat, and morale had plummeted to rock bottom. To speak of attacking Tongguan and Taiyuan was pure fantasy. He rose from his chair, cupped his hands, and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, while General Liu’s proposal is theoretically the superior course, we must not act with undue haste. Although our imperial forces still number three hundred thousand strong, the men are utterly devoid of fighting spirit. If we wish to recapture Tongguan, the paramount task is to restore the morale of our troops. Yet time waits for no man; the Tartar soldiers will not grant us much leisure. In my view, it would be wiser to retreat and secure Huguang, temporarily avoiding the enemy's sharp edge. Once entrenched in Huguang, we can utilize the rugged and torturous mountainous terrain to maneuver against the Manchu Banner troops, biding our time to shatter the enemy. Once our strength is restored, we can slowly plot our return northward."

Upon hearing this campaign strategy, the cloud of sorrow on Li Zicheng’s face dissipated slightly. Li Zicheng retained a modest degree of self-awareness. When they spoke of having an army of three hundred thousand, well over half of those men were merely peasants rounded up along the route of their march. These individuals had either been coerced into military service or had joined simply to secure a full belly. To genuinely expect them to charge into battle and slay the enemy was an illusion; at best, their sheer numbers might serve to frighten the foe.

Li Zicheng nodded slightly. "The General of State proposes reclaiming Tongguan, while the General of the Guard suggests retreating to Huguang. One is too precipitate, the other too dilatory. Are there any other strategies?"

A flurry of whispered consultations rippled through the hall. The hot-blooded generals eager to earn military honors threw their support behind Liu Zongmin, while the cautious, veteran generals favored Li Guo’s strategy of retreating to Huguang. Among the latter was Yuan Zongdi, a veteran who had retreated to Xi'an from the Ming-Dashun frontline at Anqing Prefecture. However, he did not entirely agree with Li Guo’s notion.

Yuan Zongdi glanced between Liu Zongmin and Li Guo. In terms of prestige and status, he was inferior to both. Today’s court assembly was discussing matters of life and death for the Dashun dynasty, and he hesitated, wanting to speak yet holding back.

Li Zicheng noticed him. This man had been to the Huguang frontline; Yuan Zongdi was undoubtedly the best-qualified to speak on the feasibility of retreating to Huguang. "Marquis of Jin," Li Zicheng prompted, "you have accompanied me through countless campaigns across the realm. You have experienced crises far graver than today's predicament. Do you harbor a different perspective?"

In truth, Li Zicheng had already made up his mind. Run. Where they went mattered little; what mattered was getting as far away as possible from that madman Wu Sangui. If retreating to Huguang still proved unsafe, they could always surrender to the Ming court in Nanjing, luring the Tartar troops and Wu Sangui into conflict with the rump Ming regime in Jiangnan. Once both sides had exhausted themselves, the Dashun forces could raise their banners anew and reap the fisherman’s profit. Naturally, he could not voice these thoughts aloud; his immediate priority was to reach the Jianghuai region and take cover behind the Ming army.

Seeing the emperor address him, Yuan Zongdi hurriedly rose and bowed. "Replying to Your Majesty, General Liu’s words certainly reflect the bearing of a great commander. The Dashun court is in dire need of a resounding victory to boost morale. However, Tongguan is far too precipitous; taking it is exceedingly difficult. The General of the Guard’s proposal to retreat to Huguang, utilizing the mountainous terrain to draw the Tartars into an attack while biding our time to ambush them and accumulate minor victories into a major triumph, is a relatively stable strategy. Yet Huguang is geographically constricted and its populace impoverished. When my subordinate forces recently marched toward Anqing Prefecture via Huguang, we witnessed starving refugees everywhere. Should our Dashun court lead our masses thither, how could such a region possibly sustain a million souls?"

Li Zicheng’s eyes lit up. This touched upon the very crux of the matter. "Indeed, the Marquis of Jin is truly a veteran strategist of the state. I share the exact same concern. Continue."

Yuan Zongdi proceeded, "In my humble opinion, Xi'an is the auspicious cradle of our dynasty and must not be abandoned lightly. I propose the following: first, for the sake of the suffering masses across the realm, Your Majesty should transfer the imperial carriage to Huguang, seeking an opportunity to negotiate a peace with the southern Ming court and Zhang Xianzhong in Sichuan, uniting with them to jointly resist the northern barbarians. This is a righteous cause, and I believe they will consent. Second, we should leave a formidable garrison in Xi'an to entice the Tartars to attack. The formidable fortifications of Xi'an city will be more than sufficient to buy time for Your Majesty’s diplomatic endeavors."

Upon hearing this, General of the Guard Li Guo was overjoyed, unable to contain his jubilation. "Splendid! Truly the words of a veteran who has survived a hundred battles! The Tartars harbor ambitions of seizing the empire and view all heroes under heaven as enemies. As long as we can unite, what have we to fear from these puny northern barbarians?"

