The Crucible of Resistance: Origins of the Kuizhou Base

In the turbulent early years of the Qing dynasty, ethnic tensions reached a boiling point as Manchu nobility implemented policies of ethnic oppression and conquest. This transformed ethnic conflict into the primary social contradiction of the period. For two decades, remnants of the Dashun and Daxi armies became the standard-bearers of resistance against Qing rule.

By 1661, the capture of the Yongli Emperor and subsequent death of Li Dingguo marked the end of large-scale anti-Qing operations in southwest China. With Zheng Chenggong’s forces focused on Taiwan and Zhang Huangyan’s small contingent stationed on Zhejiang’s coastal islands, the only remaining organized resistance on the mainland centered in the rugged borderlands between eastern Sichuan and western Hubei – the so-called “Thirteen Houses of Kuizhou.”

This loose coalition, led by formidable commanders like Li Laiheng, Liu Tichun, and Hao Yaoqi, transformed the natural fortress of the Three Gorges region into their stronghold. The area’s strategic advantages were clear: steep mountains and rushing rivers created natural defenses while allowing strikes into Hubei, Henan, Shaanxi, and Sichuan. Yet the harsh terrain also meant sparse population and limited resources, making it difficult to sustain large forces.

The Qing Counteroffensive: A Three-Province Pincer Movement

With the southwestern resistance crushed, the Qing court turned its full attention to Kuizhou. In July 1662, Sichuan Governor Li Guoying proposed a coordinated campaign involving Sichuan, Huguang, and Shaanxi provinces. His memorial painted a vivid picture of the challenge:

“The rebel remnants Hao Yaoqi, Li Laiheng and others infest the mountainous borderlands spanning thousands of li… Their strongholds block communication between Chu and Shu… Now that Yunnan is pacified, we cannot tolerate these bandits continuing to defy imperial authority.”

The Qing court approved the plan in September. The three-pronged attack would commence simultaneously on December 20, 1662, with:
– 30,000 Huguang troops under Dong Xueli
– 30,000 Shaanxi troops (including 5,000 from Henan) under Wang Yizheng
– Sichuan forces personally led by Li Guoying

The Campaign Unfolds: Early Qing Victories

The campaign began with dramatic Qing successes during the New Year period of 1663. Li Guoying’s forces crossed the Daning River on January 3, capturing Dachang county after defeating Yuan Zongdi’s forces. The death of veteran commander He Zhen left his son He Daoning in charge, who promptly surrendered on January 18.

Meanwhile, Huguang troops seized the strategic Xiangxi Pass, while Shaanxi forces took Zhushan and Zhuxi counties. By February 15, Hao Yaoqi suffered defeat at Chitupo in Fang County, forcing his withdrawal after six years of maintaining the base there.

The Resistance Strikes Back

Facing encirclement, the rebel leaders adopted an aggressive strategy. On July 23, 1663, Li Laiheng, Liu Tichun and Hao Yaoqi launched a coordinated counterattack against Huguang forces near Xingshan. The result was a stunning rebel victory – Qing casualties were so heavy that “the Nanyang River ran thick with bodies,” forcing a retreat to Yiling (modern Yichang).

Emboldened, the rebels turned west with about 50,000 troops to attack Li Guoying at Wushan. The month-long siege (August 24-September 7) became a brutal test of wills. Li Guoying fortified the river town with:
– Plum blossom-shaped wooden stakes on northern walls
– Artillery platforms on western heights
– Earth fortifications on eastern hills

Despite constructing siege engines and tunneling under walls, the rebels failed to take Wushan. Li Guoying’s tactics of cutting supply lines and ambushing logistics troops proved decisive. When Qing forces sallied on September 7, they killed nearly 7,000 rebels, forcing their withdrawal.

The Final Collapse: Qing Reinforcements Arrive

The autumn of 1663 saw the Qing commit elite forces to finish the campaign:
– Xi’an General Fukatan arrived in Wushan with Manchu cavalry on November 29
– Beijing sent 10,000 elite Banner troops under Generals Muliema and Tu Hai in December

Facing this overwhelming force, rebel morale collapsed. Defections snowballed in November-December 1663, including commanders like Luo Mao and Ma Jinyu. The final blows came in quick succession:
– Liu Tichun’s stronghold at Chenjiapo fell on December 23
– Liu retreated to Tianchizhai but committed suicide with his family when defeat became inevitable
– Hao Yaoqi and Yuan Zongdi were captured at Huangcaoping on December 26
– The prisoners were executed in Wushan on October 12, 1664

Legacy of the Kuizhou Resistance

The fall of the Kuizhou base marked the end of organized mainland resistance to Qing rule. While ultimately unsuccessful, the Thirteen Houses demonstrated remarkable resilience, holding out for years in extremely difficult conditions. Their story represents both the fierce ethnic tensions of the early Qing period and the challenges of maintaining resistance movements in China’s rugged borderlands.

The campaign also revealed key Qing military strengths – their ability to coordinate multi-province operations and integrate elite Banner troops with regional forces. For local populations caught in the fighting, the conflict brought devastation, yet figures like Liu Tichun earned genuine popular affection for their discipline and concern for civilians.

Historically, the Kuizhou resistance forms an important chapter in the transition from Ming to Qing, illustrating both the persistence of loyalist sentiment and the Qing dynasty’s growing capacity to assert control over all of China.