In February of the fifth year of Shunzhi, a hero who returned triumphantly fell into a desperate situation in the whirlpool of power. He is Huang Taiji's eldest son, Haoge. Despite the support of the Six Banners, Haug was ultimately defeated in a power contest with Dolgon. What is the ins and outs of this power game, and how did Dorgon finally take power by being outnumbered?
Hauge was the eldest son of Huang Taiji, and after Huang Taiji's death, he was originally the most likely candidate to inherit the throne. He not only received the respect of Huang Taiji during his lifetime, but also the strong support of the Six Banners. However, just as Haoge led his army to conquer Zhang Xianzhong in Sichuan and returned triumphantly, the power struggle between the DPRK and China had reached a fever pitch.
Dolgon, as the younger brother of Huang Taiji, is in charge of the two yellow flags, and his power in the court should not be underestimated. He joined forces with Manchurian nobles such as Daishan, Duoduo, and Sony, and convened a council of kings on the occasion of Hauge's triumphant return. At this meeting, they raised a surprising issue: Dolgon as regent to assist the young Emperor Shunzhi.
This proposal was undoubtedly a bombshell that directly challenged Hauge's authority. Although Hauge had the support of the Six Banners, he was unable to convince the Manchurian nobility to support him at this crucial meeting. Dolgon and others skillfully used the banner of Manchu-Han cooperation to win the support of Han officials. In this political game, although Hauge has military power, he is politically at a disadvantage.
In the face of Dolgon's challenge, Hauge did not rest on his laurels. He refused to recognize the decision of the Council of the Legislators and even went on a hunger strike to protest. However, none of this can change the fact that the general trend has passed. Dorgon not only strengthened his position as regent, but also ordered Haug to be imprisoned for life. At this point, this power struggle between the Manchurian nobles ended in the victory of Dorgon.
On the face of it, Haug has the backing of the Six Flags, while Dorgon only has the support of the Two Yellow Flags, and it seems that Haug has the upper hand. But in reality, Dorgon showed remarkable political wisdom. He used the banner of Manchu-Han cooperation to win the support of Han officials; At the same time, he also united with Manchurian nobles such as Daishan, Duoduo, and Sonny, and formed a powerful political force in the court. In contrast, Hauge, despite his military power, was politically isolated.
Hauge's defeat also reflected the complexity of the power struggle within the Manchurian aristocracy. The Eight Banners system was originally intended to strengthen the military power of the Manchus, but with the establishment of the regime after the entry of the customs, the Eight Banners gradually evolved into representatives of political forces. The conflict of interests between different banner owners became an important part of Manchu politics. In this power game, military strength is important, but political wisdom and alliances are often the key to victory.
Hauge's defeat, seemingly accidental, actually reflected the inevitability of Manchu politics. As the eldest son of Huang Taiji, Hauge originally had the best chance of becoming the heir to the throne. But at critical moments, he lacks sufficient political wisdom and ally support. In contrast, although Dolgon only mastered the two yellow flags, he was adept at using the banner of Manchu-Han cooperation to win the support of Han officials; At the same time, he also united with other Manchurian nobles to form a powerful political alliance in the court. This kind of political skill is exactly what Hauge lacks.
Hauge's defeat also heralded a new pattern of Manchu politics. With Dorgon's victory, the power struggle within the Manchurian aristocracy came to an end for the time being. As regent, Dorgon would hold the supreme power of the Qing court. Under his leadership, the Manchu regime would be further consolidated, and the Eight Banners would cooperate more closely with Han officials. This political model of Manchu-Han cooperation would become an important feature of Manchu politics.
However, Hauge's tragedy also left a lot to think about for future generations. The brutality of power struggles is often beyond people's imagination. In this game, military strength is important, but political wisdom and alliances are the key to success or failure. Although Hauge had military power, he lacked sufficient political skills and could not escape defeat in the end. It also reminds future generations that in complex political struggles, it is often difficult to achieve victory on one's own.
Hauge's story also reflects another characteristic of Manchu politics: the uncertainty of imperial succession. Unlike the Ming Dynasty, the Manchus did not have a clear law of succession to the throne. The ownership of the throne often depends on the power struggle between members of the royal family. This uncertainty, on the one hand, provided an opportunity for upward mobility for the Manchurian aristocracy, and on the other hand, it also increased the intensity of the political struggle. Hauge's failure is a microcosm of this uncertainty.
Looking at the power struggle after the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, the contest between Hauge and Dolgon was undoubtedly an important turning point. It marked the reshaping of the power structure within the Manchurian aristocracy, and also laid the foundation for the Qing court politics in the following period. For Hauge personally, this power game is undoubtedly a tragedy; But for the Manchu regime, it was a new beginning.
Today, when we look back on this period of history, we can still feel the cruelty and ruthlessness of the power struggle. It reminds us that in a complex political environment, individual talent is important, but political wisdom and the support of allies are even more important. At the same time, it is a reminder that the rules of the Game of Thrones are often full of uncertainties, and that no one can always be invincible.