When it comes to military generals in history, there are too many to count, but if you are asked who is the real "martial saint", you may have to scratch your head and ponder. Li Jing, Wei Qing, Huo Quzhi, Yue Fei, Guan Yu...... Which of these names isn't well-known? But if you really want to pick one of these heroes to be a "martial saint", then you really have to talk about it.
Li Jing, a famous general in the early Tang Dynasty, fought countless battles in his life and made great achievements for the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. However, when we dig deeper, we will find that although his record is brilliant, it is more of a victory by outwit than by pure force. In the process of pacifying Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande and other separatist forces, he showed excellent strategic vision and command skills, but this seems to be slightly different from the courage and fearlessness represented by the "Martial Saint".
Let's look at Wei Qing, an outstanding general in the Western Han Dynasty, known for his outstanding military exploits against the Xiongnu. He led his troops to attack many times to regain lost territory, so that the border of the Han Dynasty was stabilized. However, despite his bravery on the battlefield, Wei Qing's image in history is more of a general loyal to his country than a hero known for his martial prowess.
Huo Quzhi, who was also a famous general in the Western Han Dynasty, was known for his courage and good fighting and daring to go deep behind enemy lines. The cavalry troops led by him performed many miraculous feats in the area of the Hexi Corridor, which made the Huns fearful. However, Huo Quzhi's life is as short as a meteor, and although his heroic deeds are admirable, it seems that it is difficult to bear the honorific title of "Martial Saint" because of his short life and lack of sufficient historical precipitation.
Next up is Yue Fei, a national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty, who is known for his loyalty to the country and his fight against foreign enemies. He was extremely brave on the battlefield, and the Yuejia army led by him was invincible, and made great contributions to the defense of the country. However, Yue Fei finally died unjustly because he was framed by a traitorous minister, and his tragic life is embarrassing. Despite his high reputation among the people, the honorific title of "Martial Saint" seems to emphasize more on personal martial arts and morality than on the image of a tragic hero.
Finally, let's take a look at Guan Yu. This famous general of the Shu Han dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period was known for his loyalty, bravery, and righteousness. According to historical documents such as "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms", Guan Yu was brave and good at fighting on the battlefield, and his martial arts were strong. At the same time, after he was captured by Cao Cao, he still maintained his loyalty to Liu Bei, refused the temptation of high-ranking officials Houlu, and finally returned to Shu Han. These deeds all reflect Guan Yu's noble character and firm belief.
In addition, Guan Yu also has a very high status in folk beliefs. He was revered as a "martial saint" and "Guan Gong", and became an important deity in folk beliefs. When people encounter difficulties, they often pray for Guan Gong's apparition to help, which also reflects his lofty status in people's hearts.
To sum up, when we consider these historical generals from multiple perspectives such as martial arts, morality, and folk beliefs, Guan Yu is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for the honorific title of "Martial Saint". His bravery, loyalty, and righteousness have become a model for future generations to admire. Of course, this does not mean that other generals are not worthy of respect and remembrance, and their respective historical positions and contributions are indelible.
So who is the "martial saint" in your mind?