Volume 271 Biographies 159: He Shixian, Tong Zhongkui, Luo Yiguan, Man Gui, Zhao Lujiao, Guan Weixian, He Kegang, Huang Long, Jin Riguan

賀世賢〈（尤世功）〉童仲揆〈（陳策周敦吉等張神武等）〉羅一貫〈（劉渠祁秉忠）〉滿桂〈（孫祖壽）〉趙率教〈（朱國彥）〉官惟賢〈（張奇化）〉何可綱黃龍〈（李惟鸞）〉金日觀〈（楚繼功等）〉

He Shixian (You Shigong)]〉 Tong Zhongkui (Chen Ce, Zhou Dunji, and others; Zhang Shenwu and others)]〉 Luo Yiguan (Liu Qu and Qi Bingzhong)]〉 Man Gui (Sun Zushou)]〉 Zhao Lujiao (Zhu Guoyan)]〉 Guan Weixian (Zhang Qihua)]〉 He Kegang and Huang Long (Li Weiluan)]〉 Jin Riguan (Chu Jigong and others)]〉

賀世賢，榆林衛人。少為廝養，後從軍，積功至沈陽遊擊，遷義州參將。萬歷四十六年七月，清河被圍，副將鄒儲賢固守。城破，率親丁鏖戰城南，與參將張俱死。部將二十人、兵民萬余殲焉。世賢駐叆陽，聞變，疾馳出塞，得首功百五十有四級，進副總兵。

He Shixian was from Yulin Guard. As a youth he had been a household servant, but he later joined the army and, through accumulated merit, rose to roaming-brigade commander at Shenyang and then to assistant commander at Yizhou. In the seventh month of Wanli 46, Qinghe came under siege, and Vice Commander Zou Chuxian mounted a stubborn defense. When the city fell, he led his personal retainers in a desperate fight south of the walls and perished together with Assistant Commander Zhang Ying. Twenty subordinate officers and more than ten thousand soldiers and civilians were wiped out. Shixian was stationed at Aiyang. When he heard what had happened, he galloped out beyond the pass and claimed one hundred fifty-four enemy heads, earning promotion to vice commander-in-chief.

明年，楊鎬四路出師。世賢副李如柏出清河。劉綎深入中伏，勸如柏往救，不從，綎遂覆歿。尋擢都督僉事，充總兵官，駐虎皮驛。鐵嶺被圍，世賢馳援，城已破，邀獲首功百余級。泰昌元年九月連戰灰山、撫安堡，獲首功二百有奇。當是時，四方宿將鱗集遼左，率縮朒不敢戰，獨世賢數角鬥有功，同列多忌之。移鎮沈陽。經略袁應泰下納降令。廣寧總兵李光榮疑世賢所納多，以狀聞。巡撫薛國用亦奏三可慮，兵部尚書崔景榮請拒勿納，而置己納於他所。然世賢所納卒不可散，同列遂謗其有異志。

The following year Yang Hao launched his four-route campaign. Shixian served under Li Rubo on the Qinghe route. Liu Ting pushed deep into enemy territory and walked into an ambush. Shixian urged Rubo to go to his relief, but Rubo refused, and Ting's force was wiped out. He was soon promoted to vice commissioner of the Chief Military Commission and appointed regional commander, with his headquarters at Hupi Post. When Tieling came under siege, Shixian hurried to its relief. The city had already fallen, but he intercepted the enemy and took more than a hundred heads. In the ninth month of Taichang 1 he fought repeatedly at Huishan and Fu'an Fort and claimed more than two hundred enemy heads. At that time veteran generals from every quarter had gathered in eastern Liaodong, yet most shrank from battle. Shixian alone fought the enemy again and again with real success, and his peers grew jealous. He was transferred to Shenyang. Frontier Commissioner Yuan Yingtai issued an order to accept surrenders. Guangning regional commander Li Guangrong suspected that Shixian had taken in too many defectors and reported the matter upward. Grand Coordinator Xue Guoyong also memorialized three grounds for concern, and Minister of War Cui Jingrong urged that no more defectors be accepted and that those already taken in be moved elsewhere. Yet the men Shixian had accepted could not be sent away, and his peers began to slander him as disloyal.

天啟元年三月，我大清以重兵薄沈陽。世賢及總兵尤世功掘塹浚壕，樹大木為柵，列楯車火器木石，環城設兵，守城法甚具。大清先以數十騎來偵，世功兵躡之，殺四人。世賢勇而輕，嗜酒。旦日飲酒，率親丁千，出城逆擊，期盡敵而反。大清兵佯敗，世賢乘銳進。倏精騎四合，世賢戰且卻，抵西門，身被十四矢。城中聞世賢敗，各鳥獸竄，而降丁復叛，斷城外吊橋。或勸世賢走遼陽，曰：「吾為大將，不能存城，何面目見袁經略乎！」揮鐵鞭馳突圍中，擊殺數人，中矢墜馬而死。世功引兵援，亦戰死。

In the third month of Tianqi 1, the Great Qing pressed Shenyang with a heavy army. Shixian and regional commander You Shigong dug ditches, deepened the moats, erected palisades of great timbers, lined up shield-carts, firearms, beams, and stones, and posted troops all around the walls. Their defensive preparations were thorough. The Qing first sent several dozen horsemen to scout the defenses. Shigong's men pursued them and killed four. Shixian was brave but reckless and fond of drink. One morning, after drinking, he led a thousand personal retainers out of the city to meet the enemy head-on, intending to destroy them utterly and return. The Qing troops feigned a retreat, and Shixian pressed forward while his men were still fresh. Suddenly elite cavalry closed in on every side. Shixian fought his way back to the west gate with fourteen arrows in his body. When the city heard that Shixian had been beaten, the garrison broke apart in panic. Surrendered troops rebelled again and cut the drawbridge outside the walls. Some urged Shixian to flee to Liaoyang. He said, "I am the supreme commander. If I cannot hold the city, what face have I to show Commissioner Yuan?" He flourished an iron whip and charged into the encirclement, killing several men before arrows brought him down from his horse. Shigong led troops to his relief and also died fighting.

世功亦榆林人。萬歷中，舉武鄉試，歷沈陽遊擊。張承蔭之敗也，世功脫歸，坐褫職。經略楊鎬言其身負重傷，才堪策勵，乃補武精營遊擊。鎬四路出師，世功隸李如柏麾下，得全。尋以副總兵守沈陽。熊廷弼代鎬，愛其才，與副將朱萬良並倚任。廷弼罷，袁應泰代，議三路出師，用為總兵官。未行，而沈陽被兵，死於戰。贈少保、左都督，增世蔭三級，再蔭指揮僉事，世襲，賜祭葬，建祠曰「湣忠」。

Shigong was also from Yulin. During the Wanli reign he passed the military provincial examination and eventually served as roaming-brigade commander at Shenyang. After Zhang Chengyin's defeat, Shigong made his way back alive but was stripped of his post. Commissioner Yang Hao argued that despite his serious wounds, his talent was worth encouraging, and he was reappointed roaming-brigade commander of the Martial Elite Battalion. When Hao launched the four-route campaign, Shigong served under Li Rubo and came through unscathed. He was soon appointed vice commander-in-chief to defend Shenyang. When Xiong Tingbi replaced Hao, he valued Shigong's talent and relied on him together with Vice Commander Zhu Wanliang. After Tingbi was dismissed, Yuan Yingtai replaced him. When a three-route advance was planned, Shigong was appointed regional commander. Before he could march out, Shenyang came under attack and he died in battle. He was posthumously made Junior Guardian and Left Chief Commander. His family's hereditary privilege was raised three grades, he received a second enfeoffment as battalion commander with hereditary succession, and he was granted sacrificial rites and state burial. A shrine called "Loyal in Sorrow" was built in his honor.

世賢既歿，或疑其叛降，恤典故不及。四川副使車樸為訟冤，格眾議不果。

After Shixian's death, some suspected he had defected, and the usual posthumous honors were withheld. Sichuan Vice Commissioner Che Pu pleaded his case, but opposition blocked the effort.

童仲揆，南京人。舉武會試，歷都指揮，掌四川都司。萬歷末，擢副總兵，督川兵援遼，與同官陳策並充援剿總兵官。熹宗初立，經略袁應泰招蒙古諸部，處之遼、瀋二城。仲揆力諫，不聽。

Tong Zhongkui was from Nanjing. He passed the metropolitan military examination, rose through the post of regional commander, and directed the Sichuan Regional Military Commission. Late in the Wanli reign he was promoted vice commander-in-chief to lead Sichuan troops to Liaodong, and he and his colleague Chen Ce were both appointed relief-and-suppression regional commanders. Soon after Emperor Xizong ascended the throne, Commissioner Yuan Yingtai summoned Mongol tribes and settled them in Liaoyang and Shenyang. Zhongkui remonstrated forcefully, but his advice went unheeded.

