努爾哈齊 Nǔ'ěrhāqí

When Taizu came home he had thirteen suits of armour. Longdun and other kinsmen of the Five Towns were jealous of him and, using fear of the Ming as their pretext, plotted again and again to harm him; they sent men to ambush him in the middle of the night, and his guard Pahai was killed. Eyidu and Anfeiyanggu kept very careful watch, and once caught a man at night. Taizu said, "Let him go; do not plant enmity." He sent men to complain to the Ming, saying, "What crime had my forefathers committed, that they were slaughtered by soldiers?" The Ming returned their remains. He said further, "Nikanwailan is my enemy; I wish to have him and seize him." The Ming would not allow it. Just then Nuomina, lord of the city of Sa'erhu, Gahashanhasihu, lord of the city of Jiamuhu, and Changshu, lord of the city of Zhanhe, led their people to join him; Taizu made a covenant with them and gave them his daughters as wives, and from then on he set his mind on war. That year was guiwei, the eleventh year of Wanli of the Ming, and Taizu was twenty-five. Edit

1580s

In guiwei, in the summer, the fifth month, Taizu raised his troops to punish Nikanwailan. Nuomina's troops did not come, and Nikanwailan fled to Jiaban. Taizu's troops took the city of Tulun, and Nikanwailan fled to Hekoutai. The troops pursued him close to the Ming border; Ming troops came out, and Nikanwailan fled to E'erhun. The expedition achieved nothing because Nuomina had broken his pledge and also leaked the date of the march. Taizu killed Nuomina and his younger brother Naikada. Kangjia, Lidai and other kinsmen of the Five Towns gathered troops of Hada and came to plunder the stockade of Huji; Taizu sent Anfeiyanggu and Baxun with twelve men to pursue them, and they recovered everything that had been taken and returned. Edit

In jiashen, in the spring, the first month, he attacked the city of Zhaojia in revenge for the raid on Huji stockade. On the way they met heavy snow, and the men asked to turn back. Taizu said, "The lord of the city, Lidai, is a brother of my own surname, yet he guided Hada against us; how can he be forgiven!" He pressed on and in the end took the city. Earlier, Longdun had incited Nuomina to break his pledge and had also sent men to kill Gahashanhasihu; Taizu gathered Gahashanhasihu's bones and brought them home for burial. In the sixth month he punished Samuzhan, to avenge Gahashanhasihu. He also attacked Samuzhan's confederate Neshen at the stockade of Ma'erdun and, after four days' assault, wiped them out. In the ninth month he attacked the Dong'e tribe; there was heavy snow and the army turned back; troops came out of the city after him, and he defeated them with twelve horsemen. The Wangjia tribe asked for troops to attack the city of Wengkeluo; he went there by the way and burned its outer wall. Taizu climbed onto a roof to shoot. An enemy soldier, E'erguoni, shot Taizu; the arrow went through his helmet and struck his head; he pulled it out and shot it back, killing one man. Luoke shot Taizu; the arrow pierced his armour and struck his neck; he pulled it out with its head bent, blood and flesh spurting out, leaned on his bow and came slowly down, drank several dou of water, and, badly wounded, rode home. When he had recovered he went again to attack the city and took it. He sought out E'erguoni and Luoke and said, "These are brave men!" He made them zuoling (company captains), each over three hundred households. Edit

In yiyou, in the spring, the second month, Taizu raided Jiefan. As he was about to return, the four cities of Jiefan, Sa'erhu, Dongjia and Ba'erda joined four hundred men to pursue him. At Tailan Ridge the city lords Neshen and Bamuni whipped their horses on side by side and had almost caught him when Taizu turned his horse to meet them. Neshen's blade cut through Taizu's whip; Taizu swung his sword and slashed him across the back so that he fell from his horse, then turned and shot Bamuni, and both were killed. The enemy dared not close in, and he rode slowly away. In the summer, the fourth month, he campaigned against the Zhechen tribe; there were floods, and he ordered the armies back. He went forward with eighty horsemen. At the Hun River he saw from afar eight hundred of the enemy drawn up along the river. Zhaqinsangguli, grandson of Baolang'a, was afraid, took off his armour and gave it to another man. Taizu rebuked him: "In ordinary days you lord it over our kinsmen, and now you are as timid as this!" and sent him away. Alone with his younger brother Mu'erhaqi and his attendants Yanbulu and Wulingga, he charged straight ahead and killed more than twenty men; the enemy fled pell-mell, and he pursued them to Jilin Ridge before returning. Taizu said, "In today's battle four men defeated eight hundred; it was Heaven's help." In the autumn, the ninth month, he attacked the city of Antugua'erjia, took it, and beheaded its lord Nuoyimohun. Edit

