As we all know, the Shun Dynasty, under Li Zicheng (or the Yongchang Emperor) took over China in the mid-17th century, crushing Ming remnants, the "Daxi Dynasty", and the Manchu with Li Zicheng seen by many Chinese even today as one of the greatest emperors China had in his reign from 1644 to 1668 with his dynasty lasting until the present day with Shun Dynasty China one of the world's major powers. But what if Li Zicheng didn't take over China? What PODs might be needed? I've read that Wu Sangui considered defecting to the Manchu as opposed to declaring for Li Zicheng, so that may be a good POD for the Shun failing to take over China. Could the Ming have regrouped and defeated the Shun? Or could Zhang Xianzhong and his "Daxi Dynasty" have defeated the Shun? What would the impact of a China without the Shun Dynasty be?