明年，天啟改元，應泰欲城清河、撫順。議三路出師，用大將十人，各將兵萬余，仲揆、策當其二。未行，而大清兵已逼沈陽。兩人馳救，次渾河。遊擊周敦吉曰：「事急矣，請直抵沈陽，與城中兵夾擊，可以成功。」已，聞沈陽陷，諸將皆憤曰：「我輩不能救沈，在此三年何為！」敦吉固請與石砫都司秦邦屏先渡河，營橋北，仲揆、策及副將戚金、參將張名世統浙兵三千營橋南。邦屏結陣未就，大清兵來攻，卻復前者三，諸軍遂敗。敦吉、邦屏及參將吳文傑、守備雷安民等皆死。他將走入浙兵營，被圍數匝。副將朱萬良、姜弼不救，及圍急始前，一戰即敗走。大清兵盡銳攻浙營。營中用火器，多殺傷。火藥盡，短兵接，遂大潰。策先戰死，仲揆將奔，金止之，乃還兵鬥。力盡矢竭，揮刀殺十七人。大清兵萬矢齊發，仲揆與金、名世及都司袁見龍、鄧起龍等並死焉。萬良既遁，經略將斬之，乞勚罪自效。及遼陽被攻，果陷陣死。

The following year, with the new Tianqi reign, Yingtai proposed fortifying Qinghe and Fushun. A three-route advance was planned with ten senior generals, each commanding more than ten thousand men. Zhongkui and Ce were assigned two of the routes. Before they could march out, Qing forces were already pressing Shenyang. The two men hurried to the relief and halted at the Hun River. Roaming-brigade commander Zhou Dunji said, "The situation is desperate. Go straight to Shenyang and strike the enemy from both sides with the troops inside the city. That is how we can win." Soon they heard that Shenyang had fallen. The generals cried out in anger, "If we cannot save Shenyang, what have we been doing here for three years?" Dunji pressed to cross the river first with Qin Bangping, commander of the Shizhu garrison, and encamp north of the bridge, while Zhongkui, Ce, Vice Commander Qi Jin, and Assistant Commander Zhang Mingshi took three thousand Zhejiang troops and encamped south of it. Bangping had not yet finished forming his line when Qing troops attacked, drove back the front ranks three times, and broke the army. Dunji, Bangping, Assistant Commander Wu Wenjie, Garrison Commander Lei Anmin, and others all fell. The other generals fled into the Zhejiang camp and were surrounded on every side. Vice Commanders Zhu Wanliang and Jiang Bi held back until the encirclement was desperate, then advanced once, were beaten at once, and fled. The Qing threw their full strength against the Zhejiang camp. The camp answered with firearms and inflicted heavy casualties. When the gunpowder ran out they closed at close quarters, and the army broke completely. Ce was killed first. Zhongkui was about to flee, but Qi Jin stopped him, and he turned his men back to fight. When his strength was spent and his arrows gone, he swung his blade and killed seventeen men. Ten thousand Qing arrows flew at once. Zhongkui, Jin, Mingshi, and battalion commanders Yuan Jianlong, Deng Qilong, and others all fell. After Wanliang fled, the commissioner was about to execute him, but he begged to redeem himself with meritorious service. When Liaoyang came under attack, he did die in the breach as he had promised.

自遼左用兵，將士率望風奔潰，獨此以萬余人當數萬眾。雖力絀而覆，時鹹壯之。事聞，贈策少保、左都督，增世蔭三級，再蔭本衛指揮僉事，世襲，賜祭葬，建祠曰：「湣忠」。仲揆贈都督同知，增世蔭三級，祀祀。金、起龍贈都督僉事，增世蔭三級，附祀。名世先有罪系獄，尚書薛三才薦其善火器，命從征立功。文傑亦先褫職。及死，並得復官，贈三級，增世蔭二級。見龍等皆予贈蔭，他副將至把總戰死者百二十余人，贈蔭有差。

Since the war in eastern Liaodong began, officers and soldiers had usually fled at the first sign of danger. Here alone more than ten thousand men faced several tens of thousands. Though they were overwhelmed in the end, contemporaries admired their courage. When the report reached court, Ce was posthumously made Junior Guardian and Left Chief Commander. His family's hereditary privilege was raised three grades, he received a second enfeoffment as battalion commander of his original guard with hereditary succession, and he was granted sacrificial rites and state burial. A shrine called "Loyal in Sorrow" was built in his honor. Zhongkui was posthumously made Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission, his family's hereditary privilege was raised three grades, and he was granted sacrificial honors. Jin and Qilong were posthumously made Vice Commissioners, their families' hereditary privileges were raised three grades, and they were granted attendant sacrifice. Mingshi had earlier been imprisoned for an offense, but Minister Xue Sancai recommended his skill with firearms, and he was ordered to join the campaign and earn merit. Wenjie had also been stripped of office earlier. When they died, all had their offices restored, received posthumous promotion of three grades, and their families' hereditary privileges were raised two grades. Jianlong and the others all received posthumous honors and enfeoffments. More than one hundred twenty other officers from vice commander down to platoon leader who died in battle received honors in varying degrees.

敦吉，先為四川永寧參將。永寧宣撫奢效忠卒，子崇明幼，其妻奢世統與妾奢世續爭印，相攻者十余年。後崇明襲職，世續猶匿印不予。都司張神武與敦吉謀，盡掠其積聚子女，擒世續以歸。其部目閻宗傳怒，以求主母為名，大掠永寧、赤水、普市、麾尼，數百里成兵墟。事聞，敦吉、神武並論死。遼東告警，命敦吉從軍自效，及是鏖戰死，贈恤如制。

Dunji had earlier served as assistant commander at Yongning in Sichuan. When Yongning Pacification Commissioner She Xiaozhong died, his son Chongming was still young. His wife She Shitong and his concubine She Shixu fought over the official seal and had been at war with each other for more than ten years. Later Chongming succeeded to the office, but Shixu still kept the seal hidden and refused to surrender it. Battalion commander Zhang Shenwu plotted with Dunji to plunder all their stored wealth, women, and children, seize Shixu, and bring him back. Their subordinate Yan Zongchuan flew into a rage and, claiming he was seeking the lady of the house, ravaged Yongning, Chishui, Pushi, and Huini until hundreds of li of country lay in ruins. When the report reached court, Dunji and Shenwu were both sentenced to death. When Liaodong came under threat, Dunji was ordered to join the army and redeem himself. He died fighting at the Hun River, and posthumous honors were granted according to regulation.

神武，新建人。萬歷中舉武會試第一。授四川都司僉書。既論死，遼左兵興，用經略袁應泰薦，詔諭從征立功。神武率親丁二百四十余，疾馳至廣寧。會遼陽已失，巡撫薛國用固留之，不可，曰：「奉命守遼陽，非守廣寧也。」曰：「遼陽歿矣，若何之？」曰：「將以殲敵。」曰：「二百人能殲敵乎？」曰：「不能，則死之。」前至遼河，遇逃卒十余萬。神武以忠義激其帥，欲與還戰，帥不從。乃獨率所部渡河，抵首山，去遼陽十七里而軍。將士不食已一日，遇大清兵，疾呼奮擊，孤軍無援，盡歿於陣。監軍御史方震孺繪神武像，率將士羅拜，為文祭之。詔贈都督僉事，世蔭千戶，立祠祀之。

Shenwu was from Xinjian. During the Wanli reign he took first place in the metropolitan military examination. He was appointed secretary of the Sichuan Regional Military Commission. After his death sentence, war broke out in eastern Liaodong. On Commissioner Yuan Yingtai's recommendation, an edict ordered him to join the campaign and earn merit. Shenwu led more than two hundred forty personal retainers and raced to Guangning. Liaoyang had already fallen. Grand Coordinator Xue Guoyong tried hard to keep him, but he refused, saying, "I was ordered to defend Liaoyang, not Guangning." They said, "Liaoyang is gone. Where will you go?" He said, "To destroy the enemy." They asked, "Can two hundred men destroy the enemy?" He said, "If not, then we die." He advanced to the Liao River and met more than one hundred thousand fleeing soldiers. Shenwu tried to rouse their commander with appeals to loyalty and urged a return to battle, but the commander refused. He then led his own men across the river alone, reached Shoushan, and encamped seventeen li from Liaoyang. His men had not eaten for a full day. They met Qing troops, charged with a shout, and as an isolated force without relief they were wiped out on the field. Supervising Censor Fang Zhenru had Shenwu's portrait painted, led the officers and soldiers in a formal bow, and composed a funeral text in his honor. An edict posthumously made him Vice Commissioner, granted his family a hereditary chiliarch enfeoffment, and ordered a shrine built in his honor.

又有楊宗業、梁仲善者，皆援遼總兵官。宗業歷鎮浙江、山西。楊鎬四路敗後，命提兵赴援，至是父子並戰死。仲善亦戰死遼陽城下。宗業贈都督同知，世蔭千戶；仲善贈都督僉事，增世蔭三級。並從祠附祀。

There were also Yang Zongye and Liang Zhongshan, both regional commanders sent to relieve Liaodong. Zongye had previously commanded in Zhejiang and Shanxi. After Yang Hao's defeat on the four routes, he was ordered to lead troops to the relief. At Liaoyang he and his son both died fighting. Zhongshan also died fighting below the walls of Liaoyang. Zongye was posthumously made Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission and granted a hereditary chiliarch enfeoffment; Zhongshan was posthumously made Vice Commissioner, and his family's hereditary privilege was raised three grades. Both were granted attendant sacrifice at the shrine.

