Family Name Roots Exploration and the Art of Naming

Author: Wang Junyun / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
2. Li Guang, the Flying General of the Han Dynasty, was a famous general from Chengji, Longxi (now Tianshui, Gansu) in the Western Han Dynasty. His ancestor, Li Xin, was also a renowned general of the Qin Dynasty and once led Qin troops to pursue Prince Dan of Yan to Liaodong. In 166 BC, young Li Guang joined the army to fight against the Xiongnu. Due to his bravery in battle and numerous enemy kills, he gained the favor of Emperor Wen of Han. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Li Guang was promoted to the position of cavalry commander and assigned as the governor of the northern frontier regions of Shanggu, Shangsi, Longxi, Yanmen, Dai, and Yunzhong to resist Xiongnu invasions.
In 140 BC, Emperor Wu of Han ascended the throne and appointed Li Guang as the Wuyang Guard Commander. Four years later, Li Guang led his troops out of Yanmen Pass and was surrounded by a Xiongnu army twice his size. The Xiongnu Khan, who had long admired Li Guang's reputation, ordered his subordinates to capture him alive. Li Guang was eventually captured due to the overwhelming odds but managed to escape during his captivity. On the way back, he snatched a horse from an enemy soldier, shot down numerous pursuers, and finally returned to the Han camp. From then on, he earned the title of "Flying General of Han" in the Xiongnu army. Upon his return to the Han court, Emperor Wu dismissed him from his military position and (degraded to a commoner).
A few years later, after the Xiongnu killed the governor of Liaoxi, Emperor Wu reinstated Li Guang as the governor of Youbeiping. Upon hearing that the "Flying General" was stationed there, the Xiongnu did not dare to attack for several years. In 120 BC, Li Guang led 4,000 cavalry out of Youbeiping to support Zhang Qian's campaign against the Xiongnu.
In 119 BC, the Grand General Wei Qing launched an attack on the Xiongnu. At the age of sixty, Li Guang was appointed as the Forward General. After crossing the border, Wei Qing learned from a captive that the Khan was in a certain location. He wanted to snatch the glory for himself and ordered Li Guang's vanguard to merge with the right wing and take the eastern route, while he personally led the center army to pursue the Khan. Li Guang argued but was unsuccessful and thus led his troops to merge with General Zhao Shi's right army on the eastern route. Due to difficult terrain and lack of guides, they got lost. Meanwhile, Wei Qing engaged the Khan in battle, but the Khan fled, forcing Wei Qing to return empty-handed. On the way back, he finally reunited with the right wing. Wei Qing sent a trusted subordinate with wine and food to comfort Li Guang, asking about the vanguard's disorientation and shifting the blame for losing the Khan onto General Zhao Shi.
Li Guang was a man of integrity and refused to accept the blame. He took full responsibility, drew his sword, and committed suicide.
In summary, Li Guang was a renowned general of his time, admired by his subordinates for his extraordinary courage, decisiveness, and adaptability, as well as his upright and honest character. His unconventional leadership style set him apart from traditional military commanders, making him a figure that struck fear into the hearts of the Xiongnu. P3