Qin Liangyu (; 1574 - 1648) was born in Zhong County, sichuan
during the late ming Dynasty to ethnic Miao parents. From youth,
she learned from her father the skills of horse archery and
martial combat, as well as proficiency in poetry. She married a
local district commander of shizhu chiefdom, ma Qiancheng, and
accompanied him during minor battles against local warlords in
the southwestern border of the Ming Empire. At the death of her
husband, Qin Liangyu took over his post, and those under her
command were known as the White Cavalry (白杆兵). When Nurhaci
declared independence from the Ming, Qin Liangyu, accompanied by
her brothers, rushed to the northeastern frontier in 1620 to
help the Ming military effort in Shenyang. She even sold her
personal belongings in order to recruit 3000 soldiers at her
command, and was garrisoned at shanhai pass. Qin retured to
Sichuan to combat against local warlords and because of her
success was promoted to the title Commander in Chief (都督佥事). In
1630, Qin Liangyu again sold h