Qin Hui (1090โ1155) was a powerful politician who served as the Grand Chancellor of the Southern Song Dynasty. Having once been captured by the Jin forces and mysteriously allowed to return, he became the leader of the peace faction at the Song court. Qin Hui believed that the Song Dynasty could not militarily defeat the Jin and that continuing the war would bankrupt the country. To secure a peace treaty, he systematically sabotaged Yue Fei's successful northern campaigns. He arrested Yue Fei and executed him under the vague charge of 'Mo Xu You' (meaning 'perhaps there is treason'). His actions led to the Treaty of Shaoxing in 1142, which permanently gave up Northern China to the Jin.
His betrayal earned him the eternal hatred of the Chinese people, leading to unique folk myths. Back then, furious citizens expressed their anger by pressing two pieces of dough together (representing Qin Hui and his wife) and frying them in hot oil. This became the famous Chinese breakfast food called Youtiao, which was originally called 'You Zha Hui' (meaning 'Deep-Fried Qin Hui'). Furthermore, a famous kneeling iron statue of Qin Hui was placed in front of Yue Fei's Tomb in Hangzhou. For centuries, visitors would spit on and kick the statue to punish him for his treason, creating a legendary symbol of shame that remains famous today.