Liang Xing梁兴

History vs. fiction

Liang Xing. Leader of the Loyalty Society in Taihang Mountain, led his followers to surrender to Yue Fei, later crossed the river to resist the Jin. Song general, third team, Song general, fought alongside Ji Qing...

• based on factLeader of the Loyalty Society in Taihang Mountain, led his followers to surrender to Yue Fei, later crossed the river to resist the Jin. | Song general, third team; Song general, fought alongside Ji Qing, was killed by Pu Feng. ; followed Niu Gao

  Historically, Liang Xing indeed existed. His deeds are recorded in sources such as the History of Song. For example, the Biography of Yue Fei records: 'In the sixth year, Liang Xing and others, over a hundred members of the Loyalty Society in Taihang Mountain, admired Yue Fei's righteousness and led their followers to surrender. When Yue Fei had an audience with the emperor, he stated: "After Xiangyang was recovered, no supervisory office has been established, and the prefectures and counties have no one to inspect them." The emperor agreed and appointed Li Ruoxu as the intendant of Jingxi South Circuit, concurrently in charge of transport and judicial affairs, and also ordered that from the prefects and vice-prefects of Hubei and Xiangyang Fu circuits downward, Yue Fei could decide their promotion or demotion.' In the novel The Story of Yue Fei, Chapter 30 describes: 'After four or five days, Yang Hu sent a minor bandit to deliver a letter urging battle. Marshal Yue excused himself on grounds of illness and delayed for a few days. After waiting for more than half a month, all the generals came to report: "Everything is ready, but without large warships, how can we face the enemy?" The marshal said: "No need for large ships; I have my own plan. You generals should wear soft-soled shoes, tighten your belts, and hide under the awnings of small boats when you see my red flag signal. After their cannon fire, come out to fight." Then he ordered Wang Gui to lead dozens of small boats to collect water plants and store them in the boats, hiding on both sides. When the enemy's second team of 'crossbow tower ships' arrived, they would send out the grass boats, push the water plants into the water to jam their wheels, and when the tower ships could not move, they would board and kill the soldiers, nail up their cannon holes, then descend to the small boats and split left and right to assist. Wang Gui received the order and left. Then he ordered Zhou Qing, Zhao Yun, Liang Xing, and Ji Qing to lead five thousand troops to ambush at Wuxi Bridge, saying: 'If Yang Hu is defeated, he will surely flee to Jiujiang by this route. You must intercept him there. Only capture him alive; do not harm him. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!' The four generals received the order and left.'