Yong Ying - Yong

Yong

Yong(Chinese:勇), literary "Braves", were the official name of the member of the militia, which were recruited from the local civilian. Yong(Chinese:勇) was not regarded as the official Imperial Army of Eight Banners or Green Standard Army, the funding and the logistics for them was provided by civilian society, not by the Imperial Court.

These "braves" were grouped into units (ying), known as the "Yong Ying".

The Xiang Army a "Yung-ying" army in Qing Dynasty China, separate from the Manchu 8 Banners and Green Standard Army. They used modern weapons and the officers were never rotated, so relationships formed between officers and the troops, unlike Green Standard and Banner forces.

It was recorded that "Although rations came from public funds, the yung-ying troops were nevertheless grateful to the officers of the battalion for selecting them to be put on the rolls, as if they had received personal favours from the officers. Since in ordinary times there existed relations of kindness as well as mutual confidence, in battle it could be expected that they would see ach other through hardship and adversity".