Chapter 31: The Invincible Xue Rengui

  "Hurry up for 800 miles! By the sacred order of His Majesty, the current Qin Wang will hold a martial arts competition outside the south gate of Chang'an City. The first 200 people who arrive can become the Imperial Guard of Qin Wang, and the champion can become the leader of the Imperial Guard. The second and third place winners can become deputy leaders. We hope that heroes from all over the country will sign up enthusiastically! Moreover, Qin Wang has written a poem for this occasion - "The Knight's Journey"!

  This announcement was repeated all over the country, and the poem "The Knight's Journey" spread widely. Every hero and warrior was humming the lines of this poem that made people's hearts sing."

  "Zhao's guest hat is tied with a ribbon, Wu's hook shines brightly in the frost and snow. A silver saddle shines on a white horse, swift as a shooting star."

  Kill one person with ten steps, and leave no trail for a thousand miles. When the deed is done, roll up your sleeves and go, hiding both body and name deeply.

  Idle over Xinling wine, sword drawn in front of knee. About to roast Zhu Hai, holding goblet to urge Hou Ying.

  Three cups of wine and all scruples are gone; five mountains crumble into nothingness. After intoxication, the eyes are blurred and the ears are hot, but the spirit is refreshed and a new atmosphere is born.

  Rescuing Zhao with a golden mace, Handan was shocked first. For a thousand years, two strong men, brilliant and magnificent in the city of Daliang.

  "Though a heroic death may be fragrant, it is not worth being ashamed of in this world. Who can write under the pavilion, with white hair, the too mysterious scripture?"

  In the village of Xiuzhen, in the eastern part of Hejin City, Shanxi Province, a kind and gentle young woman looked at the big eater, a man in his early twenties, with a hint of tenderness in her eyes, but more happiness. She was originally the daughter of a wealthy family in the area, the best among the Liu family, but because she fell in love with this foolish big guy, she disagreed with her family and finally quarreled with them, living together with this good-natured young man. However, she always firmly believed that her husband was not an ordinary person and would definitely have a great future.

  "Daughter, you come and eat some too, or you'll lose weight!" The young man next to her continued to pick up dishes from his wooden bucket and send the rice in the bucket into his mouth! He looked like a starving ghost, and when Xue Liu saw her husband eating like this, she couldn't help but let out a light sigh - their family's rice jar was almost empty again!

  "Go ahead and eat, husband! I'm not hungry!" Although Xue Liu said so, her stomach was not cooperating and growled loudly. Xue Ren saw his wife like this and immediately furrowed his brow, his handsome face turning gloomy!

  "My wife is the one who has been wronged by me, I, Xue Rengui, swear to heaven that one day I will repay my wife's great kindness, and for the rest of my life I will not betray her. If I break this oath, may heaven strike me with five thunderbolts!"

  That's right, this is the home of Xue Rengui, known as the first fierce general of the Tang Dynasty. Now it can be said that the family is empty and destitute. Especially Xue Rengui's appetite is really astonishing. When it comes to Xue Rengui, everyone knows about his conquests in the east and other deeds, but now he has fallen on hard times!

  Xue Li (614-663, March 24), Han nationality, from Xiuzhen Village, Longmen County, Shanxi Province (now ten miles east of Hejin City, Shanxi Province). His courtesy name was Ren Gui. Born in the tenth year of Daye (614), he was a descendant of the famous general Xue Andu of the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, specifically the sixth generation grandson of Xue Andu, belonging to the Hedong Xue family. However, by his generation, the family had already declined. His father, Xue Gu, died early, although he was poor since childhood, he studied literature and practiced martial arts, worked hard, and was born with extraordinary strength.

  However, born in a chaotic world, there was no development, grew up farming, married Liu's wife, and had a big appetite. By the time he was 30 years old, the records described him as being poor and unfulfilled, hoping to move his ancestors' graves to bring good luck. His wife said: "A capable person should be good at grasping opportunities. Now that the emperor is personally leading the expedition to Liaodong, it's exactly when fierce generals are needed. You have this talent, why not join the army and establish a reputation? When you become rich and return home, it won't be too late to rebury your parents!" Ren Gui listened and thought it made sense, so he bid farewell to his wife and went to Xinzheng City to find General Zhang Shigui, enlisted in the army, and began his 40-year legendary experience on the battlefield.

