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Huyan Zhuo
Huyan Zhuo is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Double Clubs", he ranked eighth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits (天罡), the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Background Huyan Zhuo was descended from Huyan Zan, a general in the early years of the Song dynasty famous for guarding the northern frontier from Liao. Like his ancestor, Huyan Zhuo was a brave and smart warrior in the Song imperial army. His weapon was a pair of hefty steel clubs, which earned him the nickname "Double Clubs". In battles he flies a black war flag and rides a black stallion, a gift from Emperor Huizong. Chain-linked armoured cavalry formation Huyan Zhuo's name was brought up when the Song imperial court discussed how to quell the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh after they defeated and killed Gao Lian, the prefect of Gaotangzhou. Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, who was the cousin of Gao Lian, recommended Huyan to Emperor Huizong, s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chen Hongshou
Chen Hongshou (1598 Zhuji, Zhejiang province –1652), formerly romanized as Ch'en Hung-shou, was a Chinese painter of the late Ming dynasty. Life Chen was born in Zhuji, Zhejiang province in 1598, during the Ming dynasty. His courtesy name was Zhanghou (章侯), and his pseudonyms were Laolian (老莲), Fuchi (弗迟), Yunmenseng (云门僧), Huichi (悔迟), Chiheshang (迟和尚) and Huiseng (悔僧).Cihai: Page 431. He once trained under Lan Ying, and was skilled in painting peculiar human figures, landscapes, flower-and-bird. He utilized plump, profound brushwork and precise color, creating a unique style. He always painted illustrations and made tapestry portraits. His two masterpieces, ''Shui Hu Ye Zi'' (水浒叶子) and ''Bo Gu Ye Zi'', were the rare examples among the Ming and the Qing dynasties. He was very famous at that time, called "Chen in South and Cui in North", together with Cui Zizhong. He also was skilled in calligraphy, poetry and prose. Biography ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gao Qiu
Gao Qiu (1076?–1126) was a Chinese politician who lived during the Song dynasty and served in the court of Emperor Huizong. In the classical novel ''Water Margin'', he is fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists and a nemesis of the protagonists, the 108 Heroes of Mount Liang. Life Gao Qiu was presumably born around 1076 AD. According to the Chinese historical text '' Huizhulu'' () by Wang Mingqing, Gao Qiu was from Kaifeng - then the capital of the empire - and his father was Gao Dunfu (). He had two brothers and four sons. The second child of his family, he was named by his father. Career Gao Qiu was a servant of the poet and statesman Su Shi (Su Dongpo) before moving on to serve the artist Wang Shen. According to the '' Huizhulu,'' he was a skilled writer''.'' He met Emperor Huizong in around November 1109 AD; during the emperor's reign he participated in battles under Liu Zhongwu's command and followed Lin Shu on a diplomatic mission to the Khitan-led Lia ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Qingzhou (ancient China)
Qingzhou or Qing Province was one of the Nine Provinces of ancient China dating back to BCE that later became one of the thirteen provinces of the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). The Nine Provinces were first described in the ''Tribute of Yu'' chapter of the classic ''Book of Documents'', with Qingzhou lying to the east of Yuzhou and north of Yangzhou. Qingzhou's primary territory included most of modern Shandong province except the southwest corner. History Ancient times The territory takes its name from the ''Tribute of Yu'' wherein Yu the Great wrote: "Between the sea and Mount Tai there is only Qingzhou". In around 5,000 BCE the area was the cradle of Dongyi culture. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, it was home to the Shuangjiu (, ''Shuǎngjīu''), Jize (, ''Jìzé''), and Pangboling (, ''Pángbólíng'') clans and the state of Pugu. Zhou dynasty Following the Duke of Zhou's BCE successful campaign against the Dongyi states allied with the re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shi Qian
Shi Qian is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Flea on a Drum", he ranks 107th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 71st among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background Shi Qian is a native of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County, Shandong). He is a master burglar who, with his slimness and small size, can nimbly scale walls and move on rooftops to get into premises. Nicknamed "Flea on a Drum" for his agility, Shi Qian lives in Jizhou (蓟州; present-day Ji County, Tianjin) and targets the homes there. He once runs into trouble with the authorities but got out of it helped by chief warden Yang Xiong (Water Margin), Yang Xiong. Joining Liangshan One day, while stealing valuables from graves on Mount Cuiping, Shi Qian comes upon, undetected, Yang Xiong killing his infidel wife Pan Qiaoyun. Upon hearing Yang discussing with Shi Xiu about joining the outlaw band of Mount Liang, Liangshan Marsh, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Qiang (spear)
''Qiang'' (pronunciation: , English approximation: , ) is the Chinese term for spear. Due to its relative ease of manufacture, the spear in many variations was ubiquitous on the pre-modern Chinese battlefield. It is known as one of the four major weapons, along with the ''gun'' (staff), '' dao'' (sabre), and the '' jian'' (straight sword), called in this group "The King of Weapons". Common features of the Chinese spear are the leaf-shaped blade and red horse-hair tassel lashed just below. The tassel shows elite troop status. It also serves a tactical purpose. When the spear is moving quickly, the addition of the tassel aids in blurring the vision of the opponent so that it is more difficult for them to grab the shaft of spear behind the head or tip. The tassel also served another purpose: to stop the flow of blood from the blade getting to the wooden shaft (the blood would make it slippery, or sticky when dried). The length varied from around long, up to in length. Acco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xu Ning
