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{{Short description|Chinese military general and writer}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Qi Jiguang<br>戚繼光
| name = Qi Jiguang
| native_name = {{nobold|戚繼光}}
| image = Qi Jiquan.jpg
| image = Qi Jiguang Portrait.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Portrait of Qi Jiguang
| caption = Portrait of Qi Jiguang
| birth_date = November 12, 1528 same as me
| birth_date = November 12, 1528
| birth_place = [[Shandong]]
| birth_place = [[Shandong]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1588|1|17|1528|11|12}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1588|1|17|1528|11|12}}
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| occupation = General
| occupation = General
}}
}}
{{Chinese name|[[Qi (surname)#Qi (戚) surname|Qi (戚)]]}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Qi (surname)#Qi (戚) surname|Qi (戚)]]|lang=Chinese}}
'''Qi Jiguang''' (November 12, 1528 &ndash; January 17, 1588)<ref>{{harvnb|Millinger|Fang|1976|p=220}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Huang|1981|p=156}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Gyves|1993|p=15}}</ref>, [[courtesy name]] '''Yuanjing''', [[art name]]s '''Nantang''' and '''Mengzhu''', [[posthumous name]] '''Wuyi''', was a military general of the [[Ming dynasty]]. He is best known for leading the defense on the coastal regions against ''[[wokou]]'' pirate activities in the 16th century, as well as for the reinforcement of the [[Great Wall of China]]. Qi is also known for writing the military manuals ''[[Jixiao Xinshu]]'' and ''Record of Military Training'' (練兵實紀), which he based on his experience as a martial educator and defensive planner in the Ming military forces. He is regarded as a hero in Chinese culture.
'''Qi Jiguang''' ({{zh|c=戚繼光|p=Qī Jìguāng|w=Ch'i<sup>1</sup> Chi<sup>4</sup>-Kuang<sup>1</sup>}}, November 12, 1528 &ndash; January 17, 1588),<ref>{{harvnb|Millinger|Fang|1976|p=220}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Huang|1981|p=156}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Gyves|1993|p=15}}</ref> [[courtesy name]] '''Yuanjing''', [[art name]]s '''Nantang''' and '''Mengzhu''', [[posthumous name]] '''Wuyi''', was a Chinese military general and writer of the [[Ming dynasty]]. He is best known for leading the defense on the coastal regions against ''[[wokou]]'' pirate activities in the 16th century, as well as for the reinforcement of the [[Great Wall of China]]. Qi is also known for writing the military manuals ''[[Jixiao Xinshu]]'' and Lianbing Shiji or ''Record of Military Training'' ({{lang|zh|練兵實紀}}), which he based on his experience as a martial educator and defensive planner in the Ming military forces. He is regarded as a hero in Chinese culture.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
=== Early life ===
=== Early life ===
Qi Jiguang was born in the town of Luqiao in [[Shandong]] province to a family with a long military tradition. His forefather served as a military leader under [[Hongwu Emperor]] and died in battle. When Zhu Yuanzhang became the founding emperor of the [[Ming Dynasty]], he bestowed upon the Qi family the hereditary post of commander-in-chief of [[Dengzhou]] Garrison, a district of the present day [[Penglai City|Penglai]].
Qi Jiguang was born in the town of Luqiao in [[Shandong]] province to a family with a long military tradition. His forefather served as a military leader under the [[Hongwu Emperor]] and died in battle. When Zhu Yuanzhang became the founding emperor of the [[Ming dynasty]], he bestowed upon the Qi family the hereditary post of commander-in-chief of [[Dengzhou Subdistrict|Dengzhou]] Garrison, a district of the present day [[Penglai City|Penglai]].


Qi Jiguang's father Qi Jingtong (戚景通) (1473–1544) was a skilled martial arts expert and an upright and devoted military general. Strongly influenced by his family, Qi Jiguang took an early interest in the military. As a child, he built ramparts from clay, piled up rubble to form barracks, and made flags from bamboo sticks and paper to play war games with his friends and himself as the commander.
Qi Jiguang's father Qi Jingtong ({{lang|zh|戚景通}}) (1473–1544) was a skilled martial arts expert and an upright and devoted military general. Strongly influenced by his family, Qi Jiguang took an early interest in the military. As a child, he built ramparts from clay, piled up rubble to form barracks, and made flags from bamboo sticks and paper to play war games with his friends and himself as the commander.


