Shi Kefa
Held Yangzhou in resistance to the Qing and died unyielding when the city fell.
Life
Disciple of Zuo Guangdou
Shi Kefa was a native of Xiangfu who passed the jinshi exam. He studied under Zuo Guangdou and was known for his integrity and diligence.
Commanding forces north of the Yangtze
In 1644 Li Zicheng captured Beijing and the Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself. Zhu Yousong, Prince of Fu, took the throne in Nanjing (the Hongguang court), and Shi Kefa became Minister of War and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall, commanding forces north of the Yangtze. But Ma Shiying and others at court pushed him aside, and the generals of the four garrisons fought among themselves.
Died for his state at Yangzhou
In 1645 the Qing army advanced south. He held Yangzhou and refused the Qing commander Dodo's offer to surrender. When Yangzhou fell, he was captured and died unyielding, and the Qing army massacred the city for ten days. His body was never found, and later generations built a cenotaph holding his robes and cap for him at Meihualing in Yangzhou.
Legacy
Shi Kefa is a symbol of national integrity during the Ming–Qing transition, and the Shi Kefa Memorial Temple and his cenotaph at Meihualing in Yangzhou still draw visitors who pay their respects.
Major works & achievements
- Held Yangzhou
Did you know? Even the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty conferred on him the posthumous name "Zhongzheng" (Loyal and Upright) to honor his loyalty.
Key dates
- 1628Passed the jinshi exam
- 1644Commanding forces north of the Yangtze
- 1645Held Yangzhou
- 1645Died unyielding when the city fell