Liu Zongmin, however, was unimpressed, letting out a scornful laugh. "Unite? Pure fantasy! We drove the former Ming Chongzhen emperor to hang himself on Meishan, and our relations with Zhang Xianzhong have long since soured since the Elder Brother proclaimed himself emperor—we are practically on the verge of armed conflict. Looking across the entire realm, who is there left with whom we might unite?"

At this moment, Song Xiance, the veteran chief strategist of the Dashun court who had remained silent thus far, spoke up. "Reporting to Your Majesty, times have changed. The northern barbarians are of a foreign race, whereas the heroes of the Central Plains are predominantly Han descendants. When the northern thieves crossed the pass, their aim was to usurp Han territory—they are public enemies of the nation, the common foe of all under heaven. With this single premise, an alliance is by no means an impossibility. However, once the court moves southward, the expenses incurred will be astronomical. How we are to appease the hundreds of thousands of troops accompanying us—that is the paramount issue."

With this, the southern migration of the Dashun court was sealed. Li Zicheng finally heaved a sigh of relief, rose to his feet, and declared, "Since there is no objection to advancing into Huguang, let it be settled thus. Front General Li Laiheng and Hao Yongzhong’s armies have already spent months operating in the Jianghuai region, laying the foundation for our seizure of Jiangnan. Hear my decree!"

The civil and military officials scrambled to their feet, cupping their hands in unison. "Present!"

Li Zicheng placed his hands on his hips and commanded, "The Tartar military momentum is formidable; our court must avoid their strong points and strike their weak ones. General of State Liu Zongmin, General of the Guard Li Guo!"

The two men stepped out from the ranks and dropped to their knees. "Your ministers are present!"

"I order the two of you to lead a force of forty thousand to remain behind and garrison Xi'an. You must hold out for a full month to bog down the Tartars, after which you may withdraw as circumstances permit."

"We obey the imperial decree!" Though at odds politically, both men held absolute reverence for Li Zicheng.

Li Zicheng continued, "Marquis of Jin, Yuan Zongdi."

"Your subordinate is present."

"I confer upon you the title of Great General Pacifying the South. Lead an army of one hundred thousand to set out in advance, clearing the path for the southward migration of the imperial palace, and effect a junction with Li Laiheng. Intelligence reports indicate that Li Laiheng’s assault at Anqing Prefecture has met with obstruction. You are to combine your forces with his. Even if we are to negotiate peace with the remnants of the Ming, we must first batter them into submission. Capture Hizhou and Luzhou north of the Yangtze to exert a deterrent pressure on Nanjing."

Yuan Zongdi bowed. "I obey the imperial decree! Reporting to Your Majesty, while the various regional Ming garrisons are hardly to be feared, my subordinates recently received intelligence stating that Wang Langting, the newly appointed Marquis Pacifying the South by the Ming court, commands an army of sixty thousand and is currently at the height of his power. In my judgment, this man may be young, but he possesses boundless ambition. Judging by his recent actions, he appears intent on monopolizing all military authority within the Ming armies. Having recently absorbed thirty thousand Huai'an troops, his military prestige has soared. I have heard that he has eight thousand troops stationed at Taiping Prefecture, separated only by the river from Hizhou. If we are to induce the Ming court to cast aside past grudges and ally with our dynasty, defeating this man is the finest bargaining chip for our negotiations."

Li Zicheng nodded approvingly. "Granted. Once you meet with Li Laiheng, act as circumstances dictate. I have long heard of this top military laureate—bring him down."

Yuan Zongdi acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Li Zicheng issued his next command, "Bai Wang."

The veteran general Bai Wang, formerly a trusted subordinate of Li Zicheng and now serving as the Dashun Grand Coordinator of Xi'an, stepped out from the ranks. "Your aged servant is present!"

"I appoint you as Great General Pacifying the West. Lead an army of seventy thousand via Hanzhong, advancing into Sichuan to compel Zhang Xianzhong to submit."

"I obey the imperial decree!"

"Strategist Song Xiance."

"Present!"

"I command you and Left Wing General of the Guard Gao Yigong to lead an army of thirty thousand to escort the imperial palace southward."

"I obey the imperial decree!"

Li Zicheng paused to reflect whether any omissions had been made. Every aspect seemed accounted for—save for the most crucial element: money! A military movement of this scale required astronomical sums along the journey. You cannot wage war without funds; the moment military pay is cut off, the army mutinies midway.

Li Zicheng swept his gaze across the assembled throng. Virtually all capable men had been assigned their respective posts—ah, no, there remained one more individual of considerable utility: Niu Jinxing, the Grand Chancellor of the Dashun regime, renowned as its wise counselor.

"Grand Academician of the Heavenly Blessing Pavilion, Niu Jinxing!"

"Your minister is present!" Niu Jinxing’s eyes gleamed; he had already anticipated what manner of lucrative assignment would fall to him.

