BELLUM TARTARICUM, OR THE CONQUEST OF The Great and most renowned Empire of CHINA, By the Invasion of the TARTARS, who in these last seven years, have wholly subdued that vast Empire. Together with a Map of the Provinces, and chief Cities of the Countries, for the better understanding of the Story. Written Originally in LATIN by Martin Martinius, present in the Country at most of the passages herein related, and now faithfully Translated into English. LONDON, Printed for John Crook, and are to be Sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Ship in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1654. portrait of the Tartar emperor Thienmingus (Tianming) The Lively Effigies of Theinmingus the present Emperor of the Western Tartars, who hath Lately overrun and Possessed himself almost of the whole Empire of China. TO THE READER. Wwhereas' in the course of this ensuing History there occurs frequent mention of the chief Provinces and Cities in China; which have either been assaulted and defended, subdued or destroyed, by the several Armies, aswell from North to South, as from East to West; lest the pleasure and delight of this History, should be any way diminished by the frequent reencounter of harsh and barbarous names of Countries, and Towns unknown to the European Reader, whilst his attention follows the victorious Army. I thought it good to prefix a little Geographical table of the Countries, and chief Cities, which might serve as a guide to conduct the eye of the understanding, in the pursuit of the mentioned victories. I confess it is not so exact as the rigour of Geography exacts, but yet it is such an one, as was drawn by the hands of their learned Philosophers, and may well give us a sufficient notion of all the places mentioned. As for more exquisite, and rare Maps both universal and particular, as well of the Countries, as of the Cities, and of all the rarities they contain, together with the exact knowledge of their Longitudes and Latitudes, and of all that does belong either to Astronomy or Geography relation to them; with what may be expected from Natural or Humane History, I reserve all these rarities and curiosities to my Atlas of China which I am composing; taken from their own ancient records ever since the time of Noah; all which I have with incredible pains, and industry both gathered up together, and transported with me to Europe. I will not therefore for the present deflower that worth of its greatest beauty, by an unseasonable exposition of it to the Readers view; but expect till it grow to that perfection, as I hope will ravish the unsatiable appetits of this our curious Age. map of the Chinese empire SITUS PROVINCIARUM IMPERII SINICI M.DC.LIV. Occidens Septentrio Oriens Auster TANYV TARTARORUM REGNUM NIULHAN Yupi NIUCHE TARTARY ORIENTALIS Crocous' fluv. XENSI Sigan Hanchung XANSI Taitung Taiyven Pucheu Kiangcheu PEKING Peking XANTUNG T●ncu Cinan LEAOTUNG Xu●●ing Quang●ing Tuocun Legoyang Caiyven Xanghai Taoyvan COREA Kingki GIAPON HONAN Caifung SUCHVEN Chingtu Mahu lacus HUQVANG Kiang fluv Filius Mar Tungting lacus Vnchang NANKING Yangchai Hoigan Nanking Poyang lacus CHEKIANG Ta● lacus Sungtiang Hangche● Cientang flu. KIANGSI Nanchang Kiucheu Canchou FOKIEN Kin●oa Ve●cheu Kienning Fochen Cheuxan JUNNAN junnan QVEICHEV Queicheu QVANGSI Queilin QVANGTUNG Nankiung Chaoking Quangcheu Hainun Macao BELLUM TARTARICUM, OR The History of the Wars of the Tartars in China etc. THE most ancient Nation of Tartars in Asia, which was the Parent of many Nations, had been an Enemy of the Empire of China The Tartars were ancient Enemies to China. above Four Thousand years: during which time, as they had many sharp Wars with those of China, in which they were sometimes conquered, so also more often they remained Conquerors of the Provinces of that Nation. I call that Nation Tartars, Who are the Tart●●s. which inhabiting the Northern parts, behind that famous Wall which stretching out above 300. German Leagues from East to West, hath ever served for a Rampart to hinder their eruptions into the said Empire. This Country the Chineses having a defect of the letter R. anciently called Tata: comprehending under this name as well the Oriental Tartars, hitherto unknown to us in Europe, as the Occidental, containing the Provinces, Sumahania, Tanyu, Niuche, Niulhan, and the like, from the lesser Tartary, and Kingdom of Cascor, to the Oriental Sea above Japony, where they are separated by the Straight of Anian, from Oviora in America; if yet it be a Straight and not a Continent. But it is not my intention to write all the Wars which have passed betwixt them; but only of such as have happened in our memory, and in my presence; All the rest shall appear at large in my Abridgement of the History of China. And that we may proceed with more Order, it will be necessary to reflect, how and from whence those Troubles had their beginning. It is therefore first to be known, The Tartars conquered China heretofore. that the ancient Western Tartars (of whom Paulus Venetus, and Ayton make mention under the names of Cataye and Maningin) waged war against China after they had subdued almost all Asia to their Power; and this before the times of great Tamburlaine, Tamburlaine never took China. who never reigned in China as some have falsely writ; for he flourished about the year MCCCCVI; in which time Taichangus, Emperor of China, and the second of the Taimingian Family (the Tartars being before beaten out of his Kingdom) governed peaceably all the Provinces included within the compass of that Wall which before I mentioned. But the War which Paulus Venetus toucheth, betwixt the Chinese and Tartars began in the year MCCVI as their History and Chronology testify, which lasting 77. years, at last in the year MCCLXXVIII. having totally conquered all that potent Empire, they extinguished the Imperial Family of the Sungas, and erected a new Regal Family, which they called Juena; of which Tartarian Race nine Emperors by descent, The Tartars Emperors of China. governed in the Kingdom of China for the space of LXX● years in Peace and Quietness; and about the end of that War, came Paulus Venetus into China with the Tartars, as appeareth by his Writings. In this tract of time, the Tartars forgetting their ancient Vigour of Mind and warlike Spirits, which the pleasures and delices of that Country had quailed and tamed, being also weakened by so long a Peace, became of a sweeter temper, and received a deep Tincture of the Nature and Disposition of the Natives of China. Whereupon a contemptible person (who was servant to one of those deputed to offer Sacrifice to their Idols) called Hugh, presumed to rebel against them. This man commiserating the condition of his enslaved Country, and also touched with the ambition of Reigning, first acted the part of a Thief, or Highway man; and being of a Generous Nature, bold, and as quick at hand as in wit; wanted neither Courage, nor Art, nor Companions, nor Fortune, to gather such a multitude as in short time made up the vast body of an Army; whereupon deposing the person of a Thief, he became a General, and with a bold attempt presumed to set upon the Tartars, and having waged many Wars against them, obtained many singular Victories; so as in the year 1368. he finally drove them out of the Kingdom of China, receiving for so memorable an action, the whole Empire of China as a worthy reward of his Heroical Actions. It was he first erected the Imperial Family of the tamings, and being he was the first Emperor of that Race, styled himself by the name of Hunguus; which signifies as much as, The famous Warrior. After such an illustrious Action, it was no wonder if all the Provinces submitted to him, both as to one that was a Native of their Country, and also because they looked on him as a man who had redeemed them from Thraldom: for it is the Nature of the people of China to love and esteem their own, as much as they hate and vilify Strangers. Wherefore he first placed his Court at Nanking near to the bank of that great River of Kiang, which the Chineses, in respect of the huge Mountains of water which it discharges into the Ocean, call the Son of the Sea: And having speedily ordered; and established that Empire, fearing no Insurrections from these new redeemed Creatures, he was not contented to have chased the Tartars out of China, but he made an irruption into Tartary itself, and so followed the point of his Victory, as that he routed them several times, wasted all their Territories, and finally brought the Oriental Tartars to such straits, as he forced them to lay down their Arms, to pay Tribute, and even beg an Ignominious Peace. This Storm of War fell chief on the Tartars of the Province of Niuche, whither the Tartars of China being expelled were retired. And those Tartars every year, either as Subjects or Friends, came into China by the Province of Leaotung to traffic with the Inhabitants; For, being brought to poverty and misery, they thought no more of making war against China. The Merchandise they brought were several, as the root called Ginsem, so much esteemed amongst the Chinese, and all sorts of precious skins, as those of Castor, Martais & Zibellens'; and also Horsehair, of which the Chineses make their Nets, and the men, though madly, use it in tying up their hair, as the handsomest dress they can appear in. But those Tartars multiplied so fast, as they grew quickly into seven Governments which they called Hordes, as much as to say into seven Lordships, and these fight one against another, at length about the year of Christ MDL. came to erect a Kingdom, which they called the Kingdom of Niuche. Thus stood China in relation to the Eastern Tartars; but to the Western Tartars they paid Tribute masked under the Title of Presents, that they might desist from War; For the Chineses esteem it very unhansom to make war against any, if by any other means their Country can be conserved in Peace and quietness, being taught this by their Philosophers. But in the mean time, being over jealous of the Enemies to their ancient riches, A great Garrison upon the Wall against the Tartars. they never left that great Wall, which extends from East to West, without a Million of Sorelgers to guard it. Therefore this Kingdom of China being thus established in the Taimingian Family, A long Peace in China. enjoyed a constant Peace and quietness for CCL. years, and whilst the seven Lords or Governors made Civil wars, that renowned Emperor of China, known by the name of Vanley being the thirteenth Emperor of tamings Family, governed happily the Kingdom of China from the year 1573. to the year 1620. with as much Prudence as Justice and Equity. But in this time the Tartars of Niuche had so multiplied and spread themselves, The Tartars think of invading China. as that being incorporated into a Kingdom, they became daily more formidable to China: And therefore the Governors of the bordering Countries, consulted privately amongst themselves how they might curb and restrain these people within their limits: For their Governors have so much Power and Authority, that although they live as Slaves to their Prince, yet when there is question of a Common and public good, they govern absolutely and uncontrollably; unless by some higher Powers their Orders be restrained. First therefore the Prefects or Governors, The first cause of the Tartarian war. did abuse the Merchant's Tartars of Niuche when they came into Leaotung, which is a Province confines next to them. The second cause. Then again when the King of Niuche would have married his Daughter to another King of the Tartars, they hindered this marriage by representing some pretended reasons of State. The third cause. And finally when the King of Niuche suspected nothing from them he conceived his friends, they took him by deceit, and killed him perfidiously. Wherefore to revenge these injuries, The first irruption of the Tartars into China. the King's Son gathered a strong Army, & taking his time, found means to get over the great Wall I mentioned; and the great River being frozen, he presently set upon the great City Kaiyven, (or as others call it Taxun) which lies upon the Confines of Tartary, which he took in the year MDCXVI. From this City he writ a Letter in Tartarian Characters to the Emperor of China, which though writ in Barbarian Characters, The Tartars Protestation against China. yet contained nothing barbarous. By this Letter which he sent by one of their Indian Priests (whom they call Lama) in a very humble and submissive manner he declared to him, that he had invaded his Country to revenge the injuries he had received from the Governors of the neighbouring Provinces. But yet that he was ready to restore the City he had taken, and depose his Arms, if his Complaints might be heard, and satisfaction given him. The Emperor of China, called Vanley, having received this Letter, though otherways of an eminent wisdom, and of as great experience, yet being now broken with Age, in this business seems to have proceeded with less Prudence than that which accompanied the former Actions of his life; For, thinking it not to be a business of that moment as it deserved to be treated before him in his own Court, he remitted the business to the chief Governors and Commanders. And these men puffed up with their usual pride, thought it not sit so much as to give an answer to the Barbarian King, but resented it very highly that any durst be so bold as to complain to the Emperor of any injury received. The Tartarian King, seeing they vouchsafed no answer to his just Demands, The barbarous and superstitious Vow of the Tartarian King turning his anger into rage, vowed to celebrate his Father's Funerals with the lives of two hundred Thousand of the Inhabitants of China. For it is the custom of the Tartars when any man of quality dyeth, to cast into that fire which consumes the dead Corpse, as many Servants, Women, and Horses with Bows and Arrows, as may fit to attend and serve them in the next life: Though now since they conquered China, they have left off this barbarous custom, being reprehended and corrected for it by the Chinese themselves. After this superstitious Vow, advancing his revenging Arms, he besieged Leaotung The chief City of Leaoyang besieged and taken. (which was the chief City of the Province of Leaoyang) with 50000 men. But the City was defended by exceeding many men, who generally were all armed with muskets: The Tartars had nothing but their Scimitars, with Bows and Arrows, which they discharge with strange dexterity & Art. But because they chief feared the musket bullets, they resolved by a Stratagem to make that unknown Instrument less hurtful to them than their Enemies did imagine. A Stratagem against muskets. For the Tartarian King commanded such as made the first onset, to carry a thick hard board for their Shield, which was as good to them as a wooden Wall; these men were seconded by other Companies who carried Ladders to climb up the Walls; and the Horse came up in the Rear. In this manner he set upon the City in four quarters, and received the discharge of their Muskets against his Wooden wall; Then in a moment the scaling ladders being applied, before they could charge again, they were upon the Walls and entered the City; for such is the quickness and nimbleness of the Tartars (in which they excel all Nations, and in which also they place their chief art) that in a trice, they either prevail in their Designs, or retire: and the little skill the Chineses had in the use of Muskets, was no small hindrance to the War. For the Tartars quickness and nimbleness not giving them time to charge again, being astonished with the sudden inundation of armed men, they presently fled which way soever they could; but being pursued by the swift Tartarian Horse, most of them perished in the taking of this great City. This City being taken, the Tartar like a Torrent overrun many others of less note, Many other Cities taken. but amongst others, he took that noble City Evamgning, and overrunning most speedily the whole Country of Leaotung, he entered the Province of Pekin, and coming within seven Leagues of the very Imperial City, He durst not advance, fearing the Enemy might compass or surround him, because he heard that a world of men came in to help their distressed Prince. But the Tartar struck such a terror into the hearts of all the Countries he had passed, as both Soldier and Citizen leaving their Houses left the empty walls to the Tartarians possession, knowing the Tartar to have that custom and practice to destroy and put all to fire and sword that did resist, and only pillage the Cities that submitted, How the Tartars used their conquered Towns. leaving the Citizens alive, and under a milder Government. By which means having collected a world of Riches he returned to Leaotung victorious. And because his Soothsayers had persuaded him that the standing of the old Walls were unfortunate, he beat them down, and compassed them about with new, fortifying them with new Munitions, and there proclaimed himself Emperor of China: The Tartar calls himself Emperor of China, An. 1618. For although as yet he had taken nothing of China, but only the skirts of the Eastern Country of the Province of Leaotung, yet in his hopes and aspiring thoughts he had devoured the whole Kingdom: wherefore he was called in the China language Theienmingus in the third year of his Reign, which was in that of one thousand six hundred and eighteen. In this year some in authority about the Emperor Vanley, demanded the banishment of the Priests, who did then preach the Christian Religion to that Nation; But the Emperor (who in his heart loved Christianity, and those particularly that first planted that Religion amongst them) gave no ear for a long while to their Demands; But at length overcome by the importunity of a chief Commander, who had ever been a sore Enemy to Christian Religion, and was called Xinchio, it was ordained and proclaimed that all those Fathers that did propagate Christian Religion should be banished the Kingdom. Upon which some of them were secretly concealed in several Provinces by some Christian Governors, God punished China for their persecution of Christians. others being taken were carried in great Cages to Macao, where being shut up day and night, suffered extremely, whilst others also be-being whipped out of the Country, rejoiced to suffer something for his sake whose name they bore; and that which added more affliction to all these miseries, was the Emperor Vanley's Prohibition to all his to profess Christian Religion. But upon this occasion the Christians of China (who from the horrid wilderness of Infidelity, had been brought to the pleasant Pastures of Christianity) gave illustrious examples of their Faith & Constancy; but the longer Narration of this glorious persecution is reserved for another place. I only touch it here, to admire the Divine Providence of God, who raised so sharp War against China, when they neglected Christian Peace; and permitted at the same time, these Tartars to take so deep a root in this Empire of China, as afterward grew to that height, as both to extirpate the Royal Family of the tamings, together with the Kingdom, at the very same time they went about utterly to destroy all Christianity. But it happened in this, as ordinarily it doth; for by this very persecution, Christian Religion grew to that height and greatness, that the Church glories to behold, and unless God vouchsafe to lend a potent helping hand, the vast Kingdom of China is utterly overthrown. In the mean time the Chineses were very solicitous to expel this Enemy from the bowels of their Country, and first they selected very chief and eminent men for Commanders and Governors; then they gathered an Army of six hundred thousand choice Soldiers. The King of Corea also sent to the Emperor of China, twelve thousand; with this potent Army therefore they went out in the beginning of March MDCXIX. to give Battle to the Enemy. The Tartars resolved to meet them with an undaunted courage; and for a good while the event and victory was very doubtful; but in the end the Army of China was wholly routed, and their chief Commanders, with fifty thousand men were all slain: The Tartars according to their custom, prosecute the victory with all quickness and diligence; for the same day they took and sacked two Cities which they burned. After this, they overrun that whole Country, and came to the very Walls of Pekin, the Emperor's Court; but durst not venture to besiege it, because they knew (besides the infinite number of Canons it contained) there was lodged fourscore thousand Soldiers in it. But the Chineses confess that there was such a fear and consternation in the City, that the King thought to have left that City and gone into the Southern parts of the Kingdom, which he had effectually performed, had not some Commanders suggested that his flight would give courage to the Victorious, and breed trouble and confusion in the whole Empire, being that to fly is nothing elfs but to yield up the Land to the Enemy. Nay more, they say the disorders were such in the City, that if the Tartar had come on, he infallibly had made himself Master of it. But the Enemy was more greedy of Prey, and therefore like a Lightning they overrun all, spoiling and burning all Towns and Cities, and killing and destroying an immense company of Chineses in a most cruel manner, The Tartars return with great Riches. and leaving all these places dismantled and without Garrisons, laden with infinite Riches, they returned victorious to Leaotung, where they had their first footing. After these things had passed, that renowned emperor of China called Vanley died, The Emperor Vanle● dies Taichangus succeeds and dies. and left his Son Taichangus to succeed him; who begun to gather a new Army against the Tartars; but after four month's reign he also died. To him succeeded Theinkius, Theinkius is chosen. who as soon as he assumed the Crown sent an Ambassador, with many magnificent Presents, and worthy of the China Monarchy, to the King of Corea; The end of this Embassage was to thank him for the Auxiliary forces sent to his Grandfather, as also to comfort him for the loss he had received in the late service of China, and finally to solicit and press for further succours; For it seems those of Corea, Those of Corea more valiant than the Chinese. as they are nearer to Japony, so they participate more of that warlike Spirit and Fortitude, than those of China do. Besides, that he might more effectually divert the imminent danger of his Kingdom's ruin, New preparations against the Tartars. he levied new Forces throughout all the Kingdom, which he sent into the Country of Leaotung, to hinder the irruption of the Tartars any further into the Country; And for their better supply with necessary Provision, he maintained a great Navy in the Haven of Thiencin to carry Corn and other necessaries for their maintenance. This Port of Thiencin The Port of Thiencin very commodious. is a Station to which an incredible number of ships resort, both by Sea and River, from all parts of China. So as by this means, by a very short and compendious way, they were easily provided with all necessaries. For all the whole Country of Leaotung is almost environed with the Sea, and the furthest part is but two days distant by water from this Port of Thiencin; but by land far more time is necessary. Amongst other Commanders which came with succours to their Prince, The valiant Amazon of China. there was one Heroic Lady, whom we may well call the Amazon or Penthesilean of China. She brought along with her three thousand, from the remote Province of Suchuen carrying all not only Masculine minds, but men's habits also, and assumed Titles more becoming men than women. This noble and generous Lady, gave many rare proofs of her courage and valour, not only against these Tartars, but also against the Rebels which afterwards rose against their Lord and Emperor. But now she came in this War to supply her Son's place, whom she left at home in his own Kingdom, as being yet a Child, and not able to perform that Homage and Duty to which he was obliged. For in the mountains of the Country of Suchuen there is a King, not subject to him of China, but an absolute Prince; yet so as he receives the Honour and Title of a King from the Emperor of China; after which Investiture, his Subjects only obey him and pay Tribute; But because they surpass all others in Valour and Courage, therefore they are used by the Kings of China in warlike Affairs. By occasion of this war the two noble Christian Doctors, The first invention of the Christians to advance Christianity. Paul and Michael, found means to persuade the Emperor to demand of the Portugeses of Macao, some greater Pieces, and also some Guns and Gunners; hoping by this means also to restore the banished Fathers of Christianity, as also the Religion itself. And their Proposition took effect, for both the one and the other were sent for, and the Fathers publicly admitted a-again, and many new Soldiers of Portugal came to help the Army. But God did most abundantly recompense this favour done to Christianity; For before the Portugese arrived, his Army had cast the Tartars out of the Country of Leaotung, by means of the Inhabitants of that Country, who being much exasperated by the Tartarians cruelty, The Tartars are cast out. opened their City Gates as soon as the King of China's Army appeared, and rising against their Garrison, gave entrance to the Army. Insomuch as they recovered the Metropolitan Town of Leaotung; For the King of Tartary being diverted by other Wars at home could not come soon enough to relieve it: So as by this means the affairs of China began to recover Life, and Strength, and the Tartars seemed wholly restrained. But though Fortune seemed to show a smiling face for China, The Tartars make war again. yet, as her custom is, she stood not long constant and stable: For the Tartarian King having dispatched his affairs in Tartary, sent presently sixty thousand Horse to besiege Leaoyang again; promising that himself in person would follow with greater Forces. They beseige Leaoyang, and take it And this Army took that strong City in the space of forty hours; both parties fight with such vigour and fierceness, that thirty thousand of the Garrison were killed, and the Tartars lost about twenty thousand of theirs. Nay the Chineses affirm, that they had never won the City, had not the Governor been corrupted by great promises of reward, to open them one of the Gates of the Town. But be it as it will, the Tartars won the Town; The Viceroy hanged himself for grief. But the King's Visitor, judging it unworthy to bestow the Title of a King upon the Barbarian, Constancy rewarded by the Enemy. In admiration and reward of his Constancy and Fidelity, obtained life and freedom, but he knowing that according to the custom of China, he was guilty of death, because he had fought unluckily, more cruel to himself than the barbarous Enemy, hanged himself in his own Garters. The Tartars having taken the City, proclaimed by Edict, that they should kill none, if they would cut their hair, and use the Tartarians Habit. The Tartars Habits and Manners. For the Tartars (that I may say something of their Manners, as my subject gives me occasion) do shave both the Head and Beard, reserving only the Moustaches, which they extend to a great length, and in the hinder part of their heads they leave a Tough, which being curiously woven and plated, they let hang down carelessly below their shoulders; they have a round and low Cap, which is always garnished round with some precious skin three fingers broad, of Castor, or Zibellin, and serveth to defend their Temples, Ears, and Foreheads from colds and other Tempests. That which appears above the skin being covered over either with curious red silk, or else with black and purple horsehair, which they die and dress most curiously; so as their appurtenances being handsomely joined together, makes the cap both commodious and handsome. Their Garments are long Robes falling down to the very foot, but their sleeves are not so wide and large as the Chineses use; but rather such as are used in Polony, & Hungary, only with this difference, that they fashion the extremity of the Sleeve, ever like a Horse his Hoof. At their Girdle there hangs on either side two Handkerchiefs to wipe their face and hands; besides, there hangs a Knife for all necessary uses, with two Purses, in which they carry Tobacco, or such like Commodities. On their Left side they hang their Scymiters, but so as the point goes before, and the handle behind, and therefore when they fight they draw it out with the right hand behind them without holding the Scabbard with the other. They seldom were Shoes, and use no Spurs to their Boots, which they make either of Silk, or of Horse-skin very neatly dressed; but they often use fair Pattens, which they make three Fingers high. In riding they use Stirrups, but their Saddles are both lower and broader than ours; Their faces are comely, and commonly broad as those of China also have; their colour is white, but their Nose is not so flat, nor their eyes so little, as the Chineses are; They speak little, and ride pensively. In the rest of their manners they resemble our Tartars of Europe, though they be nothing so barbarous. They rejoice to see Strangers; They no way like the grimness and soureness of the Chines gravity, and therefore in their first abodes they appear more human. Having thus briefly described their Manners, we resume our former discourse, and return to the victorious Tartars in the City they had takens; In which, finding many rich and wealthy Merchants of other Provinces, they published a Licence that they might departed with their Goods, and withal commanded them speedily to void the City; Who presently obeying the Order, carried away all their Goods and Riches, The Tartars perfidiousness. little suspecting the perfidious treachery of the Tartars; For they had not gone three miles from the Town, but being set upon by the Tartars, they were plundered of their Goods, and lost all their lives; which being done, they returned into the fearful City, laden with Riches, the Citizens trembling, lest they might happily experience the like perfidiousness. But the Tartar considering at how dear a rate he had bought the mastering of that City, and fearing also to find the like provision and preparation in other Cities, they durst not make any further attempt; for they knew well that the Emperor had not only fortified all the ancient places, but erected also new munititions, in the straits of many hard and rude passages. And amongst all other strong holds, that of Xanghai, situated in the Island of Cuckoe, was most eminent, containing a vast number of men in the Garrison, to resist the further progress of the Tartarian Forces. But that which most of all repressed the Tartars, was the great valour of the incomparable Commander Maovenlungus, who having with his great Fleet taken an Island near Corea in the mouth of the River Yalo, The valiantest Commander of China. vexed much their Army in the Rear, and was victorious in several Skirmishes against them; so that the Tartars bent all their care and thoughts against this their Enemy. This renowned person was born in the Province of Evangtung, where being near the Portugese of Macao, he had much perfected himself in the art of war, and he brought with him many great pieces of Artillery, which he had recovered from the Shipwreck of a Holland Ship, upon the Coasts of that Territory. And because the Emperor of China had declared the City of Ninguyven to be the chief in place of Leaoyang (where also he had placed a new Viceroy, and his Royal Visitor) therefore Maovenlungus placed the best part of his Artillery upon the Walls of this City. The Tartars therefore acted nothing till the year 16●5▪ and because they resolved to besiege the new Metropolitan City of Ninguyven, they first resolved to try Maovenlungus his fidelity; The faithfulness of the Commanders in China. offering him half of the Empire of China if he would help them to gain it; But that noble Soul of his, proved as faithful as valiant, by rejecting those Demands with indignation; and came presently with his Forces to secure the City Ninguyven which they besieged; by which means, The overthrow of the Tartars. the Tartars having lost ten thousand men, were put to the flight; and among the rest, the King of Tartary's own son was killed. Wherefore being furious with anger, they passed the frozen Sea, and invaded the Island Thaoyven, where they killed ten thousand that kept Garrisons there, together with all the Inhabitants; and by this one Act, Their Cruelty. having revenged their former discomfiture, they returned into Tartary, not with a resolution to sit still, but with an intention to return with greater Forces; By which restraint, all things remained quiet till the year 1627. in which the Emperor Thienkius died in the flower of his age, and with him the whole Empire of China seemed to fall to ruin and destruction; The Kings of China, and Tartary both died. and in the same year, the King of the Tartars, who had cruelly murdered many men, himself augmented the number of the dead. After Thinkius, in the Empire of China, succeeded that unhappy Emperor Zungchinius, Zungchininius chosen Emperor of China. brother to the former, of whom more hereafter. And after Thienmingus King of Tartary, succeeded Thienzungus his Son, Thienzungus more mild than his Predecessors. who changed the manner of his Father's Government, and by good Counsel began to govern the Chineses in a courteous and sweet manner; but though he lived not long, yet he served for a good example for his son to Conquer China more by Civility and Humanity, than by force of Arms. In this year, great Maovenlungus Soldiers being insolent by want of action, The Soldiers Insolences exasperate the Country of Corea. grew very troublesome and offensive by their Rapines and Disorders to the Coreans, who were friends & Allies; and particularly they much exasperated the Province of Hienkin, insomuch that some of the Inhabitants of that place, moved with indignation of several passages, secretly treated with the Tartarian King to invade the Chineses Army, in the habit and attire of the Inhabitants of Corea, from whom they could expect no Treason, being leaguerd with them in friendship and amity: promising moreover their best assistance to effect this mischief, to him that was a Traitor both to Country, King, and the Emperor of China. But this Counsel pleased the Tartar, and therefore he sent a Viceroy with a potent Army, The Tartars are brought into Corea. to which the Coreans shown the ways, and guided them through all the passages; who falling upon the Chinese Army (which suspecting nothing, was divided, and many straggling up and down the Country) made a huge Carnage amongst them. But when Maovenlungus percieved they were Tartars, he presently made head, and gathered a Body of an Army together, and vigorously opposed all those sharp assaults. But yet at length he was forced to yield the Field; and therefore leaving a Regiment or two to hold the Enemy in action whilst his Army retreated, he fled to his Ships, and to the Island which he had Fortified. The Tartars were vexed and grieved, both to see their victory so bloody, and also that Maovenlungus, whom they chief aimed at, had escaped with most of his Army; and therefore enraged with Anger, they fell upon the Corean Traitors, and killed every man; which action the King of Tartary much condemned; and then turning their wrath to the four Northern Provinces, which border upon Tartary, Corea wasted. they wasted and destroyed them all in a moment. In the mean time the King of Corea gathered an Army to resist the Tartars; and Maovenlungus also, having recruited his Forces, came into Corea to revenge the received loss. The victorious Tartars were come within seven Leagues of the principallest City of all Corea. But finding the King to have taken the straits and Passages of the Mountains which lead unto it, they desperately resolved to force their passage. The Battle was hardly begun, but Maovenlungus, after a long march, falls in upon their rear: and the Tartars finding themselves encompassed before and behind, nor any means to escape but by dint of Sword, fought most desperately, sustaining the shock of two Armies; And such a Battle was fought, as China never saw; for, (it is strange to write, yet very true) of the three Armies, none was victorious, but all in a manner destroyed. The Fight and slaughter of 3 Armies. Of the Tartarian Army fifty thousand were found wanting; The Corean Army lost seventy thousand; and few or none escaped of the Chinese Army; For their Quarter being most commodious for the Tartars flight, they there made their most vigorous Charges, and so forced their way towards their own Country. So as none of them all gained the field, or could prosecute the course of a Victory. Yet the King of Corea made a shift to rally so many together again, as to take possession of those his Countries which the Tartarians by their flight had left desolate. But the Tartars after all the losses, ceased not to make frequent inroads into the Country of Leaotung, The Eastern part of Leoatung is under the Tartar. and took all the Oriental part of it. From thence they made incursions into the other part, and carried away great Preys and Booties; But they were always so beaten, and so defeated, as they could never fix a constant habitation. For by this time were arrived seven excellent Gunners from the Portugese quarters, The Portugese send succour. which both by themselves, and by teaching the Chineses, advanced infinitely the King of China his Affairs; especially where that Christian Viceroy, called Sun Ignatius, Commander in chief, of whose affairs we shall say something hereafter In this conjuncture of affairs, the Emperor Zungchinius sent a new Commander called Yvenus into Leaotung, A crafty Commander of the China Army. with a new Army and full power to conclude a Peace with the Tartars, if they would admit it: For the disorders of the times had caused so many needy persons, Thiefs, and Cutthroats, that the Emperor grew more anxious how to suppress this great domestic Enemy, which seemed to aim at the Kingdom's ruin, than he was of the Tartarian Forces. This Yvenus was a crafty and subtle wit, most eloquent both in speaking and writing; who by politic discourses, drawn from the nature of this war, had wrought so much, not only upon the Emperor's mind, but also upon all the Council, that they esteemed what he concluded as a Law to be observed: Wherefore the Chineses put all their confidence in him; nor had they been frustrated of their hopes, had not this wicked man been more wedded to his own interest, and love of Riches, than to the public good, & fidelity to his Prince: For first he received of the Tartars a vast Sum of gold; which wrought so much upon him, as that having invited to a Banquet that most Valorous and Faithful Champion Maovenlungus, Maovenlungus poisoned. whom the Tartars only feared, he there poisoned that great Commander. After this he made a most ignominious and shameful Peace with the Tartars, condescending to all that those that fed him with Riches, could desire; But when the Emperor had perused the Treaty, he presently found his Plenipotentiarian had sold him, and therefore refused to ratify or confirm the Articles. What should Yvenus act in this exigent? That he might force the Emperor to admit them, he perswaded the Tartars, in the year 1630. to enter China by another Country than that which was committed to his charge, promising them for his part, he would no way hinder their progress by his Army. The Tartars knew that his avarice had so potent an Ascendent over him, as that they need to fear no hurt from him; and upon that Confidence admitted of his Counsel. Wherefore being secure from all assaults from any Enemy behind them, they entered the Province of Peking, and besieged the King's Court: The King's Court besieged. Insomuch that his Council persuaded him to leave the Imperial City, and retire to the Southern Provinces; but he protested he would rather die, than quit the Northern quarters; and not only so, but he forbidden any to departed the Court, or Town besieged. In the mean time the Tartars make many fierce affaults, and as often were valiantly beaten back with great loss and Carnage. Yvenus was called to resist the Tartars, for as yet his Traitorous Complots were not discovered. And lest he should discover his Treason, he comes with his Army near the very Walls, which were of so vast an extent, as both the Chinese and Tartar's Army might perfectly be discerned, though betwixt them there was a great Interval. But though Yvenus was under the Emperor's eye, yet he acted little; for his only aim was to return home laden with Riches, he never desisted to persuade the Emperor to admit his conditions of Peace. So that the Emperor finding him evidently to be a Traitor, disclosing his intention to none of his Council nor Governors, sends to invite him to a private Council of war, giving also order that he should be admitted into the City by the Walls, lest if any Gate should be open, the Tartar being so near might press in upon them; but indeed he ordered the business in this manner, lest he should bring his Army into the City with him. Yvenus therefore knowing he had many chief men about the Emperor's person, who were both his favourites and friends, and that none of them gave him the least sign of any distaste the Emperor might conceive against him, he boldly and securely presented himself at Court; and as soon as he appeared, he was presently arrested, and after some few questions, the Emperor commanded him to be killed. The perfidious General killed. The Tartars hearing of his death (before the China Army had a new General assigned) ransack all the Country round about, and after they had made excursions to the next bordering Province of Xantung, The Tartars forage all the Country of Peking and departed. richly laden with all manner of Spoils, they returned to their first residence in Leaotung. And from these times till the year 1636. the event of their Wars was very various; but in general we observe, that the Tartars could never fix a foot in China, The King of Tartary dies; another succeeds. but they were presently beaten out again. In this same year Thienzungus, King of the Tartars died, after whom, succeeded his Son Zungteus, father to him that now governs China, of whom we now must begin to Treat. This Prince before his Reign expressed much judgement in several Occurrences, Zungteus the new King of Tartary, prudent & mild. surpassing all the Kings of Tartary in Humanity, and obliging courtesy: For when he was young, he was sent by his Father into China; where he lived secretly, and learned the China's Manners, Doctrine and Language; and when he came to be Emperor of China, he changed, and far surpassed all the Examples of his Predecessors: For having observed, that their too hard and cruel usage of the Chinese, had been the principal obstacle of their advancement, to the end he might conquer that Empire he so much thirsted after, as well by love as by Arms, he courteously entertained and cherished all those of China which came unto him, Mildeness and Gentleness to be used in Conquering Nations. using all Prisoners with great sweetness, and invited them either to submit freely to his Government, or take their course with full freedom. The fame of his humanity was spread far and near; which induced many Commanders and chief Officers to fly unto him; by whose means and help, he became Emperor of that spacious and flourishing Country. For experience shows us, that Love and Humanity do work more upon men's hearts, in conquering and conserving Kingdoms, than Arms; and cruelty of the Conquerors hath lost that, which strength of Arms had happily subdued. Wherefore when the Chineses came to understand that the King of Tartary did not only afford them a Sanctuary, but a favourable Haven, many great persons flying the Indignation of the King of China, sheltered themselves under the Tartars protection. For in respect of the China's Avarice and perfidiousness, it's a necessary but a most inhuman Maxim, A barbarous Principle of the Chinese. that those Officers perish, who have managed the Kingdom's Affairs with less success. For they easily are brought to believe, that such unhappy events, do not proceed so much from the frown of a scornful Goddess called Fortune, as it doth from the perfidy and negligence of the Commanders. So as if any fought unhappily, or if he lost the Country committed to his charge, if any Sedition or Rebellion happened, the Governors hardly ever escaped alive. Seeing therefore they found so much Humanity in the Tartar, and so much Inhumanity in the Emperor, they rather chose to fly to the former. By this occasion give me leave to relate what happened to that incomparable Commander (renowned both for Fidelity and Fortitude) called Ignatius. Ignatius the chief Commander of the Christians unjustly killed. This Heroic mind preferred his fidelity to his Prince, before his life, before the Tartarian's protection, yea even before the strength of his formidable Army; and chose rather, with his unparallelled Fidelity, to submit his head to a Block by an unjust sentence, than to abandon his Country, or once accuse the least default in his Sovereign's judgement, Ignatius his fidelity. though prevented, by very unjust impressions: He might perchance have swayed the Sovereign Sceptre of China, if he would have harkened to his Soldiers, but he rather chose to die gloriously, than to be branded with the name of a Traitor in posterity. This man therefore after he had gained several Victories against the Tartars, and recovered many Cities from their possession, so as he hoped shortly wholly to extirpate them out of China, His Soldiers being long without pay, seditiously plundered and pillaged a Town which had ever been faithful to the K. Ignatius by several petitions and Remonstrances to the Emperor, had declared his wants of money, and their want of Pay; but because he fed not those venal souls that managed the business with money and presents, they always suppressed his humble addresses for relief. Besides, this man being a very pious Christian, he did nothing in his government, Ignatius his Piety. but what was conform to Reason and Justice; which was the cause he incurred the hatred of all the ancient Prefects; who usually receiving Bribes from the contesting parties, demanded favour of Ignatius for their Clients. But it was in vain to intercede for any, unless the justness of the cause did also balance their Petitions. And these men attributing this proceeding, not to virtue, but to his Pride, thinking themselves undervalved by him, dealt underhand with the Prefects in the Court, to stop the Armies pay, that so they might destroy this innocent man. Moreover, he was envied the Commanders in the very Court, because he came to this eminent dignity by his own valour and industry; which they imagined was only to be given to Doctors, and Ignatius was but a Bachelor; as if the most learned must needs be also the most valorous. In this conjuncture of affairs, the Soldiers not contented with the seditious pillage, seeing the most imminent danger hanging over their most esteemed and beloved Governor, by reason of their folly, they go about to persuade him to make himself King of that Country, nay more, to take the whole Empire to himself, as a thing due to his Prowess and Merits; promising their whole strength to effect the business; and also to extirpate those men about the Emperor, that aimed more to compass their malicious ends, than to promote the general affairs of the Empire: But Ignatius, by pious admonitions, staved them off from further violence, made them obedient and quiet, commanded all to stand faithful to the Emperor of China, and punished the chief of that fedition. This Supreme act of fidelity deserved a better esteem and acceptance, than that which was framed by the Emperor and his Court: who slighting this his allegiance, sent another Viceroy in his place, and commanded him to appear in Court: He than perceived they aimed at his life; and the Soldiers suspected the business; and therefore, mad with anger, they all jointly risen in Arms for him, swearing they would live and die with him, and that he should not present himself at Court. It is our duty (say they) to conserve thy life, which hast been so careful of ours; and we have strength and courage enough to resist all the force of thy perfidious Enemies. But Ignatius was deaf to all these allurements, He chooses rather to die, thatn either to reign, or to serve the Tartars. and studied by all means to sweeten their exulcerated minds; always inculcating to them to the true and loyal to their Sovereign's service: choosing rather to water that ungrateful Soil of his native Country with the streams of his Blood, than either to spill his Enemy's blood by the force and power of his Soldiers, or retire to the Tartarian king, which offered him so fair preferments. But many of his Captains fell off to the Tartars; following, in this, not his example, but that of many others, whom they saw eminently promoted amongst the Tartars. Some of those that then fled from the Emperor, are now chief Commanders under the Tartarian King, in their China Empire; some also have obtained the dignity of Princes, or Riolets in several Countries, for the reward of their Valour and faithful service against China. So efficacious is that wedge which is made of the same wood. But although hitherto these Tartarian Wars had caused great troubles and tempests in the China Empire, yet all things now seemed calmed and pacified, so as they seemed secure from any further danger; for the Western part of Leaotung was strongly fortified, and there was a great Army in the Island of Cuckoe, and the bordering quarters, which hindered the Tartars of the Eastern part of the Country, which they possessed, from further passage. But now the chiefest danger was from the Traitors and Thiefs which were in the very Bowels of the Country, The Thiefs in China, a chief occasion of its overthrow. who finally destroyed it; and gave it up in Prey to the Tartars. I touched something of their Commotions before, now we must treat a little more largely of their proceed, that the Reader may see how the Tartars came to subdue and conquer China. The first Combination of these Rovers appeared in the remote Country of Suchuen, Several Thiefs. who having pillaged divers Cities, and emboldened by prosperous success, ventured to besiege the chief City of that Country called Cingtu, which they had infallibly taken, if that valiant Amazon, whom I mentioned before, had not come to relieve it with her Army; but by her valour they were beaten off with great loss, They are defeated, but not v●●quished. and not being wholly extinguished, they retired into the mountains to recruit their Forces. These were seconded by a like Race of people in the Province of Queicheu, who took occasion of rising by reason of an unjust Sentence passed in a Suit betwixt two Grandees of that Country; and one of these great persons being offended with the Governors. These roving companions, first killed all the Magistrates which had pronounced that unjust Sentence; & then they defeated the ViceRoy his Army; yet afterwards he routed them again with a new Army, but could not extinguish them. Besides these, Famine augments the Thiefs the Famine increasing in the Northern quarters in the Countries of Xensi & Xantung, by reason of a great inundation of Locusts which devoured all, there rise up by this occasion, many lose fel●owes which lived by Rapin. These men at first were few in number, and small in strength, and only preying in little places, they presently fled to the Mountains; but finding they got both Meat and Riches, with little labour and less cost, they quickly got Companions to reinforce them; This Sedition being much augmented by the Emperor Zungchinius his notable avarice, And the Emperor his avarice who so exhausted the people by Imposts and Taxes, as if it had been a year of the golden Age. The Prefects of the Provinces, not being able presently to repress the insolency of those people, they daily increased in courage and strength; Insomuch as in several Countries they had eight very considerable Armies. They chose the strongest and valiantest men amongst them for their Commanders; and these persons being grown rich and potent by preying, deposed now the person of the Ringleader of Thiefs, The Commanders aspire to the Empire. and aspired to no less than to the Empire of China. And at first they fought one against another, every one laying hold one what he could: But at length things were brought to that pass, that two of the Commanders being only left alive, these two prevailed with the soldiers of those that were killed, to follow their Ensigns and Fortune; and they knowing well that if they were taken by the Emperor's Officers, they could not escape a most certain death, easily resolved to shelter themselves under the Arms of these two victorious persons. The names of the chief Felons. The name of one of these chief Brigands was Licungzus, the second was called Changhienchungus, two notorious bold roguish fellows, who lest they should destroy one another's fortunes by their ambitious emulation, they separated themselves far from one another, resolving both to pursue their prosperous fortunes. Licungzus therefore possessed himself of the Northern parts of Xensi and Honan; and the other tyrannised the Countries of Suchuen and Huquang. But that we may not interrupt our discourse, by delivering the Acts of both these together, we will first treat of Licungzus his feats, being it was he was the cause of the Tartars coming to the Empire (which he himself might have possessed, if his proceed had been moderate and human) and of the other we shall speak hereafter. Therefore in the year 1641. these pilferers having got immense riches in the Province Xensi, made an irruption, in a vast body, into that delicious sweet Provincs of Honan, They vex several Provinces. and went straight to the chief City called Caifung, which they besieged. There was in that place a very great and strong Garrison, who by the benefit of artillery mouned upon hand-wheeling Chars, forced them to quit the siege; then they fell upon all the neighbouring Cities, Plundering, spoiling, and burning all they could master. Having hoarded up store of provision of Corn, and augmented their Army by a company of Rascally Vagabonds and loitering fellows, They besiege the noble City Caifung. they returned again to besiege the Metropolitan City; but despairing to take it by Force or assaults, they resolved to ruin it by a long Siege, that they might enjoy the immense Riches of that noble City; and though this Town be three great Leagues in circumference, yet they rounded it so by their lines, as nothing could enter the City; this drove them to some straits, for although the Purveyor for victuals had brought in good store of provision in the two month's space in which they were absent, yet because that Province which used to be most plentiful, was lean in Corn, they could not make sufficient provision for six month's siege, for such an infinite multitude of people as were retired within the Walls; Yet it held out most obstinately for the space of six months, in which time though they were brought to hard shifts, yet hoping always for succour from their Emperor, they would never submit to any conditions. I dare not relate to what an excess this Famine came too, but it seems it surpassed the Famine of Jerusalem; An unheard of Famin. a pound of Rice was worth a pound of Silver, & a pound of any old rotten skin was sold at ten Crowns; dead men's flesh was sold publicly in the Shambles as Hog's flesh, and it was held an act of Piety to expose the dead in the Streets for others to feed on, who shortly were to be food for others; but I will pass over, & conceal yet more horrible things than I have related. This City lies towards the South side of that vast & precipitate River which the Chineses call Hoang, because the Streams always appear of a yellowish saffron colour; & because the River is higher than the plain level downs, of a League's distance from the Town, they built upon the River side, a long & strong Bulwark of great square stones, to prevent all inundations. The Emperor's Army, after long expectation, came to relieve the Town, and advanced as far as these Bulwarks, and having considered the situation of the Country and Enemy's Camp, it was thought the fittest and easiest way to raise the siege without giving battle, to let in the water upon the Enemy's Army, by some breaches made in that long Wall or Bulwark. It was in Autumn when they took this resolution, and the River, by reason of extraordinary rains, was swollen bigger than ever before; and they making the Sluices, or Inlets, too great, and the Breackes too wide, gave way to such an Ocean of water as it overrun the Walls of the Town (which were very stately and high) involving not only many of the Enemies in its ruin and destruction, The City of Caifung is drowned but also 300000.. men, and the City itself perished in those floods of water. So the ancient City, which heretofore had been honoured by the Emperor's Residence, appeared no more a place of pleasure, but a vast Pool or Lake for Monsters of the waters to inhabit; for the houses of the Town were not overrun with water, but also beaten down; and also the Church of the Christians, together with their Priest, who was one of the Society of Jesus; it was well known he might have saved himself, but being there were many Christians perished, he willingly chose to die with those he had gained. The destruction of this City happened the ninth of Oct. 1642. about which time this famous Conductor of Thiefs took the name of King, The General of the Thiefs▪ takes the Title of a King. with an addition of Xunvang, which sounds as much as Prosperous, and so was styled Licungzus the prosperous; and having in a manner taken all the Country of Honan into his Dominion, he returned into the Province of Xensi, He takes the Country of Xensi. and won it wholly to his subjection. When he came to Sigan, which is the Metropolitan of Xensi, he found some resistance from the Garrison, but he took it in three days, and for a reward and encouragement to his Soldiers, he gave it to them to pillage also for three day's space; and then he gathered up all the Corn of the whole Province, as well to keep all the Country in their duty to him, as also to leave no Forage for the Emperor's Army. And now thinking himself secure of the whole Empire, he took the name of Emperor upon him, Calls himself Emperor. and styled the Family wherein he thought to establish this Dignity, Thienxunam, as much as to say, Obedient to Heaven; By which Title he persuaded the Soldiers and the People, that it was by the disposal of the Heavens that he should reign, that he might deliver the people from the Emperor's Avarice, and extirpate those wicked Governors that so much vexed the people, and deliver them from all their perfidious Plots. For he knew well, that this Glorious Title would be very acceptable to them of China, who believe that Kingdoms and Empires come only from Heaven, and are not gained by any Art or Industry of Man; and that his actions might carry a face correspondent to his illustrious Title, he began to use the People with all humility and sweetness, The Thiefs good Government. not permitting any Soldier to wrong or iujure them; only he persecuted all the Officers called Precedents, which he could find, and all those he put to death; and as for those that had been Precedents, because he found them rich, he made them pay great Fines, and let them live; remitting all Taxes in the places he subdued; severely commanding that the Subjects should be treated with all Civility and Courtesy. So as all men applauding and loving so sweet and mild a Government, easily submitted to his Power and Dominion; but where the Governors use Tyranny, there the Subject hath little care of Fidelity. There were in the City two Priests which served the Christians, that were Jesuits, and suffered much in the saccage of the City; but being afterwards known for Strangers, they were used with all humanity. In the mean time a third cause of this Empire's ruin grew up in the Court; The Prefects Discord was another cause of the ruin of China. which was hatched in the Emperor Thienkius his time: For that Emperor exalted an Eunuch called Gueio, to such a height and power, as he gave the absolute Power and sovereign Command into his hands, and passed so far as alway to style him by the name of Father. This extravagant power caused much Envy, Dissension, and the banding one against another amongst the Governors, Precedents, Commanders, and Counselors: and the Eunuch also added much to incense the flame, by his indiscreet usage of the favour he possessed; for if any man had touched him, either in word or writing, or expressed less respect unto him in conversation, or behaviour, or did not flatter the base fellow, he would presently give order to put him to death, though he were a very eminent person; or at least degrade him from all Office or Dignity. By which means he exasperated many, and amongst the rest he offended the Prince Zunchinius, who now, by the death of his Brother without issue, was come to be Emperor of China. This Emperor knew that the Eunuch had moved Heaven and Earth to hinder his coming to the Crown; but seeing he could not effect that, at least he maintained a seditious faction against the great ones; which finally proved the destruction of the Estate; For these men banding in two factions, studied more how to destroy one another, than to advance the public good; yet both parties pretended the general good, but both neglected it; Every party endeavouring to extol and exalt his own Creatures into places of trust and power: All which when Zunchinius the Emperor went about to redress, he exasperated the minds of many of the Commanders against him; for as soon as he came to the Crown he cruelly persecuted all that favoured the Eunuch, and in fine killed this very Eunuch which had been his Predecessors Favourite, together with many more of his kind; of which Tragedy I will only relate the Catastrophe. The Emperor Zungchinius resolving to destroy both the Eunuch and all his power, sent him an order to go visit the Tombs of his Ancestors, to consider if any of those ancient Monuments wanted reparation: the Eunuch could not refuse so honourable an employment, which seemed rather an addition to all his honours; but he had not gone far upon his journey, but there was presented to him (from the Emperor) a Box of silver gilt, with a Halter of Silk folded up in it; by which he understood he was to hang himself by the Emperor's order: which he could not refuse, being that kind of death (amongst the Chinese) is counted honourable, when it is accompanied with such formalities. But by this occasion the Emperor raised new Factions and more Traitors, which held secret correspondence with the Thief's Army. Hence it came to pass, that no Army was sent to oppose them, or if any went they did no manner of action, being always hindered by the emulation of others; nay it happened often, that when they might have taken great advantages, yet the occasion was neglected, lest the Commanders should increase their Power and Credit, by their Victories, with the Emperor. These Dissensions and Emulations happened so seasonably to the Roving Army of Thiefs, as that to come, to see, and conquer, was to them one and the selfsame thing, as I shall declare unto you. Whilst these transactions passed in the Court, The Thiefs take the Province of Xensi. Licungzus Conductor of the Thiefs, having settled all things in the Country of Xensi, passed to the East; and coming to the famous great River of Croceus, finding on body to defend it, he passed over with as much facility, as it might have been maintained with ease, if there had been placed but a handful of Soldiers. For this River runs with a violent rapid course, and with as vast a Sea of waters from West to East; but being there was no man to defend it, they passing it easily, presently seized upon the chief and richest City in all those quarters, called Kaiangcheu, which is situated near the South bankside of that River, and being carried on with a strong gale of Fortune, he seized upon all other Cities, every one desiring either to free themselves from further vexation, or blindly and fond submitting themselves to any new change of Government. For we commonly delight in varieties and novelties, and hoping for better, we find worse. Only the City of Thaiyven made some resistance, but being presently subdued, was fined with great vast sums of money for their temerity. The Emperor Zungchinius hearing the Thiefs had passed the River Croceus, and were advanced to the very Confines of Xensi (which borders upon the Province where he had placed his Throne & Royal Seat) he sent an Army under the Lord Marshal of China, to hold them at least in play, if he could not overthrow them; But this Army did just nothing, nay most of the Soldiers ran to the Thieving party, in so much as the Lord Marshal himself, called Colaus Lius, seeing Affairs grew so desperate, Hanged himself for fear of further shame and dishonour. The Emperor of China is troubled. The Emperor hearing of the ill success of his Affairs, began to think of leaving the Northern parts, where his Royal City of Peking is situated, and to pass to Nankuing which is far more Southward; but he was dissuaded from this intended course as well by his loyal, as disloyal Subjects: by these, that they might give him up more speedily into the enemy's hands, before their treachery was discovered; and by the others, lest his flight might trouble the Kingdom more, and discourage all his Subjects from giving their best assistance; for they thought the City impregnable, being fortified with so strong a Garrison; nor did they doubt that the King's presence would draw the forces of the whole Kingdom to him. And their Counsel had been good, if the Court had been purged of Traitors. The Stratagem of the Thief. In the mean time the Thief's Conductor, who was no less quick and nimble in execution, than witty in invention, sowing a Fox his tail to the Lion's skin, caused many of his Soldiers in a disguised habit to creep into that Princely City, and gave them money to trade in trifling ware, till he assaulted the Walls with the body of his Army, for than they had order to raise sedition, and tumult in the City; and considering they were a Company of desperate Felons, & of a very low & base fortune, it is stupendious to think how they could keep so profound secrecy in a matter of so high concernment: But to this mine, which was prepared in the bowels of the City, he held a secret train of Intelligence, with the Lieutenant of the City, who seeing the Emperor's Affairs desperate, is said to have dealt with the Conductor of these Brigants about giving up the City unto their power; But, however it was, these Pilferers came in a short time to besiege the Royal City of Peking. There was in that City a vast Garrison, and as great a quantity of Artillery; but on the Quarters upon which the enemy made there assault, there was none charged with Bullets, but only with Powder. Wherefore being secure from any annoy from that side, The Royal City of Peking is taken. in the year MDCXLIV. before the rising of the Sun, they entered the Metropolitan City of all China by one of the Gates which was opened to them; nor was there any long resistance made, even by those that were faithful to their Prince; for the Soldiers of the Thief, which lay lurking in the City, made such a tumult and confusion, as none knew whom to oppose, in which respect they made a great slaughter, so as Licungzus in this Babylonian confusion, marched victorious through the City, till he came to the very Emperor's Palace, where though he found some resistance from the faithfullest Eunuches, yet notwithstanding he presently entered that famous and renowned Palace; And that which exceeds all admiration, the enemy had passed the first Wall, and Precinct, and yet the Emperor being alive, knew nothing of so strange a passage; for the Traitorous Eunuches, which were of most Authority, fearing he might escape by flight, deferred to admonish him of his own danger, or of the taking of the City, till they saw he could not possibly evade: Who hearing this doleful news, he first demanded if he could get away by any means; but when he heard that all passages were be set, he is said to have left a Letter writ with his own Blood, in which he bitterly expressed to all posterity, The Emperor having killed his Daughter hanged himself. the infidelity and perfidiousness of his Commanders, and the innocency of his poor Subjects; conjuring Licungzus, that seeing the Heavens had cast the Sceptre into his hands, he would, for his sake, take revenge of such perfidious Creatures. After this reflecting he had a Daughter Marriageable, who falling into the villains hands might receive some affronts, he called for a Sword, and beheaded her with his own hands in the place; then going down into an Orchard, making a Rope of his Garter, he hung himself upon a Prune tree. Thus that unfortunate Emperor put a period, as well to that Empire, which had flourished so long with much splendour, riches, and pleasure, as to his Illustrious Family of Taimingus, by finishing his life upon so contemptible a Tree, and in such an infamous manner: To all which circumstances, I add one more, that as the Empire was erected by a Thief, so it was extinguished by another; for although, others were chosen to succeed him, as we shall relate hereafter, yet because they held a small parcel of the Empire, they are not numbered amongst the Emperors. His example was followed by the Queen, and by the Lord Martial, who is called in their language Colaus, together with other faithful Eunuches; So as those pleasant Trees which served heretofore for their Sports and pleasures, now became the horrid and surest Instruments of their death. And this cruel butchering of themselves passed not only in the Court, but also in the City, where many made themselves away either by hanging, or drowning by leaping into Lakes; For it is held by this Nation to be the highest point of fidelity to die with their Prince, rather than to live and be subject to another. Whilst these things were acting, Licungzus enters the Palace victorious, and ascending up to the Chair of State, sat himself down in that Imperial Throne; but it is recorded, that in executing this first Act of Royalty, he sat so restlessly and unquietly, yea so totteringly, as if even then that Royal Chair would foretell the short durance of his felicity. The Thiefs Tyranny and cruelty. The next day after, he commanded the body of the dead Emperor to be cut into small pieces, accusing him of oppression and cruelty against his Subjects; As if he, being a villainous Traitor, and a Thief, after the saccaging and burning so many Provinces, and shedding such an Ocean of blood, had been of a better disposition. So we often condemn others, when we do worse ourselves, and remark, yea, augment, the least faults of others, when we either take no notice, or diminish our own. This Emperor Zungchinius was Father of three Sons, of which the eldest could never be found, though all imaginable means was used for his discovery; some think he found means to fly away; others think he perished by leaping with others into the Lake; the two others being yet little Children, were by the Tyrants command beheaded three days after; his barbarous humour not sparing even innocent blood: Which disposition he made shortly appear, when casting of that veil of Piety and Humanity, with which he had for some time charmed the people, he commanded all the Principal Magistrates to be apprehended, of which he murdered many with cruel torments, others he fined deeply, and reserved the Imperial Palace for his own abode. He filled that most noble and rich City with ransacking Soldiers, and gave it up to their prey and plunder; where they committed such execrable things, as are both too long, and not fit to be related. But by this his horrid cruelty, and Tyranny, he lost that Empire which he might have preserved by courtesy and humanity. Amongst the other imprisoned Magistrates, there was one a venerable person called Us, whose Son Usangueius governed the whole Army of China, in the Confines of Leaotung, against the Tartars. The Tyrant Licungzus threatened this old man with a most cruel death, if by his paternal power over his Son, he did not reduce him with his whole Army, to subjection and obedience to his power, promising also great Rewards and Honours to them both, if by his fatherly power (which they hold sacred) he did prevail for his submission. Wherefore the poor old man writ to his Son this ensuing Letter. It is well known that the Heavens, Earth, and Fate can cause these strange vicissitudes of Fortune which we behold; know my Son, that the Emperor Zunchinius and the whole family of Taimingus are perished. The Heavens have cast it upon Licungzus; we must observe the times, and by making a virtue of necessity, avoid his Tyranny, and experience his liberality; he promiseth to thee a Royal dignity if with thy Army thou submit to his Dominion, and acknowledge him as Emperor: my life depends upon thy answer; consider what thou owest to him that gave thy life. To this Letter his Son Usangueius returned this short answer. He that is not faithful to his Sovereign, will never be faithful to me: and if you forget your duty and fidelity to our Emperor, no man will blame me if I forget my duty and obedience to such a father. I will rather die than serve a Thief. And presently after the dispatch of this Letter, he sent an Ambassador to the King of Tartary, The Tartars called into China against the Thiefs. desiring his help and force to subdue this Usurper of the Empire; and knowing that the Tartars abound in men, but want women, he promised to send him some store; and presented him with several curious Silks, and sent him great store of Silver and Gold. The Tartarian King neglected not this good occasion, but presently marched with fourscore thousand men, which were in Garrison in Leaotung, to meet General Usangueius, to whom he expressed himself in these words. To the end to make our Victory undoubted, I counsel you to cause all your Army to be clad like Tartars, for so the Thief will think us all Tartars, seeing I cannot call greater Forces out of my Kingdom so soon as is required. Usangueius, thirsting nothing but revenge, admitted all conditions, little thinking (as the Chineses say) that he brought in Tigers to drive out Dogs. Licungzus hearing the march of the Tartars together with Usangueius, The Thiefs fly from the Tartars. knowing himself not able to resist, quitted the Court and Palace as easily as he had taken it: but he carried with him all the rich spoils of the Court, and marched away into the Province of Xensi, where he established his Court in the noble City of Singan, which heretofore had been the seat of the Emperors. It is accounted that for eight days space by the four Palace Gates, there was nothing seen but a continual succession of Coaches, They carry away the Treasures of the Palace. Horses, Camels, and Porters carrying away the preciousest treasures, though they left also much, because the enemy approached. Thus the immense Riches of Gold and Silver, which the Emperors of the Tamingean Family had at leisure hoarded up, in the space of two hundred and fourscore years, were in a moment dispersed. But although they fled very speedily, yet they could not avoid the swift Tartarian Horses, for overtaking their Luggage, and the Rear of the Army, they Pillaged and vexed them for eight days; but yet they either could not, or would not pass the River Croceus, that so they might speedily return to amuse the trembling hearts of the Territory of Peking. The Tartars return therefore victorious and rich into the City Peking, and there being admitted by the Chinese, they gave them the Empire. Where it is to be observed, that although Zungteus, the Tartarian King, Zungteus' King of the Tartars dies. dying at the first entrance into China, did not obtain that noble Empire he so much thirsted after; yet he gave those Instructions, of the manner of conquering it, to his Council, that they never desisted till they obtained it. This Prince dying, declared his Son of six years old, his Successor; commanding all his own Brethren to manage the Child's Affairs with all fidelity and circumspection, making his eldest brother his Tutor; and all those brethren, being Uncles to the Child, by a stupendious Union, and never to be paralleled in any ambitious Nation, exalted this Infant to the possession of the Empire. These things being thus passed, Usangueius, The Tartars refuse to departed China. seeing the Thief expelled, began to think of creating a new Emperor, one of the Taimingas Family, who was a Prince not far distant: But being mindful of his promises made to the Tartars he offers them their rewards; he highly extols their Fortitude and Fidelity in the Kingdom's quarrel; and finally, desires them now to departed the Country quietly, and to entertain a strict alliance and friendship with them, seeing they had abundantly revenged all former injuries. To this demand the Tartars returned a long premeditated answer, but far contrary to what Usangueius expected, which they delivered in these terms. We do not think it yet a fit time to leave you & this Empire, unless having heard our Reasons, you should still persist in your demand; for we consider, that many of the Thiefs are still extant, and seem rather dispersed than extinguished; and we hear that their great Conductor Licungzus, hath fixed his Imperial Seat in Sigan, the Metropolitan of the Province of Xensi; by which means he still possesseth the richest and most populous Provinces, which are still under his Dominion. If we depart, worse is to be feared will follow; He feared us Tartars, when he hears we are gone, having now time to recruit his Forces, he will doubtless make new Invasions, and perchance we shall not be able to send new Succours: We therefore resolve to prosecute the Victory, and quite extinguish those Vagabonds, that so you may deliver the Empire to your designed King, in full peace and tranquillity. Be not solicitous of paying our promised Rewards, for they are as safe in yours as in our own hands. Their Craft and Deceit. That which we now desire to execute, is, that which presseth most, and seems to us to require no delay, that you, with part of your Army and part of ours, march speedily against Licungzus, and we with the rest, take our march towards the Province of Xantung, to extirpate those Thiefs that have settled there; By this means the peace of the Kingdom will be firmly established. Usanguieus either did not understand the Stratagem, or if he did, he condescended not to irritate an Army in the Bowels of the Kingdom. Before the Tartars (which were called) entered China, they sent into their own and other Kingdoms to raise as many men as possibly they could, to the end they might conquer the Empire after they had acquitted themselves of their promised assistance against the Thiefs. But these Succours, not being arrived to reinforce them, therefore they thought it best to use no force, but gain time by fair words and new projects. A great company of Tartars enter China. But whilst this business was contriving, there came an immense company of Tartars into the Empire; not only from the Kingdoms of Niuche, and Niulham, but also from the old Occidental Tartary, and from a Country called Yupi, which is more Oriental, and lies above the elevation of Japony. This people is called Yupi by reason they make their Coats of defence, or Breast plates, of fish's skin, which grow in a manner impregnable. Nay which is more, I saw very many who were come as far as the River Volga; which people these Tartars call Alga-Tartars, and I find they have a Notion of Muscovy, and Polony, but they are far more barbarous than the Oriental Tartars be; with these auxiliary Forces, came in the infant King of six years old, Son to the late deceased King of Tartary, and when these were joined with the body of the Army, The Tartars seize upon the Empire of China. than they publicly proclaimed their right to the Empire, and openly declared their concealed intentions; and proclaimed this child of six years old, Emperor of China, by the name of Xunchi, Xunchi is crowned the first Emperor of the Tartars. and the new erected Imperial Family they styled by the name of Taicing. The Child of six years old took possession of the ancient Throne of his Forefathers, with a great gravity and Majesty, from whence he delivered this judicious Speech to the Commanders and to his Army. It is your strength and power more than my felicity (my dear and generous Uncles, & you the rest of my noble Commanders) which supports my weakness, and makes me so undantedly ascend and possess this Imperial Throne. This my Constancy, and this Chairs stability, I hope, is as happy a sign of my future prosperity, as its tottering proved unfortunate to the Thief Licungzus his Tyranny. You see my first step to the Empire; but I know your valour to be such, that I look not only upon the Kingdom of China as my own, but conceive the Empire of the World not only by me possessed, but also established. The rewards due to such incomparable Vetues, shall be no other than the riches of the Empire, and Royal dignities; proceed therefore valiantly and stoutly. The whole Court was astonished to hear a Child of six years old speak so much sense, and hence they concluded that fate or Heaven had elected him for King; But yet, the young Prince did assume his eldest Uncle, as his Tutor and Father, the same day he was admitted to the Empire: and therefore the Tartars in their language, called him Amahan, as much as to say, the Father King; which very thing, the China's express by the word Amavang. The fidelity of the King's Tutor called Amavangus. To this man therefore he remitted all the Conduct of his Wars, and to him it is, the Tartars own all their greatness and Dominion: for as he excelled in Counsel and prudence, so also he was as eminent in fortitude and fidelity; and withal by the strength and force of his reasons and Counsels did ravish the wisest men amongst the Chinese, and his Justice and humanity did wholly enthrall and enchant the popularity. To all which I add those fugitive Magistrates, who, as I related heretofore, had fled too the Tartars to avoid the Emperor's indignation, did not a little promote their cause; for these men, sometimes by word and example, did seduce the hearts of the Subjects, and sometimes suggested dangerous, but political Counsels to the Tartars, against their own Country; but by both these means advanced themselves to high and eminent dignities amongst the Tartars. The same day some Bands of Soldiers were dispatched, with order to proclaim Usangueius a Tributary King to this new installed Emperor, which they performed with great magnificence, adding to his name (as usually they do) the Surname of Pingsi, which sounds as much as Pacifier of the Western world: in which quarters they established his Kingdom in the Capital City in the Province of Xensi. This Prince considering that he could expect no more honourable Dignity from the lawful Successor to the Empire of China, and that the Tartars were come into the Empire, in so vast a number, that he could never hope to Conquer them, found means to dispense with his hitherto uncorrupted fidelity, admitting the dignity, and submitting to the Emperor; and so he that had hither to waged War for China against the Thiefs, Usangueius forced to serve the Tartars. now was forced to march against China to subdue its Provinces to the Tartarian Empire. And as he was a Great Commander, so also by the help of the Tartars he quickly drove out the Thiefs from his little Kingdom of Xensi, where to this day he reigneth in the Metropolitan City of Sigan. But by these honours the Tartars removed him from the practice of Arms, who remaining Armed, might have proved a dangerous enemy. It was hitherto never known what became of Licunzus, It is not known what beam of Licungzus. some think he was killed by Usangueius in the fight, though he never appeared more, neither dead; nor alive, after this fight, in which all his forces were dissipated, or cut off. And with the same facility the Tartars subdued the Provinces of Peking and Xantung, where they immensly augmented their Armies, by the access of the China's Soldiers and Commanders which submitted to them; for the Tartarians admitted all, even the Conquered, to their Army if they did cut their Hair, and wear their habits, after the Tartarian fashion: for in this Puntillio of Habit and Hair they were so rigorous, as they proclaimed it high Treason in all that did forbear it. Which Law, did many times endanger them, and disturb the whole frame of their Affairs: For the Chineses both grieved, and fought more valiantly for their Hair and Habit, than for their Kingdom and Emperor; So as many times they chose rather to die, or lose there heads, than obey the Tartars in these Ceremonies; of which I could relate many examples, unless in this relation I had resolved to be brief. But all these little rubs, did not hinder, but that in less than the space of a year, The Tartars subdue several Provinces. (not counting Leaotung) they had conquered Peking, Xansi, Xensi, and Xantung, which are the four vast Northern Provinces of China. In all which they changed nothing in their Political manner of Government; nay, they permitted the usual custom of the Philosophers of China to govern the Towns and Provinces; they left also the same Examen as were used for the approving of learned men; for by this prudent Counsel they wrought this effect, that having given the places of honour and trust to men of their own Creation, They changed no Laws of the Nation. they found they surpassed the very Tartars in fidelity to them; yet they kept the Militia in their own hands, and the ordering thereof, & yet they sticked not to admit even to these Offices, such of the Country as were faithful to them; so as in the Royal City they retained still the same Orders and degrees of Prefects, together with the six high Tribunals, as they were established in the former Emperor's time: but so, as they were now compounded of Chineses and Tartars. In the mean time the news of the Emperor's danger came to the Southern parts of China, and the Prefects of every City gathering together very great forces marched towards the City of Peking; but in their march they received the sad news of the Emperor's death, and the taking of Peking, they therefore speedily called back their Forces, and also all their Ships, which yearly used to carry Provisions to the Emperor's Courts; a little after this, they received the news how the Tartar was invested in the Kingdom and proclaimed Emperor. I was then myself in the great City Nanquin, Hungquangus Crowned Emperor in Hanquin. where I beheld a strange consternation in the confusion in all things; till at length having recollected themselves, the Prefects resolved to choose an Emperor of the Family of the tamings whom they called Hungquangus. This man came flying from the Thiefs of the Province of Honan, and being he was Nephew to that famous Emperor Vanley, and Cousin to Zungchinius the last deceased Emperor, they Crowned him with great pomp and ostentation, hoping for better fortune under his Government. As soon as this Prince was chosen he sent an Embassage to the Tartars, begging Peace, rather than demanding it; for he offered them all the Northern Provinces which they had taken, if they would join in amity with him. But the Tartars well understood the Policy of these Prefects and Counselors; which was only to amuse them with a Peace, whilst they could resume their strength and force; The Tartars admit no Peac●. And therefore the returned answer, that they would not receive as a gift, that which they had conquered by force of Arms; but seeing they had chosen a new Emperor, they might do well to defend him; but as for them, they were resolved to have all or nothing. Xunchinias his Son appears at Nankuing. This Legacy coming to nothing, whilst both parties prepare to take the Field, appears at Nankuing a young man, who gave himself out to be the eldest Son to the late deceased Emperor Zunchinius; and he gave no small evidences of this truth and Claim; nay, he was acknowledged by many of the Eunuches. But the new elected Emperor Hunquangus, being strongly touched by the ambition of reigning, would never acknowledge him, nor admit him; but commanded him to be imprisoned, and killed as an Impostor, though many of the Prefects enraged to hear of this order, hindered the execution of the sentence. He causes troubles in China. But by this accident, things grew into a sedition, and the dispute was so high, that it gave occasion to the Tartars to take to the Province and City of Nankuing; some of the Prefects winking at it, if not enticing them underhand to this exploit. The Tartars, vigilant to lay hold of all advantages, hearing of these emulations and divisions, presently march out into the Territory of the City of Hoaigan, and coming to the East side of the River Croceus, they pass over speedily by the help of their Boats; on the other side of this River stood the Army of China, which was so numerous, as if they had but cast off their very shoes; they had erected such a Rampart against the Tartars, as all the Horse would hardly have surmounted it. But it is the resolution and valour in War, carries the Trophies, not the number of men: for hardly had the Tartars set foot in their Boats, but the Chineses ran all away, as Sheep use to do when they see the Wolf, The flight of the Cheneses. leaving the whole shore unfenced to their landing. The Tartars having passed the River, finding no enemy to resist, enter the most noble City of Nankuing, and in a trice make themselves Master of all the North part of the Country, which lies upon the great River of Kiang, which is so vast, as it is worthily called the Son of the Sea; where it deserves particularly to be noted as a rare thing in the Warfare of the Tartars, that before they enter into any Country, they choose and name both the Governors, and Companies, with all the Officers necessary for all the Cities and places which they aim to take; so as in a moment they run like a lightning, and no sooner they possess it but it is fortified, armed, and defended. There was one City in these Quarters which made a generous resistance to all their reiterated assaults, called Yangcheu, The City Yangcheu resisting the Tartar is taken and burnt. where the Tartars lost the Son of a little Royalet. This City was defended by that faithful Imperial Champion called Zwis Colaus, but though he had a mighty Garrison, yet he was at length forced to yield, and the whole City was sacked, and both Citizen and Soldier put to the Sword; and lest the multitude of the dead Carcases, should corrupt the Air, and engender the Plague, they laid them all upon the tops of the Horses, and setting fire both to the City and Suburbs brought all to ashes, and to a total desolation. By this progress the Forces of the Tartars much entreased, The Tartars take several places. for the Governors of many places, and several Regiments came to submit to his Dominion. To all which he commonly continued the same Commands and Offices they were established in before, and advanced many of them to higher dignity; and so by this humanity with which he treated all that came flying to him, and by the cruelty he used to those that resolved to make resistance to the Force of his Arms, he gained this, that most men resolved to partake of his sweet treaty, rather than of his cruelty; so he easily conquered all that which lies on the North side of that River, which I named before the Son of the Sea. This River being a Germane League in breadth, and rising from the West of China, holds its course to the East, and divides the Kingdom into Northern and Southern Quarters; it also divides the Country of Nankuing in the very middle; though Nankuing the Metropolitan and Royal City be placed in the Southern part. To Master this great City, they were to pass this River. They gathered therefore together many Ships, to Conquer this new Imperial seat, and also the new settled Emperor. The Fleet of China commanded by the most generous and faithful Admiral called Hoangchoangus, lay towards the other side of this River. Here the Admiral fought so gallantly and resolutely that he skowred all China, and made it appear to the world that the Tartars were not invincible; Till at length one of his own Commanders called Thienus born in the City of Leaotung, being corrupted by the Tartars, shot him with an Arrow to death: which Arrow fixed the unconstant wheel of Chinas' fortune, and lost the whole Empire. But the Traitor, not contented with this perfidious Act, began himself to run away, and by his example draw all the rest to imitate this Ignominious Action. His impudence passed yet to a higher strain, for coming to the Imperial City, and finding the Emperor preparing to retire, he joined himself with him, as a faithful friend participating of his adversity; till he heard the Tartars (who passing the River followed the King's flight with all imaginable diligence) were come near him, The Emperor Hunquangus is taken and killed. and then he took the Emperor Prisoner, and delivered him to the Tartarian army in the year MDCXLIV. This unfortunate Prince being thus betrayed before he had reigned full one year, was sent to Peuking, and there upon the Town Walls was hanged publicly in a Bow string, which kind of death the Tartars esteem most noble. The pretended Son to the Emperor Zunchinius, whether he were true or false, run the same course of fortune, when they had discovered him still alive Prison: for they did not only put to death all those which belonged to the Imperial Family of the Taiminge by Consanguinity, but after a diligent search extirpated all they could find, which belonged to them even by Affinity; for it is a custom in Asia, if any one Conquer a Kingdom, to root out all belong to the Royal Family. After this they divided their Army into two parts; the one they sent to Conquer the Mediterranean Provinces of Kiansi, Huquang, and Quangtung, which are all of a marvellous extent; the other like a swift Torrent overrun all, The Tartars run to the City Hangcheu. till they came to the very Walls of the renowned and vast City of Hangcheu, which is the head City of the Province of Chekiang. Into this City the principal fugitives of the Army of China were retired; and those not only of the common Soldier but many great Commanders, and Prefects, where they resolved to choose a new Emperor called Lovangus, of the ancient Family of Taimingus. But this Prince would never assume the Title of Emperor, but contented himself with the Title of King; thinking his fall would be less, and his death not so bitter, as if he fell from the Throne of an Emperor: but yet to the end to animate them to fight with more vigour than they had done heretofore, he promised them to take that title when they had regained one Imperial City. He had not reigned three days (a shorter space than their personated Kings use many times to reign in their Tragedies) but the Tartars arrive; Which the fugitive Soldiers seeing, and thinking by this pinch of necessity to force their pay from the King and City, refused to fight before they had received their salary: It was on this occasion that King Lovangus his heart, not able to bear such a desolation of the City, of his people and Subjects, as he foresaw, King Loving as love to his Subjects. gave such an example of his Humanity and Piety, as Europe never saw; for he mounted upon the City Walls, and calling upon his Knees to the Tartarian Captains, he begged the life of his Subjects. Spare not me (quoth he) I will willingly be my Subject's victim, and having denounced this unto them, he presently went out to the Tartars Army, where he was taken. This Illustrious testimony of his love to his Subjects had not wanted a reward to Crown so Heroic an Action, if it met with a generous Soul like that of Alexander or of Caesar. When they had the King Prisoner they commanded the Citizens to shut the Gates, and keep the Walls lest either their own, or the King's Soldiers should enter the City, and presently they fell upon the King's men, whom they butchered in a most cruel man, but yet the water destroyed more than there Swords or Arrows; for many cast themselves headlong into the great River of Cianthang, which is a Liege brood and runs near the City, others leaping and overcharging the Boats in the River were presently sunk, Many of the King's Soldiers drowned. oothers flying away, full of fear and confusion, thrust one another at the River side into that unmerciful Element, and by all these many thousands perished. The Tartars wanting boats to pass this River, having thus expelled or killed the Soldiery, they returned Triumphant to the City, Hangcheu is taken. where they used neither force, nor violence; by which means this noble City was conserved, whose beauty, greatness, and riches, I hope to describe elsewhere, not by hear-say, but by what I saw the three years' space I lived in it, and what I found when lately I came from it, into Europe. This City of Hangcheu hath an Artificial Channel or Dick to pass by water to the Northern parts of China; This Channel is only separated by the high part of the way like a Cause way from the River, which as I said, runs on the South part of the City. The Tartars therefore drew many Boats out of this Channel over the Causeway into the River Cienthang, and with the help of these Boats they pass the River without resistance, and found the fairest City in all China called Xaoking prone enough to submit to their victorious Arms. This City in bigness yields to many others, but in cleanness and comeliness it surpasses all: it is so environed with sweet waters as a man may contemplate its beauty by rounding it in a Boat; it hath large and fair Streets paved on both sides with white square stones, and in the middle of them all runs a Navigable Channel, whose sides are garnished with the like ornament, and of the same stone there are also built many fair Bridges and Triumphant Arches, the Houses also, which I observe not where else in China) are built of the same square stone; so as in a word I saw nothing neater in all China. They took this Town without any resistance, and so they might have done all the rest of the Southern Towns of this Province of Chekiang. But when they commanded all by Proclamation to cut off their Hair, than both Soldier and Citizen took up Arms, and fought more desperately for their Hair of their Heads, The Chineses defend their Hair. than they did for King or Kingdom, and beat the Tartars not only out of their City, but repulsed them to the River Cienthang: nay forced them to pass the River, killing very many of them. In truth, had they passed the River, they might have recovered the Metropolis with the other Towns: But they pursued their victory no further, being sufficiently contented that they had preserved their Hair, resisting them only on the South side of the shore, and there fortifying themselves. By this means the conquering Arms of the Tartars were repressed for a whole year. But the Chinois that they might have a Head, chose Lu. Regulus of the Taimingian Family for their Emperor, who would not accept thereof, but would be only styled the restorer of the Empire. In the mean time the Tartars had sent for new forces out of Peking: with which they left ne'er a Stone unturned, that they might get over the River Cienthang: but all was in vain. The drooping Affairs, therefore of the Chinois had a breathing: nay having gathered together more Forces, they promised hemselves greater victories. But a desire and emulation of ruling frustrated all their hopes. For the Commanders, and Precedents which fled the Province of Chekian into the Country of Fokien, carried with them one of Taimingas Family called Thangus, and this man they chose King in the Country of Fokien, which confines with Chekiang. This Prince pretended that the K. called Lu. should yield up his right to him, both because he had but a few Cities under him, and also, because he was further removed from the Imperial race, than he was. But King Lu. pretended he was Proclaimed by the Army, before him, and wanted not to set forth his victories over the Tartars. By which two contentions, the Tartars came to the Crown; for these two Royalets, would never yield to one another, nor so unite their Armies as jointly to repress the Tartars. Since therefore this petty King Lu. had only eight Cities under his command, whose Contributions were not able to maintain the necessary pay of his Army, he never durst venture to pass over the River, but endeavoured only to defend himself. But the Tartars sought all means possibly to get over this River, yet they durst not venture to pass in Boats, because King Lu. had many Ships and good store of Artillery which he had caused to come from Sea. But the Tartars felicity, and prosperous fortune, overcame this difficulty: for as it happened that year being drier than ordinary, this River towards the South, where it runs betwixt high Mountains, which break the ebbing and flowing of the Sea, had lost much water and of depth, and here the Tartars Horse found it passable; and because the rudeness of those Mountains, The Tartars pass the River, and recover the City Xaoking. seemed a sufficient Guard to the Country, they found no Soldiers to resist; but as soon as the Clowns espied twenty of their Horse to have passed the River, they presently advertised the Army, and they all betook themselves to flight. King Lu. himself left the City Xaoking, and not daring to trust himself to the Continent, he took Ship and sailed to the Island called Cheuxan, which lies opposite to the City of Nimpus; where he remains to this day safe, and keeps still his Regal dignity; which Island being heretofore only a retreat for Fishermen, and some Clowns, now is become a potent Kingdom; by reason that many fly from China to this King Lu., as to there sanctuary to conserve the liberty of their Hair. The Island of Cheuxan becomes a Kingdom. In this Island they are now found threescore and ten Cities, with a strong and formidable Army, which hitherto hath contemned all the Tartarian Power and Forces, and watch for some happy occasion to advance again their Kingdom in China. But by this means, the Tartars took all the Cities and Towns of the County of Chekiang into their Dominion. One only City of Kinhoa, whose Precedent was aswel a Native of the place, as also the Commander in Chief, and my very singular friend, sustained the Tartars assaults for some months. But to the end the resistance of this City should not be a hindrance to the course of their victories, the Tartars divided their Army into three parts. The first part marched towards Kiucheu by the Mountains, the second went by the City Vencheu, and the Sea shore, The City of Kinhoa is taken and destroyed. into the Province of Fokien; and the third obstinately besieged the City of Kinhoa. In this Siege the Tartars by reason of great Guns which continually played upon them, and by the wise Conduct and courage of their noble Commander, suffered many and great losses; insomuch as he forced them to pitch their Camp further from the City; But at length they also brought Artillery from the chief City, by which they made so many breaches in the Walls as being in a manner dismantled, they found entrance; and burned and sacked it with, all imaginable Hostility. The Governor blew up himself and all his Family with a Barrel of Gunpowder in his own Palace, lest he, or his, should fall into the Enemy's hands. The Province of Fokien is environed with the bordering Countries of Quamgtung, Kiansi, and Chekiang; from all which it is separated by a continual Chain of Mountains which are even in breadth of three days journey to pass over; and withal, so full of ragged and ruggy Cliffs, and obscure Vallies, as they make the very Paths horrid, dark and obscure at Noon day. The Tartars take in Fok en very easily. Insomuch, as without any exaggeration they may well be paralleled either to the Grecian Straits of Thermopolis, or to the Asian ruggy and straight passage of Taurus. These places might have been easily defended if they had but placed a few Clowns, to repel the Enemy or overthawrted the ways by any encumbrances; but the very imagination of a Tartar was grown so terrible to them, as they fled at the very sight of their Horses; leaving therefore these Mountains wholly ungarnished the Tartars found a passage, but so very painful, and full of difficulties, as they were forced to leave much of their Baggage behind them; and lost many of their Horses, in those fearful precipices; but by this means they took the Province of Fokien with as much ease, as it might have been defended, for they hardly spent as much time in taking it as a man would do to walk the extent of it. The King himself whom I named Lunguus (as signifying a Warlike Dragon) shown himself a fearful Sheep, flying away, with a good Army of men, if that word of good, can be applied to a numerous multitude that had no hearts; King Lunguus slain. but his flight served him for nothing; for the Tartars following him with their swift and nimble Horses, shot all this heard of silly Sheep to death with Arrows. It is thought the King himself was involved in this Massacre, for he never appeared, nor was heard of afterwards. Now because the whole Province submitted itself voluntarily unto him without any resistance, it did not only suffer little from the Tartars, but he may choose and select Soldiers out of it; and having thus again recruited his Army, he made another irruption into the Country of Quamgtung; and its worth remarking, that the other Tartarian Commander who when the Army was divided as I related before, had order to subdue the Mediterranean Countries; The Provinces of Quantung is taken. this man with some felicity and expedition passing victorious through the Provinces of Huquang and Kiangsi, entered also on one side of this Country of Quamgtung, whilst the other came in by Fokien, and because the Town of Nankiung resolved to fight it out, they consumed it all, by fire and sword. So the poor Country of Quamtung oppressed by a double victorious Army, was quickly overrun and subdued. After the Glorious Trophies, one of these victorious Armies enriched with all the rarites of China, was called back to Peking, but yet they left a Garrison in every City, assigning in the name of the King of Tartars both Civil and Martial Officers, for the Country's Government. The happy success in taking the impregnable Province of Fokien, is attributed by wise men, (to whose judgement I also submit) to a more remote and hidden cause which I will briefly relate. There was at this time a famous and renowned Pirate called Chinchilungus; this man was born in the Province of Fokien, of which we are treating; he first served the Portugese in Macao; then he served the Hollander in the Island called Formosa, A famous Pirate in China. where he was known to all strangers by the name of Iquon. After this he became a Pirate, but being of quick and nimble wit, he grew from this small and slender fortune, to such a height and power, as he was held either Superior or equal to the Emperor of China; for he had the Trade of India in his hand; and he dealt with the Portugise in Macao; with the Spaniards in the Phillippins, with the Hollanders in the Island Formosa, and new Holland; with the Japonians, and with all the Kings and Princes of the Eastern parts in all manner of rich commodities. He permitted none to transport the Wares of China but himself or his, to whom he brought back the riches and the Silver of Europe and Indies; for after he once rather extorted than obtained pardon of the King of China for his Piracies, he became so formidable, as that he had no less than three thousand Ships of which he was Lord and Master. Nor was he contented with this fortune, but aspired privately to no less than to the Empire; But because he knew he never should be accepted of the prefects & people, as long as there was any of the Imperial Family of the tamings alive, he hoped by the Tartars means to extinguish them wholly, and after this was done, than he resolved to display his Banners and Ensigns in so pious a cause, as the driving out the common Enemy from the bowels of the Kingdom, and no doubt but under this pretext, they would all have followed, helped and even adored him, as their Saviour. It was therefore evident that he had secret correspondence with the Tartars; and that he favoured them for his own profit; And that which made the business more suspicious was, that at that time when the Tartars made their irruption into Fokien, he was then declared Lord Marshal of the Kingdom, and all the Generals, Commanders and Soldiers, were either of his affinity, or wholly at his Command and Obedience. And therefore it is no wonder if he found an easy admittance into the Country of Fokien; of which they presently made him King Pingnan, (as much as to say; Pacifier of the South) and they added many other Dignities, and Offices of trust, that they might more speciously illude him; for either they knew his aspiring mind, The Tartars deceive the Pirate, and take him Prisoner by mere Art. or else his great power and authority was suspicious and formidable to them; but yet all the while the General of the Tartars remained in Fokien, they never expressed the least diffidence in him, but both with favours, courtesies, presents and honours, they studied how further to engage him, and promised the Government of many more Provinces. He made himself therefore secure of the Government of all the Southern Provinces; but all happened quite contrary to his expectation; for when this General of the Tartars, who was observed as a little King, was to departed to Peking, the custom was for all the Officers of the Kingdom to conduct him, for some part of his journey to give him an honourable farewell; which last duty of Civility, Iquon could not handsomely avoid, nor indeed, had he any reason to be diffident of any distrust in him; so as he left his Navy in the Port of Focheu, and accompanied the Royolet with great splendour and magnificence. But when he came to take leave, and demand Licence to return; the General of the Tartars, invited him a long to Peking, where he promised him yet greater honours from the Kings own person, to reward his Merits. He endeavoured by all imaginable occasions, to excuse this journey, but nothing was accepted, he was forced by their kindness to accompany them to Peking; and so he was taken by Art, who by Arms seemed Insuperable. He yet lives in Prison in Peking, because his Brothers and Kindred hearing of his Captivity, presently ceased on the Fleet; with which they have much infested China, as we shall touch hereafter. In the mean time the other Army which had passed the Mediterranean Provinces of Huquang, The Tartars overthrown Quangsi. Kiansi, and Quamgtung, invaded the Country of Quangsi. But here it was that the Arms of the Tartars which hitherto were held invincible, were showed to be weak, and where they least expected opposition, there they found the greatest destruction. It happened that in this Province of Quangsi the Viceroy, called Khiu Thomas, was a Christian, and the chief Commander also of all the Militia of that Country was commanded by Ching Lucas, whose family for five Genetations has served the Emperors of China, with as much constancy and fidelity, as they did Christ. These two having gathered many together, which fled from all parts into Quangsi, after the Tartars had taken many places in the Country, overthrew the Tartarians in a set Battle; and passing into the confining Province of Quamgtung, they recovered all the Western part of it. After this that they might have a head to fight for, and who might command and govern them in all Occurrences, and withal to draw the minds and hands of the Chinese to the common defence of the Country, knowing that in the City of Queilin, Jungley made Emperor of China. which is the head City of Quangsi, there was one of the tamings Family living, who was Nephew to the Great Vanleius, they elected him Emperor, and called by the name of Jungley. This Prince fixed his Imperial seat in the noble City of Chatking in the Province of Quamgtung, and hitherto has fought several times with the Tartars, with good success. And in this Prince's Court, the chief Eunuch called Pang Achilleus, is the greatest favourite, and a great Servant of Christ, whom he hath long professed to serve both by word and deed; for to propagate Christianity he has ever mantained a mission of Jesuits about him, by whose painful endeavours many have embraced the Faith of Christ; And amongst others the very Mother of this Emperor, his Wife, The Heir to the Empire becomes Christian. and his eldest Son, Heir of the Empire, called Constantin, did all embrace Christianity. May this Man by the prayers of all Christians prove another Constantine to the Empire of China. The Emperor himself is not averse from Christiany, but hitherto he hath deferred his Baptism, but yet he permitted his Wife to send a Father of the Society to do homage to the Sea Apostolic, as all Europe has heard. God of his goodness grant him that felicity, which may redound to the universal good of China, and Gods greater Glory. But it was not only in Quangsi that the Chineses began to resume their courage, Thiefs infest the Province of Fokien. but in the Province of Fokien also; for no sooner was the Tartarian Army called back to Peking, but a petty Heathen Priest broke out of the Mountains of Fokien, with a band of seditious fellows, and subduing the Tartarian Garrisons he took the fair City of Kienning, and many others from their subjection; and others which lay lurking in the Mountains following his example, recovered also many other Cities; about which time also the friends and Kindred of the Captive Iquon did extremely infest the Sea, and making descents upon the Land vexed the Province extremely about the Quarters of Sivencheu, and Changcheu. At this time the Governor of the Province of Chekiang was Viceroy of two Provinces, who hearing of these commotions came presently by night in great haste with all the force he could make, towards the Mountains of Fokien; for he with reason feared lest they should take possession of the passages of those places, which if they had done, the whole Province had been regained. But when this Viceroy called Changus, found the Mountains and passages clear, and no opposition made in such difficult places, he then proclaimed himself victorious, and his enemies perfidious Rebels: Changus the Commander of the Tartars besieges Kienning in vain. wherefore coming without resistance into the Country, he besieged the City Kienning, which was defended by Vangus. This Siege held some weeks, but he never could take the place by force, and therefore having lost many of his men by assaults, he judged it best rather to block up the place a far of, than to besiege it so close and near. But yet by this, he hindered other forces from joining with Vangus, so that he was not strong enough to sally out upon them. When the noise of these commotions came to Peking, It is at length taken and ra●●d. the Emperor presently sent a new supply to appease these tumults; and this fresh Army coming to join with the other, brought the City to great straits; but yet they could not win it, till at length they found means by a rare invention to transport their Canons over the Mountains upon Porter's Shoulders, by which means they dismantled the Town, and put all whatsoever to the Sword, to the number of thirty thousand persons, as my own friends writ unto me; and not content with this, they set fire on the Town, and brought it all to ashes, by which means, the stately Church erected by the Christians for the service of God, was also consumed by that devouring flame; yet the Priests that served in that Church got out miraculously as Lot did out of Sodom, which name was appropriated to this City, by reason of that infamous vice. This City being taken, it was no hard matter to recover the Country; for some fled to save themselves in the Mountains, others ran to the Sea, and so when this new Army had pacified all, they were called back to Peking; where it is not amiss to observe the policy which the Tartars use in the Government and ordering of their Army; they are ever calling back some, and sending out others; in which proceeding they aim at two things; first to keep the Countries in awe and subjection, by seeing variety of Troops continually passing up and down; and secondly to provide for the poorer sort of Soldiers; for the wealthy Soldier is called back to recreate, and ease labours, and the poor Soldier seeing his Companion grown rich, taketh heart and courage to run the course upon hopes of the like good fortune. Yet for all these preventions and cautions, their Empire was not so established, but by frequent rebellions it was often endangered, and particularly by one Rebellion which now I will relate, which shaked shrewdly the foundations of the new Empire. The Kingdom of China is of so vast an extent, How the Tartars dispose their Garrisons. as it is a business of main importance, to distribute judiciously the Armies, and Garrisons. Now because the Tartars alone cannot suffice to furnish both, they are forced to use the help of the Chinese themselves, although they have a special care never to leave or place either Commander or Soldier who is a Native of the same Country, where they sojourn; yet this care could not exempt them from several Treasons, and Rebellions; yet they distribute and order their Militia, with great circumspection; for the chief Commander or Governor resides in the Metropolitan City, whom all inferior Officers obey. This man, maintains always a complete Army, which he commands to march, when he hears of any rise. Every City has also their own proper Governor, with a competent number of Soldiers, but those for the most part are Tartars, and these are Chines. But all this Political, and wellestablished Government could not defend them from Traitors amongst themselves. The first man that did revolt from them was one Kinus Governor of the Province of Kiangsi. Kinus' Gonour of a Province rebelleth. This man was born in Leaotung, and because it is a Country that borders upon Tartary, the King commonly most confides in the Natives of that Province. It happened, I know not how, that this Governor, by reason of some corruptions, and Avarice of the Visitor of the Country, The hatred betwixt the two Prefects disturbs the Country of Kiansi. had some difficulties with him, which grew by little and little to open hatred; and although they both dissembled their private malice, as usually they do in China, yet at length the flame broke out to the ruin of the Country; for being the one was Governor of the Arms, and the other of justice, there was a necessity of oft meetings, & feast also. It happened once that whilst they were feasted with a sumptuous Banquet, they were also entertained by a pleasant Comedy; in which the Actors were attired with the habits of China, which were more comely and fairer than those which the Tartars use; upon which occasion Kinus turning himself to the Visitor said, Is not this habit better, & graver, than ours? This innocent speech was interpreted by his corrival Judge, as if he had contemned the Edict about changing of Habits, and expressed too much love to the Chines Garments, before those of the Tartars; and of this he sent and Express to advertise the Emperor. But the Governor Kinus, had a corrupted Secretary, which served the Lord Chief Justice, who gave him intelligence of all that passed in word or deed in his Master's House. And as soon as he had notice that this Letter was sent to the Court, he presently dispatched those who intercepted the Packet, which the Governor having read, went presently armed to the Judge's Palace, whom he suddenly killed. Then presently he with the whole Province revolted from the Tartars, and with the great applause of all the Chinese, he submitted himself to Jugley the new elected Emperor. One only City called Cancheu, which was governed by an incorrupted Tartar, refused to submit, which was the whole, and only cause, that the Tartars did recover the two Provinces Kiansi and Quamtung; both which Provinces revolted at the same time with their Commanders, and both submitted also to the new elected Emperor. Many places revolt from the Tartar. Lihusus was Governor of Quamtung at that time, who resolved to join his Forces with Kinus, and so to cast the Tartars out of the Empire; which it is believed they might have affected, if the Governor of Cancheu, which is the Key and entrance into four Provinces, had not cunningly undermined all their designs and intentions. But this man hearing that Lihuzus had revolted, and marched to join his Army with Kinus, dispatched to him this deceitful Letter. The deceit of the Governor of Cancheu. I have not hitherto submitted to Kinus, because I knew his forces were not equal, nor able, to resist the Tartars: But seeing thou my most renowned and valiant Captain, gins also to march against them, my hopes are at an end. I am thine, and embrace thy cause; whensoever thou shalt come, or send, I will render my City to thee or thine. But in the mean time he sent to all the Governors in Fokien, to send him secretly all the possible succour they could raise altogether. Lihuzus having received the Letter marched towards him, as cheerfully, and as confidently; But though he found the Gates of the City open, yet he was furiously repelled by the Tartarians opposition; which unexpected accident so astonished his Soldiers, as many of them perished, and amongst the rest it is thought himself was killed, for he was never heard of after. This reverse and cross fortune did much disturb the progress of the Emperor Jungley's affairs, though Kinus in the mean time had many singular victories over the Tartars; for when the chief Governor of all the Western parts of China, who had placed his chief Seat in Nankuing, had gathered great Forces to repress this aspiring mind, yet he was several times routed and overthrown by him, and if Kinus had pursued the course of his victories, he might have come to the very Walls of Nankuing; but he was solicitous of the City of Cancheu, which obliged him to a retreat; for neither was it safe for him to leave an enemy behind him, nor could he receive victuals from the Emperor Jungley, but by Cancheu, which is the natural descent of the River, and therefore when he heard of Lihuzu's defeat, he presently besieged that City with his whole Army; But whilst he was besieging this City, their came, unfortunately, a new Army of Tartars from the Imperial City of Peking, which had order to recover this Province of Kiangsi; and therefore Kinus was forced to raise his Siege to oppose their entrance by the Northern parts of the Country; And at first having a vast Army, and used to the Tartarian warfare, he fought both valiantly and happily; but not being able to sustain any longer their redoubled violent assaults, he was forced to retire for his security to the Nanchang, Kinus besieged by the Tartars. the chief City of that Country; which City the Tartars durst not venture to take by force, but resolved to reduce it by a long Siege; for which end they gathered together a Company of Country Clowns to make a large and spacious Trench round about the City to the River, and there they placed Ships, so as no Provision could possibly enter. This City of Nanchang is great and extremely full of inhabitants, besides the multitude of Soldiers which defended it at that time; so as although Kinus had made great Provision for a Siege, yet after some months he came to great want and penury; and yet he held it out though many died, expecting still some succours from the Emperor Jungley, which could not be sent; because the Soldiers of Quamgtung could never subdue the City of Chancheu, by which his succour was to pass; wherefore Kinus being brought to great extremity, expressed his mind to his Soldiers in these words, There is no further hope, (my faithful Companions) but in our own valour and strength, we must force our way through the Tartarian Army by dint of Sword; be courageous, and follow my example. And having ordered all affairs, Kinus breaks out of the City. he suddenly made a Sally out of the Town upon their Trenches, where, though he found a vigorous opposition, yet with great difficulty he passed and forced their Trenches, by which means he saved himself and his Army, having killed many Tartars; for it is constantly reported that Kinus with his Army lives in the Mountains, expecting there some good occasion to renew the War. The City of Nanchang is destroyed. He being thus escaped, the Tartars Pillaged the City, and put all the Citizens to the sword; for it is the Tartars custom to spare all Cities which submit to them, and to those which have made resistance before they were taken they are more troublesome, but they never spare or pardon those Cities which revolt after they have once been taken. In this Slaughter they killed the two Priests which assisted the Christians, and their ancient and fair Church was burned in the City. After this the Tartars easily recovered the whole Country, and having appeased all, and left new Garrisons in all places, the Army returned victorious to the Royal City of Peking. In the mean time this Court prepared new Armies to reduce Quamgtung with the other. Provinces which acknowledged Jungley for the Emperor of China; for the Tutor to the young King of Tartary finding the defections and rebellions in the Southern parts to be very frequent; resolved to give those Quarters over to some Tributary Royolets, Three Kings created with as many Armies against Jungley the Emperor of China. the better to contain those Countries in their duties; wherefore in the year MDCXLIX. he sent three Armies, consisting partly of Tartars, and partly of Chineses, under three Tributary Princess, to govern these Provinces with absolute power and Dominion; one of these was King of Fokien, another of Quamgtung, and the third of the Province of Quangsi; but with this condition, that first of all they should join their Forces to recover the Country of Quamgtung and drive away the Emperor Jungley. But we shall say more of this hereafter; now having seen the Rebellions of the South, let us look a little back on the Rebellions in the North against the Tartars also. In these Northern parts the Chineses shown their desire of Liberty as much as they had done in the South; where the Commanders though overthrown, yet not taken, retired into the abrupt and precipitious Mountains, where they held Counsel, how they might shake off the Tartars Dominion; three of these heads inhabited the thickest and highest places of that mountainous Country; the chiefest of which was called House; this man being strong in men, invited the rest to join with him, to deliver his Country from this miserable thraldom; one of them consented, the other could not come, but sent him two thousand men to assist him; House riseth against the Tartars. so as House marched out with five and twenty thousand men, which was no contemptible Army if they had been as courageous, as numerous: He put out a Proclamation, in which he challenged the Tartars, and threatened them all extremities, and to the Chinese, he promised all liberty and freedom; and upon these hopes, many Towns and Cities admitted him very willingly. Sigan, the Metropolitan of the Country, was the only place able to resist him, having in its Walls three thousand Tartars, and two thousand selected men of China, who served the Tartar. The Governor of this Town hearing of House his motion, gathered all things necessary for a long Siege, till a new supply of Tartarian Forces could be sent him. But when he heard that all the Towns and Cities in the Country did voluntarily submit themselves to House, The barbarous resolution of a Tartarian Governor. to prevent the like effect in his own City, he resolved to murder all the Citizens most barbarously; nor would he ever be removed from this unhuman sentence, till the Viceroy commanding and persuading, and the Citizens promising all faithful service, at length he changed this Tyrannical Counsel. But he commanded under pain of death, that whereas hitherto the Chinese, who loved so much their Hair, that they only cut a little of it away, about their Temples, should hereafter shave it off wholly and totally, that so he might distinguish the Citizens from any others if perchance they entered: he ordained besides, that if any spoke more than two together, they should all be presently killed; he forbade all men to walk upon the Walls, or to walk in the Streets by night, or to keep a Fire or Candle in his House by night, and finally disarmed all; declaring it death to infringe any of these orders. These things being thus ordered, The chief City called Sigan is besieged. he sent out some Scouts to discover the enemy's strength, who were partly killed, and partly came flying back to the City; but this Tartarian Governor, as well to make an ostentation of his strength, as of his security, commanded the City Gates to be lest open, nor would he permit the Draw Bridge to be raised or pulled up, to show he feared nothing. But for all this the Commander House besieges this City a far off, which was three Leagues compass, and out of the reach of their Artillery; and to the end he might make a show of greater forces than indeed he had, he joined to his Army a Company of dull headed Clowns, by which means he made up a Body of thirty thousand men. The Governor of the City seeing such an Army as appeared, believed them all to be Soldiers, and lest his Citizens should join with them, he thought again of cutting all their throats; but his friends ever diverted him from this outrageous cruelty; and therefore to divert himself from such horrid projects, he used to walk upon the Walls, and recreate himself in seeing the Chineses under his colours fight so valiantly against House; for when he saw this, he used to cry out in their Language, Ho Manzu, (as much as to say) O good Barbarians; for so the Tartars call the Chinaes', as conquering Nations use to expose the conquered to scorn and derision; and he crowned this scoff with these words Mauzuxa Manzu, as much as to say, let the barbarous kill the barbarous; yet notwithstanding when they returned victorious, he did not only praise them, but gave them Money, and other precious rewards, which were exposed to public view upon the Walls to animate them to high and generous exploits; so as House finding no Body stir in the City, as he expected, could do nothing; besides their came new succours to the Tartarian Army, which when House understood by his spies, he presently retired. But yet this flight did not serve his turn, nor could he wholly escape the Tartars hands, for the Horsemen pursuing them fell upon the rear, and killed many, carrying away great store of Riches, which the Commander distributed in such proportion, as he gave most to such as were wounded; what became of House after this action, is unknown, and therefore I conclude that these Northern revolts produced no other effect, but the spoil, Rapine and Plunder of all those Quarters, as it had produced the like in the Southern parts. The Tartars having happily overcome all difficulties hitherto, The Tartars insolences produced great dangers. fell into another by their own insolency; from the year MDCXLIX. the Emperor of the Tartars, being now grown up to man's Estate, desired to Marry the Daughter of the King of Tayngu, who is Prince of the Western Tartars, hoping by this match, to conserve the friendship of him, whose Forces he feared; for this end he sent his Uncle to him, who was King of Pavang. This Prince passed by the impregnable City of Taitung; which as it is the last City towards the North, so also it is the Key and Bulwark of the Province of Xansi against the irruption of the Western Tartars; for it commands all the Soldiers which keep the many Fortifications of those Quarters, where a fair Level down extending itself beyond that famous Wall, I mentioned heretofore, gives a fit occasion for the incursion of the Tartars. The Women of this City are held the most beautiful of all China; and therefore it happened, that some of the Ambassadors followers did ravish some of them, and also carried away by a Rape, a Person of quality, as she was carried home to her Spouse, which was a thing never heard of heretofore amongst the Chinese. The people had recourse for these injuries to Kiangus, who governed those Quarters for the Tartars; who hearing of this gross abuse, sent to that petty Prince Pavang, to demand the new Married Lady to be restored, and to desire him to prevent future disorders in that nature; but he gave a very slight Ear to such complants, and therefore Kiangus himself went unto him, who was not only slighted, but even cast out of the Palace. His anger was quickly turned into rage; Kiangus riseth against the Tartars. which made him resolve to revenge that injury by the Tartars blood; he therefore Musters his Soldiers, and presently falls on the Tartars, kills all he could encounter; the Ambassador himself being let down by the Walls of the Town, hardly escaped by swift Horses. Then Kiangus displayed a Banner, wherein he declared himself a Subject to the Empire of China, but named no Emperor in particular, because perchance he had heard nothing of the Emperor Jungley, by reason of so vast a distance. Kiangus gathers great Forces. But, however, he invited all the Chinese to the defence of their Country, and to expel the Tartars; and many Captains as well as Soldiers, came in to him; yea even the very Western Tartars against whom he had ever Born Arms, being promised great rewards, sent him the Forces which he demanded. This accident extremely troubled the Court; for they knew well that the Western Tartars did both aspire to the Empire of China, and also were envious at their prosperous course of fortune; they also knew that they were more abundant Men and Horses than they were; for from hence it is they bought all their best Horses, and they feared that now they should have no more; and therefore they resolved to send presently a good strong Army against him, before he should gather a greater strength. But Kiangus who was as valiant as crafty, and one who by long experience knew how to deal with the Tartars, first feigned to fly with his Army; But in the rear he placed very many Carts and Wagons, which were all covered very carefully as if they had carried the richest Treasures they possessed, but in real truth they carried nothing but many great, and lesser pieces of Artillery, with their mouths turned upon the Enemy: all which the Tartars perceiving presently pursue, they fight without any order, and fall upon the prey with great Avidity; but those that accompanied the Wagons, Kiangus overthrows the Tartars by a stratagem. firing the Artillery, took off the greatest part of the Army, and withal Kiangus wheeling about came up upon them, and made a strange carnage amongst them; and after this he shown himself no less admirable in Stratagems than in fortitude and courage, He beats the Tartars again. when he fought a set pitched field with a new recruited Army of the Tartars, in which he obtained so noble, and renowned a victory, that he filled all the Court at Peking with fear and trembling; for by this means victorious Kiangus had gathered so vast an Army, as he counted no less than a hundred and forty thousand Horse, and four hundred thousand foot, all men having recourse to him, to defend their Country against the Tartarian Army; And therefore Amavangus, Tutor to the Emperor, thinking it not fit to commit this business to any but to himself, resolved himself to go against Kiangus, and try the last turn of fortune for the Tartars; Amavangus himself goes against Kiangus he therefore drew out all the eight Colours, that is, the whole Forces that were then in Peking; for under these eight colours are comprehended all the Forces of the Kingdom of China, whether they be Natives or Tartars; the first of which is White, called the Imperial Banner; the second is Red, the third is Black, the fourth is Yellow; and these three last are governed and Commanded by the Uncle of the Emperor, but the first is immediately subject to the Emperor; of these four colours by several mixtures, they frame four more, so as every Soldier knows his own colours, and to what part of the City to repair, where they have ever their Arms and Horses ready for any expedition; The Tartars Banners. so as in one half hour they all are ready; for they blow a Horn just in the fashion of that, which we appropriate usually to our Tritons, and by the manner of winding it, they presently know, what Companies and Captains must march, so as they are ready in a moment to follow their Ensign, which a Horseman carries tied behind him, though commonly none but the Commander and Ensign knows whether they go: this profound secrecy in their exercise of War, has often astonished the Chinese; for many times, when they thought to oppose them in one part, they presently heard they were in another Quarter; and it is no wonder they are so quick, for they never carry with them any Baggage, nor do they take care for Provision; for they fill themselves with what they find, yet commonly they eat Flesh, though half roasted, or half boiled; if they find none than they devour their Horses, or Camels; but ever when they have leisure, they go a hunting all manner of wild Beasts, either by some excellent Dogs and Vultures, which they bring up for that end, or else by encompassing a whole Mountain, The Tartars delight in hunting. or large Field, they beat up all the wild Beasts into a Circle, and drive them into so narrow a Compass, as that they can take as many as they please, and dismiss the rest. The earth covered with their Horse-cloth is their Bed; for they care not for Houses, and Chambers; but if they be forced to dwell in Houses, their Horses must lodge with them, and they must have many holes beaten in the Walls; but yet their Tents are most beautiful, which they fix and remove with such Art and dexterity, as they never retard the speedy march of an Army. Thus the Tartars train their Soldiers to hardness for War. Out of all these Ensigns Amavangus chose the choicest men to accompany his person. And besides, he took part of those which he had deputed to follow the three Royalets which he dispatched to the South, ordering them to take as many out of the several Garrisons through which they passed, as might supply this defect. But yet although Amavangus had so gallant, and such a flourishing Army, yet he never durst give Battle to Kiangus, lest he might seem to expose the whole Empire of the Tartars to the fortune of one Battle; Amavangus durst not fight with Kiangus. So that although Kiangus did frequently offer him Battle; yet he ever refused to fight, expecting still to hear what reply the Western Tartars would make to his Proposition of his Nephew's Marriage; for he had sent a Legate to that Tartarian King with precious gifts, as well to demand his Daughter for the Emperor of China, as to desire him to afford no succour to the Rebel Kiangus. The precious gifts of Gold, of Silk, of Silver, and of Women, obtained whatsoever he demanded; and therefore Kiangus seeing himself deserted of the Tartars, that he might provide as well as he could for his own affairs, he returned to the City Taitung, of which he soon repent himself, when it was too late; for Amavangus calling in an innnumerable number of Peasants, in the space of three days, with an incredible diligence, cast up a Trench of ten Leagues compass, which he so fortified with Bulworks and Ramparts, that in a trice he blocked up that City. Then did Kiangus see his error in granting them leisure to draw their Trench, which he knew would debar him from all manner of Provision. And therefore being enraged with anger, as he was a man full of metal, and a great Soldier, turning himself to his Soldiers, he said, If I must die, I had rather die by the Sword, than by Famine; and upon this marched out presently to the Enemy's Trench with his whole Army. Here it was that both the parties fought most obstinately, the one to seek his passage, the other to hinder his advance; so as the fortune was various, and the victory doubtful, until an unlucky Arrow transpeirced Kiangus, and in him all the hope of China perished. Kiangus is killed. His Soldiers seeing him dead, partly run away, and partly submitted to the Tartars, who received them with all courtesy and humanity; for they had cause enough of joy, to see they had escaped the danger of losing the Empire, and that they had conquered so formidable a Commander. But yet they Plundered the City ●aitung, and burned the City of Pucheu, where the Church of the Christians also perished. From hence the Tartars returned to Peking, where I saw them enter overloaden with Riches and triumphant Laurels; But Amavangus pursued his journey to the Western Tartars, where he ratified his Nephew Xunchius his Marriage, Xunchius the Emperor Marrys. and brought back with him an infinite Company of Horse from the Tartars of the Kingdom of Tanyu. In the mean time, the three Royalets which went to the Southern Kingdoms, to pacify those unquiet Provinces, passed their journey by the descent of the River Guei, and when they passed through that Province, which the Emperor had given the Tartars to inhabit, and cultivate, after he had expelled the Chineses for their Rebellion; most of these Peasants, being wholly ignorant of tilling and manuring the ground, as having never been used to manage a Spade or a Plough, but their Swords, these men I say, desired earnestly these Princes, that they might accompany them in these Wars, and in their expeditions; Two of these Princes rejected their Petitions, but the third called Kengus without any consent or order from the Emperor, listed them amongst his own Troops; upon which they joyfully changed their rustical instruments into weapons for War; when the Emperor heard of this proceeding, he sent word to Kengus to dismiss them, but he pretended various excuses, and did neglect the Emperor's orders. He therefore commanded the supreme Governor of all the Southern Quarters, who resides ever at Nanking, to take Kengus either alive or produce him dead. He presently cast about how to compass the Emperor's command with all secrecy, and received the three Royolets with all sorts of divertisements, of Comedies, Banquets, and the like pleasures, as if he had received no distasteful order from the Emperor. And when the day was come that they resolved to prosecute their journey by the great River of Kiang, the said Governor contrived his business so, as he met them again in the River, and under pretence of taking his last farewell, he entertained them nobly with a Royal feast, and in as Royal a Junck, which in China are so magnificent, as they resemble rather some gilded Palaces than floating Vessels. In this Princely Ship he entertained these Princes in all jollity and mirth, until their Army had advanced a good way before, and then he declared to Kengus the Emperor's order; who presently promised all submission, and to return to Nanking with him, if he would only permit him to go to his Ship, which expected him in the River, to order some little affairs of his own; which being granted, he no sooner got into his Ship, but knowing he could not avoid death by another man's hand, Kengus hangs himself. he chose rather to be his own executioner, and hanged himself. Yet for all this, the supreme Governor in the Emperor's name, granted to this Man's Son the same Dignity and Province which had been conferred upon the Father; and thus the three Royalets joining again, having passed Nanking and Kiangsi, came at length into the Province of Quamgtung, to carry on the War against the Emperor Jungley; and at their first entrance, they took many Cities, which were loath to oppose the strength of their Armies; only, the City of Quangcheu resolved to try its fortune and strength. This City of Quangcheu is a most rich and beautiful place, environed with large waters, and is the only Southern Port within the Land, to which Boats may have access; In this Town was the Son of the Captive Iquon whom I mentioned before; besides, there was a strong Garrison to defend it, and amongst others many fugitives from Macao, who were content to serve the Emperor Jungly for great stipends; and by reason the Tartars had neither Ships, nor skill to govern them, and that the Town had both the one and the other, it is no wonder if they endured almost a whole years' Siege, having the Sea open for their relief, But they made many assaults, in which they lost many men, and were ever beaten back, and vigorously repelled. This courage of theirs, made the Tartars fall upon a resolution of beating down the Town Walls, by their great Canon, which took such effect, as in fine they took it the 24. of November MDCL. and because it was remarked that they gave to one of the Prefects of the Town, the same Office he had before, it was suspected it was delivered by Treason. The City of Quangcheu is taken and Pillaged. The next day after, they began to Plunder the City, and the sackage endured from the 24. of November till the 5. of December, in which they never spared Man, Woman or Child, but all whosoever were cruelly put to the Sword; nor was their herd any other Speech, But, Kill, Kill these barbarous Rebels; yet they spared some artificers to conserve the necessary Arts, as also some strong and lusty men, such as they saw able to carry away the Pillage of the City; but finally the 6. day of December came out an Edict, which forbade all further vexation, after they had killed a hundred thousand men, besides all those that perished several ways during the Siege. After this bloody Tragedy, all the Neighbouring Provinces sent voluntarily their Legates to submit, demanding only mercy, which they obtained by the many rich presents which were offered. After this the Royalet marched with his Army, against the City Chaoking, where the Emperor Jungley held his Court; but he knowing himself far inferior in Forces, and unable to resist, fled away with his whole Army and Family, The Emperor Jungly fly. leaving the City to the Tartars mercy. But whither this Emperor fled, is yet wholly unknown to me, for at this time I took Shipping in Fokien to the Philippines, and from thence I was commanded to go for Europe, by those to whom I consecrate myself, and all my labours. But I make no doubt, but the Emperor retired into the adjoining Province called Quangsi. Now to give the Reader a little touch how the Tartars stand affected to Christianity, it deserves to be reflected on, that in the Metropolitan City of Quangcheu, which as I now related was utterly destroyed, there was a venerable person, who had the care and superintendency of all the Christians, whose name was Alvarus Semedo a Jesuit; this Man they took and tied hand and foot, for many days, and threatened to kill him every hour, unless he would deliver the Christians Treasures; but the poor Man had no Treasure to produce; so as he suffered much, till at length the King hearing of his case, took pity of his venerable grey Heirs and comely person, and gave him not only his life and liberty, but a Bible, and Breviary, The Tartars offer a Church to Christians. which is their Prayer Book, together with a good sum of Money for an Alms, and finally a House to build a Church for Christians; and this is less to be wondered at from him, who heretofore was a Soldier under that famous Sun Ignatius, whom I mentioned before, where he knew what belonged to Christianity, and also had seen the Jesuits in the Camp, from whence he fled to the Tartars. Nor is it only this Tartar that loves us christian's, but in a manner all the rest do love, honour, and esteem those Fathers, The Tartars embrace Christians. and many have embraced our Religion, nor do we doubt but many more would follow their example, if we could enter Tartary, as now it is projecting, where doubtless many great things might be performed, for the reducing of that Nation to the Faith of Christ; and perchance God has opened away to the Tartars to enter China, to give Christianity a passage into Tartary, which hitherto to us have been unknown and inaccessible. About this time also they made War against the Kingdom of Corea; Corea revolted from the Tartars. for of late years they became also Tributary to the Tartars, upon condition that they should still conserve their Hair and habits: but now the Tartars would needs constrain them to conform themselves to the Tartarian fashion; and therefore all that Kingdom revolted from the Tartars; but my departure hindered me from knowing since what has passed. But all these glorious victories were much Eclipsed, Amavangus dyeth. by the sorrowful death of Amavangus, which happened in the beginning of the year MDCLI. He was a Man to whom the Tartars own their Empire in China, and such an one as whom both Tartars and Chinese loved and feared, for his prudence, Justice, humanity, and skill in Martial affairs. The death of this Potentate did much trouble the Court; for the Brother to this Man called Quingtus, would needs pretend to the Government of the Empire, and of the young Emperor Xunchius, but both the Tartars and the Chineses resisted his claim, alleging, that, being of sixteen year old, he was able to govern the Kingdom himself, and in conformity to this opinion, all the Precedents deposed the Ensigns of their Offices, refusing ever to receive them from any, but from the young installed Emperor Xunchius. To which Constancy the King Kuintus, Uncle to the Emperor, prudently yielded, lest he should exasperate the minds of many, and raise greater troubles in the Empire than would advance his Family. But I cannot doubt, but the death of Amavangus, must needs trouble the Tartarian Empire, and bring all their affairs into great disturbance; for they will hardly find a Man so beloved, feared, and expert in all Military Discipline and Government as he in effect showed himself to be; but time will teach us, what will become of all, for since his death we have no certainty of any relation; now let us turn the thread of our discourse as I promised here above, and consider the fortune and success of the other Great Brigand called Changhienchungus, to let the Reader understand how the Tartars did invade not only the Mediterranean and Oriental parts, but also the Occidental Quarters of that vast Kingdom. But before I begin to speak of this monster of nature, Changhienchungus a cruel Tyrant. I must ingenuously confess, I am both ashamed, and also touched with a kind of horror, to declare his villainies, both in respect they seem to exceed all belief, and therefore I may perchance be held to write Fables, as also it is not handsome to make reflections on such Subjects; yet I may sincerely protest, that I have in my hands a long relation of all his Acts, written by two Religious persons, who were then in the Province of Suchuen to exercise their Functions, which Country was the Theatre of all his Brutalities which I shall relate; and because I judge these two persons to be of an incorrupted a Faith, I judge therefore that a mortal Man might arrive to this pitch of wickedness and inhuman Cruelty. I therefore gathered out of that relation, what I here relate, which is nothing else but a vast Mass of such abominable Cruelty, as I doubt not even the most mildest Reader will take the Author to be no Man but some horrid wild Beast, or rather if no more execrable name occurs, some Devil transvested in our humane Nature. This monster like a wild Bear entered into divers Provinces, filling all with Rapine, Death, Fire and Sword, with all other imaginable miseries; for he had a mind to destroy all, that so he might have no enemies, or leave any alive that might revolt from him, but only content himself with his own Soldiers, and often times he spared not these. But the Province of Suchuen, where he usurped the Title of a King was the chief Theatre of his barbarous Cruelty; for after he had afflicted and vexed the Provinces of Huquang and Honan, and part of that of Nanking and Kiangsi, he entered the Province of Suchuen in the year MDCXLIV, and having taken the principal City called Chingtu, in the heat of his fury he killed a King of the Tamingian race, which here had established his Court; as he hath done also to seve● other Grandees of the same Family. He kills divers Princes. These were the Preludes of the Tragical Acts, whose Scenses I go about briefly to describe, that so Europe may see, what a horrid and execrable thing an unbridled and armed cruelty appears to be, when it furiously rageth in the darkness of Infidelity. This Brigand had certain violent and sudden buttads of furious cruelty, and maxims drawn from the very bowels of vengeance itself; for if he were never so little offended by another, or suspected another to be offended with him, he presently commanded such to be massacred; and having nothing in his mouth but murder and death, he often for one single Man's fault destroyed all the Family, respecting neither Children, For one offending he puts to death. nor Women with Child; nay many times he cut off the whole Street where the offender dwelled, involving in the Slaughter, as well the innocents' as nocents. It happened once he sent a Man Post into the Country of Xensi, who being glad he was got out of the Tyrant's hands, would not return; to revenge this imaginary injury, he destroyed all the Quarter of the City in which he dwelled, and thought he much bridled his fierceness, that he did not wholly extinguish all the City. To this I add another unhuman Act about his Hangman, whom it seems he loved above the rest, because he was Crueler than the rest; when this Man was dead of his Disease, he caused the Physician who had given him Physic to be killed; and not content with this, he Sacrificed one hundred more of that Profession to the Ghost of his deceased Officer. He was affable and sweet towards his Soldiers; he played, banqueted, and feasted with them, conversing familiarly with them; and when they had performed any Military Action, with honour and valour, he gave them precious gifts of Silks and moneys; but yet many times he commanded some of them to be cruelly put to death before him; especially such as were of the Province of Suchuen where he reigned, whom he entirely hated them, because he thought they did not rejoice in his Royal dignity. Insomuch as he hardly ever did any public Action, His hatred to the people of Suchuen. which though it begun like a Comedy, yet had not in fine, the sad Catastrophe of a Tragedy; for if walking out he did but espy a Soldier ill clad, or whose manner of Gate or walking was not so vigorous or Masculine as he desired, he presently commanded him to be killed. He once gave a Soldier a piece of Silk, who complained to his fellows of the pooreness of the piece, and being overheard by a spy, (of which he had a great number) who presently acquainted him with what was said, he presently commanded him, He cuts off a Legion for one Man's fault. and this whole Legion which were of two thousand Men, to be all Massacred. He had in his Royal City some six hundred Prefects, or Judges, He kills many City Officers. and men belonging to the Law, and such as managed the principal Offices; and in three years' space there was hardly twenty left, having put all the rest to several deaths for very slight causes; He caused a Sergeant Major which the Chineses call Pingpu, to be flayed alive, for having granted leave to a China Philosopher, without special order, to retire a little to his Country House. And whereas he had five hundred Eunuches taken from the Princes of the Tamingean Family, And he killed also the Eunuches. after he had put their Lords to death; he commanded all these to be cruelly put to death; only because one of them had presumed to style him, not by the Title of a King, but by the bare name of the Thief Changhienchungus, as if he than were no Thief. Nor did he spare the Heathenish Priests, who sacrificed to their Idols. These sort of men, before he came into this Country, having feigned many crimes against the Priests, which Preached the Faith of Christ, had raised a bitter persecution against them; which God of his goodness did turn so much to their good, as they had permission to teach and Preach publicly the Law of Christ. But after this Tyrant came into the Country, the chief of these Heathenish Priests was apprehended for some words let fall against him, and in the presence of the Fathers, who by accident were then at audience with the Tyrant, he was beheaded; And although they had learned of Christ to do good for evil, yet knowing the phrenetical anger and fury of this monster, who used to punish those that interceded, with the punishment of the offender, they durst not make any motion for the least favour. It is true, this cruel Beast loved these Fathers, and would often converse with them, whom he experienced wise and learned, and he would often call them to the Palace to entertain him in discourse; but they knowing well his precipitous anger, went ever prepared, and expecting death, and indeed they were thrice deputed to death, and the fourth time escaped by God's particular providence, as we shall relate in time and place. But he was not contented with the death of one of these same Heathenish Priests, but having got together about twenty thousand of the same profession, For one Man's fault he kills twenty thousand. he sent them all to Hell, to visit their Masters whom they had served. And then he would applaud himself as if he had done a very Heroical Action, saying to them, These Men would have taken away your lives; but Thiencheu, so they call God, which signifies the Lord of Heaven, has sent me to revenge your cause, and inflict due punishment upon these wretches. He would often confer also with the Fathers of Christian Religion, and that so properly as a man would take him for a Christian. He praised, and highly extolled the Religion of Christians, which he well understood, partly by the conferences which he frequently had with the Fathers, and partly by reading their Books, which for the Instruction of Christians they had writ in the China Language; and hath often promised to build a Church to the God of Christians, worthy of his magnificence, when he once came to be Emperor of China; and indeed all the works he erected were very splendid and magnificent; but he polluted them all with the blood of the Workmen; for if he found they had but committed the least error, or the least imperfection, he presently put them to death upon the place. He endeavours to take Hanchung. On the North part of the Country of Suchuen, where it confines with the Province of Xensi, lies the strong City called Nanchung, which though it be seated in the County of Xensi, yet in respect, it is both so strong and of so great an extent, it is held to be the Key of both the two Provinces. The Tyrant endeavoured by all industry to make himself Master of this important place, as being a convenient passage to the rest; wherefore in the year MDCXLV. he levied a vast Army, consisting of one hundred and fourscore thousand men, all Natives of the County of Suchuen, besides those of his own, which had always followed him. This numerous Army besieged the Town a long time, but found so rigorous resistance, that they began to be weary, and about forty thousand of those Soldiers of Suchuen revolted to the Prefects which governed the beleaguered City; by which means the Army was constrained to return to the Tyrant, He kills 140000 men most cruelly. without any memorable Action: and he being enraged with anger to see them return, commanded all the rest of the Soldiers of the Province of Suchuen, which were in number one hundred and forty thousand, to be all massacred by the rest of the Army. This horrible Butchery lasted four days; in which slaughter he commanded many of them to have their skins pulled of, which he filling with straw, and sowing on the head, commanded to be carried publicly and visibly into the Towns where they were Born, so to strike more terror into the hearts of the inhabitants; and after all this, yet he had such a malicious hatred against this Country, that they did not rejoice that he was King, as he never ceased to vex and torment it, even when it was in a manner left desolate. Many unexpert persons, without head or guide, did take Arms against him, but he quickly dispersed them, being wholly unexperienced in Military Discipline; others that were wiser, leaving the City, retired into the Mountains, which were in a manner the only Men who escaped his fury. After this he called all the Students of the Country to be examined for their degrees, He kills all the Students. promising to give those honours, to whomsoever should deserve them best; and the Chineses are so bewitched with the desire of these dignities, that they did not conceive the perfidious Stratagem of the Tyrant. Their appeared therefore in the public Hall deputed for that Ceremony about eighteen thousand persons; all which he commanded his Soldiers to massacre most barbarously, saying, These were the people who by their cavilling sophisms, solicited the people to rebellions. He kills the Children and exposes the Matrons. I have a horror to relate so many unhuman slaughters, and yet I see myself overwhelmed with new ones; for what an addition is it to all his related barbarities, to tell you, that he never spared Children, Boys, nor Girls, no nor Matrons with Child and ready to lie down? what an excess of all inhumanity to take the Prefects Wives, when their Husbands were condemned, but yet alive, and to expose these Women to all kind of villainies, and then to kill them? This was so sensible to many, as they rather chose to kill themselves, than to undergo so infamous and public an opprobry by their honesty. I forbear to relate more of such detestable and execrable examples, lest I offend the ears and minds of the Reader by such abominations. Let us therefore suppress these impurities, and pass to what happened in the year MDCXLVI. when the Tartars entered into the Province of Xensi to give him Battle, so as he was forced to go out to meet them. And, to the end he might leave the Country behind him with more security, he resolved to cut off all the inhabitants, except those which inhabited the North-East Quarters by which he was to pass, and therefore must needs reserve these Creatures to assist and furnish his Army with all necessaries; and therefore he deferred their death to another time. He therefore commanded all the Citizens of what quality or condition soever they were, that did inhabit his Metropolitan City of Chingtu to be bound hand and foot, He kills 600000. in the City Chingtu. which was done by a part of the Army, which he had called in; and then riding about them, which vast multitude is related to have been above six hundred thousand Souls, he viewed them all with less compassion than the cruelest Tiger would have done; whilst in the mean time, these poor victims with lamentable cries, which penetrated the very vault of Heaven, and might have moved a heart composed of stone or Rock, holding up their hands, begged of this outrageous Tyrant to spare the lives of his innocent people. He stood a while Pensive, like an astonished and amazed Creature, so as it seemed to be an imperfect Crisis, wherein humane nature struggled a little with those bowels, and that heart which was composed of all cruelty; but presently returning to his beastly nature, Kill, Kill, saith he, and cut off all these Rebels, upon which words, they were all massacred in one day out of the City Walls, in the presence of this bloody monster. Those Religious persons which are there, the Fathers of Christianity, resolved to make their addresses for the Tyrant to save their innocent servants lives; and though all men judged it a desperate attempt, yet they obtained the lives of those they claimed. So as they distributed themselves at the City Gates, and as their Clients passed bound to the Shambles, they mercifully unbound their Shackles, and rescued them from death. By which occasion also they performed another acceptable Sacrifice to God, in Baptising an infinite number of Children, Many Children Baptised. which the Soldiers willingly permitted, so as the horrid and execrable cruelty of this Tyrant proved as advantageous to these little Angels, as Herod's slaughter did to the Blessed Innocents'. They writ, that in this massacre their was so much blood spilt, as made the great River of Kiang, which runs by the City, to increase and swell visibly; and the dead Corpse being cast into the River, and carried downwards to the other Cities, did denounce unto them, that they were to expect no better Treaty from this Tyrant's hands. And it quickly proved true, for he dispatched his Army to the rest of the Cities, and killed all that he could lay hands on; and thus this Tyrant did bring that populous Province of Suchuen into a vast wilderness. After this, he mustered all his Soldiers into a Field, which in China is ever deputed for that end, and is called by the Natives Kioochang, in this place, he delivered himself thus unto them, I hope by your valour to obtain the Empire of the world, when I have expelled the Tartars; but I desire to see you yet quicker and nimbler than hitherto you have been; you all know, to free you from all burdens and heavy luggage, how I sunk threescore Ships full of Silver in the River of Kiang; which I can easily recover, to reward your pains and merits, when I shall once have obtained the Empire; he had indeed sunk the Ships, and killed the Ship-men, to conceal the place; but there remains yet a greater encumbrance, which retards much our journey, and all our enterprises, which is your Wives, which are a heavy burden to you all; Therefore put on a generous resolution, There will not be wanting other exquisite Women, when we are come to possess the Empire; and although as Emperor I ought to have some Prerogative, and make a difference betwixt you and my Royal person, yet I am content in this, to give you all a leading example, which may serve as a Precedent. He kills all the Soldier's Wives. After this Speech, of three hundred handsome and beautiful Maids, which he kept for his voluptuous pleasures, he only reserved twenty to serve his three Queens, and commanded all the rest to be killed upon the place. The Soldiers presently followed the example and command of their cruel Tyrant, and cut off the heads of innumerable innocent Women, as if they had been their mortal enemies. Having now no more men in the Province of Suchuen to put to death, He burned his Palace in the City of Chingtu. he turned his fury and hatred against Cities, Houses and Palaces: for whereas he had built himself a very stately and magnificent Palace in the City of Chingtu, he consumed that, and with it, a great part of that noble City with fire; besides he cut down all Trees and Woods, that they might profit no man. And thus (as he said) having purged his Army, he marched on into the Province of Xensi to meet the Tartars; but as he marched, if he found any man remaining alive, he commanded him to be killed. And not content with all this, if he espied any Soldier which marched either too far before, or too far behind, though the fault were never so little, he killed him presently. He killed all his sick or weak Soldiers, that they might be delivered (as he said) out of so miserable and ruined a Country. I suppress many more passages of his cruelty, because I will hasten to the Catastrophe of this Tragedy. He was no sooner entered into the Province of Xensi, but one of the Emperor's Uncles meets him with five thousand Tartars, and the Body of the Army marched after him; five Horsemen run before the Army as usually they do amongst the Tartars; who if they be well received of the enemy, they retire, and take it as a sign of Peace and submission; but if they receive any Act of hostility, than they march up to fight. These Horsemen were espied by the Tyrant's Scouts, who presently brought him tidings of their approach. But he laughed at the news, and jestingly asked them, If the Tartars had learned to fly. He had at that time many persons tied before him, which he intended to massacre, and amongst the rest two of the Jesuits, for ask leave to return into Suchuen, which was the Country they had undertaken to convert to Christianity. But the sudden death of this Archbrigand delivered them all, from the imminent danger; for at the same time came in his chief Commanders, assuring him the Tartar was upon him; upon which news, he being of a bold and courageous humour, burst out of his Tent, and without either head-piece or breastplate, snatched up a Lance, went out with a few, to view the enemy. The Tartars presently assaulted the Tyrant; and the first discharged Arrow, which was as happy to the Tartars, The Tyrant is slain. as it was to many others, pierced the heart of that monster of Cruelty, killing that Man, who had an intention to make an end of all Men; and who from the base condition of a rascally Thief, presumed to take the Sacred Title of King and Emperor. The head being down, the Tartars easily seized on the body of his Army; but many of the Soldiers submitted to them, others were killed, others run away; and the poor inhabitants of the Province of Suchuen received the Tartars as their Saviour's. The Province of Suchuen is made subject to the Tartars. By which means this Province, which is the most Western in China, and borders upon the Kingdom of Tibet, became subject to the Tartarian Empire. When they had established Garrisons, and all their other affairs in that Country, they prepared to return to the Royal City of Peking; leading with them the two Captive Priests, which they had found in Chains, as a present most acceptable to the Tartarian Emperor, there I saw then, and left them in great veneration and honour in the year MDCL. But this victorious Conqueror returning crowned with Laurels, One of the Emperor's Uncles is ill received. was ill received and worse recompensed, by his Brother the great Amavangus, who was the Emperor's Tutor; and instead of a deserved triumph, he received an unworthy death; for being to make a march of many Months, to undergo much labour, and many troubles, it happened so, as he lost more Men in marching than in fight; he was accused of great negligence in governing his Army; and being of a generous nature, he thought he deserved high praise, but no blame, and therefore he took his Tartarian Cap, and scornfully trampled it upon the ground, which is the greatest sign of indignation, which they can express; upon which fact he was committed to a Prison proper to those of the blood Royal which he accused of any Crime; But he scorned to be the first of the Tartarian Family, which should suffer this first opprobry in China; and therefore before he was carried to this Prison called by the Chinese Coaciang, he hung himself miserably in his own Palace. He hangs himself. A Gallant Prince, and worthy of a better fortune. Many think this disgrace to have grown from Amavangus his eldests Brothers emulation; but I think that Amavangus was afraid that this Man wanting neither courage, nor wit, would quickly ruin the Tartarian affairs, by his rash proceed. And here I will put a period, rather than an end, to this brief Narration of the Tartars War to the year MDCLI. in which year I was sent to Europe, by those that may command me. In which relation if there be nothing else worthy of admiration, yet it seems admirable to consider, that in seven years' space, they conquered more ground in Longitude and Latitude, than an Army could have walked in that space of time; for they overrun twelve vast Provinces of China; besides the immense extents of Leaotung, and the Kingdom of Corea. What since has passed in such vicissitude of fortune, I know not; but as soon as God shall bless me with a prosperous return into my beloved China; or that my friends acquaint me with any new Occurrences by Letters; I will procure all Europe shall understand the Issue of these prodigious revolutions. FINIS. An Addition to the former History, taken out of the last Letters from China, Written in the years 1651. 52. and 53. AFter the Printing of this our History of the Tartarian Wars, returning to Brussels from Amsterdam (where I used all possible expedition to bring my Atlas Sinieus to the Press) I there, received my long desired Letters from China, sent by my friends from Rome; some of which being dated the 14. of November 1651. were writ by a Sicilian called Father Francis Brancatus, who sojurns in the City of Xanchai in the Province of Nanking; and reflecting, that happily it would not be ungrateful to our Europeans, if I made a private relation of public use; I resolved to draw out this little ensuing Narration from those Letters written in several years. The Empire of China is now grown to a more fixed and settled Estate, See fol. 165. since the death of Amavangus Uncle to the Emperor: who as he was the first Man that suggested to the Tartars the Emperor's invasion, so also, it is to his care and vigilancy they own the happy success of all, and its conservation. But yet, the opinion framed of him after his death, was far different from the authority and power he carried in his life; for no sooner was the power of reigning by his death devolved into the hands of his Nephew called Xunchi; but that this Emperor, though a youth in years, began his reign by the approbation of all estates and orders, with such maturity of judgement, and Council, as he seemed to surpass the grey and hoary heads of his wisest Councillors. He was no sooner enthroned, than he expressed a strange ripeness of judgement and Justice joined together in the same Action; Amavangus suspected and punished after his death. for having discovered his Uncle's wicked Counsels and Designs, and traced the obscure tract of his abominable vices, which were hid during his life: he did so much resent those detestable Acts, as he commanded his body to be digged up, and his magnificent Sepulchre to be beaten down; The veneration of dead men's tombs; amongst the Chinese. which kind of punishment amongst the Chinese it held to be the greatest that can be inflicted; being taught by their Religion to carry all veneration and respect to the tombs of dead persons. The Carcase being dragged out, they first beat it with Clubs, than they scourged it with Rods; and finally cutting off the head, they made it a spectacle to all Criminal opprobies. Thus the splendour of his Tomb, was brought to dust; and fortune paid him after his death, the turn, she owed him in his life. He punished also all the Officers and Prefects, which were privy to his Counsels; putting some to death, and depriving others of their dignities. Amongst all which I find the fortune of General Fung to have been very various: who though he be no Christian, yet being a singular friend, protector of my order, and particularly known to myself, I cannot but rejoice to hear him restored to his place and dignity, after his discovered innocency. In the mean time the Emperor Xunchius, The Emperor of the Tartars Marriage and their customs. growing up to Man's estate, and solicitous to propagate his August offspring, resolved to accomplish his long intended Marriage with the Daughter to the Emperor of the Occidental Tartars: In which action the Tartars imitate the European custom; for they take a Lady of some illustrious blood or descent; But the Emperors of China seem little to value the nobility of blood, but select the primest beauty; nor will they refuse a person of a mean fortune, if she be but graced with beauty; In so much, as the Wife to the late Emperor of China, was Daughter to a Man, that got his living by making straw Shoe. So King Ahasuerus raised a poor Captive Maid to be Comfort with him in his Royal Throne: which kind of custom happily the Chineses, drew from the Persians, or else the Persians had it from them. But to return to the subject that caused this little digression. The Emperor's Wedding was performed with a Pomp and splendour proportionable to such an Empire: nor was there any magnificence wanting on the Spouses part; for according to the fashion of the Nation, she came accompanied with whole Armies of Men, and so many Troops of Horse, as they seemed innumerable; nature seeming to have framed the riches of the Tartars more for warlike affairs, than for pleasure. Nor is this infinite multitude of Horse incredible, for I myself have seen eighty thousand Horse, all at one time, sent as a present from the Occidental Tartars to the King of China. Which boundless power of the Tartars, The Tartars subdue the rest of China. as it cannot be contained within any limits, so also it broke out into the Province of Quamtung, which they wholly subdued; and out of that, like an impetuous Torrent, they ran into the Province of Quangsi; which they likewise conquered to their Empire. So as the King of China called Jungley, with his chief favourite the Eunuch, called Pang Achileus, who professeth Christianity, were feign to fly to the confines of Tunking, being in a manner excluded the whole Empire. In so much as a friend of mine writes out of the Province of Fokien, that the King Jungley fearing to fall into the Tartars hands, was feign to leave the Land, and fly to Sea. But upon what Coast that unmerciful Element may have cast him, we know not, for we hear no news of our Father Andrew Xaverius Koffler who ever followed the Court of King Jungley, having had the happiness to have Baptised his Queen, his Son, and his Mother with many others of that distracted Court. In the mean time, whilst one Cang, a Royolet amongst the Tartars, subdued the Province of Quangsi, the Governor of the Country, whom they call Colaus, fell into the Enemy's hands, and the Tartars hoping by rewards and promises of dignities, to soften the mind of this so gallant a Man, The great fidelity of the Governor to his King. and so eminent a Philsopher, abstained three days from any cruelty, or ill usage; But he scorned to prefer his life before his allegiance and fidelity to his King; and therefore lost his head. But yet, this generous Action was admired and honoured by those brutish Souls, who presently erected a magnificent Tomb, in memory of so honourable an Act; for although the Tartars solicit the Chineses to revolt from their Prince, yet they honour and praise such as show themselves constant to him; And this memorial, I own unto his memory, well for his singular friendship he was pleased to contract with me, as also to his eminent virtues, of which, I myself and the whole Church of Christians in China, were both Spectators and Admirers, for the space of twenty years. And that his name may not perish, nor his Country; he was Born in the Province of Nanquin in the City Changcho; being called Kiu Thomas, a name worthy of eternal memory, in the Temple of virtue. During the saccage of these Provinces; news arrives from the Country of Suchuen, that the notorious Brigand called Changhienchungus, famous for his infamous cruelty and abominable villainies, See fol. 197. was broke out again, and wasted all that Province with several tempests of War; for though he seemed to be quite vanquished in the last Battles, yet he appeared again to trouble and vex the Empire with new garboils, and further Designs of War. The Province of Fokien also began to groan under the same miserable condition of War; for the Reverend Father Peter Canevari Native of Genua, writes out of the City Changcheu which was besieged the 30. of March 1652. that Quesingus having made a descent from his Ships into that Province had overrun the whole Country, taken some Cities and Towns, and carried on the War with great terror to the Inhabitants. Insomuch as the Tartarian Commanders kept themselves, and their Army in their Forts, and other places of strength, not daring to appear in the field to oppose them; but yet he said they expected new Forces and Succours from Peking; by which they doubt not, but quickly to subdue him. This Quesingus, who now vexeth this Province of Fokien, Quesingus the Pirate. is Son to the famous Pirate Iquon or Chinchilungo whom the Tartars imprisoned by a slight, as I recounted to you in my former History. And to let you know what I heard from some passengers of China, who in the month of January 1653. were cast, in a Ship of China, upon the Coasts of an Island called new Holland; whither I had been brought before by their Barks, and Soldiers as their Prisoner; These Men related that a great Army of Tartars was arrived, to subdue Quesingus; whose Commander thought it fit to join art to his great Force, and therefore he commanded a handful of Men to charge the Tartarian Army, and presently by feigning flights to retire to more advantageous and surer places. But in the mean time, he had placed a number of Horse in a deep valley behind a Mountain, towards which Quarters the fugitive Troops retired. This flight gave courage to the Tartars, and the desire of victory, made them venture so far from the River Change, where their Ships lay at Anchor, as they found themselves environed by the Tartars Army. This desperate condition which excluded the Chineses, from returning to their Ships, caused a very sad, and bloody Battle, in which there perished above 8000 of the Chinese Army; Quesingus defeated. whilst Quesingus a spectator of this sad accident from the Mast of his Ships, and as they relate, was heard to say, that he would once more try his fortune against the Tartars; but if she proved again adverse unto him, he then would submit, and shave his Hair, like a Tartar. Having briefly related the State of the Temporality in this Kingdom, it remains I should touch a little of the State of Christianity, since these great revolutions. In which subject, I can only say, that being at Brusels this last June in the year 1654. I received Letters from China, in which they gave me notice that the Father Jesuits, were very favourably treated by the Tartars; yea better than before, for they permitted free exercise of the Christian Catholic Religion, through an their Kingdoms, granting them leave not only to enjoy their ancient Churches, but did also liberally contribute to build new ones; So by the goodness of God, that which endamaged others, proved gain to them. But I reserve all particulars to a larger relation in a greater volumn, which shall continue, Trigautius his History of the missions dispatched into China; and considering he concludes that History in the year 1610. it shall be my endeavour to produce the rest of those memorable Actions to these our present times. FINIS