China Archery

Yuan Men She Ji (Magic Shot Outside the Military Camp)

Yuan Shu sent 100 thousand troops, led by General Ji Ling, to attack Liu Bei. For fear of Lü Bu in Xuzhou who might lend Liu a hand, Yuan wrote Lü a letter, together with many food supplies as gifts, asking him not to help Liu. Liu, on the other hand, wrote lüa letter asking for assistance. “If I remain an onlooker with folded arms,”thought Lü, “I will be in danger after Yuan defeats Liu. But if I help Liu, Yuan will be be resentful to me.” So Lü invited both Liu Bei and Ji Ling to a banquet.

Lü sat between Liu and Ji at the banquet. After a few rounds of toasts Lü began, “Please grant me a favor by stopping the fight.” When Ji Ling refused, Lu shouted for his long lance to be brought over. Both Liu and Ji got a fright. “I’ll stand my lance 150steps away outside the gate. If my arrow h its its edge you two will stop your fight. And if I miss the target you have your own way.” Ji secretly hoped that he would miss the target, while Liu crossed his fingers wished Lu succees. Lü and wine brought up to him. After each one had a cup Lu arched his bow, aimed and shot with a big shout. The arrow flew like lightening toward the target, and hit right on the edge of the lance. A big applause rose from everybody around. Lu dropped his bow and laughed, saying, “You see, even the heavens wish that you stop fighting.” With his excellent archery, Lü averted a fight between the two sides.

Qutu Tong (AD 557-628) was born in Chang’an (Xi’an of Shaanxi today) and belonged to the minority of Qutu. He was a famous general in the early period of Tang Dynasty and one of 24 heroes in Lingyan Pavilion.

The ancestors of Qutu Tong belonged to the tribe of Kumoxizhong and subordinated to Murong of Xianbei minority. He immigrated to Changli (Chaoyang of Liaoning today) and then settled down in Chang’an. Qutu Tong was a model of fortitude, loyalty and rectitude. He loved strategies and was good at archery and horsemanship. He was once the general of Left Cavalry in Sui Dynasty. After he submitted to Tang, he was a general under Li Shimin. He made the greatest contribution in pacifying the rebellion of Wang Shichong. He was respected by Emperor Taizhong of Tang.

Qutu Tong passed away in the second year of Zhenguan Reign (AD 628) at the age of 72. He was conferred the title of Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing and the posthumous name of “Zhong” (Loyalty) by Emperor Taizhong. Qutu Tong and Fang Xuanling were moved to the royal temple of Emperor Taizhong in 23rd year of Zhenguan Reign (AD 649). Qutu Tong was reconferred with the title of Sikong (Minister of Public Works) on 14th Mar. of the fifth year of Yonghui Reign (AD 654) by Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty.

Li Guangbi (AD 708-764) was born in Liucheng, Yingzhou (now Chaoyang City of Liaoning Province) and a famous general in mid Tang Dynasty.

The father of Li Guangbi was a chieftain of Khitan and pledged allegiance to Tang Dynasty during Wu Zetian’s reign. Li Guangbi was eager to learn and good at archery and horsemanship when he was young. He was appointed successively as the Military Tribune of Shuofang (Now northwest of Lingwu in Ningxia Autonomous Region) and Hexi (Now Wuwei in Gansu Province).

In the early period of 15th year of Tianbao Reign of Tang Dynasty (AD 756), Li Guangbi was recommended by Guo Ziyi to be the Vice Military Commissioner of Hedong and participated in pacification of the An Shi Rebellion. He guarded three cities of Taiyuan, Heyang and reoccupied Luoyang.

After Li Yu, Emperor Daizong of Tang Dynasty ascended the throne, he trusted eunuchs Cheng Yuanzhen and Yu Chaoen, who were in discord with Li Guangbi and smeared his reputation. He led his army and guarded Lin Huai. He didn’t dare enter the palace for two to three years. Li Guangbi was always quite strict with the army. Nobody dared look upwards when he gave an order. The court summoned him for several times and he didn’t obey the order. Consequently, his soldiers didn’t obey his order. Li Guangbi was so ashamed and became ill. He died in Xuzhou in the second year of Guangde Reign (AD 764)