In bingxu, in the summer, the fifth month, he campaigned against the stockade of Boyihun of the Hunhe tribe and took it. In the autumn, the seventh month, he subdued the city of Tuomohe of the Zhechen tribe. Hearing that Nikanwailan was at E'erhun, he advanced swiftly, attacked and took his city, but could not find him. Climbing the wall and looking into the distance, he saw a man in a felt hat and blue padded armour, took him for Nikanwailan, and chased him alone on horseback. He was surrounded by local men; wounded, he fought hard, shot dead eight men and cut down one, and broke out. When he learned that Nikanwailan had gone within the Ming border, he sent men to demand him from the border officials, and had Zhaisa behead him on the spot. Since the criminal had been caught, Taizu for the first time began to send tribute to the Ming. Each year the Ming rewarded him with silver and silks in varying amounts. Edit

In dinghai, in the spring, the first month, he built a walled town on the southern ridge of Hulanhada, began to build palaces, issued instructions and ordinances among his tribe, forbade violence and disorder, put down theft, and established laws and institutions. In the sixth month he attacked the Zhechen tribe, took a mountain stockade and killed its chief, A'ertai. He ordered Eyidu to lead troops to take the city of Ba'erda. Taizu attacked the city of Dong, and its lord Zhahai surrendered. Edit

In wuzi, in the summer, the fourth month, Hu'ergan, Beile of Hada, came with his daughter to join him; Suo'erguo of the Suwan tribe with his son Feiyingdong and others, Hulahu of the stockade of Ya'ergu with his son Hu'erhan, and Heheli of the Dong'e tribe all came over with their people, and he treated them all generously. In the autumn, the ninth month, he took the city of Wangjia of the Wanyan tribe. Nalinbulu, Beile of Yehe, sent his younger sister of the Nala clan to be married to him, and the marriage was celebrated with a feast; she was Empress Xiaoci Gao. Edit

In jichou, in the spring, the first month, he took the city of Zhaojia and beheaded its lord Ningguqin. In the winter, the tenth month, the Ming made Taizu Assistant Commander (dudu qianshi) of the Jianzhou Guard. Edit

1590s

In xinmao, in the spring, the first month, he sent troops to raid the routes of the Changbai Mountains and took in all their people. Yehe demanded land and was refused. Yehe sent troops to plunder our stockade of Dong on the eastern border. Edit

In renchen, in the winter, on the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month, his eighth son Huangtaiji was born, the son of Empress Gao; he was Taizong. Edit

In guisi, in the summer, the sixth month, the four tribes of Yehe, Hada, Huifa and Wula joined forces to invade Hubucha; he sent troops and defeated them. In the autumn, the ninth month, Yehe, having failed to get its way with us, gathered and bound together the three Hulun tribes of Wula, Hada and Huifa, the three Mongol tribes of Ke'erqin, Xibo and Gua'ercha, and the two Changbai tribes of Neyin and Zhusheli, nine tribes in all, and came with thirty thousand troops to attack. Taizu sent Wulikan to scout the enemy; he reached the Hun River, found that they meant to cross the river by night, and galloped back over the ridges to report. Taizu said, "So the Yehe troops have really come? Tell the generals we fight at dawn tomorrow." At dawn he led out his troops and told them, "Take off your hand guards and your neck guards; do not bind yourselves up, for that hinders you in hard fighting." He gave a further order: "This is a rabble, without a single will. Beat their vanguard, and their army is sure to turn and run; we follow it up, and there is nothing we cannot win." The men were all fired up. Taizu ordered Eyidu to offer battle with a hundred men. Buzhai, Beile of Yehe, whipped his horse forward to meet them; his horse struck a tree and fell, and our soldier Wutan beheaded him. The horse of Ming'an, Beile of Ke'erqin, sank into a bog; he changed to an unsaddled horse and fled. The enemy was utterly routed; our army pursued the fleeing men, took captives and booty beyond counting, and brought back Buzhantai, younger brother of the Beile of Wula, as a prisoner. In the winter, the tenth month, he sent troops against the Zhusheli route and seized its chief Shulengge, and sent Eyidu and others to attack the Neyin route and beheaded its chief Souwensaikeshi, because these two routes had helped the enemy. Edit

In jiawu, in the spring, the first month, Ming'an, Beile of the Mongol Ke'erqin, and Laosa, Beile of the Ka'erka, sent envoys to establish friendly relations, and from then on Mongol envoys came without break. Edit

In yiwei, in the summer, the sixth month, he campaigned against Huifa, took the city of Duobi and beheaded its lord. Edit

In bingshen, in the spring, the second month, an envoy of the Ming arrived, accompanied by two Korean officials, and was received with due courtesy. In the autumn, the seventh month, he sent Buzhantai back to Wula; it happened that its Beile had been killed by his own people, and so Buzhantai was set up as Beile. Edit

