The Yue Family Army: Yue Fei

Introduction to The Legend of Yue Fei

At the end of the Northern Song dynasty, the land fell into chaos. Jin cavalry trampled the capital of Bianjing, leaving the realm in ruins. Amid the flames of war, a hero was born: Yue Fei.

Born into poverty, Yue Fei had the words “Serve the country with utmost loyalty” tattooed on his back by his mother, and engraved in his heart. He studied under Zhou Tong, mastering both letters and arms, and possessed unwavering courage. After joining the army, Yue Fei made the restoration of the realm his mission and formed the invincible Yue Family Army. “Freeze to death rather than tear down a house; starve to death rather than loot.” With strict discipline, his troops swept all before them. Wielding his Liquan Spear, he routed the Jin’s “Iron Pagoda” cavalry and won victory after victory at Yancheng and Zhuxian Town, until the Jin lamented, “It is easy to shake a mountain, but hard to shake the Yue Family Army!”

The recovery of the old capital and the return of the two emperors seemed just within reach. Yet at this crucial moment, when they were about to strike straight at Huanglong, the treacherous minister Qin Hui seized power at court, while Emperor Gaozong, Zhao Gou, clung to peace. He sent twelve golden orders commanding Yue Fei to withdraw. Ten years of effort were undone in a single day! The hero’s great ambitions remained unfulfilled, leaving only boundless grief and indignation.

Upon returning to Lin’an, Yue Fei was framed and unjustly imprisoned on a “crime” that had never existed. At Fengbo Pavilion, his loyal spirit fell, and heaven and earth mourned. Yet his spirit of “serving the country with utmost loyalty” shines like the sun and moon and flows like rivers, inspiring countless people of conscience in generations to come. His legacy will never perish!