In the long history of China, the war in 1618, which lasted only five days, had an impact on the future China for more than 300 years. That year, when the Forbidden City of the Ming Empire was still enjoying the tranquility of the surface, a storm had been quietly brewing in Fushun, eastern Liaodong. Nurhachi, whose name has left a deep mark on history, led the Eight Banners Army, which not only provoked a local war, but completely changed the fate of China. Was this war really just an accidental spark, or was it the inevitable result of the weakening of the Ming Dynasty?
In the spring of 1618, the Wanli Emperor had already retreated into the background, and although the Ming Empire was brilliant on the surface, it was actually troubled internally and externally, and the government was corrupt to the extreme. In this context, a war related to the future of the Ming Dynasty quietly kicked off.
In that early summer season, which was not warm, in the city of Hetuala, located in the old town of Xinbin in today's Fushun City, Liaoning Province, Nurhachi was ready, not only for revenge, but also for a bigger dream. He stood in front of the troops and loudly announced the "Seven Hatreds", officially declaring war on the Ming Dynasty. At this moment, the fate of Houjin and the future of Daming were reshuffled.
Nurhachi's strategy was clear, and his soldiers, disguised as traders, infiltrated the city during the busy market of Fushun and launched a surprise attack. The defenders of the Ming Dynasty were caught off guard, the city was quickly lost, and Li Yongfang, the defender of Fushun, was forced to surrender. In this battle, Nurhachi demonstrated his extraordinary military talent and courage.
When the news reached the Forbidden City, the Wanli Emperor was furious, and he immediately asked the military department and local officials to discuss countermeasures. Although he was in poor health and had rarely dealt with government affairs for many years, he had to raise his arms and chant in person at this time, hoping to save the situation. However, the emperor's order was not effectively carried out. Xue Sancai, the secretary of the Ministry of War, reported that the Liaodong army's salaries had been in arrears for three years, but in fact he was not optimistic about the military action against Nurhachi, and even suggested that the rebellion could be quelled only by appeasing the Liaodong soldiers.
At this time, Nurhachi's offensive became even more violent, and he not only captured Fushun, but also quickly occupied four surrounding military fortresses, causing great losses in personnel and materials. This series of victories made Nurhachi's momentum and influence rise rapidly.
On the Ming side, the situation is chaotic. Wang Keshou, the governor of Jiliao, decided to send troops on his own without clear instructions from the imperial court, and ordered Zhang Chengyin, the general of Guangning, to lead his troops to Fushun, intending to recover the lost territory. Due to a lack of adequate preparation and an underestimation of Nurhachi's tactics, Zhang Chengyin's troops suffered heavy losses and were unable to achieve a substantial victory.
At this time, Nurhachi was no longer the small tribal leader in the eyes of the Great Ming, but an opponent with a large army and clear strategic goals. His political ambitions were also beginning to emerge, not only to survive for his tribe, but also to establish his own country on the land.
The inability of the Ming court to respond and internal strife made the situation worse. The low morale of the army, coupled with insufficient supplies and command errors, led to repeated defeats in the Ming confrontation with Nurhachi. This successive defeats gradually weakened the dominance of the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong, and at the same time laid a solid foundation for the rise of the Later Jin.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Nurhachi strengthened his alliance with the surrounding tribes and gradually expanded his sphere of influence through political and military means. His goal was to build a strong state that could rival the Ming dynasty politically, economically, and culturally.
Over time, the Later Jin grew in power and eventually evolved into the Qing Dynasty, a powerful empire that not only ended the rule of the Ming Dynasty, but also continued to influence China for more than three hundred years. Nurhachi's five-day campaign, although short in time, had a far-reaching and lasting impact.
This war is not only a military confrontation, but also a manifestation of different political forces, economic interests and cultural conflicts. It reveals how corruption and incompetence within an empire can lead to the rise of external forces, and how that rise can radically change the trajectory of a nation's history.
The battle of 1618, although only five days, was a turning point in the fate of the Ming Empire. Nurhachi's military prowess and political vision, as well as internal strife and corruption within the Ming Dynasty, combined to weave the prelude to this tragedy. This was not only a military victory, but also a major impact on the course of future history. The rise and fall of a country often lies in how it responds to crises and challenges.