"I command you to accompany me southward, raising provisions and military supplies from the nearest sources for the various columns along the route. You are authorized to act as circumstances dictate, disbursing supplies to the various armies punctually and in full measure without delay."

"Your minister obeys the imperial decree!" Niu Jinxing was ecstatic. This was a magnificent assignment. Acting as circumstances dictated meant that as long as money and grain could be procured—whether by extortion or theft—no questions would be asked. The total sum of grain and silver thus acquired would be a bottomless pit, promising unimaginable wealth.

Originally, when Li Zicheng had marched on Beijing, fighting and plundering wealthy households along the way to sustain the war through warfare, the war had ended faster than even he anticipated. In a mere few months, he had marched from Xi'an to Beijing and inadvertently captured the capital.

Once Li Zicheng ascended the throne, all the subjects of the realm became his people; he could hardly go about looting the subjects under his own administration. Furthermore, the Dashun court levied no taxes, and with no wars currently being fought, the source of revenue dried up entirely.

Only then did Li Zicheng realize how naive his earlier pronouncements had been. Without taxes, whence came the money? Without money, how could one remain emperor? Consequently, upon entering Beijing, he had ruthlessly squeezed tens of millions of liang of silver from former Ming officials to tide over the immediate crisis. Yet now, with the newly established Dashun court facing a myriad of tasks waiting to be undertaken and an army numbering over a million, that paltry sum was wholly inadequate.

Just as Li Zicheng was agonizing over the lack of silver, Wu Sangui invited the Qing forces through the pass. Following his defeat at Tongguan and subsequent retreat to Xi'an, the Dashun treasury was practically emptied. The various prefectures surrounding Xi'an had already been thoroughly plundered during their initial conquest; there was nothing left to squeeze. While Li Zicheng was fretting over silver in Xi'an, Li Laiheng submitted a memorial through Li Guo from the Huai'ning frontline, suggesting that the Dashun court sustain the state through taxation—taking from the people and using for the people—as this was the fundamental foundation of nation-building.

Consequently, the Dashun court promulgated a taxation law. However, having previously declared that taxes would be abolished, suddenly imposing them would inevitably provoke popular discontent. Thus, the Dashun court announced that the new tax law would take effect five years hence, levied at a rate of one part in thirty, following the precedent of the former Ming.

Five days later, Li Zicheng wondered whether he could even remain emperor for another five years; waiting five years to levy taxes would not resolve the immediate crisis. He immediately issued another decree advancing the implementation to three years hence.

Seven days later, Li Zicheng still felt it was too slow and abruptly shortened it to one year.

Hardly had this imperial edict left the palace gates than Li Zicheng hurriedly recalled the messenger, revising it to immediate implementation, with the proviso that the wealthy were to be taxed while the impoverished were exempt.

Half a month elapsed. Out of the nine prefectures and seventy-three counties of the Dashun state, a meager total of fifty thousand liang of silver had been collected—utterly useless.

The truth was that the wealthy households of the Dashun state had either fled or perished back when Li Zicheng proclaimed his kingship. The Dashun realm claimed a population of thirty million, but virtually all were common peasants—what taxes could possibly be extracted from them?

In the end, Li Zicheng could no longer afford to care about taxation laws. Everything required money, so he simply resorted to the most direct and rudimentary method: plunder!

Thus, when Niu Jinxing heard that he had been tasked with raising silver and grain for the grand army, how could he not rejoice?

Having arranged everything, Li Zicheng waved a hand toward the assembly. "Gentlemen, follow me to move the imperial residence to Wuchang. May all commanders unite their efforts to ensure the eternal prosperity of our Dashun."

***

Within the Forbidden City of Beijing, past glories had been reduced to a expanse of broken rubble by the raging fires set during Li Zicheng’s evacuation, bearing no trace of what had once been the most magnificent palace complex of the Great Ming dynasty.

Fortunately, to serve for his own enthronement ceremony, Li Zicheng had spared the Hall of Martial Prowess from destruction.

At this moment, the Manchu Prince Regent, much like Li Zicheng in Xi'an, was issuing military orders for the conquest of Han territory. The young Emperor Shunzhi sat upon the dragon throne like a puppet, uttering not a word.

Dorgon paced with his hands behind his back, sweeping his gaze across the high-ranking Manchu commanders kneeling before him. After a long silence, he commanded, "Our Banner warriors have now rested and await their orders. Prince Ying, Ajige, has marched his army into Xi'an to exterminate Li Zicheng. Looking across the Han realm, only the Jiangnan region is supremely wealthy; the Ming remnants are unworthy of possessing it. Our court must immediately dispatch troops to seize Jiangnan while they have yet to firmly establish themselves and the political situation remains turbid. Prince Yu, Dodo, you are hereby appointed Great General for the Southern Expedition, commanding an army of one hundred thousand to march southward along the Grand Canal and take Nanjing directly."

"Jia!"