Page:Eminent Chinese Of The Ch’ing Period - Hummel - 1943 - Vol. 2.pdf/277

 tion extending to Kweichow. He engaged in several successful campaigns against hostile aborigines, confiscated their lands, and established a number of new magistracies. His revenues increased, as did also his fame as a feudal lord.

Meanwhile Shang K'o-hsi in Kwangtung and in Fukien enjoyed almost the same privileges as Wu San-kuei. and his wife (daughter of ) succeeded K'ung as heads of the government of Kwangsi. Of these four feudatories, that of Wu was by far the most powerful. By 1660 his army cost the national treasury more than nine million taels annually. When the Board of Revenue recommended the disbandment of some of his forces, he found ample excuse for retaining them, either by initiating a campaign into Burma or by fighting aboriginal tribes. Meanwhile he built palaces for himself, increased taxes, established monopolies on salt wells, gold and copper mines, and on the trade in ginseng and rhubarb. He also carried on a prosperous trade with the Tibetans. As his wealth increased, the number of ambitious and talented men in various fields who were attracted to his service increased also. Before long, his appointments had to be regarded as valid, even though the Board of Civil Office had already appointed others. This power, which came to be known as Hsi-hsüan 西選, "Selection by the Pacificator of the West," gave him control not merely of Yunnan and Kweichow but virtually also of Hunan, Szechwan, Shensi and Kansu. In 1667 he sent up his resignation to the throne on grounds of old age and weakening eyesight. The Court in Peking decided to accept it, but was forced to reconsider on the unanimous plea of the higher officials of Yunnan and Kweichow. By this time the annual expense of Wu's armies reached twenty million taels and, to cover it, funds had to be taken from the revenues of Kiangnan.

In 1673 Shang K'o-hsi, forced by the unruliness of his son,, memorialized the throne of his desire to pass his last days in Liaotung. Not only was his request granted, but his feudatory in Kwangtung was abolished, and all the soldiers under his command were ordered to be transferred. Prior to the execution of this order Wu San-kuei and Kêng Ching-chung had submitted similar memorials as 'feelers'. Officials in Peking were divided into two factions—those favorable to the abolition of the feudatories, and those opposed. The former group won; although in the minority, they were led by and, and had the youthful Emperor Shêng-tsu on their side. Fully conscious of the import of this decision, Wu set up the standard of revolt on December 28, 1673, murdering the officials opposed to him, including Chu Kuo-chih, the governor (see under and ). Calling his dynasty Chou, and styling himself commander-in-chief of all the armies of the country (天下都招討兵馬大元帥) he ordered the restoration of Ming customs and ceremonies. Early in 1674 his armies occupied Kweichow and Hunan, and he himself went to Ch'ang-tê, Hunan, to direct the campaign.

If Wu had hurried northward, it is possible that his revolt would have been successful. Instead he lingered in Hunan during the first few months of 1674, perhaps in the hope of sparing the life of his son, Wu Ying-hsiung, who was detained as a hostage in Peking. He addressed a memorial to Emperor Shêng-tsu, declaring his intention of restoring the Ming regime, and even promised him the whole of Korea if he would consent to lead the Manchus back to Manchuria. Infuriated, the Emperor ordered the execution (1674) of Wu Ying-hsiung, and thereupon Wu declared war. But it was too late—his delay afforded the Manchus time to concentrate troops on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Hupeh, and so stem his northward push. Nevertheless, not a few generals in Szechwan, Kwangsi, and Fukien came to his aid. A detachment went to Kiangsi and occupied a number of cities. The allegiance of brought the northwestern provinces to Wu's aide, and although Wu did not win a decisive battle, he held his ground in Hunan duiring 1675. Early in 1676 joined the rebellion and took reinforcements from Kwangtung to Kiangsi. But with the surrender of Wang Fu-ch'ên to the Manchus in Kansu, and of Kêng Ching-chung in Fukien, the tide turned. Before long Shang Chih-hsin also surrendered (1677), and Sun Yen-ling would have followed suit if he had not been murdered by Wu's men. In 1677 Wu suffered several reverses in Kiangsi and Hunan. Retreating to Hêng-chou, Hunan, he proclaimed himself Emperor of the Chou Dynasty on March 23, 1678, with the reign-title Chao-wu 昭武. But the situation grew increasingly unfavorable to him. Five and a half months later he died of dysentery. His eldest grandson, Wu Shih-fan 吳世璠, son of Wu Ying-hsiung, having been given the designation T'ai-sun 太孫 "Imperial Eldest Grandson," ruled from Yun- 879