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Author: Jing Hong
Editor: T
In the waning years of the Ming Dynasty, beset by internal strife and external threats, the empire teetered on the brink of collapse. It was during this precarious time that a hero emerged to defy the Qing invaders — Yuan Chonghuan. He stood resolute, vowing to defend the Ming Empire at all costs.
Yuan Chonghuan, a formidable general of the late Ming Dynasty, displayed exceptional intelligence and scholarly prowess from a young age. With a heart ablaze with patriotic fervor, he dedicated himself to serving his country. In the forty-seventh year of the Wanli reign, he achieved the rank of Jinshi in the imperial examinations, marking the beginning of his illustrious career. At the Battle of Ningyuan, Yuan Chonghuan's extraordinary courage and military acumen repelled the advances of the Later Jin (predecessor of the Qing Dynasty), earning him fame as a hero of the Ming Empire.
Following his victory at Ningyuan, Yuan Chonghuan was appointed as the military governor of Liaodong, tasked with overseeing the defense of the entire Liaodong region. Recognizing the strategic importance of Liaodong and the imminent threat from the Later Jin, Yuan Chonghuan, together with the superintendent Sun Chengzong, constructed the renowned Guanning Defensive Line. This defensive barrier not only effectively halted the Later Jin's onslaught but also provided valuable strategic respite for the Ming Empire.
During the construction of the defensive line, Yuan Chonghuan demonstrated exceptional talent and bravery. He personally surveyed the terrain, designed fortifications, and led troops, boosting morale. Under his leadership, the morale of the Ming army soared, successfully repelling repeated attacks by the Later Jin. It can be said that without Yuan Chonghuan's outstanding contributions, the Ming defensive lines in Liaodong would likely have collapsed long ago.
In the second year of the Chongzhen reign, Huang Taiji circumvented Yuan Chonghuan's defenses and advanced toward Beijing through Mongolia. Yuan Chonghuan hurriedly returned to defend Beijing, engaging in a fierce battle outside Guangqumen, successfully repelling Huang Taiji. However, this victory sowed the seeds of future failures for Yuan Chonghuan.
Why is this so? Despite successfully repelling the Later Jin, Yuan Chonghuan made a strategic error by overly relying on the Guanning Defensive Line and neglecting defenses in other regions. This oversight provided an opportunity for the Later Jin forces.
Yuan Chonghuan, though valiant in battle, was inept in managing internal relationships. Among his subordinates were two capable generals, Zu Dashou and He Kegang. Despite their military prowess, Yuan Chonghuan failed to unite them. Their discord during critical moments resembled pieces on a Go board acting independently, vulnerable to the adversary's divide and conquer strategy.
Yuan Chonghuan also made a fatal mistake in his personal conduct. Despite allegations from the imperial censors, Yuan Chonghuan rashly executed Mao Wenlong with the imperial sword, only later reporting to Emperor Chongzhen. This act deeply offended the Emperor, as Mao Wenlong, like Yuan Chonghuan, held the imperial sword and commanded a garrison, rendering Yuan Chonghuan's actions a personal vendetta, overstepping his authority.
Yuan Chonghuan also committed tactical errors. A notable instance occurred after the Battle of Ningyuan when he failed to pursue the Later Jin forces promptly, granting them a respite. Timing in warfare, like cooking, requires seizing the moment; hesitation allowed the Later Jin a chance to recover, laying the groundwork for future setbacks.
Another instance was during the siege of Jinzhou when Yuan Chonghuan chose to hold his position rather than retreat. While initially reasonable, he failed to promptly contact nearby reinforcements. This scenario is akin to a house fire where emergency responders are unaware of the situation, allowing the fire to intensify.
Yuan Chonghuan's increasing prestige in Liaodong aroused suspicion and dissatisfaction within the court. Opportunistic courtiers slandered him for amassing military power and plotting treason. Yuan Chonghuan, steadfast in character, refused to compromise with these courtiers, leading to strained relations with the court. Despite repeatedly petitioning to resign, Yuan Chonghuan's requests were denied, leaving him increasingly isolated.
Another misstep was his association with Wei Zhongxian. In the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, Yuan Chonghuan attributed his successes against the Qing to Wei Zhongxian and proposed building a shrine in Liaodong to honor him. Following the demise of Emperor Xianzong, Emperor Chongzhen's first action was to purge Wei Zhongxian and his eunuch faction. Yuan Chonghuan's actions tarnished his reputation and foreshadowed tragic consequences.
The final misstep was the defense of Beijing, as previously mentioned. While Yuan Chonghuan successfully repelled the Qing forces, allowing them to bypass the Guanning Defensive Line and threaten Beijing directly cast doubt on his ability to defend effectively.
Lastly, Yuan Chonghuan's political maneuvering during the Beijing defense further compromised him. He negotiated with the Qing forces and exchanged letters with Huang Taiji multiple times before the siege of Beijing. Combined with his conflict with many powerful figures within the court, Yuan Chonghuan's arrest and subsequent return to Beijing were inevitable after the defense.
In the capital city, his detractors capitalized on the peace talks' letters to defame him, alleging he had colluded with the Qing. Emperor Chongzhen, influenced by these slanders, suspected Yuan Chonghuan of treason.
In August of the third year of the Chongzhen reign (1630), Yuan Chonghuan was executed in a brutal manner. His family was exiled three thousand miles away, and their property was confiscated, leaving them destitute.
After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Huang Taiji's disinformation campaign against Yuan Chonghuan finally cleared his name. From a reviled traitor, Yuan Chonghuan became the last hope of the Ming Dynasty, but by then, both he and the Ming Dynasty had already perished.
After reading about Yuan Chonghuan's historical tale, do you also feel a sense of regret? If only he had been more cautious and wise from the beginning, perhaps the history of the Ming Dynasty would have been different.
References:
1. Wang Ronghuang. Yuan Chonghuan and the Politics of the Chongzhen Era. Ming and Qing Studies, 2022, (01): 35-54.
2. Huang Ming. Yuan Chonghuan: Promises Made and Paid for with His Life. Teenagers, 2022, (20): 26-27.
3. Wang Ronghuang. Yuan Chonghuan and the Political Struggles of the Tianqi Era. Academic Research, 2022, (01): 131-141.
4. Caomu. War God Yuan Chonghuan. Young Men and Women, 2025, (16): 58-63.
5. Zhao Libo. The Deadlock Between Emperor Chongzhen and Yuan Chonghuan. World of Literature and History, 2025, (01): 28-33.
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