羅一貫，甘州衛人。以參將守西平堡。遼陽陷，西平地最沖，一貫悉力捍禦。巡撫王化貞言於朝，加副總兵。時化貞駐廣寧，經略熊廷弼駐右屯，總兵劉渠以二萬人守鎮武，祁秉忠以萬人守閭陽，而一貫帥三千人守西平。已，定議，各繕隍堅壘，急則互相援，違者必誅。明年正月，大清兵西渡河，經撫戒勿輕戰。兵漸近，參將黑雲鶴出擊。一貫止之，不從。明日，雲鶴戰敗，奔還城，追兵殲焉。一貫憑城固拒，用炮擊傷者無算。大清樹旗招降，且遣使來說，一貫不從。又明日，騎益眾，環城力攻。一貫流矢中目，不能戰。火藥矢石盡，乃北面再拜，曰：「臣力竭矣。」遂自剄。都司陳尚仁、王崇信亦死之。化貞知城未下，信遊擊孫得功語，盡發廣寧兵。以得功及中軍遊擊祖大壽為前鋒，令會秉忠赴援，廷弼亦遣使督渠進戰，遇大清兵於平陽。得功懷異志，欲引去。乃分兵為左右翼，稍卻，推渠、秉忠前。渠等力戰，頗有殺傷。得功及副將鮑承先走，後軍見之亦奔，遂大潰。渠戰死。秉忠被二刀三矢，家眾扶上馬，奪圍出，創重，卒於途。副將劉征擊殺十余人，乃死。大壽走覺華島。得功遂降。越二日，廣寧即破。事聞，贈一貫都督同知，世蔭副千戶；渠、秉忠少保，左都督，增世蔭三級，再蔭指揮僉事。皆賜祭葬，建祠並祀。

Luo Yiguan was from Ganzhou Guard. As assistant commander he defended Xiping Fort. After Liaoyang fell, Xiping stood on the most exposed ground, and Yiguan defended it with all his strength. Grand Coordinator Wang Huazhen reported to court, and Yiguan was promoted to vice commander-in-chief. Huazhen was stationed at Guangning, Commissioner Xiong Tingbi at You Tun, regional commander Liu Qu held Zhenwu with twenty thousand men, Qi Bingzhong held Lüyang with ten thousand, and Yiguan commanded three thousand at Xiping. An agreement was then fixed: each post was to repair its defenses, aid the others in an emergency, and face execution for disobedience. In the first month of the following year Qing troops crossed the river to the west. The frontier officials warned against rash engagement. As the enemy drew nearer, Assistant Commander Hei Yunhe went out to attack. Yiguan tried to stop him, but he would not listen. The next day Yunhe was beaten, fled back toward the city, and the pursuers wiped him out. Yiguan held the walls and refused to yield. His cannon inflicted countless casualties. The Qing raised surrender banners and sent envoys to persuade him, but Yiguan refused. The next day more cavalry arrived and pressed the attack all around the walls. A stray arrow struck Yiguan in the eye, and he could no longer fight. When gunpowder, arrows, and stones were gone, he bowed twice toward the north and said, "Your servant's strength is spent." He then cut his own throat. Battalion commanders Chen Shangren and Wang Chongxin died with him. Huazhen, believing the city had not yet fallen, trusted roaming-brigade commander Sun Degong and sent out all the Guangning troops. He made Degong and central-army roaming-brigade commander Zu Dashou the vanguard, ordered them to join Bingzhong in relief, and Tingbi also sent envoys to urge Qu forward. They met Qing troops at Pingyang. Degong harbored treacherous intent and wished to withdraw. He divided the army into left and right wings, drew back slightly, and pushed Qu and Bingzhong to the front. Qu and the others fought hard and inflicted heavy casualties. Degong and Vice Commander Bao Chengxian fled. The rear ranks saw them run and broke as well, and the army was routed. Qu died fighting. Bingzhong took two sword cuts and three arrows. His household retainers helped him onto a horse and broke through the encirclement, but his wounds were grave and he died on the road. Vice Commander Liu Zheng killed more than ten men before he fell. Dashou fled to Juehua Island. Degong then surrendered. Two days later Guangning fell. When the report reached court, Yiguan was posthumously made Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission and granted a hereditary vice chiliarch enfeoffment; Qu and Bingzhong were made Junior Guardian and Left Chief Commander, their families' hereditary privileges were raised three grades, and they received a second enfeoffment as battalion commander. All were granted sacrificial rites and state burial, and a joint shrine was built in their honor.

一貫子俊傑承蔭，崇禎中仕至宣府總兵官，免歸。李自成犯甘州，城陷，死之。

Yiguan's son Junjie inherited the enfeoffment. During the Chongzhen reign he rose to regional commander of Xuanfu before being dismissed and sent home. When Li Zicheng attacked Ganzhou, the city fell and Junjie died defending it.

渠，京城巡捕營副將也，以御史楊鶴薦，擢總兵官，援剿遼東。遼陽被圍，廣寧總兵李光榮不能救，反斷河橋截軍民歸路，總督文球劾罷之，即以渠代。西平告急，帥鎮武兵往援，遂戰歿。

Qu had been vice commander of the Capital Patrol Battalion. On Censor Yang He's recommendation he was promoted regional commander and sent to Liaodong. When Liaoyang was besieged, Guangning regional commander Li Guangrong failed to relieve it and instead cut the river bridge to block the retreat of troops and civilians. Governor-in-chief Wen Qiu impeached and dismissed him, and Qu replaced him. When Xiping sent word of emergency, he led the Zhenwu troops to its relief and died fighting.

秉忠，陜西人。萬歷四十四年為永昌參將。銀定、歹青以二千余騎入塞，秉忠提兵三百拒之，轉戰兩晝夜。援軍至，始遁。秉忠追還所掠人畜，邊人頌之。擢涼州副總兵。經略袁應泰薦其智勇，令率私卒守蒲河。至則遼陽已破，命為援剿總兵官，駐防閭陽，援西平，竟死。

Bingzhong was from Shaanxi. In Wanli 44 he served as assistant commander at Yongchang. Yinding and Daiqing crossed the frontier with more than two thousand horsemen. Bingzhong led three hundred men against them and fought for two days and nights. Only when relief troops arrived did they withdraw. Bingzhong pursued them and recovered the people and livestock they had seized, and the border people praised him. He was promoted to vice commander-in-chief at Liangzhou. Commissioner Yuan Yingtai recommended his wisdom and courage and ordered him to lead his private soldiers to defend the Pu River. By the time he arrived Liaoyang had already fallen. He was appointed relief-and-suppression regional commander, garrisoned at Lüyang, marched to relieve Xiping, and died in the end.

自遼左軍興，總兵官陣亡者凡十有四人：撫順則張承蔭，四路出師則杜松、劉綎、王宣、趙夢麟，開原則馬林，沈陽則賀世賢、尤世功，渾河則童仲揆、陳策，遼陽則楊宗業、梁仲善。是役，渠與秉忠繼之。朝端恤典，俱極優崇。而僨軍之將，若李如柏、麻承恩輩，竟有未膺顯戮者。

Since the war in eastern Liaodong began, fourteen regional commanders had died on the battlefield: Zhang Chengyin at Fushun; Du Song, Liu Ting, Wang Xuan, and Zhao Menglin on the four-route campaign; Ma Lin at Kaiyuan; He Shixian and You Shigong at Shenyang; Tong Zhongkui and Chen Ce at the Hun River; and Yang Zongye and Liang Zhongshan at Liaoyang. In this campaign Qu and Bingzhong joined them. The court granted them all exceptionally generous posthumous honors. Yet generals who had ruined their armies, such as Li Rubo and Ma Chengen, escaped conspicuous punishment.

滿桂，蒙古人，幼入中國，家宣府。稍長，便騎射。每從征，多斬馘。軍令，獲敵首一，予一官，否則賚白金五十。桂屢得金，不受職。年及壯，始為總旗。又十余年為百戶。後屢遷潮河川守備。楊鎬四路師敗，薦小將知兵者數人，首及桂。移守黃土嶺。為總督王象乾所知，進石塘路遊擊、喜峰口參將。

Man Gui was a Mongol who had entered China as a child. His family settled in Xuanfu. As he grew up he became skilled at riding and archery. On campaign after campaign he took many enemy heads. Army regulations granted one office for each enemy head taken, or fifty taels of silver if no office was wanted. Gui repeatedly took the silver and declined the offices. Only when he reached maturity was he made company commander. More than ten years later he became centurion. He was later promoted repeatedly until he became garrison commander of Chaohechuan. After Yang Hao's defeat on the four routes, he recommended several junior officers skilled in war, with Gui named first. He was transferred to defend Huangtu Ridge. Governor-in-chief Wang Xiangqian took notice of him and promoted him to roaming-brigade commander on the Shitang Route and assistant commander at Xifengkou.

天啟二年，大學士孫承宗行邊，桂入謁。壯其貌，與談兵事，大奇之。及出鎮山海，即擢副總兵，領中軍事。承宗幕下，文武輻輳，獨用桂。桂椎魯甚，然忠勇絕倫，不好聲色，與士卒同甘苦。

In Tianqi 2 Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong toured the frontier, and Gui came to pay his respects. Chengzong admired his bearing, talked military affairs with him, and was deeply impressed. When Chengzong took command at Shanhai, he at once promoted Gui to vice commander-in-chief and put him in charge of the central army. Chengzong's staff teemed with civil and military talent, yet he relied on Gui alone. Gui was blunt and rough-spoken, but his loyalty and courage were unmatched. He cared nothing for pleasure and shared hardship and comfort with his men.

明年，承宗議出關修復寧遠。問誰可守者。馬世龍薦孫諫及李承先，承宗皆不許。袁崇煥、茅元儀進曰：「滿桂可。但為公中軍，不敢請耳。」承宗曰：「既可，安問中軍。」呼桂語之，慨然請行。世龍猶疑其不可，承宗不聽。即日置酒，親為之餞。桂至寧遠，與崇煥協心城築，屹然成重鎮。語具《崇煥傳》中。

The following year Chengzong proposed going beyond the pass to restore Ningyuan. He asked who could hold it. Ma Shilong recommended Sun Jian and Li Chengxian, but Chengzong rejected both. Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Yuanyi stepped forward and said, "Man Gui can do it. Only he is already your central-army commander, so we did not dare propose him." Chengzong said, "If he will do, why ask whether he commands the central army?" He summoned Gui and spoke with him. Gui volunteered at once. Shilong still doubted the plan, but Chengzong would not listen. That same day he held a farewell feast and saw him off in person. Gui reached Ningyuan and, working in concert with Chonghuan, built the walls until the city stood as a major stronghold. The full account appears in the Biography of Chonghuan.

