Top 10 famous generals of ancient China

Yue Fei 岳飞

 

Yue Fei

Yue Fei (1103-1142), also known as Pengju, was a famous military general in Chinese history who fought for the Southern Song Dynasty against the Nvzhen armies of the Kin Empire. He was born in Xiangzhou (in today's Henan Province) during the Northern Song Dynasty. He was the first of the "Four Generals of Zhongxing" – Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun and Liu Guangshi – in the Southern Song Dynasty. His extraordinary military talent earned him the title of "most outstanding military general" during the period of Song, Liao, Kin and Xixia.

At the age of 30, Yue Fei supposedly wrote his most famous poem "Man Jiang Hong," which was a great encouragement for his army and still inspires people today. The army he led was called the "Yue Army" and there was a popular saying among the people: "It's easy to shake a mountain, but it's not easy to shake the Yue Army." This was the highest appraisal for the army led by Yue.

On January 27, 1142, Yue was poisoned to death in prison in Hangzhou by Chancellor Qin Hui after being accused of false charges. However, 21 years later, Emperor Xiaozong of the Song ascended the throne, and ordered the rehabilitation of General Yue's reputation. The emperor decreed that Yue's tomb be built near Hangzhou's West Lake.