In dingyou, in the spring, the first month, the four tribes of Yehe asked to renew friendship; he agreed and made a covenant with them. In the ninth month he sent his younger brother Shu'erhaqi with tribute to the Ming. Edit

In wuxu, in the spring, the first month, he ordered his younger brother Bayala and his eldest son Chuying to lead troops against Anchulaku, because it was wavering towards Yehe. In the winter, the tenth month, Taizu went with tribute to the Ming. In the eleventh month Buzhantai came to meet him, and Taizu gave him his younger brother's daughter as wife. Edit

In jihai, in the spring, the first month, Wangge and Zhangge, chiefs of the Hu'erha route of the Woji tribe of the Eastern Sea, came to join him and presented sable and fox skins, and this yearly tribute became the rule. In the second month the national script was first created. In the third month mines were opened, gold and silver were mined, and iron foundries set up. Hada was at war with Yehe and sent hostages asking for help; he sent Feiyingdong and Gagai to garrison it. Hada then came to a private understanding with Yehe, and the garrison commanders reported it. In the autumn, the ninth month, Taizu attacked Hada, assaulted the city and took it, and brought back its Beile Menggebulu. Menggebulu had treasonous designs which Gagai had not reported, and both were put to death. Edit

1600s

In xinchou, in the spring, the first month, the Ming came to reproach him for destroying Hada, so he sent Menggebulu's son Wu'ergudai back to rule Hada. Hada was raided by Yehe and the Mongols and sent to complain to the Ming, but the Ming gave no answer; he also had Hada report its famine to the Ming, and again there was no answer. Taizu then brought Wu'ergudai back and took in his people, and Hada came to an end. In the twelfth month Taizu again went with tribute to the Ming. That year he fixed the military system and ordered the people to raise silkworms. Edit

In guimao, in the spring, the first month, he moved to Hetu'ala, the old home of the family since Zhaozu. In the ninth month his consort of the Nala clan died; she was Empress Xiaoci Gao. When she fell ill she had asked to see her mother, but her brother, the Beile of Yehe, would not let her mother come, and so she died. Edit

In jiachen, in the spring, the first month, Taizu attacked Yehe, took two cities and seven of its stockades. The Ming gave us the title of General of the Dragon and Tiger. Edit

In yisi the outer wall was built. Engede'er of the Bayuete tribe of the Mongol Ka'erka came to join him. Edit

In bingwu, in the winter, the twelfth month, Engede'er came with the envoys of five Mongol tribes to pay court with tribute, and they honoured Taizu as the Divinely Martial Emperor. That year limits were set on the people's fields. Edit

In dingwei, in the spring, the first month, Mutehei, head of the town of Feiyou of the Wa'erka, came and, because Wula was harrying and oppressing them, asked to come under Taizu's rule. Taizu ordered Shu'erhaqi, Chuying, Daishan, Feiyingdong and Yangguli to lead troops to move five hundred of its households. Wula sent ten thousand troops to block and attack them; they defeated them, took three thousand heads and captured five thousand horses. When the army returned, Chuying and the others were richly rewarded. In the summer, the fifth month, he ordered his younger brother Bayala, Eyidu, Feiyingdong and Hu'erhan to campaign against the Woji tribe, and they came back with two thousand people. In the autumn, the ninth month, because Huifa had repeatedly broken its pledges, Taizu campaigned against it in person, conquered it, and so destroyed Huifa. Edit

In wushen, in the spring, the third month, he ordered Chuying, Amin and others to attack Wula, and they took the city of Yihan'alin. Buzhantai was afraid and renewed friendly relations, seized fifty men of Yehe and brought them, and asked for a marriage alliance. Taizu agreed. That year he made a covenant with the Ming generals that each would keep to its own territory, and stones were set up on the border. Edit

In jiyou, in the spring, the second month, he sent a letter to the Ming saying, "The Wa'erka who live next to Korea are my people; instruct the Koreans to give them to me." The Ming had Korea return more than a thousand households. In the winter, the tenth month, he ordered Hu'erhan to campaign against the Huye route of the Woji, and he took all of it. Edit

1610s

In gengxu, in the winter, the eleventh month, he ordered Eyidu to lead troops to summon the chiefs of the Namudulu and other routes of the Woji tribe to come over. On the way back he attacked the Yalan route, because it would not submit and had also plundered our people, and took it. Edit

In xinhai, in the spring, the second month, two thousand men in the realm who had no wives were given wives, with gifts of gold in varying amounts. In the autumn, the seventh month, he ordered his son Abatai, with Feiyingdong and Anfeiyanggu, to take the Wu'erguchen and Mulun routes of the Woji tribe. In the eighth month his younger brother Shu'erhaqi died. In the winter, the tenth month, he ordered Eyidu, Heheli and Hu'erhan to lead troops against the Hu'erha of the Woji tribe; they took two thousand captives and also won over the neighbouring routes, gaining five hundred households. Edit

