Wu Sangui, courtesy name Changbai or Changbo, was a notorious Ming dynasty military officer who played a key role in the fall of the Ming dynasty and the founding of the Qing dynasty in China.
16 Facts About Wu Sangui
2.
In Chinese folklore, Wu Sangui is regarded as a disreputable Han Chinese traitor who played a pivotal role in several historical events, including the Battle of Shanhai Pass, Manchu invasion of China, the suppression of Southern Ming resistances and the execution of the Yongli Emperor, and eventually double-crossed both of his masters, the Ming and the Qing dynasties.
3.
In 1644, after learning of the death of his father, the Ming general Wu Xiang in Beijing, Wu Sangui turned to the Manchu invaders and offered up the gate of Shanhaiguan, allowing the Manchus to enter China and establish the Qing dynasty in Beijing.
4.
Wu Sangui gained the position of guerrilla general when he was no older than 20.
5.
At that time, Wu Sangui was stationed in Songshan and brought a 3,000-strong force the moment he heard the news.
6.
Wu Sangui was unable to withstand the repeated attacks from both Jirgalang and Duoduo.
7.
Wu Sangui fought a bloody battle with the Qing army, but could not break through the siege until Liu Zhaoji came to his rescue.
8.
The Ming army casualties were more than 1000, with deputy general Yanglun and Zhou Yanzhou dead, but Wu Sangui's bravery was still praised.
9.
Wu Sangui survived not only by following Wang Pu, but by having a good retreat plan.
10.
When Hong Chengchou ordered the breakthrough, Wu Sangui went back to his camp and immediately discussed tactics with his generals.
11.
Wu Sangui knew that his force alone was insufficient to fight Li's main army.
12.
Wu Sangui wrote to Dorgon for military support, under the condition of restricting the dominance of Ming and Manchus to southern and northern China, respectively, claiming to resume the Ming dynasty.
13.
However, Wu Sangui was being closely watched by general Li Guohan, a trusted advisor to the imperial court.
14.
In 1678, Wu Sangui went a step further and declared himself the emperor of the "Great Zhou", with the era name of Zhaowu.
15.
In contemporary China, Wu Sangui has often been regarded as a traitor and an opportunist, due to his betrayal of both the Ming and Qing dynasties.
16.
Wu Sangui appears as an antagonist in the wuxia novel The Deer and the Cauldron by Jin Yong.