#334 - Taiping 11: The Spear of Heaven and the Winter Wolf

The Taiping Army commits to one of its most audacious acts yet – an assault on the Qing throne itself, a thousand miles north in Beijing. To reach it, it will launch its great Northern Campaign: a single spear-throw that, if its aim holds true, might end the entire war before the teeth of winter bite down.
Time Period Covered:
May 1853 – March 1855 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Taiping Heavenly Kingdom:
Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King [1814–1864]
Lin Fengxiang, co-commander of the Northern Expedition [d. 1855]
Li Kaifang, co-commander of the Northern Expedition [d. 1855]
Li Xiucheng, future Loyal King [c. 1823–1864]

Qing Dynasty:
The Xianfeng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yinzhu) [r. 1850–1861]
Prince Senggelinqin [c. 1811–1865]
Other:
Theodore Hamberg, Swedish missionary, Hong Kong; author of the first European account of the Taiping [1819–1854]

Major Sources Cited:
Hamberg, Theodore. The Visions of Hung-Siu-tshuen, and Origin of the Kwang-si Insurrection.
Michael, Franz, and Chang Chung-li. The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Vol. I.
Platt, Stephen R. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom.
Spence, Jonathan D. God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan.

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