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Wu Sangui

Ming general who admitted Qing forces and later led the Revolt of the Three Feudatories

Also known as Prince Who Pacifies the West · Emperor Taizu of Zhou

Wu Sangui, born in 1612, came from Liaoxi and was a Ming general holding Shanhai Pass, made Earl of Pingxi at the end of the Chongzhen reign. After Li Zicheng took Beijing in 1644 he joined the Qing, defeated Li Zicheng at Shanhai Pass and opened the way for the Qing armies, and the Qing made him Prince Who Pacifies the West. In 1662 he had the Southern Ming Yongli Emperor strangled in Kunming. In 1673 he rose against the Qing, starting the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, and called himself Prince of Zhou; in 1678 he proclaimed himself emperor of Zhou and died of illness that year. His grandson Wu Shifan succeeded him.

Life and times

  1. c. 1612 CEBornMingQing
  2. 1641The Beauty that Shook the DynastiesTook partChen Yuanyuan's Kunqu fame entered the memory of Wu Sangui's Shanhai Pass decision, while later poetry made her a symbol of the Ming-Qing dynastic turn.
    1. Wu Sangui Opens Shanhai Pass Gate1644In 1644 Wu Sangui sought Qing aid at Shanhai Pass and defeated the Shun forces; making Chen Yuanyuan the sole motive is a later popular explanation.
  3. 1644Qing Army Enters the PassTook partDorgon led Eight Banner forces through Shanhai Pass, joined Wu Sangui against Li Zicheng, and occupied Beijing as the Qing conquest began.
  4. 1673Three Feudatories RevoltTook partThe decisive military-political victory consolidating Qing central rule over all Han China.
    1. Kangxi Suppresses Wu Sangui's Revoltc. 1678Rebel King Wu Sangui declared the Zhou dynasty in Hunan before Qing imperial forces shattered his front at Yuezhou, securing the Yangtze.
  5. 1678 CEDied

Connections

  1. Shared events3
    1. Kangxi Emperor1654 CE–1722 CE
    2. Wu Weiye1609 CE–1672 CE
    3. Chen Yuanyuan1623 CE–1695 CE
  2. Interactions2
    1. Li ZichengPhysical: Fought at Shanhai Pass · 1606 CE–1645 CEQing Army Enters the Pass
    2. DorgonPolitical: Joined forces at Shanhai Pass · 1612 CE–1650 CEQing Army Enters the Pass
  3. Rulers and officials1
    1. Zhu Youjian (Chongzhen Emperor)Sovereign · 1611 CE–1644 CE