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Pan Mei
Early Song general who conquered the Southern Han and joined the campaigns against the Southern Tang and Northern Han, and was demoted after failing to support Yang Ye in 986
At dusk on a hilltop, a large tent stands open with a table holding a map marked with small stones inside, a saddled horse tethered outside, and fire stands burning; campfires dot the river plain below, and one tiny sentry stands on the slope.
Also known as Zi Zhongxun · Hanguo Gong · Shi Wuhui
Pan Mei, courtesy name Zhongxun, came from Daming and was a friend of Zhao Kuangyin under the Later Zhou. In 970 he led the invasion of the Southern Han, taking Guangzhou the next year when its ruler Liu Chang surrendered. He served as army supervisor under Cao Bin against the Southern Tang in 974 and followed Emperor Taizong in destroying the Northern Han in 979, then guarded Hedong against the Liao and was made Duke of Han. In the northern campaign of 986 he led the western army with Yang Ye as his deputy. After the eastern army's defeat he was ordered to cover the evacuation of their people; he and the army inspector Wang Shen pushed Yang Ye into battle and failed to meet him at Chenjiagu, and Yang was captured and died, for which Pan was reduced three grades. He died in 991 with the posthumous name Wuhui. Pan Renmei, the villain of the Yang family generals stories, is modelled on him.
Life and times
Dates 925 CE–991 CE