When mentioning the 108 heroes of the Northern Song Dynasty, people often recall names like Lu Tun Nghia, Lam Xung, Quan Tang, Yen Thanh, Ho Dien Chuoc, and Hoa Vinh…
These names are quite “famous” in the literary work “Thuy Hu” by the author Thi Nai Am. This character possesses the remarkable ability of “white flash white bamboo,” and he is also known for his combat skills, frequently causing enemies to tremble in fear.
However, these individuals are just the most notable ones among the “cold warriors.” There is also a hot-blooded hero in the literary work “Thuy Hu.”
Therefore, among the 108 warriors mentioned, this hot-blooded character often shines brightly, especially in the “Great Dao” Quan Tang (rank 5) and “Bao Tu Dao” Lam Xung (rank 6), who, despite their strengths, cannot be compared.
Indeed, it is Lang Chan, the hottest ‘hot warrior’ of the Northern Song Dynasty, renowned for his divine skills.
Despite being ranked lower than Lu Tun Nghia, Lam Xung, or Quan Tang, the abilities of Lang Chan when utilizing his skills cannot be overlooked.
Lang Chan hails from Yen Lang, Ha Nam, China (nowadays). Before becoming a famous hero alongside Tong Giang and many other hot-blooded warriors, Lang Chan was widely known as “the best military strategist in the Tong dynasty.”
Illustration of Lang Chan.
The talent of “causing the earth to shake” of Lang Chan is undeniable. He also possesses the skills of divine archery and precise combat.
Lang Chan’s military prowess and the use of his skills are renowned throughout the empire. The Ding dynasty sought new methods, and eventually, Lang Chan was appointed to a high-ranking position, responsible for the military logistics of the Ding dynasty.
“Gia Luong Tien Sinh” Ngo Dung showcased Lang Chan’s exceptional abilities.
When Tong Huy Tong—an eighth-generation emperor of the North Tong dynasty—was in Ho Dien Chuoc (at that time not yet a part of the Northern Song), he commanded the troops of the Ding dynasty to attack the forces of Tong Giang.
In contrast to the Deputy General Banh Di’s deployment of troops, the Northern Song’s forces could not match the strength of the Northern Song’s warriors; hence, Ho Dien Chuoc quickly requested assistance from Lang Chan.
Sure enough, Lang Chan’s talents were unparalleled at this time. He brought along his troops, deploying strategic assaults on the Northern Song forces.
At that moment, “Gia Luong Tien Sinh” Ngo Dung—an esteemed general of the Northern Song—was determined to eliminate Lang Chan and seize him as a trophy.
Ngo Dung commanded the elite generals of the Northern Song, launching covert operations to “neutralize” the strategic advantages that Lang Chan created—this became a turning point for Lang Chan’s survival.
Image of Lang Chan in the film.
Lang Chan was clad in armor when Ngo Dung’s forces advanced. As the troops followed the orders of the Northern Song generals to reclaim strategic advantages that had been lost, Lang Chan was not aware of the incoming troops until it was too late. Lang Chan quickly found himself in a battle while still engaged in the previous tactical maneuvers.
It was known prior to Lang Chan’s talents that the Northern Song’s leaders had ceased to regard him, and they had begun to view him merely as “a pest” to be eliminated from the battlefield.
Lang Chan was indeed a notorious figure, feared and respected due to the influence he had among the Northern Song warriors. After joining the Northern Song, Lang Chan engaged in numerous battles alongside other generals in the famous Liêu and Phương Lập battles.
It can be said that the cavalry of Lang Chan, along with many other generals, regularly executed impressive maneuvers, creating a solid foundation for the other generals to advance into enemy territory. In various battles, Lang Chan’s attacks often left his enemies terrified, causing them to scatter in chaos.
Lang Chan’s cavalry achieved numerous victories while taking down many enemy strongholds, significantly aiding the efforts of his fellow warriors of the Northern Song, thereby establishing a stronghold for the Northern Song military.
In the battle at Mộc Châu against the Phương Lập forces, just a single shot from Lang Chan was enough to eliminate Bao Dao, the “sacred teacher of the Phương Lập,” who had previously managed to wound Vo Tong’s left arm—ultimately leading to his downfall.
After the Northern Song defeated the Phương Lập forces entirely, Lang Chan survived among the very few who remained. Later, Lang Chan was promoted within the Ding dynasty and received the title of chief military strategist, specializing in military tactics and logistics.
*This article is based on the perspectives and analysis from Sina.cn (China).
Reference: Sina
