LayarHijau – The growing popularity of the Chinese drama Pursuit of Jade has sparked renewed discussion around its main character, Fan Changyu. The novelist has revealed that the character was indeed inspired by a real historical figure.
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The drama is set during the Dayin Dynasty, a fictional dynasty created specifically for the story. Even so, Fan Changyu’s “core spirit” is said to be inspired by Qin Liangyu, a legendary female general from the late Ming Dynasty.
The author, known by the pen name Tuanzi Laixi and whose real name is Zhang Furong, is widely understood to have drawn directly from this historical figure when shaping Fan Changyu. If Qin Liangyu is remembered in history as the commander of the White Pole Army, then Fan Changyu can be seen as a “butcher’s daughter general” reborn in a fictional world, carrying the same spirit.
Both figures share a similar transformation—from women within traditional roles to leaders on the battlefield. In the story, Fan Changyu begins as the daughter of a butcher, pushed by war and family tragedy to take up a blade to protect those around her. She later disguises herself as a man, joins the military, and gradually rises through the ranks to become a high-ranking general recognized by the court.
Meanwhile, Qin Liangyu was born into a chieftain family. Although she came from a noble background, she was still considered a regional leader rather than part of the central military. From a young age, she trained in martial arts and military discipline alongside her father. After marrying Ma Qiancheng, the couple built and trained a powerful force together. Through her military achievements, she was eventually granted high honors by the imperial court, becoming the first woman in official Chinese history to receive a noble title.
Their motivations for entering the battlefield are also strikingly similar. Fan Changyu did not initially seek war. After her parents’ death, she had to protect her family property from being taken by relatives. She later discovered that her parents’ deaths were tied to a past massacre, which became a driving force behind her pursuit of justice and revenge.
A similar turning point shaped Qin Liangyu’s life. Her husband, Ma Qiancheng, was falsely accused by a court official and died unjustly in prison. Amid political turmoil, she took over his position, leading troops, defending the territory, and working to clear her husband’s name. In both stories, their rise is closely tied to the loss or injustice suffered by loved ones, and their initial reason for taking up arms was simple—to protect what their families left behind—before being forged by larger conflicts.
Their relationships also reflect a shared dynamic. Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng begin with a contract marriage, but their bond evolves into a true partnership on the battlefield, where they fight side by side and entrust their lives to each other. Likewise, Qin Liangyu and Ma Qiancheng were not only husband and wife, but also strategic partners—he focused on administration while she trained troops. Their relationship was built on shared responsibility and mutual trust.
This connection is further strengthened by geography. Tuanzi Laixi (Zhang Furong) is from Shizhu, Chongqing—the same region historically associated with Qin Liangyu. The area still preserves historical sites such as her mausoleum and memorial temples, along with countless local legends. This regional influence is reflected in the novel’s vivid depiction of everyday life and mountainous landscapes.
Through this layered inspiration, Fan Changyu emerges as more than just a fictional heroine in Pursuit of Jade. She represents a reimagined historical spirit—one that blends the struggles of ordinary life with extraordinary courage on the battlefield.
