Zhao Ding赵鼎

History vs. fiction

Zhao Ding. Chancellor of the Southern Song, served with Qin Hui, later ousted; Chancellor, advocated resistance against Jin, clashed with Qin Hui; Southern Song Chancellor, demoted by Qin Hui | Fled with Prince Kang; Grand Preceptor, petitioned to order Yue Fei to suppress bandits.

• based on factSouthern Song Chancellor, served with Qin Hui, later ousted; Chancellor, advocated resistance against Jin, clashed with Qin Hui; Southern Song Chancellor, demoted by Qin Hui | Fled with Prince Kang; Grand Preceptor, petitioned to order Yue Fei to suppress bandits

  Historically, Zhao Ding indeed existed. His deeds are recorded in historical sources such as the History of Song. For example, the Biography of Yue Fei records: "In the fourth year, he was additionally appointed as the Military Commissioner of Jingnan and Ezhou. Yue Fei memorialized: 'The six commanderies of Xiangyang are the foundation for recovering the Central Plains. Now we should first take the six commanderies to remove the disease of the heart. After Li Cheng flees far away, then we can add troops to Hunan and Hubei to annihilate the bandits.' The emperor consulted Zhao Ding, and Zhao Ding said: 'No one knows the advantages and disadvantages of the upper reaches better than Yue Fei.' So he was appointed as the Military Commissioner of Huangzhou, Fuzhou, Hanyang Army, and De'an Prefecture. Yue Fei crossed the river midstream, and said to his staff: 'If I do not capture the bandits, I will not cross this river again.' Arriving at the city of Yingzhou, the enemy general Jing Chao, known as 'Ten Thousand Man Enemy', defended the city against Yue Fei. Yue Fei urged the troops to climb, and Chao jumped off the cliff and died. Yingzhou was recovered, and Zhang Xian and Xu Qing were sent to recover Suizhou. Yue Fei hurried to Xiangyang, and Li Cheng met him in battle, with his left flank facing the Xiang River. Yue Fei laughed and said: 'Infantry are suited for difficult terrain, cavalry for open ground. Li Cheng has placed cavalry on the riverbank on the left, and infantry on flat ground on the right. Even if he has a hundred thousand troops, what can he do?' He raised his whip and pointed to Wang Gui, saying: 'You use long-spear infantry to attack his cavalry.' He pointed to Niu Gao, saying: 'You use cavalry to attack his infantry.' In the battle, the horses fell dead from the spears, and the following cavalry were all pushed into the river. The infantry died in countless numbers. Li Cheng fled at night, and Xiangyang was recovered. Liu Yu reinforced Li Cheng's troops and stationed them at Xinye. Yue Fei and Wang Wan attacked them from both sides, and defeated them repeatedly." In the novel The Story of Yue Fei, Chapter 47 describes: "Again, Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne again, and the world was at peace. In the spring of the seventh year of Shaoxing, a military emergency memorial was submitted to the court: 'Yang Zaixing of Jiulong Mountain in Shandong has rebelled.' Another report: 'The water bandits Qi Fang, Luo Gang, and Hao Xian of Taihu Lake in Huzhou have gathered a mob and plotted rebellion, and are very rampant.' Several urgent memorials in succession left Gaozong panicked and at a loss, so he asked the assembled ministers: 'What good strategy is there to suppress the bandits?' At that time, Grand Preceptor Zhao Ding memorialized: 'The bandits are rampant; we must send Yue Fei to suppress them. Others may not be able to bear this important task.' Gaozong said: 'Previously, I sent an official to summon him to the capital to receive a post, but his subordinates Niu Gao, Ji Qing, and others beat him back and tore up the imperial edict. I remembered his previous merit in capturing the rebels Miao and Liu, so I did not pursue the matter. Now if I summon him again, I fear he will not obey the edict. What can be done?' At that time, the ministers discussed but had no good plan. Gaozong ordered the court adjourned and to discuss again the next day. The officials withdrew, and the emperor returned to the palace."