Northern Song Dynasty general Cao Bin

Author: Gao Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: The Famous Northern Song General Cao Bin
Main Content: He was a renowned general of the early Northern Song Dynasty. Known for his honesty, kindness, and benevolence, he was particularly praised for his "mercy toward his troops," earning the title "gentle and virtuous." He maintained strict discipline in his army, emphasized military decorum, and prohibited soldiers from wantonly killing and looting, earning the respect and admiration of both his men and the people. He served as a supervisor in the second year of the Qiande era and participated in the campaign against Later Shu; in the seventh year of the Kaibao era, he led his troops to South Tang. He was the Northern Song Dynasty's celebrated general—Cao Bin. Gao Yang conducted detailed research on two major battles in the Northern Song Dynasty's history, vividly describing the critical role Cao Bin's ingenious strategies played in the battles, and recreating the turbulent and complex process of historical unification in the late Five Dynasties period. The Flower Queen is one of Gao Yang's most romantic and heartwarming love stories. Qin Zhu, a poor and solitary oil seller, lived by peddling oil through the streets. One day, while by the West Lake, he encountered the famous courtesan "West Lake Flower Queen," Wang Meiniang, and was deeply captivated by her beauty. "Fate has brought us together, yet we are strangers." Knowing his poverty, Qin Zhu was willing to work hard for a year to save silver just to spend one night with Meiniang. That night, Qin Zhu waited for Meiniang's return, only to find her drunk, thirsty, vomiting, and restless. His sincere efforts were met with Meiniang's indifference, and after lying in bed unclothed for a short while, she was taken away by a wealthy young master, abused, and abandoned by the river, where she was lucky to be saved by Qin Zhu. The Flower Queen features a plot full of twists and turns, with hardship bringing sorrow and happiness evoking awe. The eventual happy ending, after the protagonists endure all kinds of trials, turns the entire novel into a moving ode to love.