In renzi, in the autumn, the ninth month, Taizu campaigned in person against Wula, because it had repeatedly broken its covenants and had also shot whistling arrows at the emperor's daughter. Buzhantai held the river against him. Taizu camped east of the river, took six cities and burned their stores. Buzhantai came out in person to sue for peace. Taizu rebuked him sternly, allowed him to make peace by giving hostages, but left troops to garrison the place. The army returned. Edit

In guichou, in the spring, the first month, Buzhantai again wavered towards Yehe, and Taizu led his troops to punish him. Buzhantai came to meet him with thirty thousand troops. Taizu himself was first to break into the enemy line, his generals attacked hard, and they routed them utterly and entered his city. Buzhantai reached the city but could not get in; Daishan pursued him, and he fled alone on horseback to Yehe. So Wula was destroyed. Taizu sent men to demand Buzhantai, but Yehe would not give him up. In the autumn, the ninth month, he raised troops to attack Yehe, informing the Ming; he forced the city of Wusu to surrender and burned nineteen of its walled towns and stockades. Yehe appealed urgently to the Ming, and the Ming sent an envoy to mediate. On the way back the army passed Fushun, and the Ming Mobile Corps Commander (youji) Li Yongfang came out to meet him. Taizu gave him a letter saying, "I have no quarrel with the Ming." Edit

In jiayin, in the summer, the fourth month, the emperor's eighth son Huangtaiji took a wife from the Mongols, the daughter of Manggusi of the Ke'erqin tribe, and went in person to fetch the bride. An envoy of the Ming came, calling himself a Commander (dudu). The emperor said to him, "I know you; you are Xiao Ziyu, a rogue of Liaoyang. It is not that I cannot kill you, but I fear it would shame a great country. Tell your Governor not to deceive me again." In the winter, the eleventh month, he sent troops against the Yalan and Xilin routes of the Woji tribe, and they gained a thousand people. Edit

In yimao, in the summer, the fourth month, the Ming Brigade General Zhang Chengyin sent men to demand land, and he refused. He ordered each zuoling to set up military farms and store grain. In the autumn, in the intercalary eighth month, the emperor's eldest son Chuying died. Earlier, Taizu had meant to hand the government to Chuying, but Chuying was violent and arrogant and people's hearts did not go out to him, so Taizu gave up the idea. Chuying was resentful and burned a memorial calling on Heaven; he was informed against and hanged himself. In the winter, the tenth month, Taizu sent generals against the Donggeliku route of the Woji tribe, and they gained ten thousand people. That year the military system was reorganised. At first the troops had been commanded under four banners, yellow, red, white and black; now four bordered banners were added and black was changed to blue. Five ministers were appointed to administer government and hear lawsuits, with ten zha'erguqi [judges] as their deputies. After this, those who came over grew more numerous every day and the territory grew ever wider, and the Beile and ministers urged him again and again to take the imperial title. Edit

First year of Tianming (1616)

In the first year of Tianming, bingchen, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, renshen, the emperor ascended the throne, took Tianming as his era name and named the state Jin. The Beile and ministers offered him the honorific title of the Wise and Brilliant Emperor Who Nurtures All Nations. He made his second son Daishan the Great Beile, his nephew Amin the Second Beile, his fifth son Manggu'ertai the Third Beile, and his eighth son Huangtaiji the Fourth Beile. He made Eyidu, Feiyingdong, Heheli, Hu'erhan and Anfeiyanggu the Five Ministers, to hear the affairs of state together, and instructed them to hold to fairness and sincerity and to work hard for good government. Hu'erhan patrolled the border and seized and executed more than fifty men who had been stealing ginseng. The Ming Governor Li Weihan detained our envoys Gangguli and Fangjine. Ten prisoners were then taken from the jails and put to death on the border, and Gangguli and the others were allowed to return. Edit

In the autumn, the seventh month, the Five Ministers were forbidden to hear lawsuits in their own homes. He ordered Hu'erhan and Anfeiyanggu to attack the Sahalian tribe of the Eastern Sea, and they took thirty-six stockades. Edit

In the eighth month they crossed the Heilong River, which was already frozen over, took eleven stockades, overran the Shiquan, Nuoluo and Shilaxin routes, and brought their people back. Edit

Second year of Tianming (1617)

In the second year, dingsi, in the spring, the first month, Ming'an, Beile of the Mongol Ke'erqin, came to court and was received with exceptional courtesy. Edit

That year he sent troops to take the islands where the scattered tribes of the Eastern Sea had entrenched themselves, and they brought back the people of each. Edit

Third year of Tianming (1618)

