Yue Fei's Death: A Historical Tragedy Born of Multiple Frustrations

Yue Fei (1103–1142), courtesy name Pengju, was from Tangyin, Zhenzhou. He was an outstanding military strategist and national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty, ranking first among the Four Great Generals of the Restoration. Over his thirty-nine years, he upheld the belief of "loyalty and devotion to the country," rising from a soldier to a commander and creating the invincible Yue Army, leaving behind the legendary phrase "Shaking mountains is easy, shaking the Yue Army is hard." In the tenth year of Shaoxing, Yue Fei achieved a great victory in the Northern Expedition, with troops approaching Zhu Xian Zhen. The reunification of the Central Plains was within reach, but he was forcibly recalled by the court through twelve imperial edicts and ultimately unjustly executed at Fengpowting on charges of "fabricated crimes," becoming a timeless injustice.

Yue Fei's death was not simply the result of treacherous officials' conspiracy, but a tragic outcome of the political struggle between Song and Jin, the economic difficulties of the Southern Song, and the realities of people's livelihoods. Politically, the Southern Song court prioritized stabilizing imperial power, with Emperor Gaozong seeking only to maintain a peaceful stance and showing no intention of reclaiming the Central Plains. The Song Dynasty's policy of valuing culture over military strength made Yue Fei, who had achieved great military success and held significant power, a major threat to imperial authority. Meanwhile, peace negotiations between Song and Jin had already been decided, and Jin regarded "killing Yue Fei" as a condition for peace, turning Yue into a sacrificial pawn in the court's concessions.

Economically, years of northern expeditions had already drained the Southern Song's resources. After the fall of the Northern Song, the Central Plains were in ruins, and although the Jiangnan region was prosperous, it could not support the enormous military expenses, leading to a strained national treasury. The court was well aware that continued warfare would only weaken the economy and undermine its rule; only ceasefire and negotiations could save costs and restore production. Yue Fei's unwavering pursuit of the northern campaign was at odds with the Southern Song's economic policy of recuperation and development, making it impossible for him to be accepted by those in power.

From the perspective of people's livelihoods, prolonged warfare caused widespread displacement and heavy taxation, leading to public exhaustion and a desire for peace and stability. Compared to reclaiming lost territory, the people's most urgent need was a stable life. The pro-peace faction used this to frame negotiations as a means to ensure people's well-being, while condemning war as reckless and aggressive. Yue Fei's patriotic resistance against the Jin invaders clashed with the people's desire for peace and economic recovery.

Yue Fei's life was one of loyalty and bravery in serving his country. His tragedy was a conflict between ideals and reality, a contest between integrity and political intrigue. He was loyal to his homeland and concerned for the common people, yet he became a pawn in the era's political game. Centuries later, the spirit of "loyalty and devotion to the country" still shines brightly, and this tragedy, born of multiple frustrations, continues to serve as a profound warning to future generations, leaving an indelible mark in history.