In this first of a two-part look into the life and legend of this epic Chinese hero, we chronicle Yue Fei's early life and education, his induction into the military to serve his nation with utmost loyalty, his meteoric rise through the ranks, and his stalwart resolve in facing the greatest crisis his country his known in centuries, all while garnering a cult-like following of soldiers, and the panicked attention of the imperial court.

Time Period Covered:

1103-1137 CE

Major Works Cited:

Foster, Robert W. The Human Condition in Premodern China.

Jenne, Jeremiah. “The Execution of Yue Fei: 875 Years of Patriotic Myth” from radiichina.com

Li, Xiaobi. China at War.

Lorge, Peter. War, Politics and Society in Early Modern China, 900-1795.

Mote, Fredrick W. “Ch. 13: The Southern Song and Chinese Survival” in

Imperial China 900-1800.

Tao, Jing-shen. “The Move to the South and the Reign of Kao-tsung” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 05: The Sung Dynasty and Its Precursors, 907-1279.

Wills, Jr., John E. E. Mountain of Fame: Portraits in Chinese History.

Zhou, Zuoren, trans. Tim Cronen. “A View of the Hero Yue Fei and the Traitor Qin Hui” in The China Heritage Quarterly No. 28, December 2011.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices