Xue Rengui (Suringi) (simplified Chinese: 薛仁贵; traditional Chinese: 薛仁貴; pinyin: Xuē Rénguì; Wade–Giles: Hsüeh1 Jen2-kuei4; 614[1] – 24 March 683[2]), formal name Xue Li (薛禮) but went by the courtesy name of Rengui, was a Chinese military general during the early Tang dynasty. He is one of the most well-known military generals of his time due to his humble background, outstanding command abilities, strength and valour in battle. During his career, he participated in successful campaigns against remnants of Western Tujue and against Goguryeo, with only one major flaw on his record which was a campaign against the Tibetan Empire in 670, where another general in his army refused to listen to Xue’s order, caused a portion of the army to be lost.
During Emperor Taizong’s reign
Xue Rengui was born in 614, during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, but his early activities were not recorded, other than that his wife had the surname Liu (柳). It was said that he was poor and was a farmer. Around the time that Tang dynasty‘s second emperor Emperor Taizong was set to launch a major campaign against Goguryeo in 644, Xue was planning to rebury his ancestors, when Lady Liu told him:[3]
You have abilities higher than most people, and you need to know when to use them. Now, the Son of Heaven is ready to attack Liaodong and he is seeking fierce warriors. These times do not come often. Is it not the case that you want to have achievements to show yourself? Once you received great honors, it will not be too late to rebury your ancestors.
By the above story, the Master meant that, because the times were not good, there were many villains always find ways to harm talented and loyal people, so he has to pretend to be foolish and wait patiently time and endure.
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