Xu Ning is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Gold Lancer", he ranks 18th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Background The novel depicts Xu Ning as six '' chi'' tall, having a pale face studded with thick eyebrows, a thin moustache, and being ample at the waistline. An expert in spears, he is a rare master of the hooked lance, a Chinese spear with a hook attached next to the tip. He serves as the instructor of the Gold Lancers Unit of the imperial guard in Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan), the imperial capital of the Song Empire. Together with the "Silver Lancer"() Hua Rong, they were known as the "Two Generals of Gold and Silver". Becoming an outlaw The Song Court orders Huyan Zhuo to lead a military attack on Liangshan Marsh to stamp out the outlaws. The general deploys a special cavalry, which comprises groups of armoured horses linked ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tang Long (Water Margin)
Tang Long is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Gold Coin Spotted Leopard", he ranks 88th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 52nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background Seven-''chi-''tall Tang Long is nicknamed "Gold Coin Spotted Leopard" as he is dappled with freckles from head to feet. After his father, an official at Yan'an Prefecture (延安府; present-day Yan'an, Shaanxi), died, he drifts from place to place working as a blacksmith. Tang, a hardcore gambler, knows some martial arts and fights mainly with spear or staff. Joining Liangshan Dai Zong and Li Kui are sent to fetch the magician Gongsun Sheng from his home in Jizhou (薊州; present-day Ji County, Tianjin) as Liangshan could not counter the sorcery of Gao Lian, the prefect of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County), in their military attack on the city to rescue Chai Jin. Gongsun has been away for a long time to visit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ling Zhen
Ling Zhen is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Heaven Shaking Thunder", he ranks 52nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 16th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Ling Zhen thisn, a native of Yanling (燕陵; believed to be present-day Yanling County, Henan), is good in archery and fights well. But he is better known for his skill in the making and firing of cannons. The top cannoneer in the Song Empire during his time, he serves as an artillery officer in the imperial capital Dongjing. Becoming an outlaw Emperor Huizong appoints Huyan Zhuo to exterminate the bandits of Liangshan Marsh, at the recommendation of Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, whose cousin Gao Lian, governor of Gaotangzhou, was defeated and killed by the outlaws. In his first encounter with Liangshan, Huyan is shaken by the capture of Peng Qi, one of his two lieutenants, by the bandits. But he gains the upper hand with his cavalry consisting of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Song Jiang
Song Jiang was a Chinese historical figure who led an armed rebellion against the ruling Song dynasty, Song Dynasty in the early 12th century. His band marauded over a region straddling the present-day Chinese provinces of Shandong and Henan. They eventually surrendered to the Imperial Court. The historical Song Jiang was turned into a fictional character in ''Water Margin,'' which became one of the four famous Classic Chinese Novels. He is the central figure in the book, leading the 108 Heroes who gather as bandits in Shandong's Mount Liang, Liangshan Marsh. Life Song Jiang is mentioned in the ''History of Song (Yuan dynasty), History of Song'', the most authoritative of records on the history of the Song dynasty. His name appears in the portion relating to Emperor Huizong of Song, Emperor Huizong (), which says: Another account, from the portion relating to Zhang Shuye in the ''History of Song'', records the following: In ''Water Margin'' The fictional Song Jiang in ''Wate ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hu Sanniang
Hu Sanniang (literally "Third Sister Hu") is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Zhàng, Ten Feet of Blue", she ranks 59th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 23rd among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background Hu Sanniang is the daughter of Squire Hu, who owns the Hu Family Manor () that stands with the Li Family Manor () and the Zhu Family Manor () on the Lone Dragon Ridge (). The ridge is believed to be in present-day Dongping County, Shandong province. Hu, who fights with a pair of sabres, could battle with dozens of men at the same time. She is also an expert thrower of a lasso, which she uses to catch her foes. She dons an armour over a red robe, a silk belt and a golden helmet when she goes into a battle. Fighting the Liangshan outlaws Hu Sanniang is engaged to Zhu Biao, the third son of Zhu Chaofeng, the master of the Zhu Family Village. Hostile to the bandits of Liangshan, the Zhus refuse to release ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peng Qi
Peng Qi is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "General of Heavenly Vision", he ranks 43rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and seventh among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background A native of Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan), the imperial capital of the Song Empire, Peng Qi is descended from generations of military men. He himself serves as a military instructor in Yingzhou (in present-day Anhui province). As he fights with a trident with three Spikes and two Blades (), he is nicknamed "General of Heavenly Vision", an allusion to the three-eyed deity Erlang who uses a similar weapon. Becoming an outlaw After Liangshan defeated and killed Gao Lian, the governor of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County, Shandong) to rescue Chai Jin, Emperor Huizong appoints the general Huyan Zhuo at the recommendation of Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, who is Gao Lian's cousin, to command an army to st ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Han Tao
Han Tao is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "General of Hundred Victories", he ranks 42nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and sixth among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background A native of Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan), the imperial capital of the Song Empire, Han Tao is a skilled warrior who serves as a military instructor in Chenzhou (陳州; present-day Huaiyang County, Henan). Nicknamed "General of Hundred Victories" as he is purportedly unbeatable in combat. He fights with a lance made of jujube wood. Becoming an outlaw After Liangshan defeated and killed Gao Lian, the governor of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County, Shandong) to rescue Chai Jin, Emperor Huizong appoints the general Huyan Zhuo at the recommendation of Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, who is Gao Lian's cousin, to command an army to stamp out the stronghold. Huyan in turn asks for Han Tao and Peng Qi to be hi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
