Yao Shi姚氏

History vs. fiction

Yao. Mother of Yue Fei, held Fei in a urn to escape flood. Mother of Yue Fei, gave birth to Yue Fei at age forty. Yang Hu's mother, urged her son to surrender...

• based on factYue Fei's mother, held Fei in a urn to escape flood. | Yue Fei's mother, gave birth to Yue Fei at age forty. ; Yang Hu's mother, urged her son to surrender. ; Wang Gui's mother, shielded her son.

  Historically, Yao indeed existed. Records such as the History of Song contain her deeds, as recorded in the biography of Yue Fei: 'Yue Fei, courtesy name Pengju, was from Tangyin, Xiangzhou. His family had been farmers for generations. His father, He, was able to save food to relieve the hungry. If someone plowed over his land, he would cut it and give it to them; if someone borrowed his property, he would not demand repayment. When Fei was born, a great bird like a swan flew and cried over the house, so he was named accordingly. Before he was a month old, the Yellow River broke its banks at Neihuang, and the flood came suddenly. His mother, Yao, held Fei and sat in a urn, and the waves carried them to the shore, and they were saved. People found it extraordinary.' In the novel The Story of Yue Fei, chapter 53 describes: 'Then Luo Yanqing entered the tent and saw the marshal, knelt and reported: "Your subordinate has come to surrender late, I hope the marshal will forgive and accept me!" Yue Ye quickly helped him up and said: "I have been longing for you since we parted in Bianjing. Today, you have turned from evil to good, and I wish to talk with you about our innermost feelings. Unexpectedly, the Jin invader Wuzhu has led two million barbarian soldiers to invade the Central Plains again, and has already approached Zhuxian Town, in great danger! I have already ordered Yang Zaixing, Yue Yun, Yan Chengfang, He Yuanqing, and Yu Hualong to each lead five thousand troops in five detachments to go to the rescue of Zhuxian Town. Now you can be the sixth vanguard, leading five thousand troops to go. When you achieve merit, I will report to the court, and you will be granted a title!" Luo Yanqing said: "With such kindness from the marshal, why should I begrudge my body? I swear to kill all the Jin soldiers to repay the marshal's kindness in recognizing me!" So he took leave of the marshal and went out of the camp to lead troops. After a while, Wu Shangzhi entered the camp to report completion. The marshal said: "Brother-in-law, you have come just in time! This morning I ordered the governor of Tanzhou, Xu Ren, to prepare the wedding candles. Now because the Jin soldiers are invading, I have no time, so I entrusted him to preside over the marriage. Brother-in-law can go to the city with your cousin and have the wedding tonight. Tomorrow, lead five thousand troops and quickly be the seventh detachment to rescue, do not delay!" Wu Shangzhi thanked the marshal, came out with Yao, and entered the city. That night they consummated the marriage. The next day he led troops to battle, not to be detailed here.'