When it comes to the military generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties, people often think of those powerful generals and the peerless weapons in their hands. Among the many legends, Li Yuanba and his urn golden hammer are undoubtedly the most impressive. This pair of hammers, weighing 800 catties, wielded like the wind in Li Yuanba's hands, invincible, and seemed to be invincible. However, the truth of history is often unexpected. When we delved into the weapons spectrum of the Sui and Tang dynasties, an astonishing discovery surfaced: Li Yuanba's urn golden hammer was not ranked first! This discovery can't help but make people wonder: what kind of weapon can surpass the urn golden hammer? Whose martial arts can beat Li Yuanba? And what criteria is this ranking based on? Let's uncover this long-held secret.
The origin of the Sui and Tang Dynasty weapons spectrum can be traced back to the last years of the Sui Dynasty. At that time, the world was in turmoil, and heroes from all walks of life created unique weapons to show their strength in order to compete for the world. With the frequency of wars, people began to have a deeper understanding and comparison of the power of various weapons.
In the process, a warlock named Li Chunfeng was respected by many generals because of his proficiency in astronomy, geography and the art of war. Legend has it that one day, Li Chunfeng met several reclusive veterans in a Taoist temple outside Luoyang City. These veterans are all heroes who have experienced the turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and when they talk about the past, they invariably talk about the strange weapons they have seen.
Li Chunfeng listened to it with relish, and had a whim, why not record the characteristics and power of these weapons and compile them into a weapon spectrum? The idea was unanimously endorsed by the veterans. As a result, Li Chunfeng began to visit around to collect information on various weapons.
In the process of compiling, Li Chunfeng formulated a set of evaluation criteria. First of all, the material of the weapon, the best weapons are mostly cast in stainless steel, and some even add rare metals such as meteoric iron. The second is the weight and size of the weapon, which is directly related to the user's strength requirements and actual combat effect. Again, it is the sharpness and solidity of the weapon, which determines the staying power of the weapon on the battlefield. Finally, consider the special properties of weapons, such as the ability of certain weapons to change into multiple forms, or to have special lethality.
With the passage of time, this weapon spectrum has been continuously improved and has gradually become an important reference for judging the strength of military generals. By the early years of the Tang Dynasty, the spectrum of weapons had become a widespread cultural phenomenon. Heroes and heroes from all walks of life are proud that their weapons can be on the weapon spectrum.
In the Sui and Tang dynasties, there were many types of weapons. There are common traditional weapons such as knives, guns, swords, and halberds, as well as some unique weapons, such as Li Yuanba's urn golden hammer, Luo Cheng's five-hook flying spear, etc. Each of these weapons had its own characteristics, reflecting the metallurgical technology and martial arts of the time.
It is worth mentioning that the ranking of weapons is not static. As new heroes and weapons appear, rankings will be adjusted. For example, at the beginning of Tang Gaozu Li Yuan's proclamation as emperor, Qin Qiong's whip method was famous all over the world, and his trump card once ranked high in the forefront of the weapon spectrum. But by the time of Taizong Li Shimin, with the rise of a new generation of military generals, Qin Qiong's ranking declined.
The circulation of weapon genealogy has also brought about some interesting phenomena. In order to increase their prestige, some people with mediocre martial arts do not hesitate to spend a lot of money to create weapons with strange appearances, hoping to enter the weapon spectrum. There are also some charlatans who claim to have mastered the long-lost magic weapons on the weapon spectrum, and take the opportunity to deceive. These became a unique scenery in the society at that time.
In general, the Sui and Tang Dynasty weapons spectrum is not only a list of weapons, but also a microcosm of the era in which heroes competed and heroes emerged. It records the exploits of countless military generals, witnesses the birth of countless legendary stories, and also provides valuable information for later generations to study the military history of the Sui and Tang dynasties.
The ranking of weapons spectrum has always been one of the hottest topics in martial arts. Every time a new ranking is released, it always causes a heated discussion. Let's take a look at this impressive top 10 list.
