Yue Fei (March 24; 1103 - January 27; 1142); was a general during the Southern Song Dynasty. His ancestral home was in Xiaoti; Yonghe Village; Tangyin; Xiangzhou; Henan (in present-day Tangyin County; Anyang; Henan).

Yue Fei is best known for leading the defense of Southern Song against invaders from the Jurchen-ruled Jin Dynasty in northern China; before being put to death by the Southern Song government. He was granted the posthumous name of Wumu by Emperor Xiaozong in 1169; and later granted the posthumous title of King of ?(??) by Emperor Ningzong in 1211.

He is widely seen as a patriot and national hero in China; since after his death; Yue Fei has evolved into a standard epitome of loyalty in Chinese culture.

Hangzhou is one of China's six ancient capitals. The city thrived during the Tang period (618-907); benefiting greatly from its position at the southern end of the Grand Canal.

At the beginning of the 12th century; Hangzhou was chosen as the new capital of the Southern Song Dynasty after the Chinese court was defeated in a battle against the Jin in 1123; and fled south.

The city flourished; with officials; writers and scholars moving there as the dynasty blossomed. During this period; Chinese culture reached a dramatic climax; and artworks from this era; particularly the richly detailed brush paintings; are considered to be among the finest works of art ever produced. Pictures From Asia David Henley