摘要：In the tumultuous late Ming and early Qing period, one general’s name has been lightly obscured by the dust of history. Neither as
Why Did This Scholar Hold Off Qing Cavalry and Prolong the Ming Dynasty?
In the tumultuous late Ming and early Qing period, one general’s name has been lightly obscured by the dust of history. Neither as controversially legendary as Yuan Chonghuan nor as renowned as Zheng Chenggong for "reclaiming Taiwan," he was arguably the last military genius to prop up the crumbling Ming Dynasty—a true pillar of resilience. Against all odds, he achieved military miracles at the empire’s brink, arduously extending the Ming Dynasty’s lifespan by two decades. Who was he? Was it Qin Liangyu, the famous Ming general who resisted the Qing?
No, today we focus on a lonelier yet more pivotal hero in the Ming’s final destiny—Lu Xiangsheng.
Scholar in Turbulent Times, Taking Up the Sword
Lu Xiangsheng, courtesy name Jiandou, was born in Yixing, Jiangsu in 1600 into a scholarly family with generations of farming and reading. Following the path of a traditional literati, he devoted himself to studying Confucian classics from childhood, aiming to pass the imperial exams and join the civil official ranks. In 1622, the 22-year-old Lu lived up to expectations, achieving the jinshidegree (进士) and being appointed as a zhushi(主事) in the Ministry of Revenue, thus embarking on a civil official career.
However, the tide of history waits for no one. In 1629, Huang Taiji led Qing forces around the Shanhai Pass stronghold, driving straight toward Beijing in the incident known as the "Jisi Incident" (己巳之变). The capital faced an unprecedented crisis. At this critical juncture, Lu Xiangsheng resolutely set aside his writing brush and, as a civil official, volunteered to recruit over 10,000 local militiamen in his hometown to reinforce the capital. From then on, this scholarly-faced individual fully transitioned to military life, embarking on a thorny path of defending the nation with blood.
Surprisingly, Lu Xiangsheng possessed remarkable innate military talent. The "Tianxiong Army" (天雄军) he built became one of the most elite forces in the late Ming within just a few years. The History of Mingvividly describes him: "fair-skinned and lean, with a reddish face and thick beard, unusually strong bones in his arms, capable of drawing a hundred-danstrong bow." In battle, he always led from the front, charging ahead wielding a large sword, entirely devoid of a civil official’s timidity.
Bloody Battles Against the Qing, Awe-Inspiring the Enemy
In 1636, the Qing army launched another large-scale invasion, and the capital was put under martial law again. Lu Xiangsheng was appointed as dushi(督师, commander) to lead reinforcements and engage in a life-and-deathstruggle with the Qing forces in what is now Changping, Beijing.
That winter, bitter winds cut like knives, and heavy snow sealed the mountains. When Lu Xiangsheng’s troops encountered the main Qing force at Qingshankou, the Ming army had already exhausted their supplies. Soldiers were freezing with stiff fingers and starving, gaunt and pale. As commander, Lu sharedthe hardships with his men—for days without food, he drank melted snow and chewed roots alongside them, never touching private reserves. At dawn one day, the Qing army launched a surprise attack under cover of darkness. Lu drewhis sword and roared, "If we do not fight to the death today, when will we?!" He then led his personal guards in a charge into the enemy ranks.
The History of Mingcaptures this tragic battle in brief: "Xiangsheng urged his troops to fight fiercely, their cries shaking the heavens. From morning until afternoon, artillery and arrows were exhausted. Fighting desperately, his cavalry advanced, and he personally killed dozens of enemies. Struck by four arrows and three sword wounds, he fell and died."
Leading less than 10,000 exhausted troops against tens of thousands of well-equipped Qing cavalry, he fought bloodily from dawn until afternoon until ammunitionand arrows were depleted. Finally, Lu Xiangsheng, exhausted, fell and died heroically at just 39. Even his Qing adversaries held this unyielding commander in awe, deliberately searching for his body among the corpses and treating it with respect.
Why Is Lu Xiangsheng Admirable?
Perfect Fusion of Literati Integrity and Military Valor
In the twilight of the Ming Dynasty, the cultural landscape was characterized by a pronounced preference for civil officials over military officers, with stringent demarcations firmly established between the two. Lu Xiangsheng, however, defied these entrenched boundaries.
He was not merely a sagacious military strategist but also an unwavering adherent to the time - honored ethos of scholar - officials, whichespoused the noble ideals of “cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world.”
Amidst the pervasive official corruption, Lu Xiangsheng remained incorruptible, steadfastly adhering to high moral standards. Despite holding exalted positions for many years, he left his family bereft of material wealth. When confronted with the arduous hardships endured by his soldiers, he selflessly shared food and lodgings with his subordinates, never condescendingly assuming the airs of a high - ranking commander.
Tragically, after his passing, his family was so destitute that they could scarcely afford a coffin for his burial. Such was the purity of his moral character that he emerged as a rare paragon of integrity, a veritable “clear stream” amidst the murky waters of the late Ming officialdom.
Military Reformer Who Built the Tianxiong Army
In the backdrop of the Ming Dynasty’s waning military prowess, the Tianxiong Army, meticulously forged by Lu Xiangsheng, emerged as a remarkable beacon of hope.
Lu Xiangsheng had the sagacity to discard the long - standing malpractice of the traditional Ming military system, which was the “separation of soldiers from generals.” Instead, he instituted a recruitment approach where a profound mutual acquaintance existed between soldiers and their generals. This model fostered a sense of unity and loyalty within the ranks, creating a cohesive fighting force.
In addition to the recruitment reform, Lu Xiangsheng revolutionized the training methods. He placed equal emphasis on the mastery of cold - weapon skills, such as the art of swordsmanship and the dexterity of spearmanship. Concurrently, he recognized the importance of the coordinated application of firearms, including matchlock guns and artillery, in conjunction with cold weapons. Moreover, he underscored the significance of rapid mobility, enabling the army to respond swiftly to various military situations.
With these well - conceived tactics, the Tianxiong Army achieved repeated victories against overwhelming odds. There was an astonishing instance where 3,000 troops of the Tianxiong Army managed to vanquish 10,000 Qing cavalry. This remarkable feat spread like wildfire among the Qing forces, giving rise to a widespread rumor that they should “avoid engaging with the Lu family army.”
Furthermore, Lu Xiangsheng’s military practices served as a wellspring of inspiration and provided crucial lessons for the subsequent military reforms initiated by Qi Jiguang and Sun Chuanting. His innovative strategies and forward - thinking approach left an indelible mark on the military history of the era.
Symbol of Loyalty and Sacrifice
Amid the tumultuous twilight of the Ming Dynasty, numerous generals either defected to the Qing in pursuit of glory or maintained self - serving private armies for personal gain. Lu Xiangsheng, in stark contrast, steadfastly adhered to his original aspiration of “loyalty to the sovereign and service to the nation.”
Even when confronted with the internal constraints within the court, he remained unwavering. Senior official Yang Sichang advocated for “peace negotiations” and repeatedly withheld supplies from his army. Meanwhile, the eunuch supervisor Gao Qiqian created obstructions and refused to dispatch reinforcements. Despite these overwhelming challenges, Lu Xiangsheng never faltered in his resolve.
来源：闻吉