時蒙古部落駐牧寧遠東鄙，遼民來歸者悉遭劫掠，承宗患之。四年二月，遣桂及總兵尤世祿襲之大淩河。諸部號泣西竄，東鄙以寧。拱兔、炒花、宰賽諸部陽受款而陰懷反側。桂善操縱，諸部鹹服，歲省撫賞銀不貲。初，城中郭外，一望丘墟。至是軍民五萬余家，屯種遠至五十里。承宗上其功。詔擢都督僉事，加銜總兵。承宗乃令典後部，與前部趙率教相掎角。督餉郎中楊呈秀侵克軍糧，副將徐漣激之變，圍崇煥署。憚桂家卒勇猛，不敢犯，結隊東走。桂與崇煥追斬首惡，撫余眾而還。

Mongol tribes were then pasturing on Ningyuan's eastern marches, and Liaodong people who came over to the Ming were robbed. Chengzong was troubled by this. In the second month of year four he sent Gui and regional commander You Shilu to strike them at the Daling River. The tribes fled westward in disorder, and the eastern marches were pacified. The tribes Gongtu, Chaohua, Zaisai, and others accepted terms in name while secretly plotting rebellion. Gui was skilled at managing them. All the tribes submitted, saving untold sums in pacification silver each year. At first the city and its surroundings were nothing but ruins. By then more than fifty thousand military and civilian households were farming as far as fifty li away. Chengzong reported his achievements to court. An edict promoted him to Vice Commissioner and added the title of regional commander. Chengzong then put him in charge of the rear division to support Zhao Lujiao's front division. Grain-supply supervisor Yang Chengxiu embezzled army provisions. Vice Commander Xu Lian incited a mutiny and besieged Chonghuan's headquarters. They feared Gui's fierce household retainers and dared not attack. They formed ranks and fled east. Gui and Chonghuan pursued them, executed the ringleaders, pacified the rest, and returned.

六年正月，我大清以數萬騎來攻，遠邇大震，桂與崇煥死守。始攻西南城隅，發西洋紅夷炮，傷攻者甚眾。明日轉攻南城，用火器拒卻之，圍解。帝大喜，擢都督同知，實授總兵官。再論功，加右都督，蔭副千戶，世襲。桂疏謝，並自敘前後功。優詔褒答，再進左都督。

In the first month of year six the Great Qing attacked with tens of thousands of horsemen. The whole region was shaken, and Gui and Chonghuan held the city to the death. They first attacked the southwest corner. Western cannon were fired and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. The next day they turned to the south wall. Firearms drove them back and the siege was lifted. The emperor was greatly pleased, promoted him to Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission, and formally appointed him regional commander. When merit was discussed again, he was made Right Chief Commander with a hereditary vice chiliarch enfeoffment. Gui memorialized in thanks and recounted his achievements before and after. A gracious edict praised him in reply, and he was further advanced to Left Chief Commander.

桂初與率教深相得。是役也，怒其不親救，相責望。帝聞之，下敕戒勉。而崇煥復與桂不和，言其意氣驕矜，謾罵僚屬，恐壞封疆大計，乞移之別鎮，以關外事權歸率教。舉朝皆知桂可用，慮同城或僨事，遂召還。督師王之臣力言桂不可去，而召命已下。又請用之關門。崇煥皆不納。閏六月乃命以故秩僉書中軍府事。未幾，崇煥亦自悔，請仍用之臣言，帝可之，命桂掛印移鎮關門，兼統關外四路及燕河、建昌諸軍，賜尚方劍以重事權。

Gui had at first been on very close terms with Lujiao. In this campaign he was angry that Lujiao had not come to his relief in person, and they reproached each other. When the emperor heard of it, he issued an edict admonishing and encouraging them. Chonghuan was again at odds with Gui, saying he was proud and overbearing, abused his colleagues, and might ruin frontier strategy. He asked to transfer Gui elsewhere so that authority beyond the pass would return to Lujiao. The whole court knew Gui was valuable but feared that sharing one city might ruin affairs, and so he was recalled. Supreme Commander Wang Zhichen strongly argued that Gui must not leave, but the recall order had already been issued. He again asked that Gui be used at Shanhaiguan. Chonghuan rejected all of it. In the intercalary sixth month he was ordered to serve in the Central Military Commission at his former rank. Before long Chonghuan repented as well and asked that Zhichen's advice be followed. The emperor approved, ordered Gui to transfer to Shanhaiguan with his seal, gave him command over the four routes beyond the pass and the armies of Yanhe, Jianchang, and elsewhere, and bestowed the Imperial Sword to strengthen his authority.

七年五月，大清兵圍錦州，分兵略寧遠。桂遣兵救，被圍笊籬山。桂與總兵尤世祿赴之，大戰相當。遂入寧遠城，與崇煥為守禦計。俄大清兵進薄城下，桂率副將尤世威等出城迎，頗有殺傷，桂亦身被重創。捷聞，加太子太師，世蔭錦衣僉事。及崇煥休去，之臣再督師，盛推桂才，請仍鎮寧遠。會蒙古炒花諸部離散，桂與之臣多收置之麾下。

In the fifth month of year seven Qing troops besieged Jinzhou and sent detachments against Ningyuan. Gui sent troops to the relief, but they were besieged at Zhaoli Mountain. Gui and regional commander You Shilu went to their aid and fought a fierce, even battle. He then entered Ningyuan and with Chonghuan planned the defense. Soon Qing troops pressed close below the walls. Gui led Vice Commanders You Shiwei and others out to meet them, inflicted heavy casualties, and was himself gravely wounded. When victory was reported, he was made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent with a hereditary enfeoffment in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. When Chonghuan took leave, Zhichen again became supreme commander, praised Gui's talent highly, and asked that he remain at Ningyuan. The Mongol tribes Chaohua and others had scattered, and Gui and Zhichen took many of them into their commands.

莊烈帝已嗣位，詔之臣毋蹈袁應泰、王化貞故轍，並責桂阿之臣意。桂遂請病乞休，不允。崇禎元年七月，言官交劾之臣，因及桂。之臣罷，桂亦召還府。適大同總兵渠家楨失事，命桂代之。大同久恃款弛備，插部西侵，順義王遂入境大掠。家楨及巡撫張翼明論死，插部遂挾賞不去。桂至，遍閱八路七十二城堡，邊備大修，軍民恃以無恐。

Emperor Zhuanglie had already ascended the throne. He ordered Zhichen not to repeat the mistakes of Yuan Yingtai and Wang Huazhen and also reproached Gui for flattering Zhichen. Gui then asked to retire on grounds of illness, but the request was denied. In the seventh month of Chongzhen 1 censors impeached Zhichen in succession and implicated Gui as well. Zhichen was dismissed, and Gui was recalled to the capital as well. Datong regional commander Qu Jiazhen had just failed in his post, and Gui was ordered to replace him. Datong had long relied on peace agreements and let its defenses lapse. The Chahar invaded from the west, and the Shunyi King swept in and ravaged the region. Jiazhen and Grand Coordinator Zhang Yiming were sentenced to death. The Chahar then held out for rewards and refused to leave. When Gui arrived, he inspected all seventy-two fortresses of the eight routes, greatly restored the frontier defenses, and gave soldiers and civilians confidence again.

明年冬十月，大清兵入近畿。十一月詔諭勤王。桂率五千騎入衛，次順義，與宣府總兵侯世祿俱戰敗，遂趨都城。帝遣官慰勞，犒萬金，令與世祿俱屯德勝門。無何，合戰，世祿兵潰，桂獨前鬥。城上發大炮佐之，誤傷桂軍，桂亦負傷，令入休甕城。旋與袁崇煥、祖大壽並召見，桂解衣示創，帝深嘉嘆。十二月朔復召見，下崇煥獄，賜桂酒饌，令總理關、寧將卒，營安定門外。

In the tenth month of the following winter Qing troops entered the capital region. In the eleventh month an edict summoned troops to relieve the throne. Gui led five thousand horsemen to the capital's defense, halted at Shunyi, was defeated together with Xuanfu regional commander Hou Shilu, and then hurried to the capital. The emperor sent officials to comfort him, rewarded him with ten thousand taels of gold, and ordered him to garrison at Desheng Gate together with Shilu. Before long they joined battle. Shilu's troops broke, and Gui alone pressed forward to fight. Cannon on the walls fired to assist him but mistakenly struck Gui's own men. Gui was wounded as well and ordered to rest in the barbican. Soon he was summoned together with Yuan Chonghuan and Zu Dashou. Gui removed his garment to show his wounds, and the emperor praised him deeply. On the first day of the twelfth month he was summoned again. Chonghuan was imprisoned, wine and food were bestowed on Gui, and he was ordered to take overall command of the Shanhai and Ningyuan troops and encamp outside Anding Gate.

桂驍勇敢戰。所部降丁間擾民，桂不能問。副將申甫所統多市人，桂軍淩之。夜發矢，驚其營，有死者。御史金聲以聞，帝亦不問。及大壽軍東潰，乃拜桂武經略，盡統入衛諸軍，賜尚方劍，趣出師。桂曰：「敵勁援寡，未可輕戰。」中使趣之急，不得已，督黑雲龍、麻登雲、孫祖壽諸大將，以十五日移營永定門外二里許，列柵以待。大清兵自良鄉回，明日昧爽，以精騎四面蹙之。諸將不能支，大敗，桂及祖壽戰死，雲龍、登雲被執。帝聞，震悼，遣禮部侍郎徐光啟致祭，贈少師，世蔭錦衣僉事，襲升三級，賜祭葬，有司建祠。

Gui was fierce and brave in battle. Surrendered tribesmen under his command sometimes harassed civilians, and Gui could not restrain them. Vice Commander Shen Fu commanded mostly townspeople, and Gui's troops bullied them. At night they shot arrows into the camp, causing panic and killing some men. Censor Jin Sheng reported it, but the emperor did not inquire. When Dashou's army collapsed to the east, Gui was appointed Military Commissioner, given overall command of all troops that had come to guard the capital, bestowed the Imperial Sword, and urged to march out. Gui said, "The enemy is strong and our reinforcements few. We must not fight rashly." Palace envoys pressed him urgently. Having no choice, he supervised the great generals Hei Yunlong, Ma Dengyun, Sun Zushou, and others and on the fifteenth day moved camp about two li outside Yongding Gate, set up palisades, and waited. Qing troops returned from Liangxiang. At dawn the next day elite cavalry closed in on every side. The generals could not hold. The army was routed. Gui and Zushou died fighting, and Yunlong and Dengyun were captured. When the emperor heard, he was shaken with grief. Vice Minister of Rites Xu Guangqi was sent to perform the sacrifice. Gui was posthumously made Junior Guardian, granted a hereditary enfeoffment in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and three grades of advancement by succession, and given sacrificial rites and state burial. The relevant offices built a shrine in his honor.