In the third year, wuwu, in the second month, he ordered the officers and men to inspect their arms and equipment, and issued the rules of war. On renyin the emperor attacked the Ming; he announced the Seven Great Grievances to Heaven, sacrificed at the Tangzi shrine and set out. He sent the four banners of the left against the two cities of Dongzhou and Magendan, and they took them. The emperor led the troops of the four banners of the right to Fushun. Li Yongfang, the Ming Mobile Corps Commander (youji) of Fushun, surrendered; he was made a Brigade General to govern and settle those who had surrendered, and the city was razed. The Ming Brigade General Zhang Chengyin and others came in pursuit; the army turned and struck, beheaded Zhang Chengyin and the others, and returned home. Edit

In the fifth month he again attacked the Ming, took Fu'an and four other forts, razed their walls and brought their grain back. Edit

In the seventh month he went in through the Yahu Pass, and the Ming general Zou Chuxian and others died in battle. Edit

In the winter, the tenth month, Nahaha, chief of the Hu'erha tribe of the Eastern Sea, came to join him and was given gifts according to rank. Forty route chiefs of the Shiquan tribes came to join him; they were given a banquet and gifts and were also given offices. Edit

Fourth year of Tianming (1619)

In the fourth year, jiwei, in the spring, the first month, he attacked Yehe and took more than twenty stockades. Hearing that Ming troops were coming, he returned. The Ming Commissioner of Military Affairs (jinglue) Yang Gao sent envoys to negotiate an end to the fighting; Taizu wrote back refusing. Yang Gao led two hundred thousand troops to attack, and also called up the troops of Yehe and Korea, advancing along four routes. Du Song's army, on the eastern route, crossed the Hun River and came out at Fushun and Sa'erhu. Liu Ting's army, on the southern route, entered Dong'e. The scouts reported this. The emperor said, "The Ming troops coming from the south are meant to draw us south. There must be a strong force in the north; we should break it first." He ordered the Beile to go ahead. Edit

In the third month, on the first day, jiashen, at daybreak, the army set out. The Great Beile Daishan discussed which way the army should go. The Fourth Beile Huangtaiji said, "We should make for Jiefan. We have fifteen thousand men building the city there, many labourers and few soldiers; I fear the enemy will take advantage of it." Eyidu said, "The Fourth Beile is right." So they made for Jiefan. Towards noon they reached Tailan Ridge, sighted the Ming troops, and sent a thousand men to support Jiefan. The cavalry at Jiefan had already struck the rear of the Ming army while it was half across at the mouth of the valley, and had turned back to hold Jilin Cliff. Du Song left part of his army in a walled camp at Sa'erhu and himself attacked Jilin Cliff. Our troops arrived, and the labourers too came down to fight, pressing the Ming army. At this point the emperor reached Tailan to observe the state of the fighting; he ordered the main army to attack Sa'erhu, and towards dusk they broke its ramparts; after dark they attacked Du Song's army from both sides. Du Song could not hold, and he and his deputies Wang Xuan, Zhao Menglin and others were all killed. The fleeing troops were pursued to Mount Shaoqin, and the western route army was broken. That day Ma Lin's army came from the northeast by Qinghe and Sancha to Shangjian Cliff. On yiyou Daishan heard the report and went there with three hundred horsemen. Ma Lin drew his army into its trenches, lined up firearms outside, guarded by cavalry, while another general, Pan Zongyan, camped on Mount Feifen so that each could support the other. The emperor led the Fourth Beile in pursuit of Du Song's rearguard and destroyed it, and heard that Ma Lin's army was galloping up. The emperor hurried up the hill and struck down from it, Daishan broke into the enemy line, Amin and Manggu'ertai led their troops on after him, and they attacked from above and below. Ma Lin fled, his Deputy General Ma Yan died in battle, and his whole army scattered in flight. They moved on to attack Feifen; the emperor led the cavalry in a charge and beheaded Pan Zongyan; the northwestern route army was broken, and the Yehe troops fled. Meanwhile Liu Ting's army on the southern route came by a byway from Kuandian, defeated five hundred of our garrison troops and pushed deep in. The emperor ordered Hu'erhan to take a thousand troops to help, and the garrison commander Tuobao joined him with the remaining troops. On bingxu he further ordered Amin to follow with two thousand men. The emperor reached Jiefan and slaughtered eight oxen in sacrifice to the war banner. On dinghai he ordered the Great Beile Daishan and the Fourth Beile Huangtaiji to go south to meet the enemy, and they met more than ten thousand of Liu Ting's picked cavalry advancing. The Fourth Beile, with thirty shock horsemen, seized Abudali Ridge; Daishan, wearing Du Song's uniforms and flags, entered Liu Ting's army and threw it into confusion; the Fourth Beile galloped down to join the battle, beheaded Liu Ting, and also defeated his rear army. Following up the victory they reached Fucha, where Kang Yingqian, the circuit intendant supervising Liu Ting's army, met them with firearms; a great wind rose and blew the smoke and flames back on his own men, and again they routed them utterly. Kang Yingqian fled and the Korean troops surrendered. In four days in all, three Ming armies were broken. Li Rubai's army on the northern route was hastily recalled by Yang Gao's orders; at Hulan it met twenty of our scouting horsemen, who climbed a hill, blew conches and chased them with shouts; Li Rubai's army fled in all directions, and more than a thousand more were trampled to death. On jiachen he released the surrendered Korean general Jiang Hongli to go home, with a letter of instruction to the ruler of his country. Edit

