Page:Eminent Chinese Of The Ch’ing Period - Hummel - 1943 - Vol. 1.pdf/117

Rh Yü-ch'êng built a strong defense to block the river (see under ). But after a fierce battle the defense was destroyed (December 2, 1854) by P'êng Yü-lin and others. A majority of the Taipings were forced to retire to Kiukiang and the remainder under Ch'ên went to the districts of Kuang-chi and Huang-mei, west and east of T'ien-chia-chên. Though Ch'ên fought desperately and moved his forces with great speed, he was eventually compelled by to retire to Kiukiang. Abashed at his failure, he asked the Celestial King to punish him. However, instead of being punished, he was rewarded (1855) for his enterprise with a higher title. For the purpose of drawing the government forces away from Kiukiang Ch'ên Yü-ch'ˆng and went back to Hupeh, retaking Wuchang on April 3, 1855.

Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng and other generals defeated the imperialists near Nanking and thereupon Ch'ên was made a marquis. Though the Taipings were in a favorable position in Hupeh (1855) they were in trouble near Nanking where they were besieged by the imperial troops under the general command of. Early in 1856 Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng was recalled to Nanking and, after his arrival, dared to make a dash in a flotilla from Nanking to Chinkiang, though numerous government gun-boats were in control of the river. As soon as he reached Chinkiang other Taiping land forces co-operated with him in relieving the city. In one of the encounters the leader of the Imperial forces,, was killed. In August Ch'ên, together with other generals, dealt a smashing blow to the imperialists who were besieging Nanking and compelled them to make a general retreat to Tan-yang where Hsiang Jung died. As a reward for his part in this victory Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng was made a marquis with the designation Ch'êng-t'ien 成天.

After this victory over the imperialists near Nanking the Taiping generalissimo, Yang Hsiu-ch'ing, was so proud of his merit that he attempted to usurp the throne of the Celestial King. The result was a series of murders among the leaders themselves (see under and ). At the conclusion of this civil strife in 1856 the five original wang or kings were either dead or out of favor. In the search for able men to take charge of affairs Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng and were recommended to the Taiping throne as capable in military matters. Ch'ên assumed command of 100,000 men and advanced from Anking to Huang-mei, Huang-chou and other cities in Hupeh (May 1857). After twenty-five engagements he was eventually forced by the government generals,, P'êng Yü-lin and others to retreat to Lu-chou.

Thereafter Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng gained signal victories, chiefly over the Hunan Braves under the command of. In April 1858 the reorganized imperialists again besieged Nanking (see under ) and Ch'ên was ordered from Anhwei to the rescue of the capital. In co-operation with Li Hsiu-ch'êng he took the city of Pukow (September 26, 1858) on the Yangtze opposite Nanking. Following this success Li Hsiu-ch'êng took Yangchow (October 9, 1858) and Ch'ên took Liu-ho (October 24). Soon after the fall of Liu-ho Ch'ên was repeatedly urged to relieve Lu-chou, Anhwei, since the government forces, after the conquest of Kiukiang (May 19, 1858) were advancing on San-ho-chên, a strategic point about 80 li south of Lu-chou. Ch'ên hurried to the scene but instead of attacking San-ho-chên directly made a flank movement from the rear. Li Hsiu-ch'êng, in command of a strong detachment, joined in the battle. These two defeated 5, 000 Hunan Braves, and on November 15, 1858 caused the death of the famous general, Li Hsü-pin. Following this signal victory they took with ease several cities west of Lu-chou. Ch'ên pursued the government soldiers as far as Su-sung, Anhwei, near the border of Hupeh, but meeting defeat from the troops of was forced back to T'ai-hu where he had a conference with Li Hsiu-ch'êng. With a view to strengthening his position in Anhwei Ch'ên, despite Li's opposition, insisted on again attacking Su-sung. In consequence, toward the end of 1858, he was defeated, by the forces of Pao Ch'ao.

In 1859 Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng was ordered from Anhwei to the rescue of Pukow and Kiang-p'u—both on the north bank of the Yangtze opposite Nanking. There the combined forces of Ch'ên and Li Hsiu-ch'êng attacked (November 1859) the imperial troops for several days and destroyed 50 or 60 of their barracks at Pukow. Thereafter Ch'ên returned to Anhwei. As a reward for his valor in these vehement engagements he was made Ying Wang 英王, or Brave Prince. After they had taken Pukow the Hunan Braves under besieged Anking, Anhwei—this being a province which both the Taipings and the imperialists wished very much 105