Historically, the three Tan brothers first served as officers under Fang Guo'an, later joining the ranks of Lü Daqi after the fall of Beijing. During the Yongli reign, they surrendered to Liu Wenxiu and subsequently followed him in pledging allegiance to the Yongli Imperial Court. In the thirteenth year of the Yongli reign, Tan Hong and Tan Yi conspired to surrender to the Qing. Tan Wen, however, refused to surrender; instead, he revealed his brothers' intentions to Yuan Zongdi and other members of the Quidong Thirteen. Upon learning this, Tan Hong and Tan Yi were enraged and conspired to murder him aboard a boat.
Viceroy Qin, naturally unaware of Tan Wen’s private thoughts, grew immediately alert upon learning he was inside Chengtian Prefecture.
"How many troops does Tan Wen have?" Viceroy Qin asked Ma Wannian.
Chapter 498