Wu Sangui

Wu Sangui allied with the Manchu forces to defeat Li Zicheng's rebel army at the Battle of Shanhai Pass. The combined Qing-Ming loyalist army routed Li's forces, forcing Li to retreat from Beijing. This battle sealed the Qing conquest of northern China.

Wu Sangui, commanding the Ming garrison at Shanhai Pass, opened the pass to the Manchu army led by Dorgon. This allowed the Manchus to enter China proper and march on Beijing, which had been captured by Li Zicheng's rebel forces.

Wu Sangui was appointed Prince of Pingxi by the Qing dynasty for his role in their conquest. He was granted control over Yunnan province, becoming one of the three powerful feudatories that ruled southern China under Qing suzerainty.

Wu Sangui initiated the Revolt of the Three Feudatories against the Qing dynasty. He proclaimed a new dynasty and led a rebellion from his base in Yunnan, initially gaining control of much of southern China before the Qing counteroffensive.

Wu Sangui proclaimed himself Emperor of the Zhou dynasty in Hengzhou (modern Hengyang). This act formalized his rebellion against the Qing. However, he died later that same year, and his rebellion collapsed shortly after.