The Iron Cavalry of Guan Ning

The Mo Dao is a double-edged long sword held by the infantry of the Tang dynasty. It evolved from the Zhanma Jian of the Western Han dynasty and incorporated the design and smelting techniques of the Han Lu Mo Dao and the long swords of the Six Dynasties. Specific departments were responsible for its casting, storage, and management. The Mo Dao is extremely sharp and exhibits excellent cutting effectiveness, primarily used in warfare to slay enemy cavalry. Its tactical role is comparable to that of modern tanks, and due to its significant deterrent power, it was also employed in the ceremonial guard of high-ranking civil and military officials as well as regional governors. By the Song dynasty, the Mo Dao began to decline.

If Huo Qubing is the fiercest swordsman in the world, then Li Jing is the most ruthless assassin. The distinction between an assassin and a swordsman lies in their approach: while a swordsman charges forward with reckless abandon, an assassin often chooses silence. The assassin perceives the enemy's weaknesses through silence, seeking the direction of attack during a prolonged period of patience, and delivers a lethal strike in the blink of an eye. Li Jing was the most skilled assassin of his time, with cavalry serving as his dagger piercing the enemy's heart. His cavalry charges focused on achieving victory with a single blow, remaining as still as a statue and moving as swiftly as a hare, destroying the enemy's command center at the first opportunity. Just like the fixed plotlines in many martial arts novels where swordsmen duel, the Turkic tribes, a colossal presence that had roamed the grasslands for centuries, fell in astonishment beneath Li Jing's blade.

9, Xu Da (Ming Dynasty)

What is even more fatal is that Li Chengliang regarded the defeated enemies as docile cats, unaware that among these docile cats lurked ambitious tigers. In the campaign to subdue the Jurchens, Li Chengliang, employing his usual tactics of dealing with bandits, showed leniency towards the captured Nurhaci, who, along with his Jianzhou Jurchen tribe, grew stronger day by day under Li Chengliang's strategy of nurturing bandits, ultimately becoming a fierce tiger that devoured the vast territories of the Ming Dynasty. The once-renowned Li family army, after the death of Li Chengliang, began to decline and deteriorate due to the incompetence of his successors and changes in the political landscape. While private armies rose rapidly, their corruption and decline were even faster. The formidable military achievements of the Liaodong cavalry could no longer prevent the rise of the Jurchens between the Baishan and Heishui rivers, ultimately becoming the grave diggers of the Ming Dynasty. During the chaotic sixty years of the fall of the Ming and the rise of the Qing, it was Li Chengliang who inadvertently provided the Jurchens with the shovel to dig the grave, setting the stage for a series of bloody dramas.

Unfortunately, Huo Qubing only lived to the age of 24. The Republican historian Cai Dongfan mockingly remarked, "Those who are good at killing often have short lives." If what he said is true, we cannot help but lament the blindness of heaven. The wars waged by Huo Qubing were not merely about capturing cities and plundering lands; they were also aimed at redeeming countless Chinese people who were groaning under the iron hooves, and at washing away the accumulated national humiliation of the Han dynasty. Therefore, I would rather believe that this historian is talking nonsense, with my most benevolent wish: the way of heaven is eternal and indestructible.

The cavalry was the greatest asset of the Mongols in their sweeping conquest of Eurasia, and it was also the last lifeline for the final Mongol Yuan dynasty. Mongolian cavalrymen proudly believed that as long as they mounted their steeds, they would always be the finest warriors. Liu Futong's northern expedition was annihilated by the Mongolian cavalry, and Han Shantong's Song regime was also defeated by them. While the last fierce generals of the Yuan Empire reveled in this final victory, akin to the afterglow of a setting sun, they did not foresee that a Han man named Xu Da and his cavalry unit would emerge on the Chinese mainland, ultimately shattering the myth of the invincibility of the Mongolian cavalry in the northern expedition of 1368.

