Nurhaci: Iron Cavalry Conquers Liaodong

The Life of Nurhaci: Iron Cavalry Conquers Liaodong focuses on the legendary life of Nurhaci, the founding ruler of the Qing dynasty. Based on historical records from the Qing era, it traces his grand journey from the depths of misfortune to the establishment of Later Jin.

Born in 1559 in the Jianzhou Left Guard, Nurhaci lost his mother at a young age and grew up dependent on others. In 1583, he raised an army with just thirteen suits of armor to avenge his father and grandfather. He went on to outmaneuver tribal alliances, unite the Jianzhou Jurchens, establish the Eight Banners system, and create the Jurchen script. Winning battles against the odds at Gure and Sarhu, he gradually dismantled Ming rule in Liaodong. Though defeated at Ningyuan in his later years, he still laid the foundations of Later Jin, passing away at Aijibao in 1626.

Told in an accessible style, the book brings historical scenes to life. It portrays his military strategy and political wisdom without shying away from power struggles and the brutal realities of war, fully depicting how this founding ruler, through sheer force of will, chronicled the rise of the Jurchens and laid the foundations of the Qing dynasty.