Liang Hongyu (1102–1135) was a Chinese general of the

Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...

. She became famous during the

Jin–Song wars The Jin–Song Wars were a series of conflicts between the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty (1115–1234) and the Han-led Song dynasty (960–1279). In 1115, Jurchen tribes rebelled against their overlords, the Khitan-led Liao dynasty (916–1125) ...

against the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. Her real given name was lost in time. She was simply referenced in the official Chinese history books as "Lady Liang" (梁氏). "Hongyu" (红玉), meaning "Red Jade" in Chinese, was the name given in folk legends, Chinese operas, and novels after her heroic death in battle in 1135. She was the wife of

Han Shizhong Han Shizhong () (1089–1151) was a Chinese military general, poet, and politician of the late Northern Song Dynasty and the early Southern Song Dynasty. He dedicated his whole life to serving the Song Dynasty, and performed many legendary dee ...

, a Song general known for resisting invaders from the Jin dynasty together with

Yue Fei Yue Fei ( zh, t=岳飛; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general who lived during the Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song forces in the wa ...

and others.

Early life

Liang's father was an army commander at the frontier, from where the

was increasingly threatened by the Jurchen-ruled Jin dynasty. He taught her martial skills. Liang's feet were not bound. She was a master of martial arts. Several accounts stated she was a woman with incredible strength and a master of archery. At some point she was forced to work as a female slave due to her father being punished for losing a critical battle. According to some historical accounts, her slave work might be similar to modern day's woman wrestler. In the Song Dynasty, woman wrestling was a popular sport that even attracted the Song emperors to view woman wrestling in public matches. Most female wrestlers were dressed as males, wearing nothing but a loincloth during the match. This sport was completely banned in the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

since Ming era people felt it was indecent. Some modern historians argued this was the reason her position had been misinterpreted as prostitution by some historians in the Ming Dynasty. At certain point in her career, she met her husband

, though accounts differ on exactly how they met. The most believable version is that she met Han at a banquet where she was entertaining the troops that Han led. Han had led his men in crushing a rebellion in southern China, and Han had personally arrested the rebel leader

Fang La Fang La (; died 1121) was a Chinese rebel leader who led an uprising against the Song dynasty. In the classical novel ''Water Margin'', he is fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists and nemeses of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He is sometimes ...

. However, his superior stole his credit, much to Han's displeasure. Liang knew the truth and admired Han's victory. She saved enough money to pay her own redemption of slavery. After she was free, she became Han's second wife. The Jurchens soon started the total invasion on the Song Dynasty. Han formed an army to fight the Jurchens. Liang worked as a general in her husband's army.

Restore the Song emperor

Han and Liang's army soon became part of the main force against the Jurchens after Song lost its capital and northern China to the Jurchens. After the Jurchens captured two Song's emperors ( Emperor Huizong and

Emperor Qinzong Emperor Qinzong of Song (23 May 1100 – 14 June 1161), personal name Zhao Huan, was the ninth emperor of the Song dynasty of China and the last emperor of the Northern Song dynasty. Emperor Qinzong was the eldest son and heir apparent of Empe ...

), Emperor Gaozong reestablished the Song government in southern China. In 1129 there was a coup in the Song imperial court and Emperor Gaozong was held hostage and forced to abdicate. At the time, Han was leading an army in the front line. Liang was also house-arrested by the rebels in the hope of forcing her husband to surrender. She worked with Emperor Gaozong's loyalists to come up a plan that misled the rebellion's leader into releasing her as a messenger and goodwill gesture to her husband. Once free, she rode to her husband immediately and told her husband about the rebels' defence. This enabled her husband to crush the coup and restore Emperor Gaozong. Afterwards, Liang was rewarded with noble rank of "Noble Lady of Hu Guo" (護國夫人), meaning "Lady Protector of the Nation", which was not related to her husband's rank. This was unique in Chinese history since most Chinese noble women got their ranks through their husbands.

Battle of Huangtiandang

When the Jurchens once more invaded and attacked

Hangzhou Hangzhou ( or , ; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), also romanized as Hangchow, is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang, China. It is located in the northwestern part of the province, sitting at the head of Hangzhou Bay, wh ...

in 1129 shortly after the coup had been crushed, Liang and her husband led their forces to ambush the enemy army on their way back to Jin territory. Their troops were outnumbered and the

Battle of Huangtiandang The Battle of Huangtiandang () was an early battle in the Jin–Song Wars. From 1129, the Jin forces led by Wuzhu marched southward, successively conquering several important cities north of the Yangtze River. Wuzhu sent forces to chase after ...

commenced. This was a series of naval battles fought on the

Yangtze River The Yangtze or Yangzi ( or ; ) is the longest river in Asia, the third-longest in the world, and the longest in the world to flow entirely within one country. It rises at Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains (Tibetan Plateau) and flow ...

. Liang made a plan by which she would direct the soldiers with her drums. When the battle started, the Song troops were pushed back by Jurchen troops due to superior numbers on the Jurchen side. With great courage, Liang threw her helmet and armour, beating the drums and led the charge into the enemy formation. This became the turning point of the battle. Chinese "Tiger Ships", which could spew fire with flame throwers, destroyed many Jin ships while Liang directed them with her drumming. The Jurchens were trapped for more than a month, before a traitor revealed a weakness in the Chinese encirclement and they escaped, but with heavy losses.

Later life

In 1135 Han was appointed ''

jiedushi The ''jiedushi'' (), or jiedu, was a title for regional military governors in China which was established in the Tang dynasty and abolished in the Yuan dynasty. The post of ''jiedushi'' has been translated as "military commissioner", " legate ...

'' of Wuning Anhua (武寧安化軍節度使). Liang and her husband rebuilt the fortress of

Chuzhou Chuzhou () is a prefecture-level city in eastern Anhui Province, China. It borders the provincial capital of Hefei to the south and southwest, Huainan to the west, Bengbu to the northwest, and the province of Jiangsu to the east. According to t ...

and increased its defence. They and their soldiers also worked on the rebuilding of houses and the planting of fields.

Legacy

Poetry was written in her honour, which contributed to her fame. Together with

Qin Liangyu Qin Liangyu (1574–1648), courtesy name Zhensu, was a female general best known for defending the Ming dynasty from attacks by the Manchu-led Later Jin dynasty in the 17th century. Early life and education Qin Liangyu was born in Zhongzhou (� ...

, He Yufeng and the legendary

Hua Mulan Hua Mulan () is a legendary folk heroine from the Northern and Southern dynasties era (4th to 6th century CE) of Chinese history. According to legend, Mulan took her aged father's place in the conscription for the army by disguising herself as ...

, she is one of the most well-known female warriors in China.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liang, Hongyu Women in ancient Chinese warfare 12th-century Chinese people Women in 12th-century warfare Song dynasty generals 1135 deaths 1102 births Chinese female generals Jiedushi Burials in Suzhou Deified Chinese people Chinese wrestlers Female wrestlers