Che Kung (車公, Pinyin: Chēgōng; lit. Lord Che), also known as Che Da Yuan Shuai (車大元帥, Che, the Great Warrior) was originally a military commander of Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), who, according to lore, had supreme power to suppress rebellion and was renowned for his loyalty to the Emperor. He was also famous for his power to suppress plagues and his skill in medicine. He is believed by some worshipers to have been involved in the attempt to keep the Song state alive by bringing Prince Ping and his brother to the South. He is now considered a god of protection.