In the heart of Hangzhou, China, within the tranquil grounds of the Yue Fei Temple, lies a profound historical tableau that transcends typical monuments. Here, not all statues are erected in honor; a specific collection stands as an enduring symbol of disgrace and public condemnation. These are the effigies of Qin Hui, his spouse Lady Wang, and their two accomplices, depicted in a perpetual state of kneeling, their heads bowed in profound shame. For centuries, these figures have been subjected to the disdain of countless visitors, who express their contempt through acts such as spitting, cursing, and striking the statues, reflecting a deep-seated historical resentment that persists to this day.

To understand the profound infamy surrounding Qin Hui, one must delve into the story of General Yue Fei, a celebrated military leader of the Southern Song Dynasty. Yue Fei was renowned for his unwavering commitment to defending the realm against the invading Jin Dynasty during the tumultuous Jin-Song Wars. His strategic prowess led to significant victories, halting the Jin's southward advance in 1129 and decisively defeating the puppet state of Qi in 1135. By 1137, General Yue Fei stood poised to reclaim Kaifeng, the former capital of the Song Dynasty. However, his triumphant campaign was abruptly curtailed, not by enemy forces, but by internal political machinations orchestrated at the highest levels of the imperial court.

At the center of this conspiracy was Qin Hui, a prominent advisor to Emperor Gaozong. Qin Hui's controversial return to the Song capital, following his supposed miraculous escape from Jin captivity in 1126, immediately raised suspicions. Despite these doubts, he swiftly ingratiated himself with Emperor Gaozong, becoming a powerful influence. Qin Hui's primary objective was to broker a peace treaty with the Jin, a goal he pursued with ruthless determination, willing to sacrifice national interests and individual lives to achieve it.

The turning point came in 1137 when Yue Fei was recalled from the front lines. Emperor Gaozong harbored anxieties that a successful recapture of Kaifeng by Yue Fei might lead the Jin to release the former Emperor Qinzong, thereby jeopardizing Gaozong's own claim to the throne. Exploiting this imperial insecurity, Qin Hui fabricated charges of treason against Yue Fei, leading to the celebrated general's imminent execution. While the exact circumstances of Yue Fei's demise remain debated, it is universally acknowledged that he was innocent of the charges. With Yue Fei eliminated, Qin Hui successfully persuaded Emperor Gaozong to sign the Treaty of Shaoxing, a humiliating agreement that relegated the Southern Song to the status of a tributary state under the Jin.

Qin Hui's reckoning, however, was deferred until after his death. In 1163, Yue Fei's grandson unveiled a comprehensive biography that not only vindicated the general of all alleged treasonous acts but also cemented his legacy as a national hero. In a subsequent act of historical rectification, Emperor Xiaozong posthumously pardoned Yue Fei, restoring his honors and issuing a decree for the creation of statues depicting Qin Hui, Lady Wang, and Qin's two co-conspirators. These effigies were strategically positioned, perpetually kneeling before Yue Fei's tomb. While the original statues are now preserved as historical artifacts, their replicas continue to occupy this symbolic spot outside Yue Fei's tomb, serving as a permanent testament to the enduring public memory and the collective judgment against historical perfidy.