108 Outlaw Heroes of China (Shui Hu Zhuan), Outlaws who became Heroes Options

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Kuniyoshi’s print of Nine-Dragons Shi-Jin from the story Outlaws of the Marsh

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Kuniyoshi print of Yan-Qin “The Prodigy”

With Kuniyoshi’s series of the “Heroes of the Suikoden” came not only copying the tattoos the outlaws of the Marsh wore but also tattoo designs of these heroes themselves. Even today getting a Nine Dragons Shi-Jin or print from Kuniyoshi’s series tattooed is often seen. It is amazing how a story such as this can impact people, and how the virtues of those bandits are still honored today.


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Blue-Faced Beast
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Nicknamed the Blue-Faced Beast because of the blue birthmark on his face, Yang Zhi (杨志) is a tall man, issued from three generations of generals. Bad lucky, he would have become a general himself but he was the one of the 10 generals who lost his ship on the Imperial "Stones and Plants" mission and was exiled for that. He joined the Liangshang Marsh outlaws after that.

The Pilgrim
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Wu Song (武松) is one of the most likeable heroes of the novel. Younger brother of Wu the Elder, he is as tall as his brother is small, as strong as the latter is weak. He is nicknamed the Pilgrim because he is used to wander alone disguised as a monk. He represents the Injury among the 36 Heavenly Stars. His only default is drinking too much and will get mad when drunk.


Little Li Guang
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Son of a military commander that proved his loyalty to Imperial authority, Hua Rong (花荣) is the military commandant of the Fort Clear Wind. Close friend of Song Jiang, he sent many messages to tell our hero he would be wellcome in his house. Extraordinary skilled with a bow and arrows, he will show all his talent convincing Qin Ming to join the Liangshan Marsh gang.


Panther Head
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Valiance is the major feature of Lin Chong (林冲), the Panther Head. "A head like a panther, round eyes, a chin sharp as a swallow's beak, whiskers like a tiger and very tall", here is Lin Chong, arms instructor of the Mighty Imperial Guards. As a trained soldier, he is a great help during the episode of the Chained Cavalry and is the one who beats Ten Feet of Steel during the Attacks on Zhu Family Village.

Featherless Arrow
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Formerly a member of the Imperial Cavalry, the general Zhang Qing (张清) is nicknamed Featherless Arrow because he flings stones with a remarkable accuracy.


Heavenly King
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Chao Gai, the Heavenly King, the real hero of the novel but does not figure among the 108 knights. Having an unequalled reputation within the world of "lakes and rivers" - means the universe of outlaws - he enjoys the prestige of his official charge. Chief ward of his village, he chased an evil spirits by transferring a stone pagoda set in the neighbouring village to his.

Li Kui
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Alongside Lu Zhishen, Li Kui was one of the strongest amongst the 108 Outlaw heroes. Nicknamed "The Black Whirlwind" or "The Black Tornado" and sometimes called "Iron Ox". Li Kui was very tall and seldom took a horse to the battlefield. He would instead brandish his famous twin axes and hack his way through his foes.

Li Kui was born with a dark complexion, fiery eyes, a muscular body and strength equivalent to an ox, hence his nickname. He had a bad temper and an addiction to wine, so many people were afraid of him. He was excellent in using a pair of axes and also tough in melee fighting as well often raging ahead in the forefront of a battlefield entirely naked.

He was originally from Baizhang Village, and fled from home after killing someone. He came to Jiangzhou and served as a jailer under Dai Zong. Li Kui got to know Song Jiang and they became fast friends. He was extremely loyal to Song Jiang and when Song Jiang had a craving for fish, Li Kui went to the river and had a fight with Zhang Shun and the fishermen just to get fish for Song Jiang. However, the fight was stopped by Song Jiang and Dai Zong.

When Song Jiang and Dai Zong were arrested and scheduled to be executed, Li Kui and the Outlaw heroes stormed the execution ground and rescued them. They escaped to Bailong temple near the river and were surrounded by government troops. Li Kui and the heroes dashed out and fought fiercely, eventually cutting a path out to meet Zhang Shun with his boats. The whole group went to Liangshan after that.