From 10th to 6th place, although the ranking is low, each weapon has its own uniqueness. The tenth place is Shan Xiongxin's golden-topped jujube yang lance. Although this lance looks ordinary, it can exert amazing power in Shan Xiongxin's hands. Legend has it that Shan Xiongxin once used this lance to pierce the armor of three enemies with a single blow.
The ninth place is Wei Chigong's black bamboo whip. This whip may seem soft, but it is actually extremely tough. Wei Chigong once used it to rescue Li Shimin among the ten thousand armies and swept thousands of troops all the way.
The eighth place is Qin Qiong's four-edged gold outfit. This pair weighed one hundred and thirty catties, and it was difficult for ordinary people to lift it, but in Qin Qiong's hands, it was like an arm. Qin Qiong's "trump card" stunt made this pair even more famous.
The seventh place is the eight-sided cooked copper hammer used by Qin. Although Qin Yong is young, his strength is infinite. His bronze hammer once killed the Turkic governor of the Red Sea in one blow at Wakou Pass, shocking the Quartet.
The sixth place is Wang Bodang's Shocking Feather Divine Bow. Wang Bodang's archery is extremely accurate, and it is said that he can penetrate Yang in a hundred steps. He had used this divine bow to shoot the infinitely powerful Xinwen Li with one arrow, which showed that his power was not insignificant.
Next, let's take a closer look at the weapons that rank fifth to second.
The fifth place is Wei Wentong's Blue Dragon Glaive Knife. This knife weighs eighty-two pounds, the blade is green, and the blade is like a crescent moon, hence the name. Wei Wentong is known as "Saiguan Yu", his sword skills are superb, and he once killed 18 enemy generals in a battle. Once, Wei Wentong faced the siege of Qin Qiong and Shan Xiongxin alone, and with this Qinglong Yanyue Knife, not only did he not come out unscathed, but also forced the two to retreat.
The fourth place is Yang Lin's water and fire prison dragon stick. This pair of iron rods looks ordinary, but in fact it contains mystery. Yang Lin can infuse the stick with water or fire, making the enemy unguardable. Legend has it that Yang Lin once used this pair of sticks to repel ten enemy generals in a row, including the famous general Qin Qiong. The Fire and Water Prison Dragon Stick is unique in that it can be used alone or in combination, making it difficult for enemies to deal with.
The third place is Luo Cheng's five-hook flying spear. This spear has a silver-white body and a unique shape with five barbs on the head. Luo Cheng's marksmanship is known for his speed, and he has the reputation of "Silver Gun Snow Race". His famous stunt "Returning to the Horse Gun" made the enemy even more frightened. Legend has it that Luo Cheng once used this spear to defeat 18 generals in a row in the chaotic army, and finally defeated Yang Lin, who used the water and fire prisoner dragon stick, which shows that its power is not trivial.
The second place is Pei Yuanqing's Thor Hammer. The pair of hammers weighed three hundred pounds, and ordinary people couldn't lift them at all. But in Pei Yuanqing's hands, it was as light as a feather. Pei Yuanqing's hammer technique was fierce and fierce, and he once repelled dozens of enemy generals in a big battle. Once, he even smashed open a city gate with a pair of Thor's hammers, terrifying the enemy army. Thor's hammer is characterized by its incredible weight, and once hit, even iron armor is difficult to resist.
Finally, let's reveal this long-awaited number one. Surprisingly, the first place was not Li Yuanba's urn golden hammer, but a little-known mysterious weapon-Xuanbing Sword.
The origin of the Xuanbing Sword is quite mysterious. It is said that the sword is forged from extraterrestrial meteoric iron, and the body of the sword is as transparent as ice, but extremely hard. What's even more amazing is that the sword can change its temperature according to the user's internal forces. In the hands of a master, it can instantly freeze the enemy's weapons, and even freeze a radius of several feet.
The owner of the Xuanbing Sword is a female swordsman named Li Hanshuang. Li Hanshuang's background is a mystery, but her swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world. Legend has it that she once defeated several top masters, including Li Yuanba, in a martial arts competition. At that time, Li Yuanba's urn golden hammer was instantly frozen by the Xuan Bing Sword and lost its power. This battle established the supremacy of the Xuanbing Sword in the weapon spectrum.
