Han Shizhong

Timeline

1. 1089–1105Yan'an · Yan'anBorn in Yan'an, Han Shizhong enlisted at eighteen and possessed exceptional strength. Serving early on the western frontier, he repeatedly won merit, rising gradually from common soldier to officer, laying the foundation for his later fame as a general resisting the Jin.
2. 1105–1120Xihe Circuit · XiningDuring the Chongning and Daguan eras of Emperor Huizong, Han Shizhong repeatedly distinguished himself in frontier fighting against Western Xia and Tibetan forces, rising in rank. His wife Liang Hongyu also campaigned with the army; the two became a famous couple resisting the Jin in the early Southern Song.
3. 1120–1121Qingxi Cave · Chun'anIn the second year of Xuanhe, following Tong Guan to suppress Fang La's uprising, Han Shizhong led troops to search the mountains and captured Fang La alive at Qingxi Cave, ranking first among the generals. This victory made him famous across the two Zhe regions, and he rose to Junior Preceptor and Military Commissioner of Wuning Army.
4. 1129–1130Huangtiandang · ZhenjiangIn the third year of Jianyan, he trapped Wuzhu's 100,000-strong Jin army at Huangtiandang for 48 days with 8,000 men, Liang Hongyu beating drums to aid the fight, and nearly captured Wuzhu. Though the Jin eventually escaped by digging a channel, the battle greatly boosted Song morale and became an iconic Southern Song victory against the Jin.
5. 1131–1151Lin'an · HangzhouDuring the Shaoxing era he was marginalized by Qin Hui, stripped of military command, and lived in Lin'an. In later years he closed his doors to visitors, contenting himself with Daoist longevity practices. He was posthumously granted the title Grand Preceptor and Prince of Qi, with the posthumous name Zhongwu. Ranked with Yue Fei, Zhang Jun, and Liu Qi as one of the Four Generals of the Restoration.