In the fourth month the city of Jiefan was built. He sent troops to overrun Tieling, and they carried off a thousand people. Edit

In the fifth month an envoy of Korea came to give thanks. Edit

In the sixth month: earlier he had sent Muhalian to gather in the remaining people of the Hu'erha tribe, and now a thousand households had been gained; the emperor went out of the city to welcome them and gave them fields, houses, oxen and horses. The emperor led troops to attack Kaiyuan, took it, beheaded Ma Lin and others, destroyed his army, and returned to camp at Jiefan. Edit

In the autumn, the seventh month, Wang Yiping, a Ming Company Commander (qianzong), and four others came to surrender; they and Abutu, a Garrison Commander (shoubei) who had surrendered earlier, were each given office. The emperor attacked Tieling and took it. That evening the Mongol Ka'erka tribe came to help Yehe; he defeated them, pursued them to the Liao River, and captured their Beile Jiesai. Edit

In the eighth month, on jisi, he campaigned against Yehe. Yehe had two cities: the Beile Jintaishi held the eastern city, and his younger brothers Buyanggu and Bu'erhanggu held the western city. The army was divided to besiege them; they tore down the outer walls and tunnelled under the city, the wall collapsed, and our army entered. The emperor ordered the Fourth Beile to take Jintaishi's son De'ergele to urge him to surrender, again and again, but Jintaishi still refused, so he was seized and strangled. Bu'erhanggu surrendered. Buyanggu was insolent and was killed. Yehe came to an end. The army returned to camp at Jiefan. Edit

In the winter, the tenth month, Lindan Khan of the Mongol Chaha'er sent an envoy whose letter was largely insolent, and the envoy was detained. The five tribes of the Ka'erka sent envoys proposing a joint attack on the Ming, and the emperor sent the minister Xifu and four others to attend the covenant. Soon afterwards some subordinate people of the five tribes came to join him, and the emperor turned them away. Edit

That year the Ming made Xiong Tingbi Commissioner of Military Affairs (jinglue). Edit

Fifth year of Tianming (1620)

In the fifth year, gengshen, in the spring, the first month, the emperor replied to Lindan Khan, rebuking his insolence. Lindan Khan detained our envoy. The emperor in turn killed his envoy. Edit

In the second month he gave Jiesai's sons Keshiketu and Seteshi'er fur coats and horses, and had them take turns as hostages. Edit

In the third month merit was assessed and the military ranks were reorganised. On bingxu Feiyingdong, Lieutenant-General of the Left Wing, Brigade General and Minister of the First Class, died; the emperor went in person to mourn him. Edit

In the summer, the sixth month, he ordered two posts set up at the gate, on which anyone with a grievance could hang his complaint, so that the people's feelings all reached him. Edit

In the autumn, the eighth month, the emperor attacked the Ming and raided Shenyang; the Ming troops withdrew without fighting, and he returned. Edit

In the ninth month, on jiashen, the emperor's younger brother Mu'erhaqi died; the emperor went in person to make offerings, and passing Feiyingdong's grave on the way, made offerings there too. Edit

In the winter, the tenth month, he moved from Jiefan to Sa'erhu. Edit

That year Shenzong of the Ming died and Guangzong was enthroned; he too died, and Xizong was enthroned. The Commissioner of Military Affairs (jinglue) Xiong Tingbi was dismissed and Yuan Yingtai replaced him. Edit

Sixth year of Tianming (1621)

In the sixth year, xinyou, in the spring, the second month, the emperor attacked the Ming, raided Fengji Fort and reached Wujing Camp. Edit

