In the long river of history, many heroic troops and outstanding generals have left a rich page. At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, a military force composed of Manchus attracted widespread attention, it was the Eight Banner Soldiers. However, when we examine the actual combat effectiveness of this army, is it really as terrifying as described in the Korean movie "Namhansanseong"?
The origin and characteristics of the Eight Flags Soldiers
The Eight Flags system of the Qing Dynasty began with Nurhach. He divided the Manchus into different flags, each with its own leader and warriors, forming a tight military organization. As the core of Manchurian culture, riding and shooting became an essential skill for the Eight Flags Soldiers. However, is the horror scene of "God blocking and killing God, Buddha blocking and killing Buddha" shown in the film the actual situation?
The combat skills of the Eight Flags
Mounted shooting is indeed one of the important skills of the Eight Flags. However, on the battlefield, each fighter's individual skills and performance are different. Not every Eight Flags soldier can do the magic shooting like in the movie. The images in the film are probably presented to exaggerate the effect. Although the Eight Flags have an advantage in riding and shooting, their actual performance will also be affected by many factors, such as the battlefield environment, the quality of the enemy, etc.
The role and impact of artillery
The Eight Flags soldiers in the film also used artillery, which undoubtedly enhanced their combat effectiveness. However, the operation of artillery requires professional personnel, not every soldier can master. The use of artillery also requires accurate calculation and coordination, relying on overall tactics and command. Therefore, artillery is not the skill of the individual Eight Flags, but more of a strategy for the army as a whole.
Decision-making and organization of leaders
The Huang Taiji in the film has excellent decision-making skills and tactical vision. However, his leadership is not equivalent to the combat effectiveness of every Eight Flags soldier. Leaders' decisions play an important role in the battle, but the performance of individual soldiers is equally critical. Although the importance of leaders is emphasized in the film, this does not mean that every Eight Flags soldier can reach the height in the movie.
The difference between history and reality
Film is an expression of art, and it often arranges and exaggerates history for the sake of plot. Historical events are often more complex and real, and the actual combat effectiveness of the Eight Flags should also be viewed from multiple angles. The combat effectiveness of the Eight Flags is not determined purely by one skill or one leader, but by covering many factors.
Back to the original question: Is the combat effectiveness of the Eight Flags soldiers in the early Qing Dynasty really as terrifying as the Korean movie "Namhansanseong" said? From a historical point of view, some of the scenes and depictions in the film are likely to exaggerate the actual situation. The actual combat effectiveness of the Eight Flags soldiers is affected by many factors, among which riding and shooting, leadership, tactics and strategies all play an important role. When understanding history, we need to synthesize multiple sources of information to more accurately understand what the past really looked like. Therefore, the combat effectiveness of the Eight Banners in the early Qing Dynasty may require us to find answers in the long river of history.