Return with the Loss of the King

The love story of the famous Southern Song Dynasty general Liu Qi is rarely recorded in official history, but there are many interpretations in folklore and later literature. Among them, the most famous is his poignant love with the Su woman. It is said that Liu Qi had a fiancée named Su during the Jingkang Incident and the Jin soldiers' invasion of the south. Su is gentle and intelligent, and often waits for his return in the rain. The two agreed that "I will wait for you when the plum blossoms return", but due to the turbulent war situation, Liu Qi failed to keep the agreement. Su embroidered a red dress under the bloody sunset, and shed tears like rain. Later, the Su family died for the country by throwing themselves into a well, leaving behind the sad legend of the jade bracelet and red Luo Shang. In addition, Liu Qi repeatedly performed extraordinary feats in battles such as the Battle of Shunchang, but was demoted many times due to the rebellion of his subordinates and official frustration. When he became seriously ill in his later years, the changes in his lover and family also deepened his grief, anger and helplessness1. Although these stories have limited historical data, through later literature, operas, novels, etc., They created the image of a "Confucian general" with both loyalty, bravery and tenderness for Liu Qi, and also made his love with Su one of the representatives of ancient loyal love stories.