In the long history of Taiwan, Zheng Chenggong's name shines brightly. In 1662, just a year later, the national hero sailed west, leaving behind a magnificent follow-up chapter. A battle over inheritance quietly unfolded, the son Zheng Jing was shelved, and Zheng Chenggong's younger brother Zheng Xi unexpectedly ascended to the leadership throne. What kind of scheming and calculation are hidden behind it?
In 1661, Zheng Chenggong heroically recovered Taiwan and established a strong base on the southeast coast for the Southern Ming court. Just when he was in full swing, the disease came quietly. The following year, this anti-Qing hero died of illness in Taiwan, leaving endless sorrow and regret for future generations. Zheng Chenggong's death is not only a family tragedy, but also a prelude to a power struggle.
After Zheng Chenggong's death, his eldest son, Zheng Jing, was supposed to inherit the title and leadership. The fact was unexpected, but the important generals in Taiwan, Xiao Gongchen and Huang Zhao, decided to support Zheng Chenggong's younger brother Zheng Xi to ascend to the throne. Behind this decision, there is no lack of deliberate conspiracy.
Zheng Jing was still in Xiamen at this time, while Zheng Xi happened to be in Taiwan. The advantage of geographical location made it easier for Zheng Xi to get the support of Taiwanese generals. Although Zheng Chenggong did not explicitly designate an heir before his death, Zheng Chenggong's presence in Taiwan undoubtedly provided a "suitable" choice for those generals who wanted to stabilize the situation.
The change of power in the military has never been a simple matter of succession, but involves a series of balance of interests and power games. Although Zheng Jing was the eldest son, he did not fight side by side with the generals in Taiwan, and lacked the kind of blood and fire connection with his subordinates. In contrast, although Zheng Xi has little qualifications, he has a deeper interpersonal relationship with the local generals because he has been in Taiwan for a long time. In this case, the choice of Xiao Gongchen, Huang Zhao and others may also be based on the consideration of the stability of the situation in the future.
On the other hand, Zheng Jing's personality is also recorded by history as relatively mild, which may have become his disadvantage in troubled times. In an era where strong leadership and management of complex situations are needed, a bold and decisive leader is needed. Zheng Xi's personality and way of handling affairs may be more in line with the expectations of his subordinates.
We have to mention that there are many careerists among Zheng Chenggong's subordinates. Their support for Zheng Xi may be partly motivated by personal interests. Under the aura of Zheng Chenggong, each general has his own small abacus, and Zheng Zheng's ascension to the throne may have provided more room for some people to benefit, or maintained their original power and status.
In this context, Zheng Jing's choice to stay in Xiamen rather than immediately rush back to Taiwan for mourning has also become a key factor. If Zheng Jing had been able to return to Taiwan as soon as possible and personally take control of the military power and regime, the situation could have been very different. But history has no ifs, and Zheng Jing's absence provided an opportunity for Zheng Xi's ascension.
Why didn't Zheng Jing return to Taiwan immediately? Historical sources give inconsistent answers, but it can be speculated that Zheng Jing may have chosen to wait and see for the time being out of uncertainty about the situation and for his own safety. Coupled with the difficulty of sailing on the sea, different political opinions and plans, Zheng Jing missed the best opportunity to control the overall situation.
Zheng Xi's ascension to the throne was not without smooth sailing. He needs to prove his abilities in a short period of time and win hearts and minds, while also managing his relationship with his brother Zheng Jing to ensure that it does not cause a larger internal division. Zheng Xi's wisdom and skill were tested in the following days, and how he balanced the forces of all parties and maintained the Zheng family's country became a new challenge.
Behind all this, it is not only the two brothers, but also a big picture of the division of the heroes in the late Southern Ming Dynasty. In this picture, everyone has their own role and destiny, and Zheng Chenggong's family is undoubtedly the most eye-catching stroke.
The series of power struggles and inheritance issues triggered by Zheng Chenggong's death were not only a matter within the family, but also a microcosm of the political turmoil in the last years of the Southern Ming Dynasty. Zheng Jing and Zheng Xi let us see the complexity of history and the multifaceted nature of humanity. In those turbulent times, every decision could change the course of history. Today, when we look back at the past, we can't help but sigh: history is always inadvertently written, writing scripts that human beings cannot predict.