Anfeiyanggu

Biography

Early Campaigns and the Songkoro Honor

Anfeiyanggu was born into the Gyuwalgiya clan in Hetu Ala (modern Xinbin, Liaoning). Possessing towering physical strength and supreme prowess in archery, he was among the earliest warriors to swear allegiance to Nurhaci when the latter launched his campaign with only thirteen sets of armor in 1583. In 1587, during the siege of Barda, Nurhaci's advance detachment was encircled by overwhelming hostile forces. Anfeiyanggu charged single-handedly into the enemy formation, slaying enemy champions and extracting Nurhaci from lethal encirclement. In recognition of his falcon-like velocity and ferocity, Nurhaci conferred upon him the unique honorific title Songkoro Baturu (Gyrfalcon Hero). ### Triumphs at Gule Mountain and Wujieyan In 1593, nine Jurchen and Mongol tribes confederated under Yehe leadership to crush Nurhaci at Gule Mountain with 30,000 horsemen. Anfeiyanggu led the shock cavalry vanguard. When Yehe chieftain Bujai charged forward, Anfeiyanggu impaled Bujai's horse with a spear, sending the chieftain sprawling into the mud, where he was slain. The death of Bujai caused the allied ranks to collapse in pandemonium, securing Nurhaci's undisputed dominance over eastern Manchuria. In 1607, during the campaign against Bujantai of Ula at Wujieyan, Anfeiyanggu again commanded the central shock troops, routing Ula divisions and capturing thousands of horses and prisoners. ### The Five Grand Ministers and the Battle of Sarhu In 1616, when Nurhaci proclaimed the founding of the Later Jin state and assumed the title of Genggiyen Khan, he instituted the supreme advisory council of the Five Grand Ministers (Anfeiyanggu, Eidu, Fionggon, Hohaheli, and Hurhan) to co-govern all civil, judicial, and strategic military operations. In 1619, the Ming Empire assembled 100,000 troops marching in four separated columns to invade Later Jin territory. At the Battle of Sarhu, Anfeiyanggu and Daišan concentrated Jin shock cavalry against the Ming western route under Commander Du Song at Jilin Cliff. Leading the assault in heavy snow, Anfeiyanggu smashed the Ming artillery emplacements and pursued retreating forces to the Sarhu River, ensuring total victory. ### Final Campaigns and Legacy In 1621, Anfeiyanggu participated in the rapid assaults that captured the key Liaodong bastions of Shenyang and Liaoyang. Worn down by decades of relentless frontline combat, Anfeiyanggu died in the seventh month of 1622 at the age of sixty-four. Nurhaci attended his funeral in tears, lamenting the loss of his most devoted shield. In 1659, Emperor Shunzhi honored his foundational services with the canonical title Minzhuang, erecting a memorial stele to record his loyalty.

Major Activities

Rescuing Nurhaci and the Gyrfalcon Title

At the battle of Barda in 1587, Anfeiyanggu broke through enemy encirclement to save Nurhaci's life, earning the revered title 'Songkoro Baturu'. ### Decapitation Strike at Gule Mountain During the 1593 nine-tribe invasion, Anfeiyanggu directly eliminated the supreme allied commander Bujai, triggering the collapse of the 30,000-strong coalition. ### Annihilating Ming Armies at Sarhu At Sarhu in 1619, Anfeiyanggu led the vanguard divisions that smashed Du Song's columns, securing the strategic survival and expansion of the Later Jin state.

Personal Relations

• Sovereign: Nurhaci (Qing Taizu, founder of the Qing dynasty)
• Fellow Grand Ministers: Eidu, Fionggon, Hohaheli, Hurhan (The Five Founding Ministers)
• Princes of the Blood: Daišan, Cuyen, Huangtaiji (comrades-in-arms)

Historical Assessment

• Qing Taizu Nurhaci: 'Anfeiyanggu was my true arm and shield; he never hesitated in danger, saving my person countless times.'
• Draft History of Qing (Qing Shi Gao): 'Anfeiyanggu was courageous and resourceful, standing as a pillar among the Five Ministers whose martial valor laid the foundations of our empire.'