The reason why the weapons of the Sui and Tang dynasties were able to reach such a high level is inseparable from the vigorous development of metallurgical technology at that time. During this period, China's metallurgical technology made breakthrough progress, laying a solid foundation for the creation of sophisticated weapons.
In the last years of the Sui Dynasty, a blacksmith named Li Xiu discovered a new method of steelmaking by chance. He mixed iron ore with special plant ash and forged it repeatedly at high temperatures, resulting in a steel that was both tough and unbreakable. This steel was soon used to create a variety of weapons, greatly improving the quality and durability of weapons.
In the early years of the Tang Dynasty, there was a new breakthrough in metallurgical technology. Tang Gaozu Li Yuan attached great importance to the development of metallurgical technology, and he ordered the collection of smelting secrets from all over the country. In the process, a blacksmith from the Western Regions brought a completely new quenching technique. This technology allows the steel to maintain its toughness while greatly increasing its hardness. This technology was soon applied to the production of weapons, making the weapons of the Tang Dynasty far superior in quality to those of the previous dynasties.
With the advancement of metallurgical technology, the cooperation between the famous generals and the swordsmiths has become more and more close. Many famous generals have their own trusted swordsmiths, who will communicate with them repeatedly according to their combat style and needs to create the most suitable weapon for them.
For example, there is a swordsmith named Wang Tieshou, who has a deep friendship with the famous general Luo Cheng. Luo Cheng's five-hook flying spear is Wang Tieshou's masterpiece. It is said that in order to build this magic spear, Wang Tieshou worked for a whole month. He accurately calculated the length and weight of the gun based on Luo Cheng's height and arm strength. The five barbs on the head of the gun are the originality of Wang Tieshou, which not only increases the attack power, but also brings additional damage when the gun is collected.
Another well-known example is Pei Yuanqing's Thor's hammer. The hammers, which weighed three hundred pounds, were made by a Mongolian foundry named Temujin. Temujin excelled at using a special quenching technique that allowed the metal to increase toughness while maintaining weight. The Thor hammer he built for Pei Yuanqing was not only incredibly heavy, but also almost never cracked or deformed.
In addition to the material and craftsmanship, the skill of using the weapon is also a key factor in determining its power. Many famous players have their own unique skills, which are often family secrets and are not easily passed on.
Taking Qin Qiong's trump card as an example, this seemingly simple weapon can exert amazing power in Qin Qiong's hands. Qin Qiong's trump card skills are mainly divided into three stages: the first is "throwing", throwing the gong high to confuse the opponent; The second is "catching", which accurately catches the other end of the mace in the air; Finally, there is the "hit", which uses the power of the fall and its own strength to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy. This may seem like a simple technique, but it actually requires a high level of physical coordination and precise timing control.
Luo Cheng's "return to the horse gun" technique is more complicated. This set of techniques requires horseback riding, and is mainly divided into four steps: first, Luo Cheng will pretend to be defeated and lure the enemy into pursuit; Then, he will suddenly rein in his horse and turn around; Then, at the moment when the horse turned around, Luo Cheng would use centrifugal force to throw the spear out; Finally, use the power of the horse's rotation to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy. This technique requires not only great riding skills, but also precise power control and timing.
Li Yuanba's technique of using the urn hammer is completely different. Since the urn golden hammer weighed 800 catties, even a fierce general like Li Yuanba could not wield it for a long time. Therefore, Li Yuanba has developed a unique set of "borrowing strength" techniques. He would use the weight of the hammer, combined with his own strength, to make the hammer form a huge circular motion. Once this movement is formed, Li Yuanba can maintain the movement of the hammer with less force and suddenly change direction when it is necessary to attack, giving the enemy a fatal blow.
These unique skills, combined with sophisticated weapons, make these famous generals invincible on the battlefield. Their stories have not only become good stories for later generations, but also provided valuable materials for future generations to study ancient weapons and martial arts.
The famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties were not only famous for their superb martial arts, but also for their outstanding performance on the battlefield and their resourcefulness and strategy. Let's take a look back at the classic battles of several famous generals and get a glimpse of what makes them extraordinary.