孫祖壽，字必之，昌平人。萬歷中舉武鄉試，授固關把總。天啟二年歷官署都督僉事，為薊鎮總兵官。

Sun Zushou, style Bizhi, was from Changping. During the Wanli reign he passed the military provincial examination and was appointed platoon leader at Guguan. In Tianqi 2 he rose to Acting Vice Commissioner and became regional commander of Jizhou.

孫承宗行邊，議於薊鎮三協十二路分設三大將。以祖壽領西協，轄石匣、古北、曹家、墻子四路，駐遵化。而江應詔領東協，駐關門，轄山海關、一片石、燕河、建昌四路。馬世龍領中協，駐三屯營，轄馬蘭、松棚、喜峰、太平四路。經略王在晉、總督王象乾僉謂：「永平設鎮，本以衛山海。今移之三屯，則去山海四百里，於應援為疏。遵化去三屯止六十里，今並列兩鎮，於建牙為贅。請令世龍仍鎮永平，以東協四路分隸世龍、應詔，而以中、西二協專隸之祖壽，仍鎮三屯。」章下兵部，署事侍郎張經世議如其言，承宗堅執如初。乃命祖壽移鎮遵化。七年，錦州告警，祖壽赴援，不敢戰，被劾罷歸。及是都城被兵，散家財，招回部曲，從滿桂赴鬥，竟死，贈恤如制。

When Sun Chengzong toured the frontier, he proposed dividing Jizhou's three commands and twelve routes among three great generals. Zushou was put in charge of the western command, governing the four routes of Shixia, Gubei, Caojia, and Qiangzi from Zunhua. Jiang Ying'e commanded the eastern command from Shanhaiguan, governing the four routes of Shanhaiguan, Yipianshi, Yanhe, and Jianchang. Ma Shilong commanded the central command from Santun Camp, governing the four routes of Malan, Songpeng, Xifeng, and Taiping. Commissioner Wang Zaijin and Governor-in-chief Wang Xiangqian jointly said, "Yongping was originally made a command post to guard Shanhai. Moving it to Santun puts it four hundred li from Shanhai, which makes relief too distant. Zunhua is only sixty li from Santun. Setting up two command posts side by side is redundant. We ask that Shilong remain at Yongping, that the four eastern routes be divided between Shilong and Ying'e, and that the central and western commands be placed solely under Zushou at Santun." The memorial went to the Ministry of War. Acting Minister Zhang Jingshi agreed with them, but Chengzong held to his original plan. Zushou was then ordered to transfer his command to Zunhua. In year seven Jinzhou raised the alarm. Zushou went to its relief but dared not fight, was impeached, dismissed, and sent home. When the capital came under attack, he spent his family wealth, recalled his old troops, followed Man Gui into battle, and died. Posthumous honors were granted according to regulation.

祖壽初守固關，遘危疾，妻張氏割臂以療，絕飲食者七日。祖壽生，而張氏旋死，遂終身不近婦人。為大帥，部將以五百金遺其子於家，卻不受。他日來省，賜之卮酒曰：「卻金一事，善體吾心，否則法不汝宥也。」其秉義執節如此。

When Zushou first defended Guguan he fell gravely ill. His wife Lady Zhang cut her arm to treat him and went without food or drink for seven days. Zushou recovered, but Lady Zhang soon died, and he never went near women again for the rest of his life. As supreme commander, a subordinate sent five hundred taels of gold to his son at home, but the son refused it. Another day when his son came to visit, he gave him a cup of wine and said, "In refusing the gold you understood my heart. Otherwise the law would not spare you." Such was his upholding of righteousness and integrity.

趙率教，陜西人。萬歷中，歷官延綏參將，屢著戰功。已，劾罷。遼事急，詔廢將蓄家丁者赴軍前立功。率教受知於經略袁應泰，擢副總兵，典中軍事。

Zhao Lujiao was from Shaanxi. During the Wanli reign he served as assistant commander in the Yan'an-Suide region and repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. Later he was impeached and dismissed. When the Liaodong crisis grew urgent, an edict summoned dismissed generals who kept household retainers to come to the front and earn merit. Lujiao won Yuan Yingtai's notice, was promoted to vice commander-in-chief, and directed central-army affairs.

蒙古虎墩兔素為總督王象乾所撫。其部下抽扣兒者，善為盜，率教捕斬四人。招撫僉事萬有孚與率教有隙，遂以故敗款事訴之象乾。象乾告兵部尚書董漢儒，將斬之，賴承宗貽書漢儒，得不死。

The Mongol Huduntai had long been under Governor-in-chief Wang Xiangqian's pacification. Among his followers Choukou'er was skilled at robbery. Lujiao captured and beheaded four men. Pacification Commissioner Wan Youfu was at odds with Lujiao and reported to Xiangqian that he had broken the peace agreement. Xiangqian reported to Minister of War Dong Hanru, who was about to execute him. Thanks to a letter from Chengzong, he was spared.

時承宗分關內外為五部。以馬世龍、王世欽、尤世祿領中、左、右部，而令率教與副將孫諫領前、後部，部各萬五千人。率教仍駐前屯。四年九月，承宗暴其功於朝。擢署都督僉事，加銜總兵。五年冬，承宗去，高第來代，諸將多所更置。率教善事第，第亦委信之。

At that time Chengzong divided the territory inside and outside the pass into five divisions. He put Ma Shilong, Wang Shiqin, and You Shilu in charge of the central, left, and right divisions, and ordered Lujiao and Vice Commander Sun Jian to command the front and rear divisions, each with fifteen thousand men. Lujiao remained garrisoned at Qiantun. In the ninth month of year four Chengzong reported his achievements to court. He was promoted to Acting Vice Commissioner and given the added title of regional commander. In the winter of year five Chengzong left and Gao Di replaced him. Many generals were reassigned. Lujiao served Di well, and Di trusted him in return.

六年二月，蒙古以寧遠被圍，乘間入犯平川、三山堡。率教禦之，斬首百余級，奪馬二百匹，追至高臺堡乃還。捷聞，帝大喜，立擢都督同知，實授總兵官，代楊麒鎮山海關。尋論功，再進右都督，世蔭本衛副千戶。時滿桂守寧遠，亦有盛名，與率教深相得。及寧遠被圍，率教遣一都司、四守備東援。桂惡其稽緩，拒不納，以袁崇煥言，乃令入。既解圍，率教欲分功。桂不許，且責其不親援，兩人遂有隙。中朝聞之，下敕戒諭。而桂又與崇煥不和。乃召還桂，令率教盡統關內外兵，移鎮寧遠。

In the second month of year six, while Ningyuan was besieged, Mongols seized the opportunity to invade Pingchuan and Sanshan Fort. Lujiao resisted them, took more than a hundred heads, seized two hundred horses, and pursued as far as Gaotai Fort before returning. When victory was reported the emperor was greatly pleased. He immediately promoted Lujiao to Vice Commissioner, formally appointed him regional commander, and sent him to replace Yang Qi at Shanhaiguan. When merit was discussed again he was advanced to Right Chief Commander with a hereditary vice chiliarch enfeoffment in his original guard. Man Gui was then defending Ningyuan and also enjoyed great fame. He and Lujiao were on very close terms. When Ningyuan was besieged, Lujiao sent one battalion commander and four garrison commanders east to its relief. Gui resented their delay and refused to admit them. Only on Yuan Chonghuan's word were they allowed in. After the siege was lifted, Lujiao wanted a share of the credit. Gui refused and reproached him for not coming in person. The two men fell out. The court heard of it and issued an edict of admonition. Gui was again at odds with Chonghuan as well. Gui was recalled, and Lujiao was ordered to take overall command of all troops inside and outside the pass and transfer to Ningyuan.

