In the long river of history, there are always those eye-catching and strange stories. For example, during the turbulent years of the early Qing Dynasty, there was a Duke of Xu Shun named Shen Zhixiang, who not only played an important role in the rebellion of the three feudatories, but also miraculously retained his title until the end of the Qing Dynasty. What is so special about this general from Dongjiang Town that can make Emperor Kangxi look at him differently without cutting his title?
Shen Zhixiang, a historical figure in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, although not as famous as some feudal officials, his life can be described as ups and downs and full of drama. At the beginning, he was the deputy general of Dongjiang Town, which was in the last years of the Ming Dynasty and the world was in turmoil. When Shen Shikui, the commander-in-chief of the Dongjiang River, died in battle, Shen Zhixiang had the opportunity to succeed the commander-in-chief, but unfortunately the heavens did not fulfill people's wishes, and Huang Sunmao, the deputy envoy of the supervising army, refused to hand over the military seal. In a fit of rage, Shen Zhixiang launched a mutiny, killed Huang Sunmao and several other generals, and established himself as the chief soldier, which was undoubtedly a backwater.
The mutiny did not bring about a smooth future as Shen had hoped. Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty ordered Chen Hongfan to lead an army to quell the rebellion, and Shen Zhixiang fled to Huanggu Island after a fierce battle. In desperation, he chose to surrender to the emerging Qing Dynasty. This decision, although made out of desperation, became a turning point in his life.
After the surrender, Shen Zhixiang was not snubbed by the Qing court, but received great attention. At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, in order to appease and absorb the power of the Han people, especially those local warlords who had actual control, the Qing court gave Shen Zhixiang a very favorable treatment, first making him the chief military officer, and soon after, he was canonized as the Duke of Xushun, which was an extremely rare favor at that time.
Shen Zhixiang's wisdom is not only reflected in martial arts. In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty (1644), that is, the first year of Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty, the army led by the Qing regent Dolgon attacked Beijing, and Shen Zhixiang, together with several other generals from Dongjiang Town, showed extremely strong combat effectiveness, especially in the Battle of Qingdu, they fought in coordination with Wu Sangui's troops, and inflicted heavy losses on Li Zicheng's Dashun army. This battle not only consolidated the rule of the Qing Dynasty, but also brought great glory to Shen Zhixiang personally.
The cruelty of history lies in this. When the other three kings were reduced for participating in the rebellion of the three feudatories, why was Shen Zhixiang able to stand alone and continue to maintain his title of duke? The reasons for this are somewhat intriguing. Although Shen Zhixiang did participate in the rebellion of the three feudatories, his actions were not as aggressive as those of other rebels, and he even maintained communication with the Qing court to some extent, a flexible stance that allowed him to survive in the complex political maelstrom.
Moreover, Shen Zhixiang's military talents and contributions were indispensable to the ruling group of the Qing Dynasty. Especially in the midst of large-scale civil strife such as the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, the Qing court urgently needed a general like Shen Zhixiang who understood both the psychology of the Han people and had military skills to stabilize the situation. He not only demonstrated his command skills on the battlefield, but also played a key role in stabilizing the situation after the counterinsurgency.
Shen Zhixiang's personal charm and political wisdom should not be underestimated. He was adept at maintaining good relations with the Qing high-level officials in various ways, for example, he repeatedly showed his loyalty to the new dynasty by donating military rations and building defense facilities. Although these measures were small, they showed his value at critical moments, making Emperor Kangxi more hesitant and cautious in dealing with his problems.
History is made up of countless choices and accidents. Shen Zhixiang's life is in such choices and accidents, constantly adjusting his course. From a local lieutenant general to an immortal duke, he is full of change and drama, also reflecting the complexity and brutality of the era. Whether it is fighting on the battlefield or scheming in the court, Shen Zhixiang has shown his versatility as a soldier and politician.
Shen Zhixiang is not only a personal legend, but also the epitome of that turbulent era. His life is an interweaving of opportunities and challenges, and a border of loyalty and betrayal. In him, we see the changes of an era and the growth of a person. In the end, he was able to maintain the title and pass it on to the late Qing Dynasty, not only because of his military talents, but also because of his wisdom and strategy in troubled times. Every historical figure is a citizen of the times, and Shen Zhixiang is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful witnesses of that era.