Over thousands of years of Chinese history, Qin Liangyu stands out as the only woman to have been officially recognized as a general by the nation. Celebrated by the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Chongzhen in a poem, she is the only female general recorded in the Twenty-Five Histories, filling the long-standing gap of female representation in the annals of Chinese military leadership.
The stature of a leader
Through measurements of her preserved clothing and belongings in Chongqing, it’s been determined that Qin Liangyu stood at an impressive height of approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall.
Her early life
Born to the Miao ethnic group during the reign of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, Qin Liangyu hailed from Letian Town on the outskirts of Zhongzhou City in Sichuan. Growing up in a family led by her scholarly father Qin Kui, she was third among her siblings, with two older brothers and a younger one. Besides being taught the classics, literature, and painting, Qin Liangyu was trained in traditional Miao martial arts, mastering horseback riding, archery, and combat.
A dream beyond her gender
From a young age, Qin harbored ambitions of defending her country. Recognizing her exceptional talents in both arts and warfare, her father once lamented: “Your brothers pale in comparison to you. If only you were not a woman, you would undoubtedly become a prominent leader in the future.” Unfazed, Qin Liangyu confidently replied that she would command armies and defend cities as well as any man could.
A marriage of equals
Known for her intelligence and beauty, Qin Liangyu was pursued by many suitors. One of them, Cao Gao, tried to harm her after she rejected him and even had her imprisoned on false charges. After her release, she held a martial arts competition to choose her spouse. Outperforming Cao Gao and other contenders, she chose Ma Qiancheng, a descendant of the Han Dynasty’s famed General Ma Yuan. Shortly after their marriage, Qin Liangyu gave birth to a son named Ma Xianglin.
The formation of the ‘White Pole Army’
After her marriage, Qin Liangyu’s military skills found their perfect application. She assisted her husband in training a formidable force known as the “White Pole Army.” This unit, named for their distinct white-poled spears, utilized a weapon uniquely designed by Qin Liangyu. Adapted for mountain warfare, this spear had a hook for slashing and pulling, and a metal ring for hammering. The spears could even be linked to form makeshift ladders, allowing soldiers to climb cliffs and walls. Under Ma Qiancheng and Qin Liangyu , this force maintained peace in their region.
The rebellion and Qin Liangyu’s valor
In the 26th year of Emperor Wanli’s reign, a significant rebellion broke out. Led by Yang Yinglong, the insurgents caused havoc. The imperial court dispatched forces, including Qin Liangyu and her 3,000-strong White Pole Army, to quell the rebellion. Armed with their special weaponry and rigorous mountain training, the White Pole Army consistently defeated the rebels.
In one notable battle at Dengkan, despite being outnumbered 10 to 1, Qin Liangyu led her troops with unmatched valor. Capturing the enemy leader in the midst of combat, her forces routed the 5,000-strong opposition. Her heroics earned her a silver medal from the Ming Dynasty’s commanding general, inscribed with four characters meaning “A woman as good as a man.”
Following this victory, the imperial forces rapidly captured key strategic points, culminating in the successful siege of the rebel stronghold, leading to the end of the rebellion.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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