The Unstoppable Ascent of Nurhaci

Nurhaci, the founding khan of the Later Jin dynasty (precursor to the Qing), was a military genius whose early campaigns seemed divinely favored. From his first victory against the Nine Allied Tribes to the decisive Battle of Ujayan, from unifying the Jianzhou Jurchens to annexing the Hulun Confederacy, and from capturing Fushun to eliminating the “Four Tigers” of Ming loyalists, Nurhaci appeared invincible. His tactical brilliance and relentless ambition forged a burgeoning empire from the fractured tribes of Manchuria.

Yet history reminds us that even the greatest conquerors face moments of vulnerability. In 1626, at the Battle of Ningyuan, the aging warlord suffered a catastrophic defeat against Ming forces—a humiliating reversal that left him with the bitter taste of “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.” This article explores the twilight campaigns of Nurhaci, focusing on his ruthless sieges of Kaiyuan and Tieling, and the pivotal misstep that reshaped East Asian history.

The Kaiyuan Campaign: Espionage and Betrayal

### Strategic Importance of Kaiyuan

Kaiyuan was no ordinary target. This ancient city stood at a geopolitical crossroads: east of Jianzhou, west of Mongolia, and north of the Yehe Jurchens. For the Ming dynasty, it was a vital military and economic hub. For Nurhaci, its capture would sever Ming supply lines and demoralize their frontier defenses.

### Preparations: The Spy Network

Nurhaci, often called the “Master of Spies,” orchestrated a meticulous infiltration. According to the Records of Liaodong in Three Reigns, “Before Kaiyuan fell, covert agents already lurked within its walls.” These operatives had dual roles:
– Gathering intelligence on defenses, troop deployments, and weapon stockpiles.
– Acting as saboteurs—preparing to open gates or incite chaos once the assault began.

### Exploiting Ming Weaknesses

While Nurhaci plotted, Kaiyuan rotted from within. Corruption plagued its officials; soldiers went unpaid; equipment decayed. The city’s complacency was compounded by Nurhaci’s diversionary tactics—a feint toward Shenyang convinced Kaiyuan’s defenders they were safe.

### The Storm Breaks

On June 10, 1619, Nurhaci marched 40,000 troops through torrential rain, masking his advance. By June 15, his armies surrounded Kaiyuan under cover of darkness. Chaos erupted within the walls:
– Ming commander Ma Lin was killed; deputies Yu Hualong and Gao Zhen died in futile resistance.
– Mongol allies (bribed into betrayal) attacked Ming reinforcements.
– Spies swung gates open, allowing the Eight Banners to swarm the city.

The aftermath was apocalyptic. For three days, Nurhaci’s troops looted Kaiyuan’s wealth—silver, grain, livestock—before torching the city. Contemporary Korean records (Gwanghaegun’s Diary) describe mass suicides: “People hanged themselves from every beam; even children as young as five perished.” Of 100,000 residents, fewer than 1,000 escaped.

Tieling: The Power of Bribes

### A Calculated Gambit

Flush with Kaiyuan’s plunder, Nurhaci turned to Tieling, a logistical linchpin between Shenyang and Liaoyang. His advisors questioned targeting this “minor” city, but Nurhaci saw deeper advantages:
1. Testing Ming Reactions: A strike would reveal how swiftly Shenyang could mobilize.
2. Severing Supply Lines: Tieling was a critical depot for future sieges of Shenyang.
3. Low-Risk Opportunity: Isolated and undermanned, Tieling was ripe for the taking.

### Corruption as a Weapon

Nurhaci’s strategy hinged on bribes:
– Mongol Mercenaries: A share of Kaiyuan’s spoils bought continued support from the Khorchin Mongols.
– Ming Defectors: Greedy officials like Ding Bi, Tieling’s garrison commander, accepted silver to betray his post.

The Records of Liaodong coldly notes: “Ding Bi opened the gates to the enemy.” Though some officers—Li Ketai, Yu Chengming—fought to the death, Tieling fell on July 25, 1619. Its fall mirrored Kaiyuan’s horror: 4,000 soldiers slain; 10,000 civilians massacred or enslaved.

### Betrayal and Irony

In a twist, Nurhaci’s Mongol allies turned on him post-victory, raiding his camp. Enraged, he captured their leader, Jaisai, but the incident exposed the fragility of his alliances.

The Shadow of Ningyuan

### Overreach and Defeat

Nurhaci’s momentum stalled in 1626 at Ningyuan. The Ming, led by general Yuan Chonghuan, deployed Portuguese cannons (“Red Barbarian Guns”) to devastating effect. Nurhaci, wounded in the barrage, retreated—his aura of invincibility shattered. He died months later, his dream of conquering China deferred.

Legacy: The Cost of Conquest

Nurhaci’s campaigns exemplified ruthless efficiency: espionage, psychological warfare, and exploitation of corruption. Yet his reliance on terror (as at Kaiyuan) bred lasting resistance, while Ningyuan proved even titans could fall. His successors, learning from these lessons, would eventually topple the Ming—but only after embracing diplomacy and Han Chinese administrative practices.

For modern readers, Nurhaci’s story is a cautionary tale about the limits of brute force—and the high price of “victory” bought with atrocity.