nd decay. With a strong hand
at the imperial helm the Manchu invasion, with only a thinly settled
region to draw on for recruits, would have been hopeless. With a weak
hand no one could predict the result.

In 1618 the Manchus crossed their southern frontier and boldly set foot
on the soil of China, their movement being so sudden and unexpected that
the border town of Fooshun was taken almost without a blow. The army
sent to retake it was hurled back in defeat, and the strong town of
Tsingho was next besieged and captured. The progress of Noorhachu was
checked at this point by the clamor of his men, who were unwilling to
march farther while leaving the hostile state of Yeho in their rear. He
therefore led them back to their homes.

The Chinese were now thoroughly aroused. An army of more than one
hundred thousand men was raised and sent to attack Noorhachu in his
native realm. But it was weakly commanded and unwisely divided into
three unsupported sections, which the Manchus attacked and routed in
detail. The year's work was completed by the conquest and annexation of
Yeho, an event which added thirty thousand men to Noorhachu's resources
and completed the confederation of the Niuche clans, which had been his
original plan.

The old Chinese emperor was now near his life's end. But his last act
was one of his wisest ones, it being the appointment of Tingbi, a
leader of skill and resolution, to the command in Liautung. In a brief
time this energetic commander had placed the capital and the border
towns of the province in a state of defence and collected an army of one
hundred and eighty thousand men on the frontier. Two years sufficed to
make the province impregnable to Manchu attack. During this period of
energy Noorhachu wisely remained quiet. But the Chinese emperor died,
and was succeeded by his son, who quickly followed him to the grave. His
grandson, a boy of sixteen, succeeded, and the court enemies of Tingbi
now had him recalled and replaced by a man who had never seen a battle.

The result was what might have been expected. Noorhachu, who had been
waiting his opportunity, at once led his army across the borders (1621),
marching upon the strong town of Moukden, whose commandant, more brave
than wise, left the shelter of his walls to meet him in the field. The
result was a severe repulse, the Manchus entering the gates with the
fugitives and slaughtering the garrison in the streets. Three armies
were sent to re