Editing Dorgon (section)

===A quasi-emperor===
On 17 February 1644, Jirgalang, who was a capable military leader but appeared uninterested in managing state affairs, willingly yielded control of all official matters to Dorgon.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=299}}.</ref> After an alleged plot by [[Hooge, Prince Su|Hooge]] to undermine the regency was exposed on 6 May of that year, Hooge was stripped of his princely title and his co-conspirators were executed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=300}}, note 231.</ref> Dorgon soon replaced Hooge's supporters (mostly from the Yellow Banners) with his own, thus gaining closer control of two more banners.<ref>{{harvnb|Dennerline|2002|p=79}}.</ref> By early June 1644, he was in firm control of the Qing government and its military.<ref>{{harvnb|Roth Li|2002|p=71}}.</ref>

In early 1644, just as Dorgon and his advisors were pondering how to attack the [[Ming dynasty|Ming Empire]], peasant rebellions were dangerously approaching Beijing. On 24 April of that year, rebel forces led by [[Li Zicheng]] breached the walls of the Ming capital. The last Ming emperor, the [[Chongzhen Emperor]], hanged himself at [[Jingshan Park|a hill]] behind the [[Forbidden City]].<ref>{{harvnb|Mote|1999|p=809}}.</ref> Hearing the news, Dorgon's Han Chinese advisors [[Hong Chengchou]] and [[Fan Wencheng]] (范文程; 1597–1666) urged the prince to seize this opportunity to present themselves as avengers of the fallen Ming Empire and claim the [[Mandate of Heaven]] for the Qing Empire.<ref>{{harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=304}}; {{harvnb|Dennerline|2002|p=81}}.</ref> The last obstacle between Dorgon and Beijing was [[Wu Sangui]], a former Ming general guarding the [[Shanhai Pass]] at the eastern end of the [[Great Wall]].<ref>{{harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=290}}.</ref> 
[[File:Battle of Shanhai Pass.png|thumb|280px|Battle of Shanhai Pass in 1644; Dorgon was the commander of Qing army in this battle.]]
Wu Sangui was caught between the Manchus and Li Zicheng's forces. He requested Dorgon's help in ousting the rebels and restoring the Ming Empire.<ref>{{harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=304}}.</ref> When Dorgon asked Wu Sangui to work for the Qing Empire instead, Wu had little choice but to accept.<ref>{{harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=308}}.</ref> Aided by Wu Sangui's elite soldiers, who fought the rebel army for hours before Dorgon finally chose to intervene with his cavalry, the Qing army won a decisive victory against Li Zicheng at the [[Battle of Shanhai Pass]] on 27 May.<ref>{{harvnb|Wakeman|1985|pp=311–312}}.</ref> Li Zicheng and his defeated troops looted Beijing for several days until they left the capital on 4 June with all the wealth they could carry.<ref>{{harvnb|Wakeman|1985|p=313}}; {{Harvnb|Mote|1999|p=817}}.</ref>