4. Chen Qingzhi (Southern and Northern Dynasties, Liang)

2. Wei Qing (Han Dynasty)

Wei Qing's achievements were forged on the battlefield with sword and spear. In 129 BC, during the Han Dynasty's first counteroffensive against the Xiongnu, amidst the defeats of three armies, only Wei Qing, with immense courage, traversed eight hundred li to capture the Xiongnu's sacred site, Longcheng. This victory, which resulted in the annihilation of merely eight hundred enemies, held significance not only in shattering the myth of the Xiongnu's invincibility but also in revolutionizing Han military thought. In the subsequent battles of Hetao and Monan, the young Wei Qing perfectly combined the strategies of Sun Tzu's Art of War with the high mobility of cavalry warfare, employing feints and bold interpositions to deliver two severe blows to the main Xiongnu cavalry forces. The battle of Mobei in 119 BC was a masterpiece of Wei Qing's military career. In a disadvantageous situation where the right flank had not yet arrived and was encircled by the main Xiongnu forces, Wei Qing executed a strategy of patient defense and counterattack. At the moment when the enemy was most fatigued, he struck with the most rapid force, ultimately defeating the main Xiongnu army. This battle was of decisive significance in the history of the Han-Xiongnu wars. Wei Qing's combat style, seeking victory through steadiness, became an indelible pain in the hearts of the Xiongnu.

There are many ways to use the Mo Dao, but the historical accounts recorded by scholars, who are more emotional than rational and do not place much emphasis on combat, suggest that there are only two methods: chopping and swinging. However, rational analysis tells a different story. First, regarding chopping, according to historical texts, the Mo Dao advances like a wall and then strikes down together. This is because for soldiers, presenting the sharp edge of their weapon in front of them can effectively boost their morale. Well, is it to bolster their own courage? Then, what are the normal and reasonable means of attack? For soldiers, presenting the sharp edge of their weapon in front of them can effectively boost their morale. Well, is it to bolster their own courage? Then, what are the normal and reasonable means of attack? The Mo Dao is held in front, but with the arms bent, allowing for the residual force of the thrust. The gleaming Mo Dao advances like a wall, which can effectively boost the morale of our own warriors while also severely intimidating the enemy. The broad and sharp Mo Dao brings a level of intimidation to the enemy that is far beyond what a narrow spearhead or arrow tip can compare to. Approaching the enemy, one can thrust forcefully, and if necessary, also chop, hack, or slice. The Mo Dao is 8 to 9 feet long, with a sharp tip; therefore, thrusting should be a common method of attack with the Mo Dao, otherwise, it is difficult to explain why such a sharp point is crafted. The Mo Dao is a long-handled, waist-supported battle knife, reputed to advance like a wall.

In the land of Yan and Zhao, there are many generous and sorrowful singers. In the Northern Song Dynasty, which emphasized literature over martial prowess and where the entire nation indulged in songs and dances, the Shanxi native Di Qing stands out as the most heroic battle song amidst the decadent melodies of the Northern Song. The Northern Song claimed to "govern the world together with the gentry," yet the elevation of the literati's status, while flourishing culture, also led to the decline of the fierce spirit of the Chinese nation and the moral degradation of the cultural and intellectual class. Military generals held the most tragic profession in the Northern Song, as their positions were suppressed by civil officials, their commands constantly hindered, and their achievements often envied. Truly, it was a case of "they come to fight, but we bear the blame." Even common people felt ashamed to take up arms. In that era, when formidable enemies surrounded them, the Northern Song, with its highly prosperous culture and economy yet extremely weak social customs, became the most delectable feast in the eyes of the nomadic tribes.

The Mo Dao has been lost to history, yet its principles of application remain consistently effective. Firstly, it emphasizes collective combat and teamwork; secondly, it targets specific points, particularly against cavalry, compensating for the weakness of insufficient horses. As early as the Warring States period, the Qin army utilized the "bi," an exceptionally long spear, to form a phalanx similar to that of ancient Rome. The failure of the Yuan Dynasty's early invasion of Japan was a consequence of underestimating the steel sword; during the mid-Ming Dynasty, the Qijia army employed sabers specifically designed to counter the Tatar cavalry, targeting horse legs and decapitating foes, which deterred the Tatars from invading for several years.

