In the vast river of Chinese culture, Yue Fei's story is like a bright pearl, always shining with the light of patriotism. The legend of the mother-in-law's tattoo is even more well-known, and has become a classic allusion to inspire future generations to serve the country loyally.
When we delve deeper into this well-known story, we find that there are many mysteries and doubts involved. What is the word tattooed on Yue Fei's back? Was it really the mother-in-law's doing? These questions have not only sparked the interest of historians, but also given us a deeper understanding of this national hero.
Let's first go back to the Song Dynasty, that era of golden iron horses and changing events. In the social climate of the time, tattoos were not uncommon. From the royal nobles to the small people, from the literati to the military generals, many people have the habit of carving patterns or words on their bodies. This practice is both a decoration and often a spiritual pursuit or belief. In this context, it is not surprising that Yue Fei, as a general in the army, tattooed words on his back.
The earliest record of the tattoo on Yue Fei's back was not written by his contemporaries. In the official histories and notes of the Southern Song Dynasty, we cannot find any record of Yue Fei having a tattoo on his back. Even the "Jin Tuocui Edition", compiled by Yue Fei's descendants, did not say a word about this matter. This can't help but make people wonder: if Yue Fei really had such a loyalty tattoo on his back, why didn't it attract attention at the time?
It was not until the Yuan Dynasty that in the "History of the Song Dynasty" compiled by Toto, we saw the record of the tattoo on Yue Fei's back for the first time. According to the record of "The Biography of He Zhu", when Yue Fei was interrogated in Dali Temple, Yue Fei once exposed his back, which was engraved with the four characters "Jing Loyal to the Country". The content of this version of the tattoo is different from the later widely circulated "Jing Loyal to the Country". So, which version is closer to the historical truth?
As time passed, the legend of the tattoo on Yue Fei's back became more and more colorful. In the operas and novels of the Ming Dynasty, there were several versions. Some say that it is "save the country with a naked heart", some say that it is "serve the country with loyalty", and some describe that Yue Fei asked a craftsman to stab him, or asked his subordinate Zhang Xian to do it for him. The existence of these different versions reflects the continuous beautification and idealization of Yue Fei's image by the people.
It was not until the Qing Dynasty that Qian Cai's "The Complete Biography of Yue Yue" appeared in the version we are most familiar with today: the mother-in-law tattooed the four characters "Jing Zhong to serve the country". This version perfectly combines Yue Fei's patriotic feelings, mother-son affection, and loyalty to the monarch to create a touching story. From a historical point of view, this version is the least credible.
Professional tattooing requires special tools and techniques and cannot be done simply with an embroidery needle. Secondly, if there is really such a touching mother-son scene, it is impossible for Yue Fei's descendants not to mention it when compiling the family history. There is no record of the mother-in-law's tattoo in the historical materials of the Song Dynasty. We have reason to believe that the story of the mother-in-law's tattoo is likely to be an artistic creation of later generations.
Is there a tattoo on Yue Fei's back? If so, what is it? According to the available historical data, we tend to believe that Yue Fei did have a tattoo on his back, and the content was most likely the words "Serve the country with loyalty". This speculation is based on the following points:
1. The record of the History of the Song Dynasty of the Yuan Dynasty is the earliest and closest to the written record of Yue Fei's life, and its credibility is relatively high.
2. "Serving the country with loyalty" is highly consistent with Yue Fei's life beliefs and behaviors, and is in line with his historical image.
3. These four words are concise and powerful, and they are suitable for body tattoos.
When, where, and by whom these four words were stabbed, we cannot yet be sure. But it can be speculated that it is likely that Yue Fei decided to be tattooed when he was young to express his ambitions and beliefs.
Although the story of the mother-in-law's tattoo may be the creation of later generations, this does not affect its cultural value and educational significance. This story vividly shows the feelings of the Chinese nation for the family and country, and expresses the mother's expectations for her children and the loyalty of their children to the country. The reason why it can be widely spread and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people is precisely because it fits the values and spiritual pursuit of the Chinese.
Today, when we re-examine Yue Fei's story, we should not just dwell on the authenticity of a certain detail. More importantly, we must understand the spiritual essence of Yue Fei's loyalty to the country and his sincere heart for the country and the people. Whether it is "serving the country with loyalty" or "serving the country with loyalty", they all embody the patriotic tradition of the Chinese nation for thousands of years.
Yue Fei's story tells us that true patriotism is not an empty slogan, but a real action. In times of peace, each of us can serve the motherland in our own way. Whether it is the diligent exploration of scientists in the laboratory, the earnest teachings of teachers on the podium, or the hard work of workers on the production line, as long as we do our best, we are inheriting the spirit of Yue Fei.
The long river of history is endless, and Yue Fei's story is constantly being reinterpreted and inherited. Maybe one day, we will find more historical materials and uncover the truth about the tattoo on Yue Fei's back. But in any case, Yue Fei's spirit of serving the country will always be engraved in the collective memory of the Chinese nation, inspiring generation after generation of Chinese to make unremitting efforts to achieve national rejuvenation.
In this challenging new era, we need to carry forward the spirit of Yue Fei and interpret what true patriotism is with practical actions. Let us go hand in hand, shine in our respective posts, and jointly write a magnificent chapter in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.