The Collapsing Southern Ming Dynasty

As Qing forces advanced relentlessly into Guizhou and Yunnan in 1658, the Southern Ming court under the Yongli Emperor faced existential peril. In desperation, loyalist commanders like Li Dingguo proposed a bold strategy—to rally surviving Ming holdouts in Sichuan and launch a diversionary attack on Chongqing, hoping to relieve pressure on their collapsing southwestern strongholds.

This campaign unfolded against the backdrop of the Ming-Qing transition, a chaotic period where regional warlords, peasant rebels, and Ming loyalists formed unstable alliances against the expanding Qing empire. The so-called “Thirteen Houses of Kuizhou,” remnants of Li Zicheng’s rebel army turned Ming allies, became crucial players in this last-ditch resistance effort.

The Two-Pronged Assault on Chongqing

In July 1658, Ming forces under the “Three Tans” (Tan Wen, Tan Yi, and Tan Hong) joined with former rebel commanders like Liu Tichun to launch their first attack on Chongqing. The assault forced the notorious Qing general Wu Sangui to abandon his advance into Guizhou and rush back to defend this strategic Yangtze River stronghold. Though initially repelled, the Ming commanders regrouped for a more ambitious campaign in November.

The second offensive demonstrated remarkable coordination:
– A naval force of 158 ships carrying 7,000 troops approached via the Yangtze
– Land forces under Grand Secretary Wen Anzhi marched along both riverbanks
– Multiple gates of Chongqing came under simultaneous attack

For twelve days, the Ming forces pressed their advantage, with Qing defenders barely holding on. The arrival of additional Ming naval forces on December 13 nearly tipped the balance—so much so that Qing governor Gao Minzhan fled the city in panic.

The Betrayal That Doomed the Campaign

Just as victory seemed within reach, internal treachery unraveled the Ming position. On December 15, Tan Yi—who had secretly been negotiating with the Qing—assassinated his fellow commander Tan Wen and defected. This shocking betrayal:
– Caused immediate chaos among Ming naval forces
– Allowed Qing defenders to counterattack effectively
– Forced the land army to retreat upon hearing the news

Within days, Tan Hong followed his kinsman in surrender, receiving noble titles from the Qing court as rewards for their betrayal. The carefully coordinated campaign collapsed completely.

Strategic Consequences of the Chongqing Failure

The failed Chongqing offensive had devastating ripple effects:
1. Lost Opportunity: Had Li Dingguo committed more forces from Yunnan, the outcome might have differed
2. Geographic Isolation: The defeat widened the gap between southwestern and eastern Ming holdouts
3. Psychological Blow: Demonstrated how internal divisions continued plaguing the anti-Qing resistance

Contemporary accounts reveal bitter ironies—the very commanders (like Tan Yi) who betrayed the Ming cause had previously survived multiple purges because of their military value.

The Enduring Legacy of Kuizhou’s Warriors

Despite the Chongqing disaster, the “Thirteen Houses” continued resisting until their final defeat in 1664. Their persistence highlights several historical truths:
– The late Ming resistance suffered more from factionalism than lack of courage
– Former peasant rebels often proved more committed to the Ming cause than scholar-officials
– Geographic obstacles and poor communication hampered coordinated resistance

Modern historians debate whether a united front between Li Dingguo’s forces and the Kuizhou holdouts could have prolonged the Southern Ming’s survival. What remains undeniable is that the Chongqing campaign marked the last serious attempt to create such a united resistance—a turning point where the Ming loyalist cause shifted from potential recovery to inevitable collapse.

The story of these forgotten campaigns reminds us how often history hinges not just on battlefield outcomes, but on fragile alliances and personal loyalties. The courage of commanders like Tan Wen—who fought to his last breath against both the Qing and his treacherous kin—contrasts sharply with the pragmatism of those who chose surrender, leaving us to ponder where duty ends and survival begins in times of dynastic collapse.