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Sun Chuanting

Type Figure Region China Time 1593–1643 Also known as Sun Baiya、Sun Baigu、Sun Boya

Sun Chuanting (1593–1643), a jinshi of 1619 from Daizhou, Shanxi, served as governor of Shaanxi, captured Gao Yingxiang at Heishuiyu, defeated Li Zic…

Timeline

  1. 1619–1627Beijing, Yongcheng · BeijingA native of Zhenwu Guard, Daizhou, jinshi of the 47th year of Wanli, first appointed magistrate of Yongcheng, Henan. In early Tianqi he entered the Ministry of Personnel as a verifying official, rising to director, but resigned and returned home to care for his mother over Wei Zhongxian's autocracy, not re-emerging until the Chongzhen reign.
  2. 1635–1638Shaanxi · ShaanxiRecalled in 1635, appointed governor of Shaanxi in 1636, he reorganized the army at Yulin as the Qin army. When Gao Yingxiang threatened Xi'an from Hanzhong, Chuanting ambushed him at Heishuiyu in the Ziwu Valley, capturing him for execution in the capital; Li Zicheng then took the title Chuang Prince. In 1637 he and Hong Chengchou ambushed Li Zicheng at Tongguan's South Plain, leaving only remnants fleeing into Shangluo, after which Ming troops were redeployed to defend the capital, giving the rebels breathing room.
  3. 1639–1642Beijing imperial prison · BeijingAfter Lu Xiangsheng's death he briefly served in the Xuan-Da region but was held back for conflicts with Yang Sichang and others. Impeached in 1639 for feigning illness, the emperor imprisoned him for about three years. During this time Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong grew strong again and the Central Plains fell into chaos. Released in 1642, he was appointed vice minister of war and governor-general of Shaanxi.
  4. 1642–1643Tongguan–Weinan · TongguanIn May 1643 he was additionally given charge of Henan and Sichuan, soon promoted to minister of war and titled commander-in-chief. Pressed by court debate to march out for a decisive battle, he stamped his foot and sighed 'I knew I would not return,' yet led Bai Guang'en, Gao Jie and others through Tongguan. In September prolonged rain cut off grain convoys; while turning back to meet supplies the lines broke and Li Zicheng pursued hundreds of li in a day. Tongguan fell in October and Chuanting retreated to Weinan, where he died fighting. Xi'an fell the same year; the History of Ming states 'with Chuanting's death, Ming fell.'

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