Huyan Zhuo is a fictional character in ''

Water Margin ''Water Margin'' (''Shuihu zhuan'') is one of the earliest Chinese novels written in vernacular Mandarin, and is attributed to Shi Nai'an. It is also translated as ''Outlaws of the Marsh'' and ''All Men Are Brothers''. The story, which is ...

'', one of the

Four Great Classical Novels Classic Chinese Novels () are the best-known novels of pre-modern Chinese literature. These are among the world's longest and oldest novels. They represented a new complexity in structure and sophistication in language that helped to establish t ...

of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Double Clubs", hə ranks eighth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits (天罡), 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 ...

Background

Huyan Zhuo is descended from Huyan Zan, a general in the early years of the

Song dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...

famous for guarding the northern frontier from Liao. Like his ancestor, Huyan Zhuo is a brave and smart warrior in the

Song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetiti ...

imperial army. His weapon is a pair of hefty steel clubs, which earn him the nickname "Double Clubs". In battles he flies a black

war flag A war flag, also known as a military flag, battle flag, or standard, is a variant of a national flag for use by a country's military forces when on land. The nautical equivalent is a naval ensign. Under the strictest sense of the term, few count ...

and rides a black stallion, a gift from Emperor Huizong.

Chain-linked armoured cavalry formation

Huyan Zhuo‘s name is brought up when the

imperial court discusses how to quell the outlaws of

Liangshan Marsh Mount Liang (, often referred to in Chinese as ) 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 Marg ...

after they defeated and killed Gao Lian, the prefect of Gaotangzhou. Grand Marshal

Gao Qiu Gao Qiu (1076?–1126) was a government official who lived during the Song dynasty of China 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 nemes ...

, who is the cousin of Gao Lian, recommends Huyan to Emperor Huizong, saying he is the man for the job. Huyan is summoned from his military post at Runing Commandery (present-day Runan County,

Henan Henan (; or ; ; alternatively Honan) is a landlocked province of China, in the central part of the country. Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou (), which literally means "central plain" or "midland", although the name is a ...

) to the imperial capital Dongjing (東京; present-day

Kaifeng Kaifeng () is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, China. It is one of the Eight Ancient Capitals of China, having been the capital eight times in history, and is best known for having been the Chinese capital during the Nort ...

, Henan). The emperor appoints him the chief commander of the mission, with

Han Tao Han Tao is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "General of Hundred Victories", he ranks 42nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and sixth among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Ba ...

and

Peng Qi Peng Qi is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "General of Heavenly Vision", he ranks 43rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and seventh among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Ba ...

as his lieutenants. He also receives a black brawny stallion from the emperor. In his first encounter with Liangshan, Huyan Zhuo loses Peng Qi, who is captured by

Hu Sanniang Hu Sanniang (literally "Third Sister Hu") is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed " Ten Feet of Blue", she ranks 59th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 23rd among th ...

and won over by Song Jiang. Huyan then sends out his special cavalry consisting of groups of armour-clad horses linked by iron chains. The combined might of the horses charging forward overwhelms the force of Liangshan. Song Jiang and his men hole themselves up, protected by the marsh, to work out how to beat the cavalry. Meanwhile, Huyan requests the court to send

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 Zh ...

, an artillery officer and cannon maker, over to shell Liangshan. Ling's cannons hit the far shores of the marsh, striking fear among the outlaws. Liangshan sends some of its best swimmers to lure Ling into the marsh and seizes him. Ling too joins Liangshan, succumbing to Song Jiang's warm treatment. Tang Long suggests to Song Jiang that his cousin

Xu Ning Xu Ning is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Gold Lancer", he ranks 18th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Background Th ...

, a infantry lance instructor in Dongjing, could annihilate Huyan's cavalry. After Shi Qian stole an impenetrable armour of Xu, a precious ancestral heirloom, Tang tricks the instructor to pursue the elusive thief until he comes to the vicinity of Liangshan and is drugged. Finding himself trapped, Xu also becomes a chieftain. He trains some of Liangshan's foot soldiers (infantry) in the use of the hooked lance. The weapon topples Huyan's cavalry, causing his army to collapse. Han Tao also defects after being captured.

Battle of Qingzhou

Defeated by Liangshan, Huyan Zhuo dare not return to Dongjing. He heads to Qingzhou (in present-day

Shandong Shandong ( , ; ; Chinese postal romanization, alternately romanized as Shantung) is a coastal Provinces of China, province of the China, People's Republic of China and is part of the East China region. Shandong has played a major role in His ...

) alone, hoping to redeem himself under the local governor Murong Yanda. The outlaws from Mount Peach Blossom steal his horse from the stable when he puts up in an inn. Reaching Qingzhou (or Qing prefecture, 青州), he gets Murong‘s approval to attack Mount Peach Blossom, whose chieftains are

Li Zhong Li Zhong (李忠) (643 – January 6, 665Volume 201 of '' Zizhi Tongjian'' recorded that Li died on the ''wuzi'' day in the 12th month of the 1st year of the Linde era of Tang Gaozong's reign. This date corresponds to 6 Jan 665 on the Gregorian ca ...

and Zhou Tong. Murong also expects him to stamp out the other outlaws of Mount White Tiger and Mount Twin Dragons. Twin Dragons‘

Lu Zhishen Lu Zhishen is a fictional character in '' Water Margin'', one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. He is the main character in the first segment of the novel, which spans about six chapters. Nicknamed "Flowery Monk", he ran ...

, Yang Zhi and

Wu Song Wu Song ( zh, c=武松, p=wǔ sōng), also known as Wu the Second ( zh, c=武二郎, p=wŭ èrláng, labels=no), is a legendary hero recounted since the 13th century; and one of the well-known fictional characters in the ''Water Margin'', one of ...

are formidable fighters, but the other two strongholds are easily beaten. Huyan even captures Kong Ming of Mount White Tiger. Finding Huyan Zhuo a tough opponent, the three strongholds turn to

for help. Huyan hence faces off four bands. Finally Song Jiang lures him into an ambush and captures him. Song again exercises his charm and wins the heart of the general. Huyan then tricks Murong Yanda to open the gate of Qingzhou. After Qin Ming cut down the governor, the outlaws plunder the city.

Life at Liangshan

Along the River During the Qingming Festival (2112807228)

The Song court sends Guan Sheng on a mission to wipe out Liangshan. Huyan Zhuo comes to Guan's camp claiming that he has reluctantly joined the bandits and now wants to clear his name. He dupes Guan to launch a night raid on Song Jiang‘s camp. Guan is trapped and pulled down his horse. He also defects swayed by Song's averment that Liangshan is composed of reluctant rebels.

Campaigns and death

Huyan Zhuo is appointed as one of the

Five Tiger Generals The Five Tiger Generals is a popular appellation in Chinese culture for the top five military commanders serving under one lord. Although the term does not appear in Chinese historical records and is not used officially, it has been heavily used i ...

of the Liangshan cavalry after the

came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in

territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. Huyan Zhuo survives the series of campaigns. He is restored to his former position of general. Years later, he dies in a battle fighting the

Jurchen Jurchen may refer to: * Jurchen people, Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century ** Haixi Jurchens, a grouping of the Jurchens as identified by the Chinese of the Ming Dynasty ** Jianzhou Jurchens, a grouping of ...

invaders. Northern China was conquered by the Jurchens in early twelfth century, who set up the Jin dynasty, driving the Song court to rule only southern China. Huyan's death in the hands of Wuzhu, a Jurchen prince, is portrayed in the novel '' General Yue Fei.''

References

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Huyan, Zhuo 36 Heavenly Spirits Fictional characters from Shanxi