Early Life in a Turbulent Era

Yue Fei was born in Xiangzhou, Hebei West Circuit, in what is now the Anyang region of Henan Province. His birth coincided with the early years of Emperor Huizong’s reign during the Chongning period of the Northern Song Dynasty. This timing placed his childhood squarely within one of the most complex and challenging periods of Chinese imperial history.

The Northern Song Dynasty, while culturally brilliant, faced significant political and economic challenges. Emperor Huizong, the eighth ruler of this dynasty, possessed remarkable artistic talents that earned him recognition as a master of both calligraphy and painting. His artistic achievements, however, stood in stark contrast to his political leadership. Rather than focusing on governance, the emperor pursued grandiose projects and extravagant lifestyles that would ultimately contribute to the dynasty’s vulnerabilities.

The Reign of Emperor Huizong: Splendor and Excess

Emperor Huizong’s reign was characterized by ambitious military campaigns and lavish spending. He initiated wars along the western frontiers, securing borders with the Western Xia regime and subjugating the Qingtang Qiang Tibetan tribes. His military ambitions extended as far as the Western Regions, reaching Jiezhancheng in modern-day Qiemo County, Xinjiang.

To support his vision of creating a prosperous and magnificent empire, the emperor established numerous specialized agencies including the West City Office, Yingfeng Office, Hangzhou Manufacturing Bureau, Construction Office, Imperial Vessel Supervision Office, and Imperial Household Office. These institutions worked tirelessly to build palaces, repair ships, and organize endless celebrations and entertainment, creating an atmosphere of perpetual festivity at court.

Economic Pressures on the Common People

The enormous costs of military campaigns and imperial extravagance required massive financial resources. The government increasingly turned to the population for revenue, implementing policies that placed heavy burdens on ordinary citizens.

The Square Field and Equal Tax Law, originally designed during the Xining and Yuanfeng periods to uncover hidden landholdings of wealthy landowners, was transformed under Huizong into a tool for extortion. In some regions, tax burdens increased dramatically—peasants who previously paid thirteen coins found themselves paying two thousand two hundred coins, while those who paid twenty-seven coins saw their taxes rise to one thousand four hundred fifty coins.

Wealthy landowners, meanwhile, managed to reduce their tax obligations through various means. Some reported two hundred acres as twenty acres, while others declared nearly three hundred acres as only seventeen. The tax burden consequently shifted increasingly onto small landholders, who not only had to pay their own taxes but also cover the portions that wealthy households avoided.

The Yue Family’s Economic Situation

Yue Fei’s family owned several hundred mu of poor-quality land, making them owner-cultivators rather than tenant farmers. In normal times, this would have provided a modest but sustainable living. However, under the oppressive tax policies and economic conditions of Huizong’s reign, even this relative advantage proved insufficient.

As Yue Fei approached adulthood, his family’s economic situation deteriorated to the point where they could no longer sustain themselves. The young man faced the difficult decision to leave his hometown in search of livelihood opportunities elsewhere. This experience of economic hardship and displacement would later inform his understanding of the common people’s struggles and shape his military leadership style.

Military Recruitment and Early Service

In 1122, Emperor Huizong launched a reckless northern expedition aimed at recapturing the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, territories lost to the Khitan Liao Dynasty during the Five Dynasties period. This military adventure not only consumed military supplies accumulated since the reforms of Emperor Shenzong and Wang Anshi but also required massive funding.

To finance the campaign, the government imposed a nationwide “Exemption Money” tax based on household registration, seeking to extract sixty-two million strings of cash from the population. This additional burden came atop already heavy tax obligations, further straining the economic resources of ordinary families.

Amid this national mobilization, Yue Fei saw an opportunity to support his family while serving his country. Having trained in martial arts since childhood under the tutelage of local expert Zhou Tong, he joined the local “Dare-to-Die Corps” recruited in Zhending Prefecture.

Early Military Achievements

Yue Fei quickly demonstrated his military capabilities. He volunteered to lead two hundred soldiers against the bandit gangs of Tao Jun and Jia Jin operating near his hometown in Xiangzhou. His successful suppression of these bandits brought him early recognition within military circles and established his reputation as a capable leader.

This early success, however, was interrupted by personal tragedy. Yue Fei’s father passed away, requiring him to leave military service to observe the traditional mourning period. This interruption in his military career reflected the strong Confucian values that would continue to influence his conduct throughout his life.

Return to Military Service

After completing the mourning period, Yue Fei rejoined the military in 1124, enlisting in the standing army stationed in Pingding Army, Hedong Circuit. He served as a cavalry soldier, further developing the martial skills that would make him one of China’s most celebrated military commanders.

His return to service coincided with increasingly dangerous developments on China’s northern frontiers. The newly ascendant Jin Dynasty, having conquered the Liao Dynasty to their north, broke their peace agreement with the Song and launched a full-scale invasion in 1125.

The Jin Invasion and National Crisis

The Jin forces advanced rapidly through the Yellow River basin, twice besieging the capital at Bianjing . These military disasters culminated in 1127 with the capture of Emperor Huizong and his successor Emperor Qinzong—an event known historically as the Jingkang Incident, representing one of the greatest humiliations in Chinese history.

Amid this national catastrophe, Prince Zhao Gou declared himself emperor with the support of officials including Chen Cui, Wang Boyan, and Zong Ze. Rather than attempting to relieve the besieged capital, however, the new emperor sent a detachment of ten thousand troops under Zong Ze while leading the main force eastward away from the fighting.

Yue Fei’s Early Combat Experience

During this critical period, Yue Fei began to distinguish himself in combat. Zong Ze’s forces engaged the Jin army in thirteen battles around Caozhou and Kaide Prefecture, achieving victory in each encounter.

Yue Fei’s personal bravery and skill became evident during these engagements. In one notable battle, he shot and killed two formidable enemy standard-bearers in succession before leading a charge that secured victory for Song forces. At Caozhou, he fought with his hair unbound while wielding an iron staff, demonstrating the fierce determination that would characterize his military career.

These early experiences fighting against the Jin invasion force provided Yue Fei with practical combat experience and deepened his understanding of the threat facing the Song Dynasty. His personal observations of both military tactics and the suffering of common people during this invasion would profoundly influence his subsequent approach to warfare and leadership.

The Making of a National Hero

Yue Fei’s early life experiences—from economic hardship to military service—forged the character of one of China’s most revered historical figures. His humble origins gave him empathy for common people, while his military training and early combat experience provided the foundation for his later successes.

The turbulent political and economic environment of his youth, characterized by imperial extravagance and oppressive taxation, shaped his understanding of governance and justice. These early influences would later manifest in his famous adherence to discipline, concern for his soldiers’ welfare, and commitment to restoring Song territory.

Yue Fei’s journey from a struggling farmer’s son to a celebrated military commander during one of China’s most challenging historical periods represents not only a personal triumph but also reflects the broader struggles of the Song Dynasty against external threats and internal challenges. His early years established the foundation for a military career that would become legendary in Chinese history and folklore.