Li Chengliang was a Ming dynasty general of Korean descent who was charged with maintaining peaceful relations with the Jurchen tribes. Born in a military family in Tieling, Li suffered from poverty during his childhood. It was not until he reached the age of 40 that he received an official appointment, but he eventually became Liaodong Regional Commander with the backing of the Chief Grand SecretaryZhang Juzheng. Li served two terms as Liaodong Regional Commander, for 22 years and 8 years respectively.
In the 1570s, the Chahar Mongols migrated east and often harassed the Liaodong region. Li's first tenure as Liaodong Regional General saw five major victories against the Chahar. For these victories, in 1579 he was named "Earl of Ningyuan", a title that was made hereditary in 1580.
The Jianzhou Jurchen chieftain Wang Gao had frequently assaulted Ming cities and killed the Ming commander at Fushun in 1573. The Ming sent a punitive expedition that drove Wang north into the lands of another Jurchen tribe, the Hada, where he was captured by Wang Tai, leader of the Hūlun federation, and handed over to Li Chengliang, who executed him in 1575. Wang Gao's death intensified the power struggles that were already taking place between Jianzhou Jurchen chieftains. Giocangga and his son Taksi, who had been subjects to Wang Gao's authority, secretly allied themselves with Li Chengliang to enhance their power. In 1582 Wang Gao's son Atai raided Ming lands. Ming sent a punitive expedition, which Giocangga and Taksi supported. In the ensuing assault on Atai's fort, and under unclear circumstances, both Giocangga and Taksi were killed, by rival Jurchen leader Nikan Wailan who was also siding with the Ming troops under the command of Li Chengliang. Li Chengliang fostered and protectedNurhaci, Taksi's son. With Li's support, Nurhaci gradually grew his strength in the following years. Early in 1583, Nurhaci obtained from Li Chengliang the right to succeed his father as a minor Jurchen chieftain. Later Li Chengliang gave Nikan Wailan to Nurhaci in 1587, who beheaded him immediately. Through a series of alliances and military victories, Nurhaci eventually managed to unify all Jurchen tribes under his own leadership. Having named himself khan of the Jurchens, he rose in rebellion against the Ming. The first of his Seven Grievances against the Ming, promulgated in 1618 as a casus belli, was that the Ming, "with no justification whatsoever, violated our borders and killed my father and grandfather."
Prestige and wealth
Li Chengliang enjoyed the patronage and support of the Wanli Emperor and his powerful Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, who controlled the Ming government during the first 10 years of the Wanli reign. Together, Zhang and the emperor granted Li and his sons "titles and responsibilities never before enjoyed by hereditary military officials." In addition to receiving stipends from the Ming capital, Li enhanced his wealth through "war booty, horse rustling in the borderlands, and coercive manipulation of prices in border markets."
Descendants
Of Li Chengliang's nine sons, Li Rusong, Li Ruzhen, Li Rubai, Li Ruzhang and Li Rumei would rise to become "regional commanders" and the other four, Li Ruzi, Li Ruwu, Li Rugui, and Li Runan, would become "assistant regional commanders" for the Ming.
