Later depiction of Han Shizhong
Later depiction of Han Shizhong · 南宋A transmitted or later depiction, not presented as a contemporary documentary portrait劉松年繪Source·Public domain

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Han Shizhong韩世忠

Song CourtHistory × Fiction

Grand Marshal, father of Han Yanzhi, lived in seclusion.

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DIRECT FIGURES
44
RELATION RECORDS
66
SOURCE WORKS
2

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Han Shizhong, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

2 figures · 2 records
02
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

1 figure · 1 record
03
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

18 figures · 22 records
14 more in the complete record
04
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

10 figures · 13 records
7 more in the complete record
05
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

2 figures · 2 records
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

FeatureThe History of Song dedicates an entire volume to Yue Fei, yet the most famous events are not included.History of Song made an exception by devoting an entire volume to Yue Fei's biography, detailing his military achievements, wrongful imprisonment, memorials to the throne, and literary works. However, the most familiar stories to later generations—Yue's mother tattooing characters on his back, his spearing the Young Prince of Liang, and the Eight Hammers causing a stir at Zhuxian Town—are not mentioned at all in this biography. Conversely, the most striking episodes like the twelve gold medals and the charge of 'perhaps there is' were first recorded in the official history and later copied by novels. This piece compares the two side by side, noting the source volume for each item.

In history · History of Song

Military Commissioner of Jinghuai, strongly advised resistance against the Jin; famous Southern Song general resisting the Jin, later served as Privy Councilor; one of the main anti-Jin generals alongside Yue Fei.

In fiction · The Story of Yue Fei

Grand Marshal, father of Han Yanzhi, lived in seclusion. Marshal of the Song army, together with Yue Fei and others at Phoenix Mountain. Marshal of the Song army, attacked Yang Yao by water route.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Literature / legend

    The Story of Yue Fei

    16 profile notes
    7 relations16 verified quotations
    • Yue Fei→ colleague →Han Shizhong
    • Emperor Gaozong of Song→ confer title →Han Shizhong
    • Han Shizhong→ ruler-subject →Emperor Gaozong of Song
    • Han Shizhong→ battle →Jin Wushu
    Verified original text · 16
    1. 若定战期，还仗老元戎相助一臂

      alliance · The Story of Yue Fei, 第四十九回

    2. 韩世忠勤王有功，加封为蕲王

      confer title · The Story of Yue Fei, 第四十七回

    14 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    History of Song

    85 profile notes
    38 relations76 verified quotations
    • Yue Fei→ colleague →Han Shizhong
    • Yue Fei→ inform →Han Shizhong
    • Han Shizhong→ cry grievance →Yue Fei
    • Han Shizhong→ colleague →Yue Fei
    Verified original text · 76
    1. 韩世忠自扬武翊运功臣、太保、横海武宁安化军节度使、淮东路宣抚使除枢密使。

      colleague · History of Song, 宰辅表四

    2. 独称飞与韩世忠可倚大事

      colleague · History of Song, 岳飞传

    74 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

In official history, a marshal of unparalleled merit; folk legends greatly enriched the details of his family and his outspokenness.

  • based on factIn the Battle of Huangtiandang, his wife beat the drum to drive back the Jin troops.

    History of Song, Biography of Han Shizhong records in detail Han Shizhong's glorious achievement of besieging 100,000 Jin troops for forty-eight days at Huangtiandang with 8,000 naval forces. The original text states: 「梁夫人亲执桴鼓，金兵终不得渡。」（History of Song, Biography of Han Shizhong.txt）The Southern Song historical source Chronicle of the Years since the Jianyan Era also indeed mentions that his wife, Lady Liang, personally beat the war drum to boost morale. However, the legendary name 'Liang Hongyu' and the numerous dramatized details of defeating the enemy were later added and enriched by operas and novels.

  • attestedHe personally questioned Qin Hui about Yue Fei's crime.

    History of Song, Biography of Yue Fei records that after Yue Fei was imprisoned, no one in the entire court dared to speak up, except Han Shizhong who stepped forward and personally questioned Qin Hui about what crime Yue Fei had actually committed. Qin Hui replied with the three characters 「莫须有」, and Han Shizhong angrily said: 「莫须有三字，何以服天下？」 This scene of righteous historical truth not only reveals Han Shizhong's uprightness but is also fully preserved in many literary works such as The Complete Story of Yue Fei.

Relationship network

36 figures · 221 links
Han ShizhongHan ShizhongYue FeiYue FeiQin HuiQin HuiEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Xiaozong of SongEmperor Xiaozong of SongJin WushuJin WushuEmperor Qinzong of SongEmperor Qinzong of SongNiu GaoNiu GaoJinrenJinrenZhang JunZhang JunZhang JunZhang JunYang CunzhongWang DeYou MaoLiu GuangshiLiu YuZong ZeZhan HanLü YihaoHan YanzhiLi ChengLi HengLü ZhiCheng MinYang YizhongLiu NiWang QuanXin CiyingDu ChongWang YuanLiu BaoLiu ZhongCao ChengMiao FuLiu ZhengyanLu Deng
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: History of Song, 云传; The Story of Yue Fei, 第七十二回; History of Song, 何铸王次翁范同杨愿楼炤勾龙如渊薛弼罗汝楫愿萧振传; The Story of Yue Fei, 第五十七回; History of Song, 兵一志; The Story of Yue Fei, 第五十三回; History of Song, 兵八志; The Story of Yue Fei, 第六十三回

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.