Ling Zhen is a fictional character in ''

Water Margin ''Water Margin'' (), also called ''Outlaws of the Marsh'' or ''All Men Are Brothers'', is a Chinese novel from the Ming dynasty that is one of the preeminent Classic Chinese Novels. Attributed to Shi Nai'an, ''Water Margin'' was one of the e ...

'', one of the

Four Great Classical Novels Classic Chinese Novels () are the best-known works of literary fiction across pre-modern Chinese literature. The group usually includes the following works: Ming dynasty novels '' Romance of the Three Kingdoms'', '' Water Margin'', ''Journey to t ...

Chinese literature The history of Chinese literature extends thousands of years, and begins with the earliest recorded inscriptions, court archives, building to the major works of philosophy and history written during the Axial Age. The Han dynasty, Han (202 ...

. Nicknamed "Heaven Shaking Thunder", he ranks 52nd among the

108 Stars of Destiny The 108 Heroes are the main characters of the Ming dynasty classic Chinese novel the ''Water Margin'', which was written in the 14th century and usually attributed to Shi Nai'an. The heroes are divided into the 36 Heavenly Spirits and 72 Earthly ...

and 16th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Ling Zhen thisn, a native of Yanling (燕陵; believed to be present-day

Yanling County, Henan Yanling County () is a county in the central part of Henan province, China. It is the easternmost county-level division of the prefecture-level city of Xuchang. History Human habitation of the area began around 6000 BC. In the early Zhou dynasty ...

), 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 A song is a musical composition performed by the human voice. The voice often carries the melody (a series of distinct and fixed pitches) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs have a structure, such as the common ABA form, and are usu ...

Empire during his time, he serves as an artillery officer in the imperial capital Dongjing.

Becoming an outlaw

Emperor Huizong appoints

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. ...

to exterminate the bandits of

Liangshan Marsh Mount Liang is a mountain in Liangshan County, Shandong, China, which rises to 197.9 metres above sea level. It is well known as the stronghold of the 108 Heroes in the classic Chinese novel '' Water Margin''. The modern Liangshan County i ...

, at the recommendation of Grand Marshal

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 pr ...

, 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 groups of chain-linked armoured horses, which charge forward in unison. Overwhelmed, the outlaws have to hole up in their stronghold with the marsh as buffer as they ponder how to counterattack . Unable to cross the waters, Huyan writes to request the court to send Ling Zhen, who could assail the bandits with cannons. Ling arrives and shells the stronghold, with some cannons hitting the shores beyond the marsh, shocking the outlaws.

Wu Yong Wu Yong is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels, Four Great Chinese Classical Novels. Nicknamed "Knowledgeable Star", he ranks third among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of ...

sends swimmers to steal up to Ling Zheng's artillery platform set up by the bank and overturn it. Incensed, Ling chases after the saboteurs, who lures him into the marsh. His boat is capsized there by men hiding under water. Captured and brought before

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. Th ...

, Ling is won over by the latter's warm treatment. He later contributes to the defeat of Huyan Zhuo by startling his cavalry horses with cannon blasts while Liangshan's hooked lance squad pulls them to the ground.

Campaigns

Ling Zhen is put in charge of the making of cannons after the

came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. In battles he would deploy and fire cannons when required. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in

territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. In the campaign against

Fang La Fang La (; died 1121) was a Chinese rebel leader who led an uprising against the Song dynasty. In the classical novel ''Water Margin'', he is fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists and nemeses of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He is sometim ...

, Ling Zhen is often called upon to bombard enemy cities to create chaos before their attack commences. Ling Zhen is one of the few Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. He is reinstated as artillery officer in the imperial army.

References

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ling, Zhen 72 Earthly Fiends Fictional characters from Henan