Hong Chengchou

Background

After obtaining the position of a jinshi in 1616 during the reign of the Wanli Emperor, he joined the civil service of the Ming Empire and served as an official in Shaanxi. During the reign of the Chongzhen Emperor (r. 1627–1644), he was promoted to Supreme Commander of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Huguang, and Sichuan; Minister of War, and later on, Governor-General of Jiliao. In 1642, Hong surrendered and defected to the Manchu-led Qing Empire after his defeat at the Battle of Song-Jin.

He became one of the Qing Empire's leading Han Chinese scholar-politicians, and one of the architects of the Manchu conquest of China. While in office, he encouraged the Manchu rulers to adopt Han Chinese culture and provided advice on consolidating control over former Ming territories, and had an active role in the conquest of South China. Apart from Dorgon and Fan Wencheng, Hong was regarded as one of the most influential politicians in the early Qing dynasty, but his legacy became controversial for his defection and for his suppression of the Southern Ming dynasty.

Did You Know?

• Hong Chengchou wrote a military treatise compiling various military classics and Qi Jiguang's Jixiao Xinshu, adding his own commentary related to the situation on Liaodong.
• He established a Bureau of Military Equipment in Kaipingwei to produce armor and a Bureau of Firearms in Guzhi to produce three-eyed guns.