Although Li Kui was fiery-tempered, he was a filial son. He went home to fetch his mother to Liangshan and met Li Gui who pretended to be him, robbing passerbys. Li Kui defeated Li Gui after a brawl and wanted to kill him for impersonating himself and committing crimes in his name. Li Gui lied that he had a 90 year old mother to feed and had no choice but to rob. Li Kui was moved and let him off. Later, Li Kui found out that Li Gui had lied to him and was plotting to capture him. Li was furious and later killed Li Gui.

Li Kui reached home and carried his blind mother all the way on his back, hoping to share wealth and woe with his mother at Liangshan. His mother complained that she was thirsty and Li Kui immediately went to find water for her. When Li Kui returned, he was horrified to find that his mother had been attacked and killed by tigers. Fuming, he stormed into the tigers' lair and killed all four of them.

Li Kui became one of the leaders of the Outlaw infantry. He often charged fiercely into battle and no one could stop him. He followed the heroes on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels. He was one of the few lucky survivors after the campaigns. He was offered an official post in Runzhou, Zhejiang, but showed little interest in his career. When Song Jiang was poisoned by evil and corrupt officials, he was worried that Li Kui might stir up trouble after his death by avenging him. Thus, he invited Li Kui to Chuzhou, where both of them committed suicide by drinking poisoned wine. Li Kui's last words were that he wanted to be buried together with Song Jiang after his death.

Li Kui is one of the most memorable characters in the "Water Margin", often ridiculed and used for comedic effect, Li Kui represented both a light and dark side of the bandits. Li Kui's exploits with Luo Zhong Ren (a living daoist God), and his journeys with Yan Qin represented the most humorous side of the "Water Margin" classic.


The one hundred and eight heroes of Liang Shan Fortress


The thirty-six Heavenly Stars (senior officers):

Leaders --

Commander: Song Jiang, the Welcomed Rain.

Second in Command: Lu Jun Yi, the Jade Unicorn.

Military Advisors --

Wu Yong, the Star of Intelligence.

Gongsun Sheng, the Dragon in the Cloud.

Treasurers --

Chai Jun, the Little Whirlwind.

Li Ying, the Soaring Pang.

Five Tiger Generals of the Cavalry --

Guan Sheng, the Great Sword.

Lin Chong, the Leopard Head.

Qin Ming, the Thunder Fire.

Huyan Zhu, the Double Clubs.

Dong Ping, the Double Spears.

Eight Cavalry Generals --

Hua Rong, the Little Li Guang.

Xu Ning, the Golden Spearman.

Yang Zhi, the Blue Faced Beast.

Xuo Chao, the Expedient Vanguard.

Zhang Qing, the Featherless Arrow.

Zhu Tong, the Beautiful Bearded Man.

Shi Jin, the Nine Tattooed Dragons.

Mu Hong, the Unstoppable One.

Ten Infantry Generals --

Lu Shi Shin, the Tattooed Monk.

Wu Song, the Wandering Friar.

Liu Tang, the Red Haired Ghost.

Lu Wang, the Winged Tiger.

Li Kuai, the Black Whirlwind.

Yang Qing, the Wanderer.

Yang Xiong, the Sick Guan Xuo.

Shi Shuo, the Daring Third Brother.

Jia Jin, the Double Headed Snake.

Jia Bao, the Double Tailed Scorpion.

Six Navy Generals

Li Jin, the Dragon in the River.

Zhang Wang, the Hotheaded Boatman.

Zhang Shun, the White Fish in the Waves.

Yuan Shao Er, the Standing Tai Shui.

Yuan Shao Wu, the Short Lived Second Brother.

Yuan Shao Qi, the Lively Yen Luo.

Intelligence and Scout --

Dai Zong, the Tai Bao of Miraculous Walking.


The seventy-two Earthly Stars (junior officers):

Assistant Military Advisor --

Zhu Wu, the Military Advisor of Mysterious Knowledge.

Sixteen Junior Cavalry Generals --

Huang Xin, the Protector of Three Mountains.

Sun Li, the Sick Hui Qi.

Sun Jan, the Ugly Prince.

Guo Shi Wen, the Jian Wu Gan.

Han Tu, the Invincible General.