The Mo Dao is a unique type of weapon from the Sui and Tang dynasties in China, primarily used by infantry. Due to a lack of metallurgical knowledge and rough manufacturing techniques, early Mo Daos weighed as much as 37 pounds or even heavier

The Tang Mo Dao began to gain popularity between the period before the reign of Emperor Gaozong during the Tiaolu era and the tenth year of the Kaiyuan era. Initially, the use of the Mo Dao was to counter the Turkic cavalry, but later it became prevalent among various armies to combat the cavalry-dominated "Four Barbarians" of the Tang dynasty. During the height of the Tang dynasty, the well-established system of military governors led to the standardization of military equipment and training, making the Mo Dao one of the main weapons of Tang infantry and a regular part of their arsenal. The establishment of the military governor system allowed various regions to recruit soldiers and build substantial cavalry forces, which played a significant role. This, in turn, ensured that the weapon designed to counter cavalry—the Mo Dao—remained in use until the late Tang dynasty.

Xuanjia Elite Cavalry

1. Li Mu (Warring States Period)

From a young age, he was a child who loved listening to war stories, particularly enjoying the tales told by the village elders about Yue Fei's resistance against the Jin dynasty. While his peers played games, his superior intelligence often made him the winner. At that time, no one could have imagined that in the complex war game of the peasant uprisings at the end of the Yuan dynasty, Xu Da would become the most outstanding player decades later. He cornered Chen Youliang, imprisoned Zhang Shicheng, and outmaneuvered the formidable Mongolian cavalry into the northern desert. The narrative of China's historical unification has always followed a fixed script from north to south, yet in Xu Da's hands, it underwent a tremendous transformation. The Northern Expedition of the Ming dynasty in 1368 opened a new chapter in Chinese history, marking the beginning of southern unification over the north. At that time, no one could have imagined that in the complex war game of the peasant uprisings at the end of the Yuan dynasty, Xu Da would become the most outstanding player decades later. He cornered Chen Youliang, imprisoned Zhang Shicheng, and outmaneuvered the formidable Mongolian cavalry into the northern desert. The narrative of China's historical unification has always followed a fixed script from north to south, yet in Xu Da's hands, it underwent a tremendous transformation. The Northern Expedition of the Ming dynasty in 1368 opened a new chapter in Chinese history, ringing the death knell for the divided and doomed Mongol Empire that spanned the Eurasian continent.

10, Li Chengliang (Ming Dynasty)

In the ranking of renowned generals who resisted the Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty, people often regard Wei Qing as the foremost. However, if one considers solely the capability in cavalry warfare, the triumphant Huo Qubing seems like a soaring sword, unmatched in its might, challenging all who dare to compete.

5. Li Jing (Tang Dynasty)

Many years ago, Lenovo Group had a slogan: "Nothing is unimaginable, only unachievable." If a general named Chen Qingzhi from the Southern and Northern Dynasties were to live today, he would be the most qualified spokesperson for this slogan. Because in the era he lived in, he accomplished what no one else could even conceive, to the extent that the great leader Chairman Mao, upon reading his biography, remarked with emotion: "In a thousand years, the heart yearns for it."

3. Huo Qubing (Han Dynasty)

It is said that the Eighteen Riders of Yan Yun are a fearsome elite cavalry unit led by Luo Yi. Comprising a total of eighteen individuals, they are clad in cold attire, equipped with curved sabers, their faces masked, heads covered with black cloth, revealing only their eyes. They don long black cloaks and wear Hu-style riding boots, which are fitted with daggers. Each member carries a large bow and possesses eighteen arrows, all armed with identical crescent-shaped sabers. They typically operate in the desert and rarely venture into the Central Plains. Mysterious and elusive, each one wears a mask, and no one has ever seen their true faces. Whenever they appear, they bring about a massacre of unimaginable horror to the barbarian tribes.

