The Collapse of the Ming Dynasty and the Rise of a Scholar-General

As the Ming dynasty entered its twilight years in the early 17th century, the empire faced catastrophic challenges on multiple fronts. Natural disasters ravaged the countryside while military threats mounted along the northern borders. It was against this backdrop of crisis that Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne in 1627, inheriting an empire already teetering on the brink.

The year 1628 marked the beginning of Chongzhen’s reign and also saw peasant uprisings erupt in Shaanxi province. By 1629, the seven-month-long Jisi Incident pushed the dynasty closer to collapse. Amidst this national emergency, a remarkable figure emerged from the scholar-official class – Lu Xiangsheng, a civil official who would transform into one of the Ming’s most capable military commanders.

From Scholar to Soldier: Lu Xiangsheng’s Early Career

Born into a prosperous family where his grandfather had served as a county magistrate, Lu Xiangsheng displayed exceptional intelligence from a young age. He passed the provincial imperial examinations at just 21 and earned his jinshi degree the following year, ranking 25th in the second tier – an extraordinary achievement that marked him as a rising star in the bureaucracy.

During the corrupt reign of the eunuch Wei Zhongxian, Lu Xiangsheng maintained his integrity by refusing to associate with the powerful eunuch faction. His early postings demonstrated both administrative competence and compassion – as supervisor of the Linqing granary in Shandong, he successfully petitioned to change tax payments from grain to silver during a drought, significantly reducing burdens on the people of Henan.

As prefect of Daming, Lu Xiangsheng displayed his characteristic diligence, clearing a backlog of legal cases within a month. His rigorous work ethic saw him labor late into the night and rise at cockcrow each morning. In 1628, he personally traveled to the capital to appeal seventeen wrongful convictions from his jurisdiction, earning deep affection from the local populace.

The Making of a Military Commander

What set Lu Xiangsheng apart from his scholarly peers was his unusual interest in military affairs. While most Ming scholars focused solely on Confucian classics, Lu studied historical military strategies and took Yue Fei and Zhang Xun as his models. He practiced horsemanship and archery in his spare time, becoming skilled enough to hit targets reliably at fifty paces. The 140-jin (about 84kg) practice sword he used remains preserved at his former residence.

When peasant rebellions began threatening his jurisdiction, Lu Xiangsheng took the initiative to train local militia. His “Tianxiong Army,” named after Daming’s Tang dynasty designation, became a formidable force under his leadership. He demonstrated tactical brilliance in operations against bandits like Ma Pianpian, whom he captured through a daring decapitation strike when the outlaw was isolated from his 400-strong gang.

The Defense of Jinai Against Rebel Forces

Lu Xiangsheng’s military talents became crucial when rebel armies turned toward the Jinai region in 1636. Recognizing conventional defenses were inadequate, he implemented innovative strategies:

1. Mountain Strongholds: Civilians in hilly areas built fortified settlements on easily defensible peaks with water sources
2. Consolidated Villages: Plains communities merged into larger, walled settlements protected by deep trenches
3. Local Militias: Farmers trained during agricultural off-seasons to defend their communities

These measures proved devastatingly effective against rebel forces that relied on plundering scattered villages for supplies. When rebels attacked, they found themselves forced to assault prepared defenses or starve, often being caught between fortified positions and Lu’s mobile forces.

His first major victory came at Huangsi, where with just 1,600 troops he routed several thousand rebels, despite nearly being killed by three arrows – one grazing his forehead after removing his fur collar, another killing his adjutant. The superstitious rebels, seeing him survive what should have been fatal wounds, believed him divinely protected.

The Tiger of Huguang: Pacifying Central China

Promoted to governor of Huguang in 1638, Lu faced the daunting task of suppressing rebellions across seven provinces with severely limited resources. His 3,000-strong force was dwarfed by rebel armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Yet through brilliant tactics and leadership, he achieved remarkable successes:

– At Qinglonggang and Wu’an, he annihilated thousands of rebels and freed 20,000 captive civilians
– His reputation became so fearsome that rebels would flee upon hearing “Governor Lu is coming”
– In Guangping, his mere arrival caused besieging rebels to withdraw overnight

Perhaps his greatest contribution was preventing rebel forces from linking up with mutinous troops in Shandong, which could have ignited widespread rebellion across northern China. For over a year, his stubborn defense of Jinai shielded the heartland from devastation.

The Final Campaign Against the Qing

In 1639, with the Ming facing simultaneous threats from rebel armies and the newly proclaimed Qing dynasty, Lu Xiangsheng was recalled to defend the capital. Despite being in mourning for his father (whose funeral rites he was denied by imperial order), he took command of Ming forces against the invading Manchus.

Hamstrung by court factionalism and the appeasement policies of Grand Secretary Yang Sichang, Lu was denied adequate troops and supplies. At the Battle of Julu in December 1639, with just 5,000 starving soldiers, he launched a last desperate attack against overwhelming Qing forces. According to accounts:

– Lu killed dozens of enemies before being struck by four arrows and three sword wounds
– His subordinate Yang Lukai covered his body with his own, taking twenty-four arrows
– Only two generals escaped the annihilation of Lu’s force

Legacy of a Ming Loyalist

Lu Xiangsheng’s death marked a turning point in the Ming’s collapse. The Qing would conquer China just six years later. Historians like Fang Bao later contended: “The fall of the Ming began with Sun Chengzong’s retirement and was completed by Lu Xiangsheng’s death in defeat.”

What makes Lu Xiangsheng remarkable was his combination of scholarly erudition, administrative competence, and military brilliance – a rare trifecta in any era. His innovative defensive systems, tactical flexibility, and ability to motivate both soldiers and civilians set him apart from his contemporaries. Most importantly, his unwavering loyalty in the face of court intrigue and certain death cemented his reputation as one of late imperial China’s most tragic heroes.

The Qing themselves acknowledged his valor by giving him an honorable burial when they discovered his body on the battlefield – a rare tribute to a defeated foe that speaks volumes about the respect he commanded even among enemies. In death as in life, Lu Xiangsheng remained the very model of the Confucian scholar-warrior ideal.