Pang Ji, the General With the Heavenly Eye.

Xian Ting Guae, the General of Holy Water.

Wei Ding Guo, the General of Miraculous Fire.

Ou Pang, the Golden Wings in the Cloud.

Deng Fei, the Fiery Eyed Lion.

Yan Shun, the Golden Haired Tiger.

Ma Lun, the Immortal With a Iron Flute.

Chen Da, the River Leaping Tiger.

Yang Chun, the White Spotted Snake.

Yang Lin, the Golden Leopard.

Zhao Tong, the Little Conqueror.

Seventeen Junior Infantry Generals --

Fan Shei, the Demon King of the Chaotic World.

Bao Yue, the Mourning Door God.

Xian Xiong, the Eight Armed La Jia.

Li Sui, the Flying Da Xin.

Shi Yong, the Sick Tiger.

Shi En, the Golden Eyed Tiger.

Mu Chun, the Little Obstacle.

Li Zhong, the Tiger Fighting General.

Jiang Tian Shuo, the White Faced Man.

Song Wan, the Arahat in the Cloud.

Du Chian, the One Who Can Touch the Sky.

Zhao Yuan, the Dragon Exiting the Forest.

Zhao Yen, the Single Horned Dragon.

Kung Wang, the Tattoo Necked Tiger.

Ding De Sun, the Tiger Struck by an Arrow.

Zhao Ting, the Faceless.

Shi Yong, the Stone General.

Two Junior Navy Generals --

Tong Wei, the Jiao Exiting the Cave.

Tong Mang, the Shi that Disturbs the River.

The Keepers of the Four Taverns --

East Mountain Side Tavern

Sun Xin, the Little Hui Qi.

Gu Da Shiao (Sun Xin's wife), the Mother Tigress

West Mountain Side Tavern

Zhang Qing, the Gardener

Sun Er Liang (Zhang Qing's wife), the Mother Er Chia.

South Mountain Side Tavern

Zhu Gui, the Dry Land Crocodile.

Du Xin, the Ghost Face.

North Mountain Side Tavern

Li La, the Judge.

Wang Ding Liu, the Lively Xian Po.

Assistant Intelligences and Scouts --

Le Wo, the Iron Singer.

Shi Chian, the Flee on a Drum.

Duan Jing Zu, the Golden Haired Hound.

Bai Sheng, the Mouse in the Daylight.

Cavalry Guards of the Central Division --

Lu Fang, the Little Duke Wen.

Guo Sheng, the One Comparable to Ren Guae.

Infantry Guards of the Central Division --

Kong Ming, the Hairy Headed Star.

Kong Liang, the Single Fire Star.

Punishers and Executioners --

Chai Fu, the Iron Armed.

Chai Xin, the Single Flower.

Commanders of the Scouts Regarding Intelligence Within the Three Divisions (Internal Millitary Affairs) --

Wang Ying, the Short Legged Tiger.

Hu San Liang (Wang Ying's wife), the One Yard Green Snake.

Officers of Various Departments --

Documents: Xiao Yang, the Scholar With Holy Hands.

Judge: Fei Xuan, the Iron Faced Judge.

Accountant: Jiang Jing, the Miraculous Accountant.

Shipmaking: Meng Kang, the Jade Sailpost.

Seal-making: Jin Da Jiang, the Jade Armed Craftsman.

Flags and Capes Production: Hou Jian, the Lively Armed Monkey.

Vetenarian: Huangpo Duan, the Purple Beared Elder.

Physician: An Dao Chuan, the Miraculous Physician.

Weaponry and Armory: Tang Long, the Golden Spotted Leopard.

Canon-making: Ling Jun, the Roaring Thunder.

House-building: Li Yun, the Blue Eyed Tiger.

Butchery: Cao Jing, the Sword Carrying Ghost.

Host for Feast: Song Qing, the Iron Fan.

Keeper of Wine and Sauce: Zhu Fu, the Smiling Tiger.

Fortress-building: Tu Zhong Wang, the Nine-Tailed Turtle.

Holder of the Commander Flag: Yu Bao Shi, the God in the Dangerous Path.


This post has been edited by afewminutesofyourlife: Oct 26 2009, 05:18 PM