When his father died, Qi Jiguang took over the commandership of Dengzhou Garrison at the age of 17. As his siblings were still young, he married Lady Wang and left domestic affairs to her. Besides building up the naval defense at the garrison, he also led his troops in the defense of [[Ji County, Tianjin|Jizhou]] (薊州, east of present-day [[Beijing]]) against [[Mongol]] raiders during spring time from 1548 to 1552.
When his father died, Qi Jiguang took over the commandership of Dengzhou Garrison at the age of 17. As his siblings were still young, he married Lady Wang and left domestic affairs to her. Besides building up the naval defense at the garrison, he also led his troops in the defense of [[Ji County, Tianjin|Jizhou]] (薊州, east of present-day [[Beijing]]) against [[Mongol]] raiders during spring time from 1548 to 1552.
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{{see also|Jiajing wokou raids}}
{{see also|Jiajing wokou raids}}
[[Image:Wokou.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Raids of the [[wokou]]-pirates on [[China]] during Qi Jiguang's time (blue).]]
[[Image:Wokou.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Raids of the [[wokou]]-pirates on [[China]] during Qi Jiguang's time (blue).]]
In 1553, Qi Jiguang was promoted to Assistant Regional Military Commissioner (都指揮僉事) of Shandong's defense force against [[wokou]] pirates, which included Japanese, Portuguese, and Southeast Asians, but were mostly Chinese. When Qi Jiguang took over the commandership of [[Shandong]]'s coastal defense, he had less than 10,000 troops at hand, though the recorded strength was 30,000. Furthermore, many of his soldiers who were young and strong men deserted to make a living elsewhere, leaving behind the old and the weak. The troops also lacked training and discipline, while the defense works were dilapidated due to years of negligence.
In 1553, Qi Jiguang was promoted to Assistant Regional Military Commissioner ({{lang|zh|都指揮僉事}}) of Shandong's defense force against [[wokou]] pirates. The marauders that terrorized the Eastern coastlines were hardly pirates. They constructed inland bases on land and besieged walled cities. They conducted continuous raids for at least two decades. Additionally, they weren't just Japanese. Most of the time, they worked together with mixed Chinese bands, with the latter frequently dominating. Even Chinese explorers provided their leadership. However, the Japanese pirates were the main combatants. Japan served as the base of the invasion, and the Japanese provided all military expertise and equipment.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/1587yearofnosign00huan/page/162/mode/2up?q=japanese+pirates | title=1587, a year of no significance : The Ming dynasty in decline | date=1981 }}</ref>


When Qi Jiguang took over the command of [[Shandong]]'s coastal defense, he had less than 10,000 troops at hand, though the recorded strength was 30,000. Furthermore, many of his soldiers who were young and strong men deserted to make a living elsewhere, leaving behind the old and the weak. The troops also lacked training and discipline, while the defense works were dilapidated due to years of negligence.
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In the fall of 1555, Qi was sent to [[Zhejiang]] where the pirating situation had spiraled out of control. Together with two other generals, [[Yu Dayou]] and [[Tan Lun]], Qi led Ming forces to a decisive victory at Cen Harbor (岑港) in 1558. Henceafter, his troops continued to deal blows to the pirates at Taozhu (桃渚), [[Haimen]] Garrison and [[Taizhou, Zhejiang|Taizhou]]. After the victory at Cen Harbor, not only was Qi not credited for his valor, he was almost demoted over slander that he liaised with wokou pirates.

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In the fall of 1555, Qi was sent to [[Zhejiang]] where the pirating situation had spiraled out of control. Together with two other generals, [[Yu Dayou]] and [[Tan Lun]], Qi led Ming forces to a decisive victory at Cen Harbor ({{lang|zh|岑港}}) in 1558. Henceafter, his troops continued to deal blows to the pirates at Taozhu ({{lang|zh|桃渚}}), [[Haimen]] Garrison and [[Taizhou, Zhejiang|Taizhou]]. After the victory at Cen Harbor, not only was Qi not credited for his valor, he was almost demoted over slander that he liaised with wokou pirates.