In the third month, on renzi, the emperor launched a great attack on the Ming city of Shenyang, carrying siege equipment in boats down the Hun River. Shenyang was very well defended, with sharpened stakes planted all round its moat; our army pulled up the stakes and pressed forward fiercely, and the Ming army fought to the death; the Brigade General He Shixian and those under him were cut down in the battle. On yimao he entered Shenyang. He also defeated the relieving army under the Brigade General Chen Ce and others at the Hun River, and defeated the Brigade General Li Bingcheng at Baitapu, and the relieving armies all fled. On gengshen, following up his victory, he made for Liaoyang. Yuan Yingtai led water into the moat, set cannon all round the city and drove his army out to fight; it could not hold and fell back to defend the gate towers. On renxu our right wing destroyed the sluice gates and our left wing destroyed the bridges; the right wing scaled the western wall and mounted the battlements, and when the left wing heard of it, they all climbed up too. The Ming troops still fought in the streets by torchlight, and by dawn they had all broken. Yuan Yingtai burned himself to death; the Censor Zhang Quan was captured and died without yielding. On guihai he entered Liaoyang. The people of Liaoyang brought out a carriage, with drums and music, to welcome the emperor, and lined the roads crying "Long live the emperor!" He ordered his son Degelei to overrun the land south of Liaoyang; everywhere he went the people came out to surrender, and the soldiers slept on the city walls and did not enter the people's houses. Edit

In the sixth month Eyidu, Brigade General of the Left Wing and Minister of the First Class, died; the emperor went in person to make offerings and wept bitterly for him. Edit

In the autumn, the seventh month, on renyin, he feasted the officers and men who had won merit, poured them wine and gave them clothing. The people of the city of Zhenjiang killed their garrison commander Tong Yangzhen and surrendered to the Ming general Mao Wenlong. Edit

In the eleventh month, on yimao, he ordered Amin to attack Mao Wenlong, and Amin defeated him. Gu'erbushi, a taiji of the Ka'erka tribe, came to surrender. The Ming again made Xiong Tingbi Commissioner of Military Affairs (jinglue). Edit

Seventh year of Tianming (1622)

In the seventh year, renxu, in the spring, the first month, on jiayin, the emperor attacked the Ming and assaulted Guangning. On bingchen he took Xiping Fort. Thirty thousand Ming troops came to resist, and he defeated them and beheaded their Brigade Generals Liu Qu and Qi Bingzhong; the Governor Wang Huazhen fled, and the Mobile Corps Commander (youji) Sun Degong surrendered the city. On gengshen the emperor entered Guangning; forty walled towns and forts surrendered to him, and he advanced his troops towards the Shanhai Pass. Xiong Tingbi burned all the villages and forts along the road and fled. Then he moved his army north to attack Yi Department, took it, and returned to camp at Guangning. Seventeen Beile of the Mongol Elute tribe came to submit; the emperor feasted and rewarded them and gave them offices according to rank. The five tribes of the Ka'erka came to join him together. Edit

In the second month, on guiwei, the emperor returned to Liaoyang. The city wall of Liaoyang had collapsed, and he moved to the bank of the Taizi River. Edit

In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, yiwei, Anfeiyanggu, Minister of the First Class, died. Edit

Eighth year of Tianming (1623)

In the eighth year, guihai, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, renchen, Bake of the Mongol Zhalute tribe came to court, and was sent home together with his son who had been a hostage. Edit

In the summer, the fourth month, on guiyou, he sent his sons Abatai and Degelei and his grandson Yuetuo with troops to punish Ang'an, Beile of the Zhalute, because he had killed our envoys. Ang'an fled with his wife and children. Damubu pursued him and was killed by a spear. Our army, enraged, pressed on and killed Ang'an and his son, and also brought back the wife and children of Sangtu of another tribe. Edit

In the sixth month he warned his daughters who were already married not to bully their husbands; any who disobeyed would surely be punished. Edit

In the winter, the tenth month, on dingchou, Hu'erhan, Minister of the First Class, died; the emperor went in person to mourn him. Edit

Ninth year of Tianming (1624)

In the ninth year, jiazi, in the spring, the first month, Enkege'er, Beile of the Ka'erka, came to court and asked to move within the borders; the emperor agreed and sent troops to move his people. Edit

In the second month, on gengzi, the emperor's younger brother, the Beile Bayala, died. The emperor sent Ku'erchan and others to make a covenant with Aoba, taiji of the Ke'erqin, that he would have no dealings with the Chaha'er. Edit

In the fourth month a mausoleum was built on Mount Yanglu, northeast of the city of Dongjing, and Jingzu and Xianzu were moved there for reburial; it was called the Yong Mausoleum. Edit

In the fifth month Mao Wenlong raided Huifa; the garrison commanders Lenggeli and Su'erdong'an pursued and wiped out his men. Edit

In the autumn, the eighth month, on renchen, Heheli, Brigade General and Minister of the First Class, died. When the emperor heard he was overcome with grief and said, "Why has Heaven not left me a single one of them to see me into old age!" Mao Wenlong's men were farming on Yalu Island; the emperor sent Lenggeli to attack them, and he wiped them out. Edit

Tenth year of Tianming (1625)

In the tenth year, yichou, in the spring, the first month, on guihai, he ordered his son Manggu'ertai to lead troops to Lushun; he attacked the Ming garrison and razed the city. Edit

