Li Zicheng
The "Dashing King," who captured Beijing and overthrew the Ming dynasty, then was defeated by the Qing army at Shanhai Pass.
Life
A Courier Out of Work
Li Zicheng was a native of Mizhi who herded sheep for a landlord in his youth and later became a courier at a post station. In 1629 the Ming government cut the post stations, and after losing his job he joined the rebel army, later succeeding Gao Yingxiang as the "Dashing King."
Welcome the Dashing King, Pay No Grain Tax
On Li Yan's advice he reduced killing and gave away wealth to relieve the starving, and Li Yan composed a ditty, "Welcome the Dashing King and pay no grain tax," for children to sing, so more and more people came over to him (later summed up as "equal land and no grain tax"). In 1643 he proclaimed himself king in Xi'an, in the first month of 1644 he founded Dashun, and in the third month of that year he stormed Beijing. The Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself on Coal Hill, and the Ming dynasty fell.
Emperor for Forty Days
After entering the capital, his men extorted money from officials to fund the army and discipline grew lax. Wu Sangui let the Qing army in through Shanhai Pass, and Li Zicheng was defeated there, withdrew from Beijing and retreated in defeat all the way, dying at Mount Jiugong in Hubei in 1645.
Legacy
Li Zicheng overthrew the Ming dynasty, which had ruled China for more than 270 years, but he stayed in Beijing for only a little over forty days, and the fruits of victory finally fell into the hands of the Qing dynasty.
Major works & achievements
- Overthrew the Ming dynasty
Did you know? Guo Moruo's "Commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the Jiashen Year" analyzed the lessons of his failure and was once designated a study document for the Rectification Movement.
Key dates
- 1629Joined the rebel army
- 1636Succeeded Gao Yingxiang as the Dashing King
- 1644Founded Dashun and stormed Beijing
- 1644Defeated at the Battle of Shanhai Pass
- 1645Died at Mount Jiugong