Yue Fei's "Man Jiang Hong" continues to be sung today, while Xu Da, though not a poet, left behind the magnificent "Ping Hu Biao." In my view, it is a splendid piece that can rival "Man Jiang Hong." "Only the Yuan clan, rising from desolation, ended with the Song dynasty, leading the various Hu tribes to rise. They used dogs and sheep to mark the heavenly calendar, and the barbarians to disrupt the Chinese customs, promoting the wearing of hair and clothing as their legacy, confusing the clan names and disregarding the principles of propriety. As for the descendants, they are especially unworthy rulers, indulging in pleasure and inviting ruin, oblivious to competition; they engage in craftiness and excess, drowning in arrogance and luxury. The heavens change and are not constant, rivers surge and break their banks, armies are deployed across the world, poison spreads in the Central Plains. The garrison collapses and the land crumbles, the military is in disarray and falls apart, rulers and ministers look at each other in desperation, fathers and sons plot to escape. In the morning, they gather the concubines in the inner palace, at night they flee through the northern gate with their carriages and horses. I (referring to Xu Da) and (Chang) Yuchun, have already entered their capital with troops on August 2." In these impassioned words, there is the indomitable spirit of our nation seeking to avenge its humiliation, and the unfulfilled dreams of General Yue.

If Wei Qing can be regarded as a classical general nurtured by traditional Chinese military strategy, then Huo Qubing seems to be a natural-born cavalryman, a man of fervor. As fellow scions of nobility, he lacks the pedantry of Zhao Kuo, who was known for his theoretical approach to warfare. While both are young talents, he possesses less of the naivety and innocence typical of youth, and more of the pride and audacity that would resonate deeply with future generations.

The Warring States period was not only a heroic saga of the feudal lords contending for supremacy in the Central Plains, but also a tragic history of the common people in northern China suffering from the ravages of the Xiongnu. While the lords of various states were engaged in fierce battles on the Central Plains, the riders of the Xiongnu roamed the vast northern borders of China as if in a no-man's land. The towering Great Wall appeared to the proud sons of the grasslands as nothing more than a clumsy decoration, and the solemn formations of chariots and infantry were reduced to mere chopping boards under the sabers of the barbarian riders. The struggle against the Xiongnu felt like a hopeless chase against one's own shadow, becoming an inescapable nightmare for generations of Chinese soldiers.

In the year 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, appointed Xu Da as the chief commander and led an army of 250,000 on two fronts to launch a northern expedition. They first captured Shandong, then Henan, ultimately seizing the Yuan capital, Dadu. The newly established Ming Empire expanded like a snowball under Xu Da's command, while the Yuan Shun Emperor fled in panic like a lost dog, marking the complete demise of the Yuan Dynasty, which had ruled China for ninety-seven years. However, in Xu Da's eyes, this was far from sufficient; these victories primarily inflicted pain on the Han troops of the Yuan Empire and did not deliver a direct blow to the elite Mongolian cavalry. The real decisive battle began in Taiyuan, where Xu Da faced the formidable Mongolian general Kuo Dun Temur and his 100,000 elite cavalry, employing night raids to annihilate the Mongolian forces. In the subsequent Battle of Lan'er Valley in Dingxi, Xu Da again defeated Kuo Dun Temur using a central breakthrough strategy, forcing the Mongolian general to abandon his troops and flee in panic with his wife and children. These two victories were of decisive significance in the Ming-Mongol Wars, as Xu Da eliminated nearly 200,000 elite Mongolian troops, delivering a heavy blow to the beleaguered Mongol Empire.

