Sahaliyan

Sahalian's military career started as early as in Tianming era, when he raided Chahar and Khorchin in 1625 with army consisting of 5 thousand soldiers. In 1626, he conquered Khalkha tribes together with his father, Daišan[5].That same year, he was granted a title of prince of the third rank together with Yoto and other imperial princes. Sahaliyan was reluctant to accept the title as he claimed incompetence and declared his loyalty to Khan.[6] Nevertheless, it was Sahaliyan who laid a groundwork to election of Hong Taiji as a Khan.[7]

Actually, when Manggūltai was deposed in 1633, it was Sahaliyan who arrested princess Mangguji, Nurhaci's third daughter. The reasons were Mangguji's request to Degelei to murder her second prince consort and the cold relationship between her and Hong Taiji.[8] Hong Taiji saw Mangguji and her brother, Degelei, as enemies and therefore wanted to murder them.[9] In 1635, Mangguji was murdered with her second daughter, whom Hong Taiji's son Hooge had rejected as a wife.[10]

Sahaliyan died of illness on 11 June 1636 at the age of 32 (in sui). His death deeply saddened Hong Taiji whi generously treated his family members and posthumously honoured him as Prince Ying of the First Rank.[11] Hong Taiji cancelled court sessions for 3 days, the mourning period exceptionally reserved for meritorious imperial princes. Sahalin was succeeded by his eldest son, Adali, while his second son, Lekdehun, was granted a title of Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank.[12]

In 1672, Kangxi Emperor added a character "yi" (毅) to Sahalian's title, so the full posthumous title was: Prince Yingyi of the First Rank (和硕颖毅亲王, meaning "talented and full of determination"). In 1755, Qianlong Emperor ordered to place Sahalin's memorial tablet in the Temple of Worthies so as to commemorate his role in the conquest of the Ming dynasty.[13]

The optical illusion of Sahalian was first visible after his death according to the legends. In 6 months after Sahalin's death, Hong Taiji slept in the Fenghuang building of the Mukden Palace. Hong Taiji dreamt of himself leaving inner court of Mukden palace together with Empress Xiaoduanwen onto the eastern wall of the city. After the short walk, Hong Taiji was disrupted by an enormous palace, where he saw Daishan and Sahaliyan awaiting him. Hong Taiji gave them clothes, let them in and sat on the throne. After an hour of bantering, Hong Taizi felt puzzled how Sahalin could be alive. Hong Taiji ordered to return to Mukden palace. While Hong Taiji was leaving the hall, Sahalian stopped him and requested for one calf.

The dream was described by great secretary Hife (of the Hešeri clan), Ganglin and other present at the court session other day.[14]

The story was continued by "Chronicle of Great Ming" before the accomplishment of "Great Code of Qing". However, the "Chronicle of Great Ming" gives the story a shade of authenticity by mentioning that Hong Taiji rewarded Lekdehun and made him one of the iron-cap princes under the title "Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank".[15]