七年正月，大清兵南征朝鮮。率教督兵抵三岔河為牽制，卒無功。三月，崇煥議修築錦州、大淩河、中左所三城，漸圖恢復。率教移鎮錦州護工，再加左都督。五月，大清兵圍錦州，率教與中官紀用、副將左輔、朱梅等嬰城固守。發大炮，頗多擊傷。相持二十四日，圍始解。時桂亦著功寧遠，因稱「寧、錦大捷」。魏忠賢等蒙重賞。率教加太子少傅，蔭錦衣千戶，世襲。

In the first month of year seven Qing troops marched south against Korea. Lujiao led troops to Sancha River to create a diversion but achieved nothing in the end. In the third month Chonghuan proposed building Jinzhou, Daling River, and Zhongzuosuo as a gradual plan for recovery. Lujiao transferred to Jinzhou to protect the construction and was further made Left Chief Commander. In the fifth month Qing troops besieged Jinzhou. Lujiao, eunuch-official Ji Yong, and Vice Commanders Zuo Fu and Zhu Mei held the walls in desperate defense. They fired great cannon and inflicted heavy casualties. They held out for twenty-four days before the siege was lifted. Gui also distinguished himself at Ningyuan, and the court called it the "Great Victory of Ning and Jin." Wei Zhongxian and others received heavy rewards. Lujiao was made Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent with a hereditary chiliarch enfeoffment in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

崇禎元年八月移鎮永平，兼轄薊鎮八路。逾月，掛平遼將軍印，再移至關門。明年，大清兵由大安口南下。率教馳援，三晝夜抵三屯營。總兵朱國彥不令入，遂策馬而西。十一月四日戰於遵化，中流矢陣亡，一軍盡歿。帝聞痛悼，賜恤典，立祠奉祀。

In the eighth month of Chongzhen 1 he transferred to Yongping and concurrently governed the eight routes of Jizhou. A month later he took the seal of Pacification Commissioner of Liaodong and moved again to Shanhaiguan. The following year Qing troops came south through Daankou. Lujiao raced to the relief and reached Santun Camp in three days and nights. Regional commander Zhu Guoyan would not let him enter, so he spurred his horse westward. On the fourth day of the eleventh month he fought at Zunhua, was struck by a stray arrow and fell, and his whole army was wiped out. When the emperor heard, he grieved deeply, granted posthumous honors, and ordered a shrine built in his honor.

率教為將廉勇，待士有恩，勤身奉公，勞而不懈，與滿桂並稱良將。二人既歿，益無能辦東事者。

As a general Lujiao was incorruptible and brave, treated his officers with kindness, and toiled tirelessly for the state. Together with Man Gui he was counted among the best generals. After they died, there was even less anyone capable of managing affairs in the east.

國彥以崇禎二年四月為薊鎮中協總兵官，駐三屯營。十一月六日，大清兵臨城，副將朱來同等挈家潛遁。國彥憤，榜諸人性名於通衢。以所積俸銀五百余、衣服器具盡給部卒。具冠帶西向稽首，偕妻張氏投繯死。

Guoyan became regional commander of Jizhou's central command in the fourth month of Chongzhen 2 and was stationed at Santun Camp. On the sixth day of the eleventh month Qing troops reached the city. Vice Commander Zhu Laizhong and others fled in secret with their families. Guoyan was enraged and posted all their names in the public square. He gave all his accumulated salary of more than five hundred taels, clothing, and equipment to his troops. He put on his official regalia, bowed toward the west, and hanged himself together with his wife Lady Zhang.

官惟賢，萬歷未，為甘肅裴家營守備。天啟二年以都司僉書署鎮番參將事，歷宣府遊擊、延綏西路參將，仍移鎮番。五年春，河套、松山諸部入犯，惟賢偕參將丁孟科大敗之，斬首二百四十余級。明年春，班記刺麻臺吉復糾松山銀定、歹成及矮木素、三兒臺吉，以三千騎來犯。惟賢再敗之，獲首功二百有奇。三兒臺吉被創死。進惟賢副總兵。其冬，銀定等以三兒之死挾憤圖報，益糾河套土巴臺吉等分道入掠。惟賢及鎮將徐永壽等亦分道拒之，共獲首功百有六十。七年春，銀定、賓兔、矮木素、班記刺麻合土賣火力赤等由黑水河入。惟賢及西路副將陳洪範大破之，斬首百八十余級。當是時，西部頻寇邊，惟賢屢挫其鋒。其秋，王之臣督師遼東，乞惟賢赴關門。

Late in the Wanli reign Guan Weixian served as garrison commander at Peijia Camp in Gansu. In Tianqi 2 he acted as assistant commander at Zhenfan, then served as roaming-brigade commander at Xuanfu and assistant commander on the western Yan'an-Suide route before returning to Zhenfan. In the spring of year five the Ordos and Songshan tribes invaded. Weixian and Assistant Commander Ding Mengke inflicted a great defeat and took more than two hundred forty heads. The following spring the Taji Banjici assembled Yinding and Daicheng of Songshan and the Tajis Aimusu and San'er with three thousand horsemen to invade. Weixian defeated them again and took more than two hundred heads. The Taji San'er was wounded and died. Weixian was promoted to vice commander-in-chief. That winter Yinding and the others, nursing anger over San'er's death, assembled the Ordos Taji Tubai and others to raid along separate routes. Weixian and frontier commander Xu Yongshou and others resisted them along separate routes and together took more than one hundred sixty heads. In the spring of year seven Yinding, Bintu, Aimusu, Banjici, Hetumai, Huolichi, and others entered by the Heishui River. Weixian and Western Route Vice Commander Chen Hongfan inflicted a great defeat and beheaded more than one hundred eighty men. At that time western tribes frequently raided the frontier, and Weixian repeatedly blunted their attacks. That autumn Wang Zhichen supervised Liaodong and asked that Weixian come to Shanhaiguan.

明年，崇禎改元，惟賢至，用為山海北路副總兵。二年冬，京師有警。惟賢入衛，總理馬世龍令急援寶坻、漷縣。明年正月九日，大清兵自撫寧向山海。翼日，至鳳凰店，離關三十里列三營。惟賢與參將陳維翰等設兩營以待，合戰，互有殺傷。已，大清兵返撫寧，世龍令惟賢率維翰及遊擊張奇化、李居正、王世選、王成等往襲遵化。至城西波羅灣，城中兵出擊，前鋒殊死戰。大清兵收入城，後隊乘勢進攻，城上矢石如雨。尋復遣兵出戰，惟賢陷陣，中箭死，士卒殺傷者三百余人，奇化亦戰歿。

The following year, with the new Chongzhen reign, Weixian arrived and was appointed vice commander-in-chief of the northern Shanhai route. In the winter of year two the capital came under threat. Weixian entered to guard the capital. Supreme commander Ma Shilong ordered him to hurry to the relief of Baodi and Huaxian. On the ninth day of the first month of the following year Qing troops moved from Funing toward Shanhai. The next day they reached Fenghuang Post, thirty li from the pass, and set up three camps. Weixian and Assistant Commander Chen Weihan set up two camps to meet them. They joined battle and each side inflicted casualties. When Qing troops returned to Funing, Shilong ordered Weixian to lead Weihan and roaming-brigade commanders Zhang Qihua, Li Juzheng, Wang Shixuan, and Wang Cheng to strike Zunhua. At Boluo Bay west of the city the garrison came out to attack and the vanguard fought desperately. Qing troops withdrew into the city. The rear ranks pressed the attack, and arrows and stones rained from the walls. Soon they sent troops out again. Weixian fell in the breach, was struck by an arrow and died, more than three hundred soldiers were killed or wounded, and Qihua also fell.

何可綱，遼東人。天啟中，以守備典袁崇煥寧遠道中軍，廉勇善撫士卒。六年，寧遠被圍，佐崇煥捍禦有功，進都司僉書。明年再被兵，復堅守。遷參將，署寧遠副將事。崇禎元年，巡撫畢自肅令典中軍。及崇煥再出鎮，復以副將領中軍事，靖十三營之變。崇煥欲更置大將，上言：「臣昔為巡撫，定議關外止設一總兵。其時魏忠賢竊柄，崔呈秀欲用其私黨，增設三四人，以致權勢相衡，臂指不運。乃止留寧遠及前鋒二人，而臂指之不運猶故也。臣以為寧遠一路，斷宜並歸前鋒。總兵駐關內者，掛平遼將軍印，轄山、石二路，而以前屯隸之。駐關外者，掛征遼前鋒將軍印，轄寧遠一衛，而以錦州隸之。薊遼總兵趙率教久習遼事，宜與山海麻登雲相易，掛平遼將軍印。關外總兵舊有朱梅、祖大壽。梅已解任，宜並歸大壽，駐錦州，而以臣中軍何可綱專防寧遠。可綱仁而有勇，廉而能勤，事至善謀，其才不在臣下。臣向所建豎，實可綱力，請加都督僉事，仍典臣中軍。則一鎮之費雖裁，一鎮之用仍在。臣妄謂五年奏凱者，仗此三人之力，用而不效，請治臣罪。」帝悉從之。可綱佐崇煥更定軍制，歲省餉百二十萬有奇。以春秋二防功，進職右都督。

He Kegang was from Liaodong. During the Tianqi reign, as garrison commander he directed Yuan Chonghuan's central army on the Ningyuan route. He was incorruptible and brave and treated his soldiers well. In year six, when Ningyuan was besieged, he assisted Chonghuan in the defense with merit and was advanced to battalion secretary. The following year the city came under attack again, and he held firm once more. He was transferred to assistant commander and acted as vice commander at Ningyuan. In Chongzhen 1 Grand Coordinator Bi Zisu ordered him to direct the central army. When Chonghuan returned to command, he again led the central army as vice commander and pacified the mutiny of the thirteen battalions. Chonghuan wished to reorganize the senior commanders and memorialized, "When I was grand coordinator I fixed the policy that only one regional commander should be posted beyond the pass. At that time Wei Zhongxian usurped power. Cui Chengxiu wished to install his own faction and added three or four commanders, so that authority was divided and command would not move as one. They then kept only two commanders at Ningyuan and the vanguard, yet command still did not move as one. I hold that the Ningyuan route should be merged under the vanguard. The regional commander inside the pass should bear the seal of Pacification Commissioner of Liaodong, govern the Shanhai and Shitang routes, and have Qiantun subordinated to him. The commander outside the pass should bear the seal of Vanguard General for the Liaodong Campaign, govern Ningyuan Guard, and have Jinzhou subordinated to him. Jizhou-Liaodong regional commander Zhao Lujiao, long versed in Liaodong affairs, should exchange posts with Ma Dengyun of Shanhai and bear the seal of Pacification Commissioner of Liaodong. Beyond the pass there had formerly been regional commanders Zhu Mei and Zu Dashou. Mei has already left office. Both posts should be merged under Dashou at Jinzhou, while my central-army officer He Kegang should defend Ningyuan alone. Kegang is benevolent yet brave, incorruptible yet diligent, plans with great care, and his talent is not below mine. What I have built up was in truth Kegang's doing. I ask that he be made Vice Commissioner and still direct my central army. Then though the expense of one command post is cut, its effectiveness remains. I venture to say that victory within five years will depend on these three men. If they are used without effect, punish me." The emperor approved all of it. Kegang assisted Chonghuan in reforming the military system and saved more than 1.2 million taels in pay each year. For merit in the spring and autumn defenses he was advanced to Right Chief Commander.