The first thing to mention is Li Jing, the "generalissimo of the world's soldiers and horses". Li Jing was known for his resourcefulness, and he displayed amazing military prowess in the campaign to pacify the Eastern Turks. In 629 AD, Tang Taizong ordered Li Jing to lead an army to defeat the Eastern Turks. In the face of powerful nomads, Li Jing adopted a series of ingenious strategies.
He first sent scouts to learn more about the distribution of Turkic forces and the characteristics of the terrain. Then, Li Jing adopted the strategy of "striking the east and attacking the west". He ordered a small force to create momentum in the east and attract the main Turkic forces. At the same time, Li Jing personally led the main force to raid the rear base camp of the Turks from the west.
The strategy was a great success. The Turkic Khan Jieli was taken by surprise and fled in a hurry. Li Jing took advantage of the victory to pursue, and finally captured Jie Lisheng in the Yinshan area. This battle not only pacified the Eastern Turks, but also paved the way for the Tang Dynasty's expansion into the Western Regions.
Another famous person worth mentioning is Qin Qiong, the head of the "Eight Generals of Fengxiang". Qin Qiong is known for his bravery, and his performance in the "Xuanwumen Change" is particularly outstanding. Although the incident was essentially a coup d'état, it was also a brilliant skirmish from a military point of view.
In 626 AD, Li Shimin decided to launch the Xuanwumen Rebellion. As Li Shimin's confidant, Qin Qiong played a key role in this operation. At that time, Qin Qiong was arranged to guard outside the Xuanwu Gate. When Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's subordinates tried to break through the Xuanwu Gate, Qin Qiong single-handedly repelled dozens of enemy troops in a row.
It is said that in this fierce battle, Qin Qiong's baby trump card played a huge role. He uses the characteristics of the mace to gain an advantage in close combat. Qin Qiong's brave performance not only protected Li Shimin's rear, but also greatly damaged the morale of the enemy army and made an important contribution to Li Shimin's final victory.
Let's talk about "Flying General" Luo Cheng. Luo Cheng is known for his elusive riding skills and magical marksmanship. He had a wonderful performance in the campaign against the Turks.
At that time, the Tang army and the Turkic army faced off in an open area. The Turks sent their strongest warriors to challenge. Faced with this situation, Luo Cheng took the initiative to invite Ying to fight. He rode his BMW named "Lu" and charged alone towards the Turkic camp with a five-hook flying spear.
When the Turkic warriors saw Luo Cheng coming single-handedly, they couldn't help but despise it. However, when the two sides fought, Luo Cheng's strength was immediately revealed. His "return gun" technique was brought to the extreme in this duel. Luo Cheng rode his horse and galloped, suddenly reined in his horse and turned around, and before the Turkic warriors could react, he stabbed the opponent with a shot.
This scene shocked the soldiers on both sides. The morale of the Turks plummeted, while the morale of the Don army was greatly boosted. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Tang army launched a general offensive and finally won a complete victory. Luo Cheng's performance not only showed his personal martial arts, but also played a key role in turning the tide of the battle.
Finally, let's take a look at the story of Li Yuanba, the "No. 1 warrior in the world". Although there are not many records of Li Yuanba in the official history, in the wild history and folklore, his deeds can be described as miraculous.
Once, Li Yuanba was ordered to exterminate a rebel army. This rebel army was entrenched in a cottage that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the Tang army could not attack it for a long time. After observing the terrain, Li Yuanba decided to personally lead the team to attack.
He chose a dark and windy night and led an elite team to quietly approach the cottage. When he arrived at the gate of the village, Li Yuanba waved his pair of urn gold hammers weighing 800 catties, and smashed the solid gate to pieces in one fell swoop.
The rebels were terrified by the sudden attack. Li Yuanba is like entering a no-man's land, and no one can stop him wherever he goes. His pair of urn hammers flew through the air, killing several enemies with each blow. In less than an hour, the entire cottage was wiped out by Li Yuanba alone.
