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Yu Qian's Defense of Beijing

Type Event Region Asia Time 1449

In 1449, with the Zhengtong emperor captured and Esen at the gates, Minister of War Yu Qian rallied 220,000 troops, manned the nine gates, and in Oct…

Timeline

  1. 1449Beijing · BeijingNews of the emperor's capture reached the capital; most courtiers favored moving south. Yu Qian overruled them, arguing that the state mattered more than the ruler, urged holding Beijing, and on the Jingtai emperor's orders raised reinforcements from Henan, Shandong, Nanjing, and elsewhere.
  2. 1449Nine gates of Beijing · BeijingYu Qian deployed the 220,000-strong army outside the nine gates, stationing himself and deputy general Shi Heng outside Desheng Gate while assigning commanders to each gate; he also cleared the surroundings and gathered grain inside the city, forming a defense system linked inside and out.
  3. 1449Desheng Gate · BeijingEsen brought the captive emperor to Desheng Gate, but the Ming refused to open it. The Oirat assaulted Desheng Gate fiercely; Shi Heng and Yu Qian led reinforcements in a pincer attack with firearms blazing, routing them. Esen's assaults on the other gates also failed, and he withdrew northward.

Sources