二年冬，京師被兵，與大壽從崇煥入衛，數有功。崇煥下吏，乃隨大壽東潰，復與歸朝。明年正月，永平、灤州失守，可綱戰古冶鄉及雙望，頗有斬獲。四月，樞輔孫承宗令可綱督諸將營雙望諸山，以綴永平之師。令大壽諸軍直趨灤州。灤州既復，大清兵棄永平去，可綱遂入其城。論功，加太子太保、左都督。已而錦州被圍，可綱督諸將赴救，立功郵馬山，復進秩。四年築城大淩河，命可綱偕大壽護版築。八月甫竣工，大清以十萬眾來攻，可綱等堅守不下。久之，糧盡援絕。大壽及諸將皆欲降，獨可綱不從，令二人掖出城外殺之，可綱顏色不變，亦不發一言，含笑而死。

In the winter of year two, when the capital came under attack, he followed Dashou with Chonghuan to guard the capital and distinguished himself several times. When Chonghuan was imprisoned he followed Dashou in the eastern rout, then returned with him to court. In the first month of the following year Yongping and Luanzhou fell. Kegang fought at Guye Township and Shuangwang and took many heads. In the fourth month Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong ordered Kegang to supervise the generals in encamping on the mountains around Shuangwang to delay the Yongping army. He ordered Dashou's army to press straight toward Luanzhou. When Luanzhou was recovered, Qing troops abandoned Yongping and left. Kegang then entered the city. When merit was discussed he was made Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent and Left Chief Commander. Soon Jinzhou was besieged. Kegang supervised the generals in relief, distinguished himself at Youmashan, and was advanced in rank again. In year four a city was built at Daling River. Kegang was ordered to join Dashou in protecting the construction. In the eighth month, just as construction was completed, the Qing attacked with one hundred thousand men. Kegang and the others held firm and would not yield. After a long time grain ran out and relief was cut off. Dashou and the other generals all wished to surrender. Kegang alone refused. He ordered two men to lead him outside the walls and kill him. His expression did not change, he spoke not a word, and died with a smile.

黃龍，遼東人。初以小校從復錦州，積功至參將。崇禎三年從大軍復灤州，功第一，遷副總兵。尋論功進秩三等，為都督僉事，世蔭副千戶。登萊巡撫孫元化以劉興治亂東江，請龍往鎮。兵部尚書梁廷棟亦薦龍為總兵官，與元化恢復四衛，從之。

Huang Long was from Liaodong. He began as a petty officer in the recovery of Jinzhou and through accumulated merit rose to assistant commander. In Chongzhen 3 he followed the main army in recovering Luanzhou, ranked first in merit, and was transferred to vice commander-in-chief. When merit was discussed his rank was advanced three grades. He was made Vice Commissioner with a hereditary vice chiliarch enfeoffment. Dengzhou-Laizhou Grand Coordinator Sun Yuanhua, because Liu Xingzhi had thrown eastern Jiang into disorder, asked that Long go to command there. Minister of War Liang Tingdong also recommended Long as regional commander to recover the four guards with Yuanhua, and the court approved.

先是，毛文龍死，袁崇煥分其兵二萬八千為四協，命副將陳繼盛，參將劉興治、毛承祚、徐敷奏主之。後改為兩協，繼盛領東協，興治攝西協。語詳《崇煥傳》。興治兇狡好亂，與繼盛不相能。其兄參將興祚陣亡，繼盛誤聽諜報，謂未死。興治憤，擇日為興祚治喪，諸將鹹吊。繼盛至，伏兵執之，並執理餉經歷劉應鶴等十一人。袖出一書，宣於眾，詭言此繼盛誣興祚詐死，及以謀叛誣陷己者，遂殺繼盛及應鶴等。又偽為島中商民奏一通，請優恤興祚，而令興治鎮東江。舉朝大駭，以海外未遑詰也。興冶與諸弟兄放舟長山島，大肆殺掠。島去登州四十里。時登萊總兵官張可大赴援永平，帝用廷棟言，趣可大還登州，授副將周文郁大將印，令撫定興冶。會永平已復，興治稍戢，返東江。龍蒞皮島受事，興治猶桀驁如故。四年三月復作亂，杖其弟興基，殺參將沈世魁家眾。世魁率其黨夜襲殺興治，亂乃定。

Earlier, when Mao Wenlong died, Yuan Chonghuan divided his twenty-eight thousand troops into four commands under Vice Commander Chen Jisheng and Assistant Commanders Liu Xingzhi, Mao Chengzuo, and Xu Fuzou. Later this was reduced to two commands. Jisheng led the eastern command and Xingzhi acted for the western command. The full account appears in the Biography of Chonghuan. Xingzhi was fierce, cunning, and fond of disorder and could not get along with Jisheng. His elder brother Assistant Commander Xingzuo had died in battle, but Jisheng mistakenly believed a spy report that he was still alive. Xingzhi was enraged. He chose a day to hold mourning for Xingzuo, and all the generals came to condole. When Jisheng arrived, ambush troops seized him along with grain-supply secretary Liu Yinghe and eleven others. He produced a document and read it aloud, falsely claiming that Jisheng had slandered Xingzuo as feigning death and had framed him for rebellion. He then killed Jisheng, Yinghe, and the others. He also forged a memorial in the name of island merchants asking generous posthumous honors for Xingzuo and appointing Xingzhi to command eastern Jiang. The whole court was alarmed, but because the matter was overseas there was no time to investigate. Xingzhi and his brothers sailed to Changshan Island and carried out widespread killing and plunder. The island lay forty li from Dengzhou. Dengzhou-Laizhou regional commander Zhang Kedai had gone to relieve Yongping. The emperor followed Tingdong's advice, ordered Kedai back to Dengzhou, gave Vice Commander Zhou Wenyu the great general's seal, and ordered him to pacify Xingzhi. Yongping had already been recovered. Xingzhi grew somewhat restrained and returned to eastern Jiang. Long came to Pidao to take up his post, but Xingzhi remained as arrogant and unruly as before. In the third month of year four he rebelled again, beat his younger brother Xingji, and killed the household of Assistant Commander Shen Shikui. Shikui led his faction in a night attack and killed Xingzhi, ending the disorder.

遊擊耿仲明之黨李梅者，通洋事覺，龍系之獄。仲明弟都司仲裕在龍軍，謀作亂。十月率部卒假索餉名圍龍署，擁至演武場，折股去耳鼻，將殺之。諸將為救免。未幾，龍捕斬仲裕，疏請正仲明罪。會元化劾龍克餉致兵嘩，帝命充為事官，而核仲明主使狀。仲明遂偕孔有德反，以五年正月陷登州，招島中諸將。旅順副將陳有時、廣鹿島副將毛承祿皆往從之。龍急遣尚可喜、金聲桓等撫定諸島，而躬巡其地，慰商民，誅叛黨，縱火焚其舟。賊黨高成友者據旅順，斷關寧、天津援師。龍令遊擊李維鸞偕可喜等擊走之，即移駐其地，援始通。其冬，有德等欲棄登州走入海，龍遣副將龔正祥率舟師四千邀之廟島。颶風破舟，正祥陷賊中。後居登州，謀為內應，事露被殺。初，龍駐旅順大治兵。賊拘龍母妻及子以脅之，龍不顧。

Li Mei, a follower of roaming-brigade commander Geng Zhongming, was caught in illicit overseas dealings and imprisoned by Long. Zhongming's younger brother, battalion commander Zhongyu, was in Long's army and plotted rebellion. In the tenth month he led his troops under the pretext of demanding pay to surround Long's headquarters, dragged him to the drill ground, broke his thigh and cut off his ears and nose, and was about to kill him. The generals rescued him and spared his life. Before long Long captured and beheaded Zhongyu and memorialized asking that Zhongming be punished. Yuanhua impeached Long for withholding pay and causing a mutiny. The emperor ordered him to serve on probation while Zhongming's role as mastermind was investigated. Zhongming then rebelled with Kong Youde. In the first month of year five they took Dengzhou and summoned the island generals. Lüshun Vice Commander Chen Youshi and Guanglu Island Vice Commander Mao Chenglu both joined them. Long urgently sent Shang Kexi, Jin Shenghuan, and others to pacify the islands while he personally toured the area, comforted merchants, executed rebels, and burned their boats. The rebel Gao Chengyou held Lüshun and cut off relief from Shanhaiguan, Ningyuan, and Tianjin. Long ordered roaming-brigade commander Li Weiluan with Kexi and others to drive him off, then moved his headquarters there, and relief was restored. That winter Youde and the others wished to abandon Dengzhou and flee by sea. Long sent Vice Commander Gong Zhengxiang with four thousand naval troops to intercept them at Miaodao. A typhoon wrecked the boats and Zhengxiang fell into rebel hands. Later he lived in Dengzhou and plotted to serve as an inside agent. When the plot was exposed he was killed. At first Long was stationed at Lüshun and greatly expanded the army. The rebels seized Long's mother, wife, and son to threaten him, but Long paid no heed.

