Qi Jiguang (1528-1588), named Yuanjing, also known as Nantang and Mengzhu, was a native of Dengzhou. He was a famous anti-Japanese general in the Ming Dynasty, an outstanding military strategist, poet, and calligrapher.
Statue of Qi Jiguang
He founded the famous "Qi Family Army" and wrote military books such as "New Book of Ji Xiao", "Records of Military Training", "New Book of Arms Preparation", etc. He is known as "Qi Shaobao".
From the 36th year of Jiajing (1557) to the 44th year of Jiajing (1565), the Japanese pirates in the southeastern parts of the Ming Dynasty were eliminated, and they were undefeated and invincible in the world.
In the first year of Longqing (1567), the Northern Tatars were conquered. Until the second year of Wanli (1574), he guarded the northern border of Ming Dynasty.
In the tenth year of Wanli (1582), he was impeached by Zhang Dingsi, and later Qi Jiguang was demoted and transferred to Guangdong.
In the thirteenth year of Wanli (1585), he was impeached again by Zhang Xigao. As a result, Qi Jiguang was dismissed and returned to his hometown.
In the sixteenth year of Wanli (1588), he died of illness in his hometown at the age of 61.