With the situation in Zhejiang under control, Qi shifted his focus to drilling his soldiers. He drafted mainly miners and farmers from the county of [[Yiwu]] because he believed these people to be honest and hardworking. He also oversaw the construction of 44 naval vessels of various sizes to be used against pirates at sea.
With the situation in Zhejiang under control, Qi shifted his focus to drilling his soldiers. He drafted mainly miners and farmers from the county of [[Yiwu]] because he believed these people to be honest and hardworking. He also oversaw the construction of 44 naval vessels of various sizes to be used against pirates at sea.
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The first trial for Qi's new army came in 1559. After a month-long battle with wokou pirate in Taizhou Prefecture, the pirates suffered over 5,000 casualties, while Qi's army established a name for itself among both the people of Zhejiang and its enemies. Partly as a result of Qi's military success in Zhejiang, pirate activities surged in the province of [[Fujian]]. More than 10,000 pirates had established strongholds along the coast from [[Fu'an]] in the north to [[Zhangzhou]] in the south.
The first trial for Qi's new army came in 1559. After a month-long battle with wokou pirate in Taizhou Prefecture, the pirates suffered over 5,000 casualties, while Qi's army established a name for itself among both the people of Zhejiang and its enemies. Partly as a result of Qi's military success in Zhejiang, pirate activities surged in the province of [[Fujian]]. More than 10,000 pirates had established strongholds along the coast from [[Fu'an]] in the north to [[Zhangzhou]] in the south.


In July 1562, Qi Jiguang led 6,000 elite troops south into Fujian. Within two months, his army had eradicated three major lairs of wokou pirates at [[Hengyu]] (橫嶼), [[Niutian]] (牛田) and [[Lindun]] (林墩). However, his own army also suffered significant losses to fighting and disease.
In July 1562, Qi Jiguang led 6,000 elite troops south into Fujian. Within two months, his army had eradicated three major lairs of wokou pirates at [[Hengyu]] ({{lang|zh|橫嶼}}), [[Niutian]] ({{lang|zh|牛田}}) and [[Lindun]] ({{lang|zh|林墩}}). However, his own army also suffered significant losses of nearly a hundred men due to fighting and disease.


Seeing the pirate infestation in Fujian subdued, Qi then returned to Zhejiang to regroup. The pirates took the opportunity to invade Fujian again, this time succeeding in conquering Xinghua (興化, present day [[Putian]]).
Seeing the pirate infestation in Fujian subdued, Qi then returned to Zhejiang to regroup. The pirates took the opportunity to invade Fujian again, this time succeeding in conquering Xinghua (興化, present day [[Putian]]).
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In April 1563, Qi Jiguang led 10,000 troops into Fujian and reclaimed Xinghua. Over the next year, a series of victories by Qi Jiguang's army finally saw the pirate problem in Fujian resolved.
In April 1563, Qi Jiguang led 10,000 troops into Fujian and reclaimed Xinghua. Over the next year, a series of victories by Qi Jiguang's army finally saw the pirate problem in Fujian resolved.


In September 1565, A major battle against wokou pirates was fought on the island of [[Nan'ao County|Nan'ao]], which lies near the boundary between the provinces of Fujian and [[Guangdong]]. There Qi joined arms with his old comrade Yu Dayou again to defeat the remnant of the combined Japanese and Chinese pirate force.
In September 1565, a major battle against wokou pirates was fought on the island of [[Nan'ao County|Nan'ao]], which lies near the boundary between the provinces of Fujian and [[Guangdong]]. There Qi joined arms with his old comrade Yu Dayou again to defeat the remnant of the combined Japanese and Chinese pirate force.


=== Years on the northern frontier ===
=== Years on the northern frontier ===
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After eliminating the pirate threat, Qi Jiguang was called to Beijing in late 1567 to take charge of training the imperial guards.
After eliminating the pirate threat, Qi Jiguang was called to Beijing in late 1567 to take charge of training the imperial guards.


With the revolt against the [[Yuan Dynasty]] in mid-14th century, Hongwu Emperor drove the [[Mongols]] north beyond the [[Great Wall]] and founded the [[Ming Dynasty]]. However, he did not manage to eliminate Mongolian power, which continued to pester the northern frontier for the next two hundred years. When Qi was in [[Beijing]] in 1550, [[Altan Khan]], ruler of the Tumed Mongols, broke through the northern defenses and nearly devastated Beijing. In 1571, the Ming Dynasty bestowed the title "Lord Shunyi" (順義王) upon Altan Khan and established trade with the Mongols. Altan Khan then forbade his subordinates from raiding Chinese settlements. However, other Mongols led by [[Jasaghtu Khan]] continued to test Qi's defenses, though without much success.
With the revolt against the [[Yuan dynasty]] in mid-14th century, the Hongwu Emperor drove the [[Mongols]] north beyond the [[Great Wall]] and founded the [[Ming dynasty]]. However, he did not manage to eliminate Mongolian power, which continued to pester the northern frontier for the next two hundred years. When Qi was in [[Beijing]] in 1550, [[Altan Khan]], ruler of the [[Tumed|Tumed Mongols]], broke through the northern defenses and nearly devastated Beijing. In 1571, the Ming dynasty bestowed the title "Lord Shunyi" ({{lang|zh|順義王}}) upon Altan Khan and established trade with the Mongols. Altan Khan then forbade his subordinates from raiding Chinese settlements. However, other Mongols led by [[Jasaghtu Khan]] continued to test Qi's defenses, though without much success.


[[File:Qijiguang badaling.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Statue of Qi Jiguang in Badaling]]
In the next year, he was given command of the troops in Jizhou to defend against the Mongols. Qi oversaw the repair work on the segment of the [[Great Wall]] between [[Shanhai Pass]] and [[Juyong Pass]]. He also directed the construction of watchtowers along the wall. After two years of hard work, more than 1,000 watchtowers were completed, giving the defensive capability in the north a great boost.
In the next year, he was given command of the troops in Jizhou to defend against the Mongols. Qi oversaw the repair work on the segment of the [[Great Wall]] between [[Shanhai Pass]] and [[Juyong Pass]]. He also directed the construction of watchtowers along the wall. After two years of hard work, more than 1,000 watchtowers were completed, giving the defensive capability in the north a great boost.


In the winter of 1572, Qi also conducted a month-long military exercise involving more than 100,000 troops. Based on his experience with the exercise he wrote the ''Records of Military Training'' (練兵實紀), which became an invaluable reference for military leaders after him.
In the winter of 1572, Qi also conducted a month-long military exercise involving more than 100,000 troops. Based on his experience with the exercise he wrote the ''Records of Military Training'' ({{lang|zh|練兵實紀}}), which became an invaluable reference for military leaders after him.


During the early reign of the Wanli emperor (1570s), the Mongol army led by Dong Huli, chieftain of the Duoyan tribe, continuously invaded the Ming territory. Qi Jiguang's troops defeated them many times and captured Dong Huli's younger brother Changtu. When Dong Huli brought his nephew and 300 clansmen to beg tearfully for mercy at the outpost, Qi Jiguang accepted their surrender. Dong released captives from his previous plunders and vowed to never invade Jizhou again.
During the early reign of the Wanli Emperor (1570s), the Mongol army led by Dong Huli, chieftain of the Duoyan tribe, continuously invaded the Ming territory. Qi Jiguang's troops defeated them many times and captured Dong Huli's younger brother Changtu. When Dong Huli brought his nephew and 300 clansmen to beg tearfully for mercy at the outpost, Qi Jiguang accepted their surrender. Dong released captives from his previous plunders and vowed to never invade Jizhou again.


=== Death ===
=== Death ===
In early 1583, Qi was relieved of his duty. His wife left him soon after and he spent the rest of his years in poverty and ailing health.{{sfn|Hawlely|2005|p=56}}
Qi was politically connected to [[Zhang Juzheng]] and fell out of favor with the Wanli Emperor after the death of Zhang. In early 1583, Qi was relieved of his duty. His wife left him soon after and he spent the rest of his years in poverty and ailing health.{{sfn|Hawley|2005|p=56}}


He died on 17 January 1588.{{sfn|Hawlely|2005|p=56}}
He died on 17 January 1588.{{sfn|Hawley|2005|p=56}}


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
[[File:Qi jiguang.JPG|thumb|220px|Statue of Qi Jiguang in [[Fuzhou]].]]
[[File:Qi jiguang.JPG|thumb|220px|Bust of Qi Jiguang in [[Fuzhou]].]]
{{Portal|China|War|History|Biography}}
{{Portal|China|History|Biography}}

=== Books by Qi Jiguang ===
=== Books by Qi Jiguang ===
Qi Jiguang documented his ideas and experience in the form of two books on [[military strategy]], the ''[[Ji Xiao Xin Shu]]'' (紀效新書) and ''Record of Military Training'' (練兵實紀). He also wrote a great number of [[Chinese poetry|poems]] and [[prose]]s, which he compiled into the ''Collection of Zhizhi Hall'' (止止堂集), named after his study hall during his office in Jizhou.
Qi Jiguang documented his ideas and experience in the form of two books on [[military strategy]], the ''[[Ji Xiao Xin Shu]]'' ({{lang|zh|紀效新書}}) and the Lianbing Shiji ({{lang|zh|練兵實紀}}) or ''Record of Military Training.'' He also wrote a great number of [[Chinese poetry|poems]] and [[prose]]s, which he compiled into the ''Collection of Zhizhi Hall'' ({{lang|zh|止止堂集}}), named after his study hall during his office in Jizhou.


