In the vast history of China, there is a good minister who is civilized and martial arts and loyal, he is Pang Ji in the Northern Song Dynasty, and later generations called "Pang Taishi". Pang Ji's life is the best interpretation of "loyalty" and "responsibility". However, what is embarrassing is that such an outstanding historical figure has been repeatedly slandered in later literary and artistic works, which makes people sigh.
Pang nationality, the word mellow, was born in Chengwu, Shanzhou (now Chengwu County, Shandong), and was born in the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty. He was brilliant and studious since he was a child, and he was admitted to the Jinshi in the eighth year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1015), and since then he has embarked on a career in office. Pang's career was not all smooth sailing, but with his talent and unremitting efforts, he gradually rose to a high position and became a pillar of the imperial court.
When Pang Ji was the judge of Kaifeng Mansion, Emperor Renzong favored Shang Meiren, and Shang Meiren often sent chamberlains to Kaifeng Mansion to convey his will and intervene in political affairs. Pang Ji knew the harm of interfering in the harem, so he sternly refused, and beat the chamberlain who declared his will, in order to show his awe-inspiring and righteous position. This move not only won the praise of the people, but also established his prestige in the court.
In the first year of Baoyuan of the Northern Song Dynasty (1038), Yuan Hao, the leader of the Xiang clan in the northwest, established the Western Xia regime and openly opposed the Song Dynasty. Pang Ji was appointed as the transfer envoy of the Shaanxi Metropolitan Government, and together with Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi, he held the military and political power in the northwest of the Song Dynasty. As soon as he arrived at the border, he straightened out military discipline, pacified the people, and stabilized order. In order to defeat the Western Xia, Pang Ji put forward many practical suggestions to the imperial court, such as reducing the cost of the palace, cutting redundant officials, and saving financial resources to reward military exploits. The implementation of these measures greatly improved the combat effectiveness of the troops and laid the foundation for the Northern Song army's victory over the Western Xia.
In military affairs, Pang Ji also showed outstanding talent. He specially selected Di Qing, a general who was good at cavalry and archery, Dong military, and strategic, to build a garrison next to Qiaozi Valley, and in order to solve the problem of military materials, he recruited people to cultivate on the spot for military rations. The implementation of this strategy not only solved the problem of military supplies for tens of thousands of soldiers, but also gradually recovered the castle captured by Western Xia and turned the tide of the war. Eventually, under the command of Pang Ji, the Northern Song army successfully defeated the Western Xia army, forcing Yuan Hao to submit to the Song Dynasty.
Pang Ji's life is the best interpretation of loyalty and responsibility. He excelled not only politically, but also militarily. However, such an outstanding historical figure has been repeatedly slandered in later literary and artistic works. This can't help but make people sigh: the truth of history is often concealed in the fiction of literary and artistic works.
Pang Ji's life is worth remembering and learning from. His loyalty, integrity, bravery, and wisdom all set an example for us. In today's era full of challenges and opportunities, we should draw strength from Pang Ji and contribute to the prosperity of the country and the nation.