Qing Dynasty Court Secrets - Chinese Dynastic Court Stories (Volume 1 & 2)

Author: Xu Xiaotian / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: It is said that Shurhaci, since accompanying Nurhaci to the Ming Dynasty for tribute, witnessed the prosperous state of the Ming and felt an indescribable admiration in his heart. At that time, he received a reward from the Shunzhi Emperor and felt great honor, so upon returning home, he no longer paid attention to Nurhaci. He also saw Nurhaci building grand palaces and thus recalled the joy of being an emperor. He then thought to himself, "Since I and my brother are both sons of Takshe, how could I enjoy such luxury? How can I be his ox and horse?" Nurhaci took him on several military campaigns, and he achieved many victories, which made him even bolder. He gradually became less disciplined when meeting Nurhaci. Nurhaci, considering them brothers who had suffered together since childhood, did not hold it against him. But Shurhaci secretly marshaled troops and strategized. He had two sons, the eldest named Amin and the second named Jirgalang, both of whom maintained their own forces of over a thousand soldiers. Additionally, Nurhaci's eldest son, Chu Ying, harbored deep resentment because his father favored Da Shan and Hong Taiji, secretly raising his own troops and aligning with Shurhaci and his sons. They originally lived in the city of Xingjing, but as it became inconvenient to cause trouble there, they secretly sent people to Hechebu to build palaces identical to Nurhaci's. They agreed with Chu Ying that once they moved to Hechebu, he would lead his troops to attack Xingjing. Chu Ying also stationed troops in the city, and upon hearing a gunshot, they would stage a coordinated uprising. This news reached Abatai, who immediately informed his mother. Irigenjoro, having lost favor after Nurhaci married Wula, sought to please her husband and secretly had her son tell him the news. Upon hearing Abatai's words, Nurhaci flew into a rage. At that moment, Hurgu had already mustered his troops and entered to report. Nurhaci ordered him, "Quickly bring four thousand soldiers into the city, close the gates, and capture the second prince and his sons, along with the eldest son Chu Ying, and bring them to me." As Nurhaci spoke, his face was filled with killing intent, and Hurgu, seeing this, grew very frightened. He dared not speak much and merely replied with "Yes, yes." Just as Hurgu was about to turn to leave, Nurhaci called him back and said, "If they refuse to obey, behead them and bring their heads to me!" Hurgu nodded and mounted his horse, rushing out to muster four thousand soldiers. He returned swiftly, closed the gates immediately, assigning two thousand soldiers to guard the four gates and one thousand to guard the Duzhoufu. He personally led one thousand soldiers to Shurhaci's mansion, surrounding it like an iron bucket. With three hundred personal guards, he burst in, scaring everyone in the mansion so much that they froze in place, not daring to move. Hurgu roared, "Bind them!" The soldiers rushed forward, pushing the entire family into the courtyard. A chorus of cries filled the air, terribly sorrowful. Only Shurhaci, relying on his past merits, refused to obey. He wielded a large sword, hacking at people, killing many soldiers. Enraged, Hurgu drew a command flag from his waist and roared, "Kill!" Thirty or fifty soldiers then beheaded Shurhaci, while driving the elderly and children out. As they passed Chu Ying's mansion, Hurgu entered, captured Chu Ying, bound him, and brought him to Shurhaci's mansion. Before reaching Nurhaci, Chu Ying, thinking his status as the eldest son would spare him, rushed forward, knelt on the ground, and cried out loud, "Father, spare your child!"
P107-108