Bulletin of Catholic University of Peking

48 BULLETIN NUMBER FOUR

alive and took possession of the fayorite concubine of this dignitary, and ‘by so doing doomed himself to see the Empire wrenched from his grasp.

Wu San-kuei, at this time, was stationed at Shan Hai Kuan, where with a large army he was opposing the entrance of the Manchus, who had ‘of late manifested a desire to seize the Dragon Throne. They also possessed a large army and had by discipline and determination become the greatest menace to the Ming Dynasty.

When Li Tzu-ch’eng advanced on this region, his army came in two columns. One from the south seized Peking, and the other, from the west, forced the Nankou Pass, and turned east in order to strike Wu San-kuei before he could assemble other units of his army to his assistance. Wu Sankuei must have been profoundly impressed with the strength of the invaders, because he came as far west as Lan Chou and tendered his allegiance to Li Tzu-ch’eng without even a preliminary skirmish. This augured well for the Great Shun Dynasty whose establishment seemed assured.

This move on the part of Wu Sankuei was made before he learned that the usurper had killed his family and seized his favorite concubine. Perhaps Li Tzu-ch’eng, at this juncture, regretted his high-handed procedure, but the die was cast and it is for us to observe the reaction.

When rapid couriers reached Shan Hai Kuan, and informed Wu San-kuei of the fall of the Dynasty, the extermination of his entire family, and the fate of his favorite concubine, he decided to revoke his allegiance to the Great Shun Dynasty and adopted extreme measures in revenge. Well know-

ing that he, single-handed, was not able to meet the usurper, he went-over to the Manchu camp and dictated the terms on which he would allow them to occupy the throne of China. His proposals were accepted.

The proposal which concerns us to-day, was that the Manchu cavalry should unite with his cavalry, make forced marches, and strike Li Tzuch’eng before he still further strengthened his hold on the throne. Thus, Li Tzu-ch’eng had to face an allied army far stronger than any he had yet encountered. Let us examine the sources of this great strength. Wu San-kuei was determined on personal revenge, and instilled his bitter hatred of the usurper into the hearts of his men. The spirit which animated the Manchus was scarcely less powerful. For years they had coveted the throne which was now occupied by this unheard-of upstart, and if they did not now strike, the object of their years of toil and endeavor

‘would be snatched from their grasp.

Now they were on the way to Peking, co-operating with the very army which had heretofore stood in the way of their becoming masters of the empire. Unfortunate is the cause which is called upon to resist the onslaught of forces thus activated and infuriated.

Li Tzu-ch’eng had been on the throne just eighteen days when called upon to take the field against this army. He offered stubborn resistance and, for a time, it looked as if he were to come out victorious. But he was fighting against troops dogged in their determination. He was defeated, and retreated westward. After two vain attempts to check his pursuers, his army began to melt away, and the