Great People, Small Stories

Author: Wang Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Yue Fei (1103—1142), styled Pengju, was a native of Tangyin in Xiangzhou (now part of Henan Province), a renowned anti-Jin general in the early Southern Song Dynasty. Yue Fei's ancestors were farmers, and due to poverty, he studied military texts from a young age. Later, he joined the army and repeatedly defeated the Jin forces, taking the restoration of the Central Plains as his mission. He held positions such as the Military Commissioner of East Jinghu Road, the Military Commissioner of Henan and Northern Circuit, and Vice Director of the Secretariat. In the 10th year of Shaoxing (1140), he decisively defeated Wuzhu of the Jin, advanced to Zhuxian Town (now southwest of Kaifeng City, Henan), and the northern and southern regions of Henan responded in support. Just as he was about to capitalize on the victory to reclaim lost northern territories, Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, adopted Qin Hui's treacherous schemes and issued twelve imperial orders in a single day, forcing Yue Fei to retreat. Shortly after Yue Fei's army returned to Lin'an, he was executed on the charge of "non-existent crimes." In the 6th year of the Xiaozong era (1179), he was posthumously honored as Wumu. In the 4th year of the Jiading era under Ningzong (1211), he was posthumously enfeoffed as the Prince of E. Living in an era of extremely sharp ethnic conflicts, Yue Fei's poems and prose were filled with a strong determination to resist the Jin and reclaim the homeland, and were highly cherished by later generations. Most of these works are scattered in Jinduo Cuibian, compiled by his grandson Yue Ke. Only three of his ci poems survive but are widely. Detailed accounts of Yue Fei can be found in History of the Song Dynasty, Volume 365, and Collected Works of Yue Zhongwu are still in existence.
Becoming a Disciple of Zhou Dong
When Yue Fei was very young, he often chopped wood with some neighborhood children. One day, after finishing their work, the sky was still bright, so they gathered to discuss famous heroes of ancient times and some national affairs. At that moment, an elderly man with white hair happened to pass by and heard the children's chatter. He couldn't help but stop. After listening for a while, he noticed one young boy with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, discussing ancient heroes and modern politics with great wisdom and eloquence, and was deeply impressed. He had never expected that among his fellow villagers, there was such a talented and accomplished child. Overjoyed, he approached and asked, "May I ask who this young boy is? Whom does he study under?"
Hearing someone address him, Yue Fei looked up at the kind elderly man before him, who had a benevolent face but an aura of heroic determination, and was of extraordinary demeanor. He quickly bowed and recited:
"The lute's sand is polished by my mother's teachings,
The grass is cut to read the classics."
"If the dragon and phoenix gather in Jiangnan,
I will serve the great Song and restore the realm."
Yue Fei then said, "Your humble servant's surname is Yue, and my name is Fei. My father's name is Yue He. May I ask for your esteemed teacher's name?"
Zhou Dong had long heard that Yue He had a son who was born during a flood and survived by sitting in a jar, showing extraordinary intelligence. Seeing Yue Fei in person, he confirmed the rumors and said, "My surname is Zhou, and my name is Dong. I am just an ordinary villager."