The Precarious State of the Ming Dynasty

By the mid-17th century, the Ming Dynasty was teetering on the brink of collapse. Years of internal rebellions, economic mismanagement, and external threats from the Manchus had left the empire weakened. Among the most pressing concerns was the growing power of peasant uprisings, particularly the forces led by Li Zicheng. The Ming court, under the increasingly desperate rule of the Chongzhen Emperor (Zhu Youjian), pinned its hopes on one man: Sun Chuanting, the governor of Shaanxi.

Sun Chuanting was seen as the last viable military leader capable of suppressing Li Zicheng’s rebellion. However, his campaign—forced by court pressure—would prove disastrous, accelerating the Ming Dynasty’s downfall.

The Debate Over Sun Chuanting’s Campaign

### Court Factions and Conflicting Agendas

The decision to send Sun Chuanting’s forces out of Shaanxi was fraught with division. The Chongzhen Emperor, eager for a quick victory, believed that Sun’s army, combined with the forces of Zuo Liangyu in the central Yangtze region, could crush Li Zicheng’s rebellion. Meanwhile, Shaanxi-based officials, burdened by Sun’s heavy taxation and conscription, supported his departure simply to relieve local pressures.

Sun himself was hesitant. Having suffered a defeat at Zhongtouzhen, he understood the strength of Li Zicheng’s forces and preferred to delay, training his troops and stockpiling supplies. Other officials feared that if Sun’s army—the last reliable Ming force—was destroyed, the dynasty would fall. Zhang Fengxiang, a deputy minister of war, warned:

“Sun Chuanting commands the empire’s finest troops and generals. Your Majesty has only this one remaining asset—it must not be risked lightly.”

Yet Chongzhen, impatient and frugal, dismissed caution. Under relentless imperial pressure, Sun reluctantly marched east.

The Ill-Fated Campaign Begins

### Initial Successes and False Confidence

On August 1, 1643, Sun Chuanting held a grand ceremony at Xi’an’s Guan Yu Temple before leading 100,000 troops out of Tong Pass. Early victories—such as retaking Luoyang—boosted his confidence. He reported to the emperor:

“The rebels flee at the mere mention of my name. I vow to cleanse Chu and Yu, leaving not a single bandit to trouble Your Majesty.”

Chongzhen, elated, declared imminent victory. But seasoned officials like Feng Yuanbiao, the minister of war, saw through the ruse:

“The rebels feign weakness to lure our army deeper—this is a classic military trap. I cannot help but worry.”

### The Trap Closes at Jia County

Li Zicheng, anticipating Sun’s advance, adopted a strategy of strategic retreat, luring the Ming forces into Henan’s devastated countryside. By September, Sun’s army, overextended and undersupplied, faced starvation. Heavy rains turned roads to mud, slowing supply convoys.

When Sun’s troops reached Jia County, they found a barren wasteland. Li Zicheng had ordered a scorched-earth policy, denying them food. Meanwhile, rebel general Liu Zongmin cut off Sun’s supply lines at Baisha.

Desperate, Sun attempted a retreat, but discipline collapsed. Chen Yongfu’s Henan troops, resentful at being left behind, mutinied. Li Zicheng’s forces launched a devastating counterattack, crushing Sun’s army. Over 40,000 Ming soldiers died, and Sun barely escaped with a fraction of his forces.

The Fall of Shaanxi and the Ming’s Last Stand

### The Collapse of Tong Pass

After the disaster at Jia County, Sun Chuanting retreated to Tong Pass, the gateway to Shaanxi. The Chongzhen Emperor, furious, stripped him of his titles but ordered him to hold the pass.

In October 1643, Li Zicheng’s forces assaulted Tong Pass. Sun’s demoralized troops broke ranks, and the rebels stormed the fortress. Sun died in the chaos, marking the end of Ming resistance in the northwest.

### The Capture of Xi’an

With Tong Pass fallen, Li Zicheng marched on Xi’an. The city, poorly defended, quickly surrendered. Ming officials, abandoned by their own troops, faced execution or defection. Li Zicheng, now in control of Shaanxi, declared a new regime—the Shun Dynasty.

Legacy and Historical Significance

### Why Sun Chuanting’s Defeat Sealed the Ming’s Fate

Sun’s campaign was the Ming Dynasty’s last major offensive against Li Zicheng. His defeat left the capital, Beijing, vulnerable. Within months, Li Zicheng would capture Beijing, prompting Chongzhen’s suicide and the Ming’s collapse.

### Military Lessons from the Jia County Campaign

Li Zicheng’s victory demonstrated masterful use of:
– Strategic deception (luring Sun deep into hostile territory)
– Logistical warfare (destroying supply lines)
– Psychological operations (exploiting Ming factionalism)

### The Broader Collapse of Ming Authority

Sun’s failure was symptomatic of deeper Ming weaknesses:
– Court incompetence: Chongzhen’s impatience overrode sound strategy.
– Regional selfishness: Shaanxi officials cared more about local burdens than the empire’s survival.
– Military decay: Ming forces, once formidable, were now outmatched by peasant armies.

Conclusion: The End of an Era

Sun Chuanting’s doomed campaign was not just a military defeat—it was the moment the Ming Dynasty lost its last chance at survival. Li Zicheng’s triumph at Jia County and Xi’an set the stage for the fall of Beijing in 1644, ending 276 years of Ming rule. The lessons of this collapse—how factionalism, logistical neglect, and strategic overreach can doom even powerful empires—remain relevant to this day.