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Huo Qubing -- Flying General of the Western Han Dynasty
Huo Qubing, born in Linfen (China's Shanxi province now), was a general of the western Han dynasty under Emperor Wu. Being the illegitimate son of Wei Shaoer, he was the nephew of Wei Qing and Empress Wei Zifu.
Although raised in reasonable prosperity during the early glory days of the Wei family, he exhibited outstanding military talent as a teenager. Deployed as a commander in Wei Qing's expeditions, Huo Qubing regularly led his own troops deep into enemy territory and inflicted great defeats on the Xiongnu with rapid running assaults, on one occasion claiming victory by capturing the Xiongnu artifact Golden Statue. As a result, he gained great favour with the Emperor.
Huo Qubing died at the early age of 24 due to a plague, possibly the result of a primitive form of biological warfare.