The Anshi Rebellion, which lasted for eight years, forever etched the names of figures such as Li Guangbi into history, while General Wang Zhongsi, who died young, was the most brilliant star among the generals during the peak era of the Tang Dynasty's prosperity

The Ten Great Cavalries of Ancient China

The story of the great victory at Zhuxian Town has been transformed into a narrative by storytellers, circulating among the people for centuries without decline, leading the uninformed to doubt the authenticity of the Yue Family Army. It is astonishing that the frail Song Dynasty could possess such an invincible royal army, and in an era of shattered mountains and rivers, there was still such a grand scene of pursuing stubborn enemies to the north. Yet, this is a historical fact. Both the "History of Jin" and the "History of Song" accurately record the glorious military achievements of Yue Fei's army sweeping through the Jin Dynasty's iron pagoda. The arrogant Jurchens once proudly declared that the Jurchens were "invincible in ten thousand." The silent Yue Family Army shattered this absurd lie with their sabers and ghostly cavalry. From Yancheng to Yingchang, the banners of the Yue Family Army flew along both banks of the Yellow River, and the Southern Song Dynasty once welcomed the best situation in the Song-Jin War.

The weapon used against cavalry is the mo knife

Before the establishment of the Li Tang dynasty, the Han army suffered numerous defeats against the fierce cavalry of the Hu invaders. After the founding of the Li Tang dynasty, the northern regions of China languished under the hoofbeats of the Turks for far too long. Li Jing was destined to be born to avenge the century-long humiliation of the Huaxia people. In the Battle of Dingxiang in 629 AD, he led three thousand elite Han cavalry, engaging in a brilliant maneuver that directly struck at the heart of the Turkic stronghold in the Yin Mountains. The formidable Turkic Empire was unexpectedly defeated, and the ambitious Khagan Xieli, who dreamed of hunting in the Central Plains, could only helplessly face a tragic fate as a captive in Chang'an, spending his remaining days in misery. Throughout history, only the rulers of the Han dynasty have poured wine in the halls of the Hu invaders, while Li Jing defeated the Turks and captured the Khagan, returning their own tactics against them and achieving unprecedented glory. If the last two emperors of the Jin dynasty were aware from beyond the grave, they would surely raise their cups in celebration, smiling in the wine spring.

Many in later generations have harbored resentment towards Wei Qing's success, primarily due to his "family ties" with Emperor Wu of Han and the various sympathetic remarks made by the great literary figure Sima Qian regarding Li Guang in the Records of the Grand Historian. However, in my view, this is more a manifestation of the sour grapes mentality. Wei Qing's rise during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han cannot be attributed solely to familial connections and good fortune; rather, a more significant reason lies in the fact that Wei Qing was situated in an era of profound transformation in Chinese military thought. The traditional concepts of infantry and chariot warfare were inevitably being replaced by large-scale cavalry warfare. Just as today's young talents, equipped with modern warfare concepts and high-tech military thinking, can replace those outdated generals, Wei Qing's success follows the same logic.

The Guan Ning Iron Cavalry was a cavalry unit, not very large in number but possessing considerable combat strength, trained rigorously by Yuan Chonghuan. It was the most elite force during the late Ming Dynasty, capable of engaging the Manchu Eight Banners army in direct confrontation

The Wumu Temple was demolished by the Qing Dynasty, yet "Man Jiang Hong" continues to resonate in the hearts of passionate youth. Rigid history textbooks may erase his title of "national hero," but they can never replace the validation history has bestowed upon him. As a song states: "Between heaven and earth, there is a scale, and the weight on it is the common people." Against the backdrop of the bloody conflicts during the Song-Jin wars, Yue Fei could have become that guiding star.

6. Wang Zhongsi (Tang Dynasty)

7, Di Qing (Northern Song)

In the television series "Kangxi Dynasty," Wu Sangui profoundly states: "The bandits are our benefactors." This is because he deeply understands the inherent fate of loyal subjects being discarded once they have served their purpose. As a vicious dog, there are only two ways to avoid being killed by its master. The first is to disguise oneself as a rabbit after catching one, burying one's true nature deeply, which inevitably leads to endless suspicion and humiliation while ensuring one's survival. The second method is simpler and more effective: do not eliminate all the rabbits, thus preserving one's value for use. Although Wu Sangui articulated this, he ultimately failed to execute this strategy well, resulting in his downfall and the destruction of his state. In contrast, his ancestor Li Chengliang of the Liaodong cavalry mastered this tactic to perfection. Against the backdrop of the Ming Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline in the late period, Li Chengliang deceived the cunning scholar-official class and the indolent Wanli Emperor with his banditry tactics, leading the once-unified Ming Dynasty from paradise into hell.

