THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA - 7
The Great Wall and the Manchu conquest of China

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

The gate at Shan Hai Kiuan, the eastern terminus of the Great Wall, has been an important point in Chinese history. Well defended, it is almost impregnable. In the time of the Mings, only strategy, or the unfaithfulness of its defenders, could give admittance to the invading hordes from the north. The brightness of the Mings rapidly declined, and the dynasty came to a bitter end under the irresolute and weak Tienchi, who, while nominally emperor at Peking, allowed the actual authority to fall into the hands of the eunuchs, led by the unscrupulous Wei. The Manchus were growing in power and boldness. Crossing the Liao from the eastward, they attacked and captured all the Chinese fortified cities between Kwangning and Ningyuen, driving the Chinese army and a million fugitives within the wall at Shan Hai Kuan. Within that barrier they were safe. This was early in the seventeenth century. But a little later even this great stronghold was given up, and the Manchu dynasty was established in China, because a great warrior loved a beautiful woman. As a true Chinese love-story, the tale is worth telling. The emperor at Peking had three empresses, dwelling in three distinct palaces. The principal empress lived in the Central Palace, the second in the Eastern, and the third in the Western Palace. The third was the most favored of all, and the heart of the Central Palace was sad and consumed with jealousy. So she caused a search to be made for the most beautiful young woman in the land, and brought her into the palace where the fickle emperor might see her, thinking thus to distract his thoughts from the Western Palace and the more favored rival there. Yuenyuen was the name of this beautiful girl, who was destined to become the Helen of China. But when the emperor saw her he spoke not a word, being engrossed in the more serious affairs of empire, and the nicely laid plan failed. Yuenyuen was therefore sold to a count, who prized her for her beauty. About this time a young and brave general named Sangwei was about to proceed to Shan Hai Kuan to take command of the forces there and repel the Manchu invasion. Sangwei was then in the highest favor. Seeing Yuenyuen at a feast given by the count, he fell in love with her instantly, and desired to make her his wife. But the count refused to part with her, and Sangwei left in sadness. Afterward the count, regarding the high and influential position of Sangwei, thought better of his decision, and sent the girl to the house of Sangwei's father. Sangwei had already left the capital, but on hearing of this he sent the count a thousand dollars as an expression of his gratitude. Read on The Great Wall of China... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Romyn Hitchcock The Great Wall - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Forgotten Wonders: The Great Wall of China Great Wall of China Great Wall of China - Wikipedia The Great Wall @ National Geographic Magazine China-Wall Great Wall China Pictures Great Wall of China on Encyclopedia.com Great Wall, China Great Wall of China