The Legend of the Hu Family Generals

The Generals of the Hu Family, also known as The Golden Whip, is a traditional epic promoting patriotism. It has been widely circulated and had a great influence. The story takes place during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song. Hu Bixian, also called Hu Pixian, son of the loyal minister Hu Yanzan, is framed by Pang Wen, father of Consort Pang, and more than three hundred members of his family are killed. Hu Bixian’s sons, Hu Shouyong and Hu Shouxin, escape this fate because they are away from home. To evade Pang Wen’s search, Hu Shouxin flees north to seek refuge with relatives. Hu Shouyong goes to Dawang Village to marry and has a son, Hu Yanqing. After learning extraordinary martial arts from the Old Patriarch Wang Ao, Yanqing causes a disturbance in the capital three times, terrifying Pang Wen. To fulfill his ambition of becoming emperor, Pang Wen secretly conspires with foreign powers, hoping to divide the realm with them. At home, he abuses his authority, bullies those below him and deceives those above, plundering the people and committing countless crimes.

To rid the country of Pang Wen and his traitorous, people-oppressing cronies, and to avenge the murder of their family, Hu Yanqing, Hu Yanping, Hu Yanming, and others wage a long, arduous, and fierce struggle against the treacherous ministers with the help of Bao Zheng, Kou Zhun, and the Yang Family Generals. In the end, they emerge victorious.