=== Guangbing ===
=== Guangbing ===
A type of hard pancake called ''guangbing'' (光餅, [[Foochow Romanized]]: ''guŏng-biāng'', known as ''[[kompyang]]'' in [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]]) was named after Qi Jiguang.
A type of hard pancake called ''guangbing'' (光餅, [[Foochow Romanized]]: ''guŏng-biāng'', known as ''[[kompyang]]'' in [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]]) was named after Qi Jiguang.


=== Chi Kuang frigate ===
===Ships named in honor Qi===
A [[Republic of China Navy]] [[Cheng Kung class frigate]] based in [[Tsoying]] was named [[ROCS Chi Kuang (FFG-1105)|''Chi Kuang'' (FFG 1105)]] after Qi Jiguang.
The [[Republic of China Navy]] [[Cheng Kung class frigate]] [[ROCS Chi Kuang (FFG-1105)|''Chi Kuang'' (FFG 1105)]] as well as the [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] [[Type 680 training ship|Type 680 training ship ''Qi Jiguang'']] are after him.


=== In popular culture ===
=== In popular culture ===
⚫
The 2008 Chinese television series ''[[The Shaolin Warriors]]'' provided a fictional account of Qi Jiguang enlisting the help of [[Shaolin Monastery]]'s warrior monks in defending China from the wokou and other invaders. Malaysian actor [[Christopher Lee (Malaysian actor)|Christopher Lee]] played Qi Jiguang.


* A Taiwanese film 1978 ''Qi Jiguang'' ({{lang|zh|戚繼光}}) (English title ''Great General'') depicts the conflict with the pirates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml?id=10030&display_set=big5 |title=戚繼光 (1978) Great General |access-date=March 9, 2020 |publisher=hkmdb.com}}</ref>
⚫
In 2017 the film ''[[God of War (2017 film)|God Of War]]''<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6083388/ Dang kou feng yun (2017)]</ref> is another fictional portrayal of the General and his wife, with [[Vincent Zhao]] in the leading role.
* Qi Jiguang's late years in Shandong are the subject of the 1980 Hong Kong film, ''The Warrant of Assassination'' ({{lang|zh|密殺令}}).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Warrant of Assassination|url=https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml?id=6178&complete_credits=1&display_set=eng|website=[[Hong Kong Movie Database]]}}</ref>

⚫
* The 2008 Chinese television series ''[[The Shaolin Warriors]]'' provided a fictional account of Qi Jiguang enlisting the help of [[Shaolin Monastery]]'s warrior monks in defending China from the wokou and other invaders. Malaysian actor [[Christopher Lee (Malaysian actor)|Christopher Lee]] played Qi Jiguang.
A historical portrayal of Qi Jiguang is represented in the 2008 [[Discovery Channel]] special ''[[Behind the Great Wall]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Discovery Channel’s Original Special, BEHIND THE GREAT WALL, Tells the Story of the Greatest Architectural Structure Ever Built and How It Defined Ruler and People of the Ming Dynasty (summary only)|url=https://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2008/ming-dynasty/|archivedate=January 8, 2008}}</ref> (name of the actor not shown in the credits). The documentary focuses on Qi's rebuilding of the Great Wall through his partnership with Imperial Grand Secretary [[Zhang Juzheng]].
* A historical portrayal of Qi Jiguang by actor Yu Beng Lim is represented in the 2007–2008 joint [[Discovery Channel]] and [[Channel 4]] special ''[[Behind the Great Wall]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Discovery Channel's Original Special, BEHIND THE GREAT WALL, Tells the Story of the Greatest Architectural Structure Ever Built and How It Defined Ruler and People of the Ming Dynasty (summary only)|url=https://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2008/ming-dynasty/}}</ref> (''The Great Wall of China'').<ref>{{Citation|title=The Great Wall of China (TV Movie 2007) - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1118504/|language=en-US|access-date=2022-01-28}}</ref> The documentary focuses on Qi's rebuilding of the Great Wall through his partnership with Senior Grand Secretary [[Zhang Juzheng]].
⚫
* In 2017 the film ''[[God of War (2017 film)|God Of War]]''<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6083388/ Dang kou feng yun (2017)]</ref> is another fictional portrayal of the General and his wife, with [[Vincent Zhao]] in the leading role.


