(eBook) The Legend of Yue Fei: A Heroic General Through the Ages

One person illuminates a thousand years Understanding Chinese Loyalty

The Northern and Southern Song dynasties were marked by upheaval and bloodshed. A noble son, born of humble origins, exemplified loyalty and righteousness, writing his own epic tale. At the end of the Northern Song, the Jin army swept south, occupying most of the Song territory. During this time, a brilliant strategist emerged from the Song army, leading his troops north to resist the enemy and leaving behind a legendary tale of unwavering loyalty and patriotism. He was Yue Fei, the most famous anti-Jin general of the Southern Song .

From joining the army at the age of 20 to dying unjustly at 39 , Yue Fei fought in over 120 battles in his nearly 20 years of life, never suffering a defeat, making him seem like a god of war in Chinese history. The Yue Family Army, which he led, originally comprised troops from the imperial court, civilian populations, and even rebel forces, transformed under Marshal Yue into a loyal, patriotic, and invincible elite force. Why was Yue Fei able to win every battle, and why was the Yue Family Army so invincible?