Yuan Chonghuan Top and bottom

Author: Xia Likun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: Ancient victim of injustice, Lingnan scholar, Liaodong Military Commissioner. Yuan Chonghuan (1584-1630), Ming Dynasty general. Born in Dongguan, Guangdong, styled Yuansu. In the 47th year of the Wanli reign, he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as the magistrate of Shaowu. In the 2nd year of the Tianqi reign, he was promoted to the position of Military Geographic Censor. In the 3rd year of the Tianqi reign, he constructed Ningyuan City. In the 4th year, he led troops on an eastern tour and was appointed as the Deputy Military Supervisor and Right Assistant Censor. In the 5th year, he dispatched generals to garrison areas such as Jinzhou, Songshan, and Youtun, repairing city walls and expanding territory by over 200 li, making Ningyuan an inland stronghold. Six years later, the Jin (Qing) forces attacked Ningyuan. He arranged defenses and inflicted artillery wounds that killed Nurhaci, earning promotion to Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and Liaodong Provincial Inspector. In the 7th year, Hong Taiji led troops to attack Jinzhou and Ningyuan, both of which he defeated. Later, he was sidelined and dismissed by Wei Zhongxian. After the ascension of the Chongzhen Emperor, he was reinstated as Minister of War and appointed as Military Commissioner of Jilin and Liaodong. In the 2nd year of the Chongzhen reign, the Jin forces bypassed the ancient Beikou Pass and entered the Great Wall, encircling Beijing. He led troops on a thousand-li rescue mission. However, the Jin used a double agent to deceive the Chongzhen Emperor, who mistakenly believed he had a secret agreement with the enemy. He was arrested and imprisoned, and later criticized by remnants of Wei Zhongxian, leading to his execution by dismemberment.