Is “At the military examination, he speared the Young Prince Liang to death” true?

novel invention

In the novel, Yue Fei, in order to obtain a military rank, competed in the martial arts examination in the capital, Bianjing, against the arrogant Young Prince Liang (Chai Gui), and accidentally killed him with his spear. The 'History of Song: Biography of Yue Fei' records that Yue Fei in his early years 'responded to the recruitment of brave warriors' and was appointed as a Chenxinlang due to his extraordinary strength, but there is no record of him killing anyone in the capital's military examination. The entire episode of spearing the Young Prince Liang is purely literary fiction, intended to add heroic spirit and an image of resisting tyranny to the young Yue Fei.

Yue Fei

Tragic famous generals who repeatedly achieved remarkable feats in official histories are highly deified in historical romances, with numerous fictional folk legends added.

Other claims about Yue Fei

Sources cited above. Compiled with AI assistance and checked against those sources; for cultural reference.Data & method →

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