Zheng Tianshou

Zheng Tianshou is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Fair-skinned Gentleman", he ranks 74th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 38th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Zhèng Tiānshòu
Water Margin character
Art by Utagawa Kuniyoshi 1797-1861; "Fair-skinned Gentleman" Zheng Tianshou (Hakumenrokun Tei Tenja), from “108 Heroes of Water Margin (Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)
First appearanceChapter 32
Nickname"Fair-skinned Gentleman"
白面郎君
Also known asTei Tenja
Rank74th, Different Star (地異星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends
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Ancestral home / Place of originSuzhou, Jiangsu
Names
Simplified Chinese郑天寿
Traditional Chinese鄭天壽
PinyinZhèng Tiānshòu
Wade–GilesCheng T'ien-shou
In this Chinese name, the family name is Zheng.

Background

Nicknamed "Fair-skinned Gentleman", Zheng Tianshou is depicted as good-looking with a fair complexion, a lean build and broad shoulders. He is skilled in martial arts. Originally from Suzhou, he spends most of his younger days wandering around the Song Empire.

One day, when he passes by Mount Qingfeng (清風山; in present-day Qingzhou, Shandong), a group of bandits led by Wang Ying set upon him to rob him. Zheng fights Wang to a standstill. Impressed with his fighting skill, Yan Shun, the chief of the bandits, invites him to join his band. Zheng gladly agrees and takes the third position after Yan and Wang.

Meeting Song Jiang

When Song Jiang, on the run to escape arrest after killing his mistress Yan Poxi, is heading to Qingfeng Fort (清風寨; near Mount Qingfeng) to take shelter under his friend Hua Rong, he passes by Mount Qingfeng and is captured in a trap by the bandits. They want to kill him and use his heart to make soup. Just as Song is about to be sliced up, he sighs loudly, "Am I, Song Jiang, destined to die just like this?" Yan Shun is surprised to hear the name of a man he admires for chivalry. and stops the killing in time. After Song confirmed his identity, the three bandit chiefs release him, apologise to him, and treat him as an honoured guest.

While at the stronghold, Song Jiang saves a woman from being raped by Wang Ying, who has abducted her as she was crossing the hill with her servants. Learning that the woman is the wife of Liu Gao, the governor of Qingfeng Fort and thus the superior of Hua Rong, who is the fort's military commandant, he persuades Wang to let her go. Wang reluctantly agrees.

Joining Liangshan

One festive night, Song Jiang, then staying at Hua Rong's house, goes outdoor to watch the celebrations. The wife of Liu Gao spots him and lies to her husband that Song had abducted her at Mount Qingfeng and nearly raped her. Liu Gao believes his wife and arrests Song.

Hua Rong, who rescued Song Jiang but could not prevent his being seized again by Liu Gao, is by and by also arrested himself. Both are being escorted to the prefecture office of Qingzhou, which oversees Qingfeng Fort. Yan Shun, Wang Ying and Zheng Tianshou intercept the convoy, together defeat the escort leader Huang Xin and rescue them. Later, the bandits, under the leadership of Song and Hua, fight a battle with Qin Ming, a commander sent from Qingzhou to eliminate them. Initially cold to Song's invitation to join the band, Qin is eventually won over following a plot by Song.

Afraid that Qingzhou would send a larger force, Song Jiang suggests the group decamp to join the bandits of Liangshan Marsh. Thus Zheng Tianshou is absorbed into Liangshan.

Campaigns and death

Zheng Tianshou is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the "Grand Assembly". He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.

Zheng Tianshou is killed in the battle of Muzhou (睦州; in present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La when he is hit by an enemy projectile.

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. 149. 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
  • Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.
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