In the second month Zhaisang, Beile of the Ke'erqin, sent his daughter to be the consort of the Fourth Beile Huangtaiji, and the marriage was celebrated with a great feast. Edit

In the third month, on gengwu, he moved the capital to Shenyang; after five moves in all, the capital was settled there, and it was called Shengjing. He sent Ka'erda and others to campaign against the Wa'erka; on the way back they won over three hundred of their people. Edit

In the summer, the fourth month, on jimao, Wangshan of the imperial clan and the Deputy Generals Dazhuhu and Che'erge returned in triumph from their campaign against the Wa'erka, and were feasted and rewarded with every honour. Edit

In the sixth month, on guimao, Mao Wenlong's troops raided Yao Department, and the garrison commander Yangguli defeated them. Edit

In the autumn, the eighth month, he sent Tumubu to wall Yao Department; Ming troops came to attack and were driven off, and seven hundred horses were taken. He ordered Bo'erjin to campaign against the Hu'erha, and five hundred of their households surrendered; Yahu campaigned against the Gua'ercha tribe and captured two thousand of their people. Mao Wenlong raided the stockade of Zhangtun in Haizhou, and the garrison commander Jiesha drove him off. The emperor wrote an admonition against drink and issued it throughout the realm. Edit

In the tenth year, on jimao, his sons Abai, Tabai and Babutai campaigned against the Hu'erha and came back with fifteen hundred people. Edit

In the eleventh month, on gengxu, Aoba of the Ke'erqin reported that Chaha'er troops were coming; the emperor sent the Fourth Beile Huangtaiji and Abatai with five thousand picked cavalry to go there, and Lindan Khan fled. Edit

That year the Ming made Gao Di Commissioner of Military Affairs (jinglue); he drove the people of Jinxi inside the Shanhai Pass. The Ningqian Circuit Intendant Yuan Chonghuan swore to hold his ground and would not leave. Edit

Eleventh year of Tianming (1626)

In the eleventh year, bingyin, in the spring, the first month, on wuwu, the emperor raised troops to attack the Ming at Ningyuan. When he reached Youtun its garrison commander fled, and he took the stored grain. When he reached Jinzhou its garrison commanders had all fled before him. On dingmao he reached Ningyuan. The Ningqian Circuit Intendant Yuan Chonghuan, with the Brigade General Man Gui and the Deputy General Zu Dashou, held the city stubbornly. The weather was cold and the ground frozen, so the walls could not be breached by digging, and the Western cannon fired from the walls killed and wounded many of the soldiers, so the attack was called off. He sent Wunege with Mongol troops to attack Juehua Island; they seized two thousand boats and burned all the army stores there, and the army returned home. Edit

In the second month, on renwu, the emperor returned to Shenyang and said to the Beile, "Since I first took up arms, no one has dared to stand up to me face to face. Who is this Yuan Chonghuan, that he could do so!" Edit

In the summer, the fourth month, on bingzi, he campaigned against the five tribes of the Ka'erka because they had broken their covenant; he killed their Beile Nangnuke, advanced to raid the Xilamulun, and captured their livestock. Edit

In the fifth month Mao Wenlong's troops raided the Anshan post station and Sa'erhu; the garrison commanders Babutai and Baduli defeated them and captured their general Li Liangmei. On dingsi Aoba, Beile of the Ke'erqin, came to court to give thanks for the troops sent to help him. The emperor treated him with great courtesy and made him Tuxietu Khan. Edit

In the sixth month the emperor wrote words of instruction for the Beile. Edit

In the autumn, the seventh month, the emperor was unwell and went to the hot springs at Qinghe. Edit

In the eighth month, on bingwu, the emperor's illness became grave, and he came back by boat. On gengxu, at Aiji Fort, the emperor died; his body was brought into the palace and mourning was proclaimed. He had reigned eleven years and was sixty-eight years old. In the third year of Tiancong he was buried in the Fu Mausoleum. His first posthumous name was Emperor Wu, with the temple name Taizu; this was changed to Emperor Gao, and with titles added over time his posthumous name became Chengtian Guangyun Shengde Shengong Zhaoji Liji Renxiao Ruiwu Duanyi Qin'an Hongwen Dingye Gao Huangdi. Edit

Appraisal

The appraisal says: Heaven endowed Taizu with wisdom and courage, and his divine martial gifts had no equal. Meeting misfortune, he held firm to what was right through hardship; when brightness was wounded, he kept his light hidden. As those who came over to him grew more numerous by the day, opposition and disaffection quietly melted away. From the time he himself crushed the armies of the nine tribes, his territory grew wider every day. He made war for more than thirty years, founded a state and ascended the throne. With the single battle of Sa'erhu, the work of cutting down Shang [the Ming] was settled. When he moved the capital to Shenyang, his designs reached far indeed. Set beside Qi and Feng [the early capitals of Zhou], he falls little short of them. Edit