Zheng Zhilong, a famous pirate leader at the end of the Ming Dynasty, led a legendary life. However, after the fall of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng Zhilong chose to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, which caused great controversy at that time. So, why did Zheng Zhilong surrender to the Qing Dynasty? What was the main reason? This article will take you to understand the real motives of this historical figure.

First, to preserve family interests. Zheng Zhilong's main reason for surrendering to the Qing Dynasty was to preserve his family's interests. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, the situation in the country was unstable. Zheng Zhilong knew that his influence was difficult to compete with the Qing Dynasty. To protect the safety of his family and clansmen, he chose to surrender. After surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, Zheng Zhilong was appointed as the commander of the Fujian Naval Force, responsible for maintaining the rule of the Qing Dynasty in Fujian. In this way, his family was preserved and avoided the suffering of possible war.

Second, to seek political asylum. Besides preserving family interests, another important reason for Zheng Zhilong's surrender to the Qing Dynasty was to seek political asylum. At that time, the Qing Dynasty had united most of China and was powerful. Zheng Zhilong realized that his influence was difficult to compete with the Qing Dynasty, and surrendering to the Qing Dynasty was the best choice to protect himself and his family's safety. After surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, Zheng Zhilong gained the trust of the Qing emperor and became the commander of the Fujian Naval Force, enjoying a prominent status.

Third, to conform to the trend of history. From a historical perspective, Zheng Zhilong's surrender to the Qing Dynasty also conformed to the trend of history. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the country was suffering from internal and external troubles, and the people were living in misery. After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, the country gradually stabilized, and people's livelihood improved. As a forward-looking politician, Zheng Zhilong keenly captured the trend of historical development and chose to surrender to the Qing Dynasty to seek better development opportunities for his family.

In summary, Zheng Zhilong's main reasons for surrendering to the Qing Dynasty were to preserve family interests, seek political asylum, and conform to the trend of history. In the historical context at that time, Zheng Zhilong's choice was undoubtedly wise. Although this action caused controversy at that time, in the long run, Zheng Zhilong's surrender created favorable conditions for the development of his family and laid the foundation for the later anti-Qing hero Zheng Chenggong.

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