  Xue Rengui's life was marked by brilliant military achievements, making him another rare and exceptional general after Li Jing and Xu Shi. His mastery of the 200-plus jin Dragon Heaven Halberd was truly divine, and his numerous battles throughout his life made him a name that struck fear into the hearts of his enemies, earning him the title of Tang Dynasty's Number One Brave General!

  In the third year of Xianqing (658 AD), Emperor Gaozong of Tang ordered Cheng Mingjian to conquer Korea, with Xue Rengui as his deputy general. Xue Rengui defeated the Korean army at Guizhong City (located in present-day Liaoning Province) and beheaded over 3,000 soldiers. The next year, Xue Rengui, along with Liang Jianfang and other generals, fought against the Korean general Wenshamen at Hengshan. At that time, Xue Rengui held a bow and arrow, riding his horse forward, charging into the enemy formation, and all those he shot fell to the ground. Later, he also fought against the Korean army at Shicheng, where he encountered an enemy general who was skilled in archery and killed over 10 Tang soldiers, with no one daring to confront him. Xue Rengui became enraged upon seeing this, and single-handedly charged forward, directly targeting the enemy general. The enemy general was intimidated by Xue Rengui's bravery and did not even have time to shoot an arrow before being captured alive by Xue Rengui. Soon after, Xue Rengui and Xin Wenling defeated the Khitan at Heishan, capturing the Khitan king Abaoji and other generals. After the war, he was promoted to Left Guard General and enfeoffed as Marquis of Hedong County.

  In the first year of Longshuo (661), the Huihe leader, Pohan, who had always been friendly with the Tang, died. His successor, Bisu, turned against the Tang. Emperor Gaozong of Tang ordered Zheng Rentai as the commander and Xue Rengui as the deputy commander to lead troops to Tianshan to attack the Nine Clans Huihe. Before departing, Emperor Gaozong held a special banquet in the inner palace for Xue Rengui, saying: "In ancient times, there were skilled archers who could shoot through seven layers of armor. You try shooting with five layers." Xue Rengui followed the order, placing the armor and taking his bow and arrow to shoot. As soon as the bowstring sounded, the arrow had already penetrated the five layers of armor. Emperor Gaozong was greatly shocked and immediately ordered someone to bring strong armor to reward Xue Rengui.

  Zheng Rentai and Xue Rengui led the army to Tianshan, where they were met with resistance from the nine surnames of the Huihe tribe, who had gathered over 100,000 people. The Huihe also sent dozens of brave cavalrymen to challenge them. Xue Rengui shot three arrows on the battlefield, killing three men, and the rest of the cavalrymen were intimidated by his divine power and dismounted their horses to surrender. Xue Rengui took advantage of the situation and led a surprise attack, defeating the nine surnames of the Huihe tribe. All those who surrendered were killed. Next, Xue Rengui pursued the defeated troops across the desert, capturing three brothers who were leaders of the Huihe. After Xue Rengui withdrew his army, the soldiers sang: "The general's three arrows determined Tianshan, the brave warriors' long song entered the Han Pass." From then on, the nine surnames of the Huihe tribe declined and no longer posed a threat to the borders.

  In the first year of Xianqing (666), Gao Juren, the king of Goguryeo, died and his son Gao Zhen succeeded him. However, he was driven out by his younger brother Gao Jian. He sent an envoy to ask for help from Tang Dynasty. Emperor Gaozong of Tang sent Pang Tongshan and Gao Pin to comfort and persuade Gao Jian, but they were rejected. Therefore, Emperor Gaozong ordered Xue Rengui to lead the army to rescue

  The army arrived at the new city, and Pang Tongshan was attacked by the Goguryeo army. Xue Rengui learned about it and led his troops to arrive in time, killing hundreds of enemy leaders and rescuing Pang Tongshan. Pang Tongshan and Gao Pin advanced to Jinsan, but were again attacked by the Goguryeo army. Xue Rengui heard the news and led his troops to cut off the Goguryeo army, killing over 5,000 people and capturing the cities of Nansu, Mudi, and Cangyan. He met with Quan Mansheng there. Emperor Gaozong of Tang specially issued an edict to comfort and encourage Xue Rengui.

  Xue Rengui then led 2,000 soldiers to attack the heavily fortified city of Buyeo. His generals advised him not to advance lightly due to the small number of troops. Xue Rengui said, "The strength of an army lies in its strategy, not its numbers." He led his troops into battle and personally killed over 10,000 enemy soldiers, capturing the city of Buyeo. The prestige of the Tang army was greatly enhanced, and more than 40 cities in the Buyeo River valley surrendered.