8, Yue Fei (Southern Song)

The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun

There is an old saying in the folk: there is no medicine for regret in this world. Wang Zhongsi is the heaviest dose of regret for the Tang Dynasty. It was he who, with the keen insight of an experienced military strategist, detected An Lushan's treacherous intentions to rebel. It was also he who, with a prudent strategic mindset, pushed the Tang Dynasty's prosperity to its peak. Moreover, with a loyal heart, he pursued the ideal of safeguarding the nation and its people, disregarding personal honor and disgrace, ultimately offending Emperor Xuanzong, who had always promoted and appreciated him, paying the heaviest price a loyal minister could bear. If, just if, Wang Zhongsi's impeachment of An Lushan in the early years of the Tianbao era had gained the recognition of the Li Tang Dynasty, and if, in 755, during the turmoil of Yuyang, it was General Wang Zhongsi who led the troops to quell the rebellion, how would history have unfolded? Regrettably, history never entertains hypotheticals.

Among the historical texts currently reviewed, only Wu Weiye explicitly used the term "Guanning Iron Cavalry" in his work "Records of Pacifying the Bandits" written in the ninth year of the Shunzhi reign. However, based on the prevailing public opinion at that time, it is unlikely that "Guanning Iron Cavalry" referred to the cavalry trained by Yuan Chonghuan, which was primarily composed of Liaor people. Yuan Chonghuan was suspected of "betraying the country and collaborating with the enemy," and it was not until the forty-ninth year of the Qianlong reign (1784) that the Qing people, while compiling the "History of Ming" based on the "Veritable Records of the Qing Taizong," received an imperial edict from Qianlong to rehabilitate Yuan Chonghuan, which was already 150 years later. The "Records of Pacifying the Bandits" was completed in the ninth year of Shunzhi, and the "Veritable Records of the Taizong" consists of sixty-eight volumes. Yuan Chonghuan was suspected of "betraying the country and collaborating with the enemy," and it was not until the forty-ninth year of the Qianlong reign (1784) that the Qing people, while compiling the "History of Ming" based on the "Veritable Records of the Qing Taizong," received an imperial edict from Qianlong to rehabilitate Yuan Chonghuan, which was already 150 years later. The "Records of Pacifying the Bandits" was completed in the ninth year of Shunzhi, and the "Veritable Records of the Taizong" consists of sixty-eight volumes. The compilation of the ninth year of Shunzhi was ordered, and it was revised by the Kangxi Emperor in the twelfth year of his reign, and further revised in the twelfth year of the Yongzheng reign. Wu Weiye himself did not participate in the compilation of the "Veritable Records of the Taizong," and thus could not have had the opportunity to know the inside story in advance. Therefore, he would not dare to defy public opinion and praise Yuan's army. It is also unlikely that they were the personal troops of Zu Dashou, as they surrendered to the Qing too early. Wu Weiye himself did not participate in the compilation of the "Veritable Records of the Taizong," and thus could not have had the opportunity to know the inside story in advance. Therefore, he would not dare to defy public opinion and praise Yuan's army. It is also unlikely that they were the personal troops of Zu Dashou, as they surrendered to the Qing too early. Only Wu Sangui, who had the cleanest background at that time and was the most brilliant general in the late Chongzhen period, continued to defend Ningyuan for the Ming until the fall of Beijing. Although he eventually defected to the Manchus, the nature of his actions was different; everyone understood his feelings of national loyalty and family hatred that led him to invite the Qing troops into the pass. Furthermore, the praise for Wu Sangui in unofficial histories exceeds that of Yuan Chonghuan and Zu Dashou, indicating the direction of public opinion at that time. Although he eventually defected to the Manchus, the nature of his actions was different; everyone understood his feelings of national loyalty and family hatred that led him to invite the Qing troops into the pass. Furthermore, the praise for Wu Sangui in unofficial histories exceeds that of Yuan Chonghuan and Zu Dashou, indicating the direction of public opinion at that time.

