After ten years of diligent rule, the bronze bells beneath the eaves of the Forbidden City no longer toll for the dead. When the dragon banners of his personally led campaign were raised atop the snowy mountains of Liaodong, the trembling court historian wrote:
“Emperor Tianqi was foolish and ineffectual; Chongzhen rose to the challenge. Though born in the empire's final days, he turned the tide when all seemed lost. This was no mandate of heaven, but the work of human hands!”
