China Archery

Huo Qubing was a famous general during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. He was the nephew of another famous general Wei Qing.

Despite his humble birth, Huo Qubing was very diligent and eager to learn. He had a good command of all kinds of martial skills like horsemanship, archery and swordsmanship etc. He had extraordinary looks, strong characters and remarkable wisdom and courage. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty appreciated his talent and appointed him as a guarding official responsible for the emperor’s safety.

At that time, wars frequently broke out between the Western Han Dynasty and the Hun ethnic group. Huo Qubing’s uncle Wei Qing made great battle achievements by leading troops to fight the Hun for several times. In the spring of 123 BC, Emperor Wu of Han organized an anti-attack battle against the Hun once again. Huo Qubing offered to fight in the battle and was appointed top-ranking military general. In the battle, Huo Qubing led a cavalry of 800 men to attack the enemy after a long march and defeated the Hun by a surprise. Emperor Wu of Han was in high praise of him for the brilliant achievement.

Huo Qubing was well versed in the art of war and would adopt flexible strategies. He never rigidly adhered to traditional tactics. Meanwhile, he himself was a fearless fighter. With an unconquerable spirit, he was always in the van of his men in battles. He was so invincible that was dubbed “unbeatable divine fighter“. In the ensuing major battles, Huo Qubing recovered the plain in the west of the Yellow River, officially bringing the corridor west of the Yellow River into the land of the Han Dynasty. Together with Wei Qing, he destroyed the main forces of the Hun, keeping the military threat to the Western Han Dynasty at bay. Thus, he gained brilliant military success.

In 117 BC, Huo Qubing died of illness at the early age of 24. Emperor Wu of Han especially ordered the construction of a Qilian Mountain-shaped tomb for Huo Qubing beside his own mausoleum. In front of the tomb, there was a stone statue of “The Huns under the Hoofs of Horses“, signifying the immortal feats Huo Qubing made for the country. Today, the tomb is kept intact.

Qutu Tong (AD 557-628) was born in Chang’an (Xi’an of Shaanxi today) and belonged to the minority of Qutu. He was a famous general in the early period of Tang Dynasty and one of 24 heroes in Lingyan Pavilion.

The ancestors of Qutu Tong belonged to the tribe of Kumoxizhong and subordinated to Murong of Xianbei minority. He immigrated to Changli (Chaoyang of Liaoning today) and then settled down in Chang’an. Qutu Tong was a model of fortitude, loyalty and rectitude. He loved strategies and was good at archery and horsemanship. He was once the general of Left Cavalry in Sui Dynasty. After he submitted to Tang, he was a general under Li Shimin. He made the greatest contribution in pacifying the rebellion of Wang Shichong. He was respected by Emperor Taizhong of Tang.

Qutu Tong passed away in the second year of Zhenguan Reign (AD 628) at the age of 72. He was conferred the title of Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing and the posthumous name of “Zhong” (Loyalty) by Emperor Taizhong. Qutu Tong and Fang Xuanling were moved to the royal temple of Emperor Taizhong in 23rd year of Zhenguan Reign (AD 649). Qutu Tong was reconferred with the title of Sikong (Minister of Public Works) on 14th Mar. of the fifth year of Yonghui Reign (AD 654) by Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty.

Li Guangbi (AD 708-764) was born in Liucheng, Yingzhou (now Chaoyang City of Liaoning Province) and a famous general in mid Tang Dynasty.

The father of Li Guangbi was a chieftain of Khitan and pledged allegiance to Tang Dynasty during Wu Zetian’s reign. Li Guangbi was eager to learn and good at archery and horsemanship when he was young. He was appointed successively as the Military Tribune of Shuofang (Now northwest of Lingwu in Ningxia Autonomous Region) and Hexi (Now Wuwei in Gansu Province).

In the early period of 15th year of Tianbao Reign of Tang Dynasty (AD 756), Li Guangbi was recommended by Guo Ziyi to be the Vice Military Commissioner of Hedong and participated in pacification of the An Shi Rebellion. He guarded three cities of Taiyuan, Heyang and reoccupied Luoyang.

After Li Yu, Emperor Daizong of Tang Dynasty ascended the throne, he trusted eunuchs Cheng Yuanzhen and Yu Chaoen, who were in discord with Li Guangbi and smeared his reputation. He led his army and guarded Lin Huai. He didn’t dare enter the palace for two to three years. Li Guangbi was always quite strict with the army. Nobody dared look upwards when he gave an order. The court summoned him for several times and he didn’t obey the order. Consequently, his soldiers didn’t obey his order. Li Guangbi was so ashamed and became ill. He died in Xuzhou in the second year of Guangde Reign (AD 764)