In order to highlight the mobility of cavalry in battle formations and encirclements, Li Shimin abandoned the heavily armored cavalry that had been in use for a century and reestablished the main force of the cavalry with light cavalry. He led them to conquer the four seas, creating the prosperous territory of the Tang Empire, and his elite cavalry became renowned throughout the world. At that time, the cavalry of the Sui and Tang dynasties was indeed at its peak; whether it was the heavy cavalry of the Sui dynasty or the light cavalry of the early Tang, they did not fall behind in battles against the cavalry of ethnic minorities such as the Turks, Tibetans, and Huabei, but instead achieved repeated victories, making significant contributions to maintaining national unity and territorial integrity. However, after the mid-Tang period, the cavalry of the Central Plains gradually weakened. By the time of the Anshi Rebellion, they even had to rely on the recruitment of cavalry from ethnic minorities for combat. This weakness persisted from the late Tang period throughout the entire Song dynasty, resulting in the Central Plains army, primarily composed of infantry, being in a long-term passive position against the cavalry of the Khitan (Liao), Jurchen (Jin), and Mongols (Yuan).

Li Chengliang was indeed a formidable warrior, as historical records state that his remarkable military achievements were "unmatched for two hundred years." Although this may be an exaggeration, it clearly reflects his status during that era. He was a renowned general who deeply understood the intricacies of political maneuvering, yet this does not diminish his unique military prowess. His cavalry in Liaodong was the most formidable cavalry force during the late Ming Dynasty. Unlike figures such as Qi Jiguang, who built their armies through institutional means, Li Chengliang cultivated a personal private force through the establishment of personal favors and generous rewards. While he similarly created a fierce and powerful army, this also led him to become a local warlord with significant influence. Had it not been for the rampant incursions of the Mongols and Jurchens in Liaodong at that time, it is likely that Li Chengliang would have faced death two or three times. However, his troops were indeed capable fighters. While other frontier generals of the Ming Dynasty generally adopted defensive strategies, Li Chengliang took the initiative to strike, leading his cavalry corps in direct confrontations with nomadic tribes on the Liaodong plains, achieving repeated victories and almost annually securing reports of triumphs, which became essential celebratory content for Emperor Wanli's annual sacrifices to Heaven.

The 14th century AD is a significant century in Chinese history, not only due to the fall of the Yuan Dynasty and the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, but also against the backdrop of the moral decline of the scholar-official class over the three hundred years of the Song Dynasty. In the tragic finale of the collective suicide of elite intellectuals at Yashan, and in the broader context of the comprehensive suppression and even crisis of faith faced by the intellectual class during the 97 years of Yuan rule, the grassroots individuals living at the bottom finally represented our nation in taking the forefront of resistance. The emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, who came from a humble background, and Xu Da, the son of a farmer, are exemplary representatives of this movement. The ethnic discrimination policies and brutal ethnic cleansing measures of the Yuan Dynasty not only failed to extinguish the flames of resistance across the land of China, but instead became a poison that hastened its demise. The Ming Dynasty, with its ruling class composed of commoners and lower intellectuals, accomplished the restoration and redemption of the Chinese nation, confirming the ancient verse "Wildfires cannot be extinguished; spring winds will blow again." In that great campaign of driving out the Hu invaders, Xu Da and his Ming tiger troops resembled a group of tireless climbers from humble origins, conquering one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after another from the Central Plains to the Northwest, sending the unworthy descendants of Genghis Khan down the path of escape and division. The outcome of the Yuan-Ming wars was not merely a victory of one nation over another; it was more a victory of popular forces. "How immense is the power contained within the masses," this slogan from the era of class struggle starkly reflects the bloody reality of the rise and fall of dynasties at the end of the Yuan and the beginning of the Ming.