The Looting of Peking by the Rebel Li. The Rebel Li had been a village beadle; but he turned brigand and was soon at the head of a large army. In 1644 he marched against Peking; and pillaged it; he then proclaimed himself Emperor; and the founder of a new dynasty. The Manchus were invited to come in and assist in the repression of Li; and having done this they decided to stay and annex the empire for themselves. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson; c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.