六年二月，有德、仲明屢為巡撫朱大典所敗，航海遁去。龍度有德等必遁，遁必經旅順，邀擊之。有德幾獲而逸。斬賊魁李九成子應元，生擒毛承祿、蘇有功、陳光福及其黨高誌祥等十六人，獲首級一千有奇，奪還婦女無算，獻俘於朝。帝大喜，磔承祿等，傳首九邊，復龍官。承祿，文龍族家子也。

In the second month of year six Youde and Zhongming were repeatedly defeated by Grand Coordinator Zhu Dadian and fled by sea. Long judged that Youde would flee by sea and must pass Lüshun, and intercepted them. Youde was nearly captured but escaped. He beheaded the rebel leader Li Jiucheng's son Yingyuan, captured Mao Chenglu, Su Yougong, Chen Guangfu, Gao Zhixiang, and sixteen others alive, took more than one thousand heads, recovered countless women, and presented captives at court. The emperor was greatly pleased, dismembered Chenglu and the others, sent their heads through the nine border regions, and restored Long to office. Chenglu was a kinsman of Wenlong's clan.

有德等大憤，欲報龍。會賊舟泊鴨綠江，龍盡發水師剿之。七月，有德等偵知旅順空虛，遂引大清兵來襲。龍數戰皆敗，火藥矢石俱盡，語部將譚應華曰：「敵眾我寡，今夕城必破。若速持吾印送登州，不能赴，即投諸海可也。」應華出，龍率惟鸞等力戰。圍急，知不能脫，自剄死。惟鸞及諸將項祚臨、樊化龍、張大祿、尚可義俱死之。事聞，贈龍左都督，賜祭葬，予世蔭，建祠曰：「顯忠」。惟鸞等附祀。以副總兵沈世魁代龍為總兵官。

Youde and the others were enraged and sought revenge on Long. Rebel boats anchored on the Yalu River, and Long sent out the entire navy against them. In the seventh month Youde learned that Lüshun was undefended and led Qing troops to attack. Long fought several battles and lost each time. Gunpowder, arrows, and stones were exhausted. He told Vice Commander Tan Yinghua, "The enemy outnumber us. The city will fall tonight. Take my seal quickly to Dengzhou. If you cannot reach it, cast it into the sea." Yinghua went out, and Long led Weiluan and the others in fierce fighting. The encirclement tightened. Knowing he could not escape, he cut his own throat. Weiluan and the generals Xiang Zuolin, Fan Hualong, Zhang Dalu, and Shang Keyi all died with him. When the report reached court, Long was posthumously made Left Chief Commander, granted sacrificial rites and state burial and hereditary enfeoffment, and a shrine called "Manifest Loyalty" was built in his honor. Weiluan and the others received attendant sacrifice. Vice Commander Shen Shikui replaced Long as regional commander.

世魁本市儈，其女有殊色，為毛文龍小妻。世魁倚勢橫行島中，至是為大帥。七年二月，廣鹿島副將尚可喜降於我大清，島中勢益孤。十年，朝鮮告急，世魁移師皮島為聲援。有德等來襲，世魁戰敗，率舟師走石城，副將金日觀陣歿。登萊總兵陳洪範來援，不戰而走。世魁亦陣亡，士卒死傷者萬余。從子副將誌科集潰卒至長城島，欲得世魁敕印。監軍副使黃孫茂不予，誌科怒殺之，並殺理餉通判邵啟。副將白登庸遂率所部降大清。諸島雖有殘卒，不能成軍，朝廷亦不置大帥，以登萊總兵遙領之而已。明年夏，楊嗣昌決策盡徙其兵民寧、錦，而諸島一空。

Shikui had originally been a market broker. His daughter was exceptionally beautiful and became Mao Wenlong's junior wife. Shikui relied on his power and acted tyrannically on the island. By then he was supreme commander. In the second month of year seven Guanglu Island Vice Commander Shang Kexi surrendered to the Qing, and the island forces grew even more isolated. In year ten Korea reported an emergency. Shikui moved his army to Pidao as a supporting force. Youde and the others attacked. Shikui was beaten, fled by sea to Shicheng, and Vice Commander Jin Riguan fell in battle. Dengzhou-Laizhou regional commander Chen Hongfan came to relieve them but fled without fighting. Shikui also fell in battle, and more than ten thousand soldiers were killed or wounded. His nephew Vice Commander Zhike gathered routed troops at Changcheng Island and tried to seize Shikui's commission and seal. Supervising Vice Commissioner Huang Sunmao refused. Zhike killed him in anger and also killed grain-supply vice prefect Shao Qi. Vice Commander Bai Dengyong then led his troops to surrender to the Qing. The islands still had scattered troops but could not form an army. The court appointed no supreme commander and merely had the Dengzhou-Laizhou regional commander govern them from afar. The following summer Yang Sichang decided to move all troops and civilians to Ningyuan and Jinzhou, and the islands were abandoned.

金日觀，不知何許人。天啟五年以將才授守備，效力關門。擢鎮標中軍遊擊，加參將行薊鎮東路遊擊事，專領南兵。崇禎初，加副總兵，守馬蘭峪。三年正月，大清兵破京東列城。兵部侍郎劉之綸遣部將吳應龍等結營毛山，規取羅文谷關。師敗，日觀遣二將馳援，亦敗歿。大清兵乘勝據府君、玉皇二山，進攻馬蘭城甚急。日觀堅守，親然大炮。炮炸，焚頭目手足，意氣不衰。乞援於總理馬世龍。令參將王世選等赴救，兵乃退。尋復以二千余騎來攻，日觀偕世選等死守不下。朝廷獎其功，驟加都督同知。四月，與副將謝尚政、曹文詔等攻復大安城，遂偕諸軍復遵化。錄功，進左都督。時總兵鄧玘轄馬蘭、松棚二路，日觀應受節制。以玘銜都督同知，不屑為之下。總督曹文衡劾日觀器小易盈，恃功驕縱，帝特戒飭而已。久之，移萊州副總兵。十年春，大清兵攻朝鮮，命從登萊總兵陳洪範往救，駐師皮島。大清遣孔有德、耿仲明、尚可喜等先攻鐵山。四月分兵攻皮島，水陸夾攻。副將白登庸先遁，洪範亦避走石城。登庸尋帥所部降。日觀偕諸將楚繼功等相持七晝夜，力不支，陣歿，島城隨破。贈特進光祿大夫、太子太師，世蔭錦衣副千戶，建祠。繼功等贈恤有差。

Jin Riguan was of unknown origin. In Tianqi 5, for military talent he was appointed garrison commander and served at Shanhaiguan. He was promoted to roaming-brigade commander of the garrison standard central army, appointed acting assistant commander on Jizhou's eastern route, and put in charge of southern troops. Early in the Chongzhen reign he was made vice commander-in-chief and defended Malanyu. In the first month of year three Qing troops broke the walled cities east of the capital. Vice Minister of War Liu Zhilun sent subordinate generals Wu Yinglong and others to encamp at Maoshan, planning to take Luowengu Pass. The army was defeated. Riguan sent two generals to the relief, and they too were defeated and killed. Qing troops pressed their victory, seized Mount Fujun and Mount Yuhuang, and attacked Malan city fiercely. Riguan held firm and personally loaded the great cannon. The cannon exploded, burning his head, eyes, hands, and feet, yet his spirit did not flag. He begged relief from supreme commander Ma Shilong. Ma ordered Assistant Commander Wang Shixuan and others to the relief, and the enemy withdrew. Soon more than two thousand horsemen attacked again. Riguan with Shixuan and the others held firm and would not yield. The court rewarded his merit and abruptly promoted him to Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission. In the fourth month he with Vice Commanders Xie Shangzheng, Cao Wenshao, and others recovered Da'an city, then joined the armies in recovering Zunhua. When merit was recorded he was advanced to Left Chief Commander. Regional commander Deng Qi then governed the Malan and Songpeng routes, and Riguan should have been under his command. Because Qi held the rank of Vice Commissioner, Riguan disdained to serve under him. Governor-in-chief Cao Wenheng impeached Riguan as small-minded, arrogant, and unrestrained in relying on his merit. The emperor merely issued a special admonition. After a long time he was transferred to vice commander-in-chief at Laizhou. In the spring of year ten Qing troops attacked Korea. He was ordered to follow Dengzhou-Laizhou regional commander Chen Hongfan to the relief and stationed at Pidao. The Qing sent Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, Shang Kexi, and others first to attack Tieshan. In the fourth month they divided forces to attack Pidao by land and sea together. Vice Commander Bai Dengyong fled first, and Hongfan also fled to Shicheng. Dengyong soon led his troops to surrender. Riguan with the generals Chu Jigong and others held out for seven days and nights. When their strength failed he fell in battle and the island city fell. He was posthumously made Special Advancement Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, granted a hereditary vice chiliarch enfeoffment in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and given a shrine. Jigong and the others received posthumous honors in varying degrees.

贊曰：古人有言，彼且為我死，故我得與之俱生。故死封疆之臣，君子重之。觀遼左諸帥，委身許國，見危不避，可謂得死所者與！於時優恤之典非不甚渥，然而無救於危亡者，廟算不定，僨事者不誅，文墨議論之徒從而撓之，徒激勸忠義無益也。

The commentator says: The ancients had a saying—because they were willing to die for me, I was able to live on with them. Therefore the noble person esteems those who died defending the frontier. Looking at the generals of eastern Liaodong, they devoted themselves to the state and did not shrink from danger. They may be said to have found the right place to die! At that time posthumous honors were generous enough, yet they could not save the state from ruin. Court strategy was unsettled, those who ruined affairs went unpunished, and men of documents and debate interfered from the side. Merely exhorting loyalty and righteousness was of no use.

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