The Grave of Lei Wanchun
雷 万 春 墓
九 陨 元 身 不 陨 各
言 言 千 载 气 如 生。
欲 知 忠 信 行 蛮 貊
过 墓 胡 儿 下 马 行。
Lei Wan Chun Mu
Jiu yun yuan shen bu yun ge
Yan yan qian zai qi ru sheng.
Yu zhi zhong xin xing man mo
Guo mu hu er xia yu xing.
The Grave of Lei Wanchun: Five Golden Poems
Many years have passed since he died, yet his fame continues
After another thousand years his story and spirit will never die.
Even the northern nomads still respect his loyalty and courage
Passing by his tomb, mounted children and their mounts pay him honor.
Notes:
Lei Wanchun: Tang Dynasty army general who died fighting the invading armies of the traitor An Lushan at the Siege of Suiyang. (link) This battle was pivotal to the survival of the Tang Dynasty in 757 AD. The invader army numbered around 130,000, of which 120,000 perished during the seige. Lei lead a cavalry of 50 soldiers that attacked the sleeping enemy camp. After about six months, what remained of the Tang army had eaten all of the animals, insects, and vegetation, ultimately resorting to cannibalism.