Mu Hong (Water Margin)
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Mu Hong 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 ...
in
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 "Unrestrained", he ranks 24th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of 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 ...
. He once said the quote: Unity is strength... When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.


Background

The novel depicts Mu Hong as good-looking with eyebrows that look like silkworms. Skilled in martial arts and fearless of dangers, he is nicknamed "Unrestrained". Mu Hong has a younger brother Mu Chun, who is nicknamed "Little Unrestrained". Wealthy and domineering in Jieyang Town (揭陽鎮; believed to be in present-day
Jiujiang Jiujiang, formerly transliterated Kiukiang and Kew-Keang, is a prefecture-level city located on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province in the People's Republic of China. It is the second-largest prefecture-level ...
,
Jiangxi ; Gan: ) , translit_lang1_type2 = , translit_lang1_info2 = , translit_lang1_type3 = , translit_lang1_info3 = , image_map = Jiangxi in China (+all claims hatched).svg , mapsize = 275px , map_caption = Location ...
), their home town near Xunyang River, the brothers are feared by the local townsmen.


Meeting Song Jiang

When
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 ...
is exiled to Jiangzhou (江州; present-day
Jiujiang Jiujiang, formerly transliterated Kiukiang and Kew-Keang, is a prefecture-level city located on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province in the People's Republic of China. It is the second-largest prefecture-level ...
,
Jiangxi ; Gan: ) , translit_lang1_type2 = , translit_lang1_info2 = , translit_lang1_type3 = , translit_lang1_info3 = , image_map = Jiangxi in China (+all claims hatched).svg , mapsize = 275px , map_caption = Location ...
) as a mitigated sentence for killing his mistress Yan Poxi, he passes by Jieyang Town and meets Xue Yong, a street performer of martial arts. Xue, from out of town, has neglected to go pay respect to the Mu brothers before staging his show. Feeling snubbed, the Mu brothers have ordered the locals not to reward him a cent. Song Jiang, sympathetic with Xu over his good but unrewarded performance, tips him generously. Mu Chun, who is in the crowd watching, rushes forth to beat Song for making his family look bad. However, he is floored by Xue Yong. Humiliated, Mu Chun orders the local inns not to accommodate Song Jiang and his two escorts for the night. Song ends up in the manor of the Mus, whose father kindly offers them free lodgings, unbeknown to the brothers. Song Jiang overhears Mu Chun looking for Mu Hong, who is resting after some drinks, to help track him down. He also learns that Xue Yong has been captured and subject to beating. So he and the two escorts sneak away under the cover of night. When the Mu brothers learn that Song Jiang has just got away, they pursue them to the bank of Xunyang River. In desperation, the three board the boat of the pirate
Zhang Heng Zhang Heng (; AD 78–139), formerly romanization of Chinese, romanized Chang Heng, was a Chinese polymathic scientist and statesman who lived during the Han dynasty#Eastern Han (25–220 AD), Eastern Han dynasty. Educated in the capital citi ...
. When they are halfway across, Zhang tells them they would be robbed and killed. Fortunately, Zhang's friend Li Jun, whom Song has recently befriended, happens to come by in a boat. Li recognises Song and prevents the killing. Zhang apologises to Song, whom he has long revered for his chivalry. Mu Hong and his brother, who are waiting at the bank, are shocked too to learn that the exile is Song Jiang, whom they too admire. They treat Song as an honoured guest at the manor of the Mus before seeing him off to Jiangzhou.


Joining Liangshan

Song Jiang is arrested and sentenced to death for composing a seditious poem, which he wrote on the wall of a restaurant after getting drunk. The outlaws from
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 ...
hurry to Jiangzhou, storm the execution ground and rescue him and the chief warden
Dai Zong Dai Zong is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Magic Traveller", he ranks 20th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Backgro ...
, who is implicated for trying to rescue Song. After fleeing Jiangzhou, the group is stranded at a riverbank. Luckily, Mu Hong and other friends of Song Jiang from the Jieyang region arrive in boats on their way to rescue Song. The manor of the Mus serves as the base of the outlaws as they attack Wuwei Garrison to capture the minor official Huang Wenbing, who has reported Song's seditious poem to the authorities. Huang is taken to the Mus' house, where he is cut into pieces. Mu Hong and his brother then follows the band to Liangshan.


Campaigns and death

Mu Hong is appointed as one of the Eight Tiger Cub Vanguard Generals of the Liangshan cavalry after 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 ...
came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in
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 ...
territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. Mu Hong makes great contributions in the campaigns, particularly in the capture of Runzhou (潤州; present-day
Runzhou District Runzhou District () is one of three districts of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Jiangsu is a coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province in East China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, ...
,
Zhenjiang Zhenjiang, alternately romanized as Chinkiang, is a prefecture-level city in Jiangsu Province, China. It lies on the southern bank of the Yangtze River near its intersection with the Grand Canal. It is opposite Yangzhou (to its north) and ...
,
Jiangsu Jiangsu is a coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province in East China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its capital in Nanjing. Jiangsu is the List of Chinese administra ...
) in the expedition 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 ...
. But he dies of illness in
Hangzhou Hangzhou, , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ; formerly romanized as Hangchow is a sub-provincial city in East China and the capital of Zhejiang province. With a population of 13 million, the municipality comprises ten districts, two counti ...
before Fang's rebellion is completely snuffed out. He is awarded a
posthumous title A posthumous name is an honorary name given mainly to revered dead people in East Asian culture. It is predominantly used in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments ...
.


References

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mu, Hong 36 Heavenly Spirits Fictional characters from Jiangxi