Kong Yanzhou孔彦舟

History vs. fiction

Kong Yanzhou. Bandit leader, defeated by Yue Fei. Military Governor of Dongping Prefecture, rebelled and crossed the Huai River to attack Huangzhou. A fierce general of the Jin Kingdom, assisted in battle against Nian Dali.

• based on factBandit leader, defeated by Yue Fei; Military Governor of Dongping Prefecture, rebelled and crossed the Huai River to attack Huangzhou | A fierce general of the Jin Kingdom, assisted in battle against Nian Dali

  Historically, Kong Yanzhou indeed existed. His deeds are recorded in sources such as the History of Song. For example, the Biography of Yue Fei records: 'In the third year, the bandits Wang Shan, Cao Cheng, Kong Yanzhou and others gathered 500,000 men and approached the southern Xun Gate. Fei's troops numbered only 800; the crowd feared they could not resist. Fei said, "I will break them for you." Holding a bow on the left and a spear on the right, he charged into their formation, throwing it into chaos, and defeated them greatly. He also captured the bandits Du Shuwu and Sun Hai at Dongming. He was provisionally appointed as Prefect of Yingzhou. When Wang Shan besieged Chenzhou, Fei fought at Qinghe and captured his generals Sun Sheng and Sun Qing, and was appointed as a true prefect.' In the novel The Story of Yue Fei, Chapter 75 describes: 'The next day, Nian Dali again came to the Song camp to challenge. Yue Lei ordered Wang Ying, Ji Chengliang, Shi Feng, Tang Ying, Wu Lian, Yu Lei, Han Qilong, Han Qifeng, and Yue Ting, ten young generals in total, to go out and meet the enemy. The generals received the order, each took weapons and left the camp, arriving at the front. Without even announcing their names, they swarmed forward and surrounded Nian Dali in the center, with swords and spears raised, hammers and axes rushing. Nian Dali shouted, "How many of you are there? Come all at once to die!" He wielded his purple-gold hammers, blocking left and right, parrying front and back, as if it were nothing. Soon a scout reported to Wuzhu, who then ordered Salihan, Kong Yanzhou, Bojin Hali, and Juan Yan Langjun, four fierce generals, to go out and assist in the battle. Ah! What a fierce battle, truly terrifying! But see:'