Great Hero Di Qing. Volume 2

Author: Shen Shoulin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: This is the illustrated text of the 52-episode animated series "The Great Hero Di Qing," telling the legendary story of Di Qing, a Northern Song dynasty general, who strives from a young age to become the commander-in-chief of the frontier troops. At the age of eight, Di Qing lost both his parents, coinciding with the establishment of the Western Xia dynasty by Yuan Hao and his attack on the Song empire, which intensified the border crisis. Determined to serve his country, he became a disciple of an abbott and diligently studied, rigorously training in martial arts. As he grew older, he became a renowned general, wise and brave, adept in strategy. He was upright in character, fearless of the power of imperial relatives and the uncle-in-law, and persistently fought against injustice. At the time, the Song army suffered repeated defeats at the hands of the Western Xia, timid and hesitant to engage in battle. After joining the army, Di Qing was brave and clever, boldly using advanced firearms to heavily wound the Western Xia cavalry. Eventually, King Yuan Hao of Western Xia realized that only national reconciliation was the only way forward and finally signed a peace treaty with the Song dynasty. Di Qing himself rose from a commoner to become the commander guarding the frontier and the national military strategist, becoming a household name and a great hero. The entire story vividly depicts Di Qing's willingness to abandon high-ranking positions and personal desires to serve his country, leaving the capital to join the army and fight on the battlefield. Through this, his lofty love for his nation and compassion for the people can be seen; it also reflects the historical reality and inevitable trend of seeking common ground while preserving differences, tolerance, reconciliation, and achieving national unity among the various ethnic groups within the Chinese family.