== References ==
== References ==
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== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* {{citation|last1=Millinger|first1=James F.|last2=Fang|first2=Chaoying|editor1-last=Goodrich|editor1-first=L. Carrington|editor2-last=Fang|editor2-first=Chaoyang|year=1976|title=Dictionary of Ming Biography, 1368-1644|volume=1|pages=220–224|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|location=New York|isbn=978-0-231-03833-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=067On0JgItAC&pg=PA220&vq=chi+chi-kuang&sig=lRft9Qv69iMpWp9rPK8wO_XD3Jk}}
* {{citation|last1=Millinger|first1=James F.|last2=Fang|first2=Chaoying|editor1-last=Goodrich|editor1-first=L. Carrington|editor2-last=Fang|editor2-first=Chaoyang|year=1976|title=Dictionary of Ming Biography, 1368-1644|volume=1|pages=220–224|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|location=New York|isbn=978-0-231-03833-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=067On0JgItAC&q=chi+chi-kuang&pg=PA220}}
* {{citation|last=Hawley|first=Samuel|year=2005|title=The Imjin War|publisher=The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch/UC Berkeley Press|isbn=89-954424-2-5}}
* {{citation|last=Hawley|first=Samuel|year=2005|title=The Imjin War|publisher=The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch/UC Berkeley Press|isbn=89-954424-2-5}}
* {{citation|last=Huang|first=Ray|title=1587, a Year of No Significance: The Ming Dynasty in Decline|publisher=[[Yale University Press]]|location=New Haven|year=1981|isbn=978-0-300-02518-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/1587yearofnosign00huan}}
* {{citation|last=Huang|first=Ray|title=1587, a Year of No Significance: The Ming Dynasty in Decline|publisher=[[Yale University Press]]|location=New Haven|year=1981|isbn=978-0-300-02518-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/1587yearofnosign00huan}}
* {{citation|last=Gyves|first=Clifford M.|title=An English Translation of General Qi Jiguang's "Quanjing Jieyao Pian"|publisher=University of Arizona|year=1993|url=http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a268051.pdf}}
* {{citation|last=Gyves|first=Clifford M.|title=An English Translation of General Qi Jiguang's "Quanjing Jieyao Pian"|publisher=University of Arizona|year=1993|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a268051.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109093306/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a268051.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=November 9, 2013}}


== External links==
== External links==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Qi, Jiguang}}
[[Category:1527 births]]
[[Category:1528 births]]
[[Category:1588 deaths]]
[[Category:1588 deaths]]
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[[Category:Ming dynasty generals]]
[[Category:Chinese military writers]]
[[Category:Chinese military writers]]
[[Category:Generals from Shandong]]
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[[Category:Ming dynasty generals]]
[[Category:Ming dynasty writers]]
[[Category:Ming dynasty writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Jining]]
[[Category:Writers from Jining]]
[[Category:Generals from Shandong]]
[[Category:16th-century Chinese military personnel]]
[[Category:16th-century generals]]

Latest revision as of 23:45, 27 July 2024

Qi Jiguang
戚繼光
Portrait of Qi Jiguang
BornNovember 12, 1528
Shandong
DiedJanuary 17, 1588(1588-01-17) (aged 59)
Penglai, Shandong
Other names
  • Yuanjing (元敬)
  • Wuyi (武毅)
  • Nantang (南塘)
  • Mengzhu (孟諸)
OccupationGeneral
In this Chinese name, the family name is Qi (戚).

Qi Jiguang (Chinese: 戚繼光; pinyin: Qī Jìguāng; Wade–Giles: Ch'i1 Chi4-Kuang1, November 12, 1528 – January 17, 1588),[1][2][3] courtesy name Yuanjing, art names Nantang and Mengzhu, posthumous name Wuyi, was a Chinese military general and writer of the Ming dynasty. He is best known for leading the defense on the coastal regions against wokou pirate activities in the 16th century, as well as for the reinforcement of the Great Wall of China. Qi is also known for writing the military manuals Jixiao Xinshu and Lianbing Shiji or Record of Military Training (練兵實紀), which he based on his experience as a martial educator and defensive planner in the Ming military forces. He is regarded as a hero in Chinese culture.

Biography

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Qi Jiguang was born in the town of Luqiao in Shandong province to a family with a long military tradition. His forefather served as a military leader under the Hongwu Emperor and died in battle. When Zhu Yuanzhang became the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, he bestowed upon the Qi family the hereditary post of commander-in-chief of Dengzhou Garrison, a district of the present day Penglai.

Qi Jiguang's father Qi Jingtong (戚景通) (1473–1544) was a skilled martial arts expert and an upright and devoted military general. Strongly influenced by his family, Qi Jiguang took an early interest in the military. As a child, he built ramparts from clay, piled up rubble to form barracks, and made flags from bamboo sticks and paper to play war games with his friends and himself as the commander.

