As the protector of Taoism, why did Yue Fei hold an axe?
Whether it is official history or novels, Yue Fei is a gun, so the image of General Yue Fei holding a pike and riding a fine horse has been deeply rooted in people's hearts. But I found a strange phenomenon, that is, Yue Fei appeared as a Taoist marshal to protect the country with a big axe in his hand. Taoism has always said that there are four marshals to protect the law, but there are several different versions of who are the four marshals. One of the more influential sayings is that the four marshals refer to: Ma (Ma Lingguan), Yue Feihe. As a Taoist marshal, Yue Fei's image is consistent with history and novels. He also wears a helmet and a crown, with a white face and a black beard, but his weapon is not a gun, but a big axe. There are four portraits of Grand Marshal in Beijing Baiyun Temple and Fire Temple, among which Yue Fei holds a big axe. Some Taoist temples have statues of four marshals, and Yue Fei basically holds axes. Why not use the image of Yue Fei with a gun? No matter in official history or novels, there is no description of Yue Fei's use of an axe by the enemy. My understanding is that when Yue Fei appeared as a Taoist protector, he was holding an instrument, not a weapon. His axe should be a magic weapon, not an ordinary weapon.