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
Water Margin character
First appearanceChapter 55
Nickname"Heaven Shaking Thunder"
轟天雷
Rank52nd, Assist Star (地輔星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends
Pyrotechnics unit commander of Liangshan
OriginMilitary officer
Ancestral home / Place of originYanling (believed to be present-day Yanling County, Henan)
Names
Simplified Chinese凌振
Traditional Chinese凌振
PinyinLíng Zhèn
Wade–GilesLing Chen
In this Chinese name, the family name is Ling.

Background

Ling Zhen, 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 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 the 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 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 lure him into the marsh. His boat is capsized there by men hiding under water. Captured and brought before Song Jiang, 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 pull them to the ground.

Campaigns

Ling Zhen is put in charge of the making of cannons after the 108 Stars of Destiny 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 Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. In the campaign against Fang La, Ling Zhen is often called upon to bombard enemy cities to create chaos before 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
  • Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
  • Miyazaki, Ichisada (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
  • Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  • Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 105. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
  • Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  • Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei, p. 94
  • Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.
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