Zhao Kuangyin (927-976), Emperor Taizu of Song, began his career merely as a general under Emperor Shizong (921-959) of the Later Zhou dynasty (951-960). On one occasion, he found himself locked in a life-or-death struggle against an enemy army. Zhao was in the very heat of battle when, unexpectedly, his warhorse was struck by an arrow and collapsed dead beneath him. Thrown from the saddle, he was instantly surrounded by several enemy commanders, who seized the opportunity to close in.

At that critical moment, a cavalryman from Zhao Kuangyin’s own ranks galloped forward and, leaping from his mount, he shouted: “General, quick — take my horse!” In the urgency of the moment, Zhao cast only a fleeting glance at the trooper before mounting the warhorse and plunging back into the fray against the enemy.

After the battle, Zhao resolved to find the man who had saved his life. He issued a command to the entire army, offering a reward for identifying that specific cavalryman. Yet, to his astonishment, several days passed without anyone coming forward to claim the bounty. The matter remained unresolved for nearly a decade. Nevertheless, Zhao never forgot that soldier.

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