  Emperor Gaozong then appointed Li Ji as the commander-in-chief to lead a campaign against Goguryeo from another route. Xue Rengui also advanced along the coast and joined forces with Li Ji at Pyongyang Castle. The city of Goguryeo fell, and Emperor Gaozong ordered Xue Rengui and Liu Renjian to lead 20,000 soldiers to garrison Pyongyang. He appointed Xue Rengui as the Right Weiwei General, Duke of Pingyang, and concurrently as the Andong Protector.

  After receiving his appointment, Xue Rengui moved to the new city of Pyongyang. During his tenure as the Andong Protector, he cared for orphans and the elderly, punished thieves and bandits, promoted talented officials, and rewarded those who demonstrated loyalty and righteousness. The people of Goguryeo lived in peace and prosperity.

  When Xue Rengui was the Protector of An Dong, Tubo gradually became stronger and destroyed Tuyuhun established by the Qiang people, and invaded the Tang Dynasty's Western Regions. Therefore, Emperor Gaozong of Tang appointed Xue Rengui as the commander-in-chief of the expedition against Tubo, with Ashina Daozheng and Guo Daifeng as his deputies, leading an army of over 100,000 soldiers to conquer Tubo.

  Xue Rengui led the army westward, and when they arrived at the Dafei River (now in the southwest of Qinghai Province's Hualong County; some say it was the Buha River to the west of Qinghai Lake), they were about to head towards Wuhai (now in the southwest of Qinghai Province's Gonghe County). Xue Rengui said to Ashina Doren and Guo Zaiyi, "The land around Wuhai is treacherous and plagued by disease; it's a place where our men will die. It can be called a dangerous path. However, if we move quickly, there will be merit; if we delay, we will fail. Now the Dafei Mountains are wide and flat, so we can set up two stockades, put all the baggage inside, leave 10,000 soldiers to guard it, and I'll take a shortcut to attack the enemy when they're not prepared and destroy them." Guo Zaiyi volunteered to stay behind and guard, and Xue Rengui again instructed him that under no circumstances should he make any rash moves.

  Xue Rengui arranged his troops and led them to Wuhai, where they encountered several thousand Tibetan soldiers at the river mouth. Xue Rengui led a charge against them, killing almost all of them. He captured over 10,000 heads of cattle and sheep, and marched westward, approaching the city of Wuhai. Then he sent over 1,000 cavalrymen back to Dafu River to escort the baggage train, but by this time, Guo Ziyi had already been defeated by the Tibetans.

  Xue Rengui, without supplies or support, retreated his army to Dafu River. At this point, the Tibetans mobilized an army of 400,000 men and launched a counterattack against the Tang forces. The Tang army was unable to withstand them and suffered a great defeat. However, the Tibetans did not press their advantage, instead offering peace talks with the Tang on condition that they would not advance further into Tibetan territory.

  Xue Rengui had no choice but to agree, then led his defeated army back eastward. After the war, he was demoted to commoner status due to his defeat.

  Soon, the Goguryeo region rebelled against Tang. Emperor Gaozong of Tang appointed Xue Rengui as the commander of the Jilin military district to campaign in Liaodong. During his tenure, Xue Rengui was demoted to Xiangzhou for violating the law, but later pardoned and reinstated.

  This was also the biggest defeat in Xue Rengui's life, but it was mainly because of the misuse of personnel. Guo Zaiyuan violated Xue Rengui's arrangement and took the initiative to cause this defeat!

  In his later years, the Tubo force expanded northward, blocking the Guazhou (now southeast of Anxi, Gansu) and Shazhou (now Dunhuang, Gansu). At the same time, the Turks also frequently invaded the northern border of Tang. At this time, Emperor Gaozong of Tang remembered Xue Rengui's merits and summoned him. He then appointed Xue as the Longshi of Guazhou and the Right Commander to attack the Turks. The Turks heard that Xue Rengui had risen again as a general and were extremely afraid, not daring to face his edge, and scattered at once. Xue Rengui took advantage of the situation to launch an attack, greatly defeating the Turks, beheading over 10,000 people, capturing 20,000 people, and obtaining more than 30,000 heads of cattle, horses, and sheep.

  Xue Rengui died in 683, aged 70. After his death, the court posthumously appointed him as Left Vanguard General of the Great General, Governor of Youzhou and a special funeral carriage was built for him. His coffin was escorted back to his hometown.