When his father died, Qi Jiguang took over the commandership of Dengzhou Garrison at the age of 17. As his siblings were still young, he married Lady Wang and left domestic affairs to her. Besides building up the naval defense at the garrison, he also led his troops in the defense of Jizhou (薊州, east of present-day Beijing) against Mongol raiders during spring time from 1548 to 1552.

At the age of 22, Qi Jiguang headed for Beijing to take part in the martial imperial examination. During this time, Mongol troops led by Altan Khan broke through the northern defenses and laid siege to Beijing. Candidates participating in the martial arts exam were mobilized to defend the nine gates of the capital. Qi Jiguang twice submitted defense proposals to the emperor and was noted to have displayed extraordinary valor and military cunning during the battle, and saw the defeat of the invaders.

Battles against the wokou pirates

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See also: Jiajing wokou raids
Raids of the wokou-pirates on China during Qi Jiguang's time (blue).

In 1553, Qi Jiguang was promoted to Assistant Regional Military Commissioner (都指揮僉事) of Shandong's defense force against wokou pirates. The marauders that terrorized the Eastern coastlines were hardly pirates. They constructed inland bases on land and besieged walled cities. They conducted continuous raids for at least two decades. Additionally, they weren't just Japanese. Most of the time, they worked together with mixed Chinese bands, with the latter frequently dominating. Even Chinese explorers provided their leadership. However, the Japanese pirates were the main combatants. Japan served as the base of the invasion, and the Japanese provided all military expertise and equipment.[4]

When Qi Jiguang took over the command of Shandong's coastal defense, he had less than 10,000 troops at hand, though the recorded strength was 30,000. Furthermore, many of his soldiers who were young and strong men deserted to make a living elsewhere, leaving behind the old and the weak. The troops also lacked training and discipline, while the defense works were dilapidated due to years of negligence.

In the fall of 1555, Qi was sent to Zhejiang where the pirating situation had spiraled out of control. Together with two other generals, Yu Dayou and Tan Lun, Qi led Ming forces to a decisive victory at Cen Harbor (岑港) in 1558. Henceafter, his troops continued to deal blows to the pirates at Taozhu (桃渚), Haimen Garrison and Taizhou. After the victory at Cen Harbor, not only was Qi not credited for his valor, he was almost demoted over slander that he liaised with wokou pirates.

With the situation in Zhejiang under control, Qi shifted his focus to drilling his soldiers. He drafted mainly miners and farmers from the county of Yiwu because he believed these people to be honest and hardworking. He also oversaw the construction of 44 naval vessels of various sizes to be used against pirates at sea.

The first trial for Qi's new army came in 1559. After a month-long battle with wokou pirate in Taizhou Prefecture, the pirates suffered over 5,000 casualties, while Qi's army established a name for itself among both the people of Zhejiang and its enemies. Partly as a result of Qi's military success in Zhejiang, pirate activities surged in the province of Fujian. More than 10,000 pirates had established strongholds along the coast from Fu'an in the north to Zhangzhou in the south.

In July 1562, Qi Jiguang led 6,000 elite troops south into Fujian. Within two months, his army had eradicated three major lairs of wokou pirates at Hengyu (橫嶼), Niutian (牛田) and Lindun (林墩). However, his own army also suffered significant losses of nearly a hundred men due to fighting and disease.

Seeing the pirate infestation in Fujian subdued, Qi then returned to Zhejiang to regroup. The pirates took the opportunity to invade Fujian again, this time succeeding in conquering Xinghua (興化, present day Putian).

In April 1563, Qi Jiguang led 10,000 troops into Fujian and reclaimed Xinghua. Over the next year, a series of victories by Qi Jiguang's army finally saw the pirate problem in Fujian resolved.

In September 1565, a major battle against wokou pirates was fought on the island of Nan'ao, which lies near the boundary between the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. There Qi joined arms with his old comrade Yu Dayou again to defeat the remnant of the combined Japanese and Chinese pirate force.

Years on the northern frontier

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The Great Wall of China at Badaling, which Qi Jiguang reinforced.

After eliminating the pirate threat, Qi Jiguang was called to Beijing in late 1567 to take charge of training the imperial guards.

