In 1142 AD, Yue Fei, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, died unjustly in Fengbo Pavilion. The so-called "since ancient times, famous generals are like red faces, and they are not allowed to see white heads in the world", isn't he talking about?
As a military general, he would rather die than give in and serve the country with his body. Yue Fei, a generation of famous generals, died because of the king's mediocrity and the framing of traitorous ministers. The Yue Family Army established by Yue Fei was the pride of his life, but after the death of him and his son Yue Yun, the Yue Family Army did not seem to express the grief it deserved.
This can't help but make people ponder, what makes the Yue Jiajun so calm, is it their loyalty or fear of power?
Why is the Yue family army so cold-blooded? Although they were not Yue Fei's private army, but the Yue family army that served the imperial court, there was no mutiny in the army, and there was no mention of avenging Yue Fei.
Even Han Shizhong, an outsider, once reprimanded Qin Hui to his face: "How can you serve the world without three words?" "Why is the Yuejia army different from other armies? According to the "History of the Song Dynasty", in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhao Gou still provided grain, grass and equipment for the army, and forbade the army to raise its own food and salary, so as to avoid the loss of power and the cultivation of warlords.
The imperial court had strict control over the various armies, which made the Yuejia army different from other armies.
Although the Yuejia army was known as the elite division of the Southern Song Dynasty, its actual combat effectiveness was not as strong as people imagined. According to the "History of the Song Dynasty", the total strength of the Southern Song Dynasty was as high as more than 400,000, and the number of soldiers in the Yuejia army was only 70,000 or 80,000.
Even if the Yue family army formed a comprehensive suppression of the Southern Song Dynasty court, once the grain and grass were controlled, no matter how many soldiers could not exert their combat effectiveness, this was also the reason why Yue Fei was able to be recalled by the twelve gold medals in the first place.
In addition, there are also discords within the Yue family's army. The Yuejia army was essentially the army of the Southern Song Dynasty court, and although Yue Fei was influential in the army, the Yuejia army was not monolithic.
According to the "History of the Song Dynasty", Yue Fei once suggested that Zhao Gou establish the future Song Xiaozong as the crown prince, but Song Xiaozong was not Zhao Gou's own son, and it was proposed by the generals in the army, and it was inevitable to suspect it.
This shows that there are certain political differences within the Yuejia army, which also affects the play of its combat effectiveness.
Serving the Country with Loyalty: A New Biography of Yue Fei reveals two key factors in Yue Fei's death: one is Zhao Go's distrust and rebuke, and the other is betrayal within Yue's army. Zhao Gou once privately asked whether the main generals of the Yue family army had the intention of establishing a prince, and after receiving denial, he severely reprimanded Yue Fei.
And the traitors within the Yue family's army also hastened Yue Fei's death. Wang Jun, the former deputy commander of the army, was the first person to falsely accuse Yue Fei, and Wang Gui, the commander of the Chinese army, was Yue Fei's childhood friend, but eventually betrayed him.
As for the others, their betrayal accelerated Yue Fei's tragedy. Yue Fei's belief is to serve the country with loyalty, these are the four big characters on his back, and they are also the four words given to him by Song Gaozong.
His loyalty and bravery are still admired today.
Throughout Yue Fei's life, loyalty has always been his constant belief and cohesion. Whether it is loyalty to the Great Song Dynasty or loyalty to the people of the Great Song Dynasty, it is his unswerving commitment.
If Yue Fei rebelled or the Yue family army rebelled, it would be tantamount to slapping him in the face. Historically, the four generals of Zhongxing originally included Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Zhang Jun and Wu Jue, but because of the betrayal of the descendants of the Wu family, Wu Jue was erased, and Liu Guangshi took his place.
When we study history, we should not use the way of thinking of modern people, but should try our best to understand it from the perspective of people of the time. Although Yue Fei died at the hands of the Southern Song Dynasty officials, he and the Yue family army would not resist because of this, and they still insisted on their loyalty.
Yue Fei was a general loyal to the Song Dynasty, and his loyalty was not limited to the Song Dynasty, but had a deep affection for his country. Even if he was unjustly killed, he still firmly believed that "every day is clear" and that his motherland would eventually be rehabilitated.
His tenacity and loyalty were further sublimated under the influence of Confucianism. People sympathized with him, and their admiration for his patriotic ideas pushed him to the altar. And those who bring disaster to the country and the people, although they get benefits for a while, will eventually be nailed to the pillar of shame.
Yue Fei's death was just the disappearance of his body, but his spirit remained in people's hearts forever. If Yue Fei can help Zhao Gou recover the homeland of the Northern Song Dynasty, and even go straight to Huanglong, then he may be praised by people as Wei Qing and Huo Quai, who is alive, and is the minister of Zhongxing who supports the building in the future.
Historically, such people have not been uncommon.
If the Yue family army really rebelled, the result might not be satisfactory, and Yue Fei might be stigmatized as a rebel and thief, contradicting his concept of serving the country loyally.
Even if the rebellion succeeded, he only became another Sima Yi, another person who was regarded as a rebellious minister and thief. However, this does not affect our respect for Yue Fei in modern times, isn't it because of his four words?