Story:

Yue Fei was one of the greatest generals in Chinese history. He was the epitome of selfless courage and patriotism. The famous tattoo on his back summed up his unwavering sense of duty to his country: "Serve your country with the utmost loyalty."

Yue Fei was born into a humble family. At the moment of his birth, a giant bird alit on the roof of the family home and let out a loud cry. His parents took this as an omen, and named him Fei, denoting that he would soar to great heights in his life. In his teens, he became a skilled martial artist, developing the "Eagle Claw" technique of Shaolin kungfu. He was also a master archer and swordsman, as well as an expert horseman.

At age 19, Yue Fei joined the Southern Song army, to fight the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty in the north. He was very successful in battle, and rose through the ranks quickly, gaining the rank of general before the age of 30. He was much loved by the common people, for he shunned the trappings and privileges of his rank, preferring to endure the hardships of the battlefield alongside his troops. Eventually, his popularity grew so huge that resentment and jealousy grew in the imperial court. Heeding the false rumors of his evil advisers, the emperor Gaozong summoned Yue Fei back to the capital. There, he was imprisoned on trumped up charges, and eventually murdered. When the common folk learned of his death, they threatened to rebel. Much alarmed, the emperor tried to placate the people by giving Yue Fei a hero's burial, and a beautiful monument was erected in his honor in Hangzhou, where it stands till today

Pre-Pub price $495.00 unframed Available at the end of April