Rare Silver Xi Wang Shang Gong, Ming Rebellion Zhang Xian Zhong, Daxi 1644 AD
ANCIENT CHINA Ming Rebellion King of Western, Meritorious Honor Award
西 Which means: King of Western, Meritorious Honor Award
Xi Wang Shang Gong and Zhang Xianzhong Zhang Xianzhong was a famous leader of the peasant rebel army in the late Ming dynasty. In 1630, he joined the peasant rebel army. In 1643, he was entitled "Da Xing Wang". In 1644, he dominated Sichuan and became the king of Chengdu, named the reigning dynasty as "Da Xi" and his reign as "Da Shun". Zhang produced his money "Da Shun Tong Bao" as the official currency. In order to honor those who made contribution to Da Xi dynasty, he produced another money called "Xi Wang Shang Gong" as an award to them. There are four kinds of "Xi Wang Shang Gong", which are made of gold, gilding, silver and copper. At that time, the peasant rebel army won people's great admiration and support. "Da Shun Tong Bao" was often sewn onto clothing as a sort of celebration to the peasant rebel army. Since it was very difficult to get "Xi Wang Shang Gong", it was very rare and precious. It was nearly an impossible condition that ordinary people could get it. As a result, there are very few remaining today.
Ruler of Daxi, Zhang Xianzhong Zhang Xianzhong or Chang Hsien-chung (September 18, 1606 – January 2, 1647), nicknamed Yellow Tiger, was a leader of a peasant revolt from Yan'an, Shaanxi Province and he later conquered Sichuan in the 17th century. His rule in Sichuan was brief and he was killed by the invading Manchu army. He is commonly associated with the massacres in Sichuan which depopulated the region, however the extent of his killings is disputed.
MING REBELS In AD 1644 the Chinese were once again conquered by foreigners as the Manchurians took control of much of China to establish the Ch'ing Dynasty, but reaching that point was a long drawn out process, starting about 70 years earlier and they did not gain full control for another 40 years. This was a period of turmoil during which a series of pretenders and rebels controlling small (some sometimes not so small) regions fought a series wars and rebellions at first against the Ming, later against the Ch'ing, and sometimes between each other. These people are referred to as the Ming Rebels and it is a fairly complex period in Chinese history. The order in which Schjoth lists these rules does not give a sense of this history, and I am working on sorting out presentation that hopefully will do so, but I am not there yet. This is a section I am just now beginning to again work on, so hopefully there will be a better presentation here soon.
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