With the revolt against the Yuan dynasty in mid-14th century, the Hongwu Emperor drove the Mongols north beyond the Great Wall and founded the Ming dynasty. However, he did not manage to eliminate Mongolian power, which continued to pester the northern frontier for the next two hundred years. When Qi was in Beijing in 1550, Altan Khan, ruler of the Tumed Mongols, broke through the northern defenses and nearly devastated Beijing. In 1571, the Ming dynasty bestowed the title "Lord Shunyi" (順義王) upon Altan Khan and established trade with the Mongols. Altan Khan then forbade his subordinates from raiding Chinese settlements. However, other Mongols led by Jasaghtu Khan continued to test Qi's defenses, though without much success.

Statue of Qi Jiguang in Badaling

In the next year, he was given command of the troops in Jizhou to defend against the Mongols. Qi oversaw the repair work on the segment of the Great Wall between Shanhai Pass and Juyong Pass. He also directed the construction of watchtowers along the wall. After two years of hard work, more than 1,000 watchtowers were completed, giving the defensive capability in the north a great boost.

In the winter of 1572, Qi also conducted a month-long military exercise involving more than 100,000 troops. Based on his experience with the exercise he wrote the Records of Military Training (練兵實紀), which became an invaluable reference for military leaders after him.

During the early reign of the Wanli Emperor (1570s), the Mongol army led by Dong Huli, chieftain of the Duoyan tribe, continuously invaded the Ming territory. Qi Jiguang's troops defeated them many times and captured Dong Huli's younger brother Changtu. When Dong Huli brought his nephew and 300 clansmen to beg tearfully for mercy at the outpost, Qi Jiguang accepted their surrender. Dong released captives from his previous plunders and vowed to never invade Jizhou again.

Death

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Qi was politically connected to Zhang Juzheng and fell out of favor with the Wanli Emperor after the death of Zhang. In early 1583, Qi was relieved of his duty. His wife left him soon after and he spent the rest of his years in poverty and ailing health.[5]

He died on 17 January 1588.[5]

Legacy

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Bust of Qi Jiguang in Fuzhou.

Books by Qi Jiguang

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Qi Jiguang documented his ideas and experience in the form of two books on military strategy, the Ji Xiao Xin Shu (紀效新書) and the Lianbing Shiji (練兵實紀) or Record of Military Training. He also wrote a great number of poems and proses, which he compiled into the Collection of Zhizhi Hall (止止堂集), named after his study hall during his office in Jizhou.

Guangbing

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A type of hard pancake called guangbing (光餅, Foochow Romanized: guŏng-biāng, known as kompyang in Malaysia and Indonesia) was named after Qi Jiguang.

Ships named in honor Qi

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The Republic of China Navy Cheng Kung class frigate Chi Kuang (FFG 1105) as well as the People's Liberation Army Navy Type 680 training ship Qi Jiguang are after him.

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  • A Taiwanese film 1978 Qi Jiguang (戚繼光) (English title Great General) depicts the conflict with the pirates.[6]
  • Qi Jiguang's late years in Shandong are the subject of the 1980 Hong Kong film, The Warrant of Assassination (密殺令).[7]
  • The 2008 Chinese television series The Shaolin Warriors provided a fictional account of Qi Jiguang enlisting the help of Shaolin Monastery's warrior monks in defending China from the wokou and other invaders. Malaysian actor Christopher Lee played Qi Jiguang.
  • A historical portrayal of Qi Jiguang by actor Yu Beng Lim is represented in the 2007–2008 joint Discovery Channel and Channel 4 special Behind the Great Wall[8] (The Great Wall of China).[9] The documentary focuses on Qi's rebuilding of the Great Wall through his partnership with Senior Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng.
  • In 2017 the film God Of War[10] is another fictional portrayal of the General and his wife, with Vincent Zhao in the leading role.

References

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  1. ^ Millinger & Fang 1976, p. 220
  2. ^ Huang 1981, p. 156
  3. ^ Gyves 1993, p. 15
  4. ^ "1587, a year of no significance : The Ming dynasty in decline". 1981.
  5. ^ a b Hawley 2005, p. 56.
  6. ^ "戚繼光 (1978) Great General". hkmdb.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "The Warrant of Assassination". Hong Kong Movie Database.
  8. ^ "Discovery Channel's Original Special, BEHIND THE GREAT WALL, Tells the Story of the Greatest Architectural Structure Ever Built and How It Defined Ruler and People of the Ming Dynasty (summary only)".
  9. ^ The Great Wall of China (TV Movie 2007) - IMDb, retrieved 2022-01-28
  10. ^ Dang kou feng yun (2017)

Bibliography

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Wikiquote has quotations related to Qi Jiguang.
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