The Eastern Han general Geng Gong was trapped by the Xiongnu in the isolated city of Shule in the Western Regions. In the end, only 26 men remained, yet they fought fiercely for years and vowed never to surrender.
Earlier, he had sent a soldier named Fan Qiang to seek help. After pleading for a year, Fan Qiang finally brought back reinforcements from the imperial court. But so much time had passed and the journey was so long that the commander believed Geng Gong and his men had little chance of still being alive. He saw no point in risking more lives and prepared to abandon the rescue.
Unwilling to leave his comrades behind, Fan Qiang fought desperately to change the commander's mind, then insisted on leading a force on the long journey to save them. After hundreds of casualties, he rescued the 26 men. By the time they had traveled thousands of miles back to Yumen Pass, only 13 of them were still alive. They are remembered as the Thirteen Heroes of Geng Gong.
China's version of Saving Private Ryan.
