Jiang Jing 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 ...

of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Divine Mathematician," he ranks 53rd among 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 ...

and 17th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Jiang Jing, a native of Tanzhou (潭州; around present-day

Changsha Changsha (; ; ; Changshanese pronunciation: (), Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is the Capital city, capital and the largest city of Hunan Province of China. Changsha is the 17th most populous city in China with a popul ...

Hunan Hunan (, ; ) is a landlocked province of the People's Republic of China, part of the South Central China region. Located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze watershed, it borders the province-level divisions of Hubei to the north, Jiangxi ...

), is a scholar who has repeatedly failed imperial examinations -- the conventional route to become government official in ancient China. Frustrated and disappointed, he shifts to concentrating on military-related subjects. After years of hard work, he is not just skilