Shang Zhixin (; 1636 – 1680) was a major figure in the early

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-spea ...

, known for his role in the

Revolt of the Three Feudatories The Revolt of the Three Feudatories, () also known as the Rebellion of Wu Sangui, was a rebellion in China lasting from 1673 to 1681, during the early reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). The revolt was ...

. He was Prince of Pingnan (平南王, "Prince who Pacifies the South"), inheriting his position from his father, the surrendered

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...

general Shang Kexi. In 1673, Shang Kexi, on account of old age, requested the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to ...

to allow him to retire back in his adopted homeland

Liaodong The Liaodong Peninsula (also Liaotung Peninsula, ) is a peninsula in southern Liaoning province in Northeast China, and makes up the southwestern coastal half of the Liaodong region. It is located between the mouths of the Daliao River (the ...

. He thus passed on his position to Shang Zhixin, who was his eldest son. As Prince of Pingnan, his duties were primarily concerned with the defence of

Guangdong Guangdong (, ), alternatively romanized as Canton or Kwangtung, is a coastal province in South China on the north shore of the South China Sea. The capital of the province is Guangzhou. With a population of 126.01 million (as of 2020) ...

province.

Not long afterwards, the Qing court, as part of its policy of centralization, decided to abolish Pingnan Feudatory under the pretext that Shang Zhixin was "difficult to control". Shang Kexi, who was then still in Guangdong, was willing to accept this and made preparations to move his entire family back to Haicheng. However, the rebellion of the Pingxi and Jingnan feudatories, under Wu Sangui and

Geng Jingzhong Geng Jingzhong (; died 1682) was a powerful military commander of the early Qing dynasty. He inherited the title of "King/Prince of Jingnan" (靖南王) from his father Geng Jimao, who had inherited it from Jingzhong's grandfather Geng Zhongming ...

respectively, put an end to these plans. Shang Zhixin was ordered to give military command back to his father, who was still loyal to the Qing; however, many of his men deserted to the rebel camp. From 1673 to 1676, Guangzhou held out as a Qing fortress in the midst of rebel-held territory. In early 1676, forces loyal to Shang Zhixin placed Shang Kexi under house arrest. Having gained the military command of Pingnan Feudatory, Shang Zhixin promptly joined Wu Sangui's forces. However, after Shang Kexi's death in late 1676 (and also following the surrender of rebel generals such as Wang Fuchen), Shang Zhixin changed his mind and defected back to the Qing. The Qing court ordered him to lead troops against Wu Sangui; but Shang Zhixin only made token efforts to that end, hoping to preserve his own forces. In 1679, Kangxi stripped Shang Zhixin of much of his military powers. In 1680, with a Qing victory imminent, Shang Zhixin was arrested, brought to

Beijing } Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...

and ordered to commit suicide. In return for killing himself, Shang Zhixin's family was spared from punishment. There were thirty six brothers of Shang Zhixin, four of them were executed during Shang Zhixin's suicide while the rest of them were allowed to live. Shang was known for his famously cruel reign. Some of his personal enemies were ripped apart by hunting dogs for opposing him.Spence, p. 52

References

* Shangshi Jiapu (The Family History of the Shang family) * {{DEFAULTSORT:Shang, Zhixin Qing dynasty generals 1680 deaths Forced suicides of Chinese people Executed Qing dynasty people Han Chinese Bordered Blue Bannermen People executed by the Qing dynasty 17th-century births Qing dynasty rebels