The stories and classic battles of these famous generals not only show their outstanding personal martial arts, but also reflect their superb military talents and strategic vision. Their deeds have become a good story for later generations, and have also added a strong touch to China's military history.
The famous generals and weapons of the Sui and Tang dynasties not only had a profound impact at that time, but also left an indelible mark on the military, culture, art and other fields in later generations. These influences and inheritances continue to this day and become a valuable part of Chinese culture.
In the military field, the tactical ideas and combat methods of famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties had a profound impact on later generations. For example, Li Jing's "16-character formula" -- "seek people before seeking war, seek people before seeking generals, seek generals before seeking photos, and seek land before seeking ministers" has become an important theory studied by later generations of military strategists. This theory emphasizes the need to comprehensively consider various factors, especially the human factor, in combat, and this idea has influenced modern military theory.
Tang Taizong Li Shimin's strategic thinking of "winning with the right and winning with the odd" has also become an important reference for later generations of military strategists. This idea emphasizes confrontation with regular armies on the frontal battlefield, while at the same time using surprise forces to attack the enemy by surprise. This flexible tactical thinking has been successfully applied in many battles in later generations.
The weapon-making technology of the Sui and Tang dynasties also had a profound impact on later generations. For example, the Tang Dynasty's "100 steelmaking" technology, which made steel both hard and tough, through repeated forging and quenching, continued until the Ming and Qing dynasties, becoming the pinnacle of ancient Chinese metallurgical technology.
In the field of culture, the deeds of famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties have become important materials for literary creation. Taking Li Yuanba as an example, although there are not many records of him in the official history, he has become an important role in later novels and operas. In the Ming Dynasty novel "Speaking of Tang", Li Yuanba is portrayed as an image of a powerful and invincible god general, which is deeply imprinted in the collective memory of the Chinese.
Qin Qiong's image has also been continuously enriched and developed in later literary works. In the Yuan miscellaneous drama "Single Knife Meeting", Qin Qiong was portrayed as a hero of loyalty and righteousness. This image has continued into modern times and has become a symbol of justice and loyalty in traditional Chinese culture.
In the field of art, the image of famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties has also become an important subject matter in painting, sculpture and other art forms. For example, there are many murals depicting generals in the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, which vividly reproduce the images and equipment of the generals at that time, and have become important materials for the study of Tang Dynasty military culture.
Weapons in the Sui and Tang dynasties also became an important element of artistic creation. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote in "The Journey of Chivalry": "Ten steps to kill a person, a thousand miles without leaving a line." Brushing off the clothes and going away, hiding deep with the name. What is described here is the image of a chivalrous man using a Tang sword, an artistic technique that closely combines weapons and human figures, and has been widely used in later literary and artistic creations.
In folk traditions, the stories of famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties have also been widely disseminated and inherited. For example, in Shandong, Henan and other places, there are still temples dedicated to famous generals such as Guan Yu and Yue Fei. These temples are not only places of folk belief, but also important carriers of historical and cultural inheritance.
The martial arts of the famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties have also been inherited and developed in later generations. For example, although the specific content of Li Jing's "Eighteen Class Weapons" has been lost, this systematic and comprehensive weapon training idea has had a profound impact on the development of martial arts in later generations. Nowadays, many traditional martial arts schools emphasize the need to fully master the use of various weapons.
In modern society, the influence of famous generals and weapons of the Sui and Tang dynasties still exists. In film and television works, we can often see TV series or movies with Sui and Tang celebrities as the protagonists. These works not only reproduce historical scenes, but also convey the traditional values of the Chinese nation.
In the field of education, the stories of famous generals of the Sui and Tang dynasties have also been incorporated into history textbooks in primary and secondary schools. By learning about the deeds of these historical figures, students can not only learn about history, but also draw positive energy from it and cultivate patriotism.
In the cultural and creative industries, famous generals and weapons of the Sui and Tang dynasties have also become important creative elements. For example, some game companies have developed historical strategy games set in the Sui and Tang dynasties, allowing players to experience the magnificent era firsthand. These games are not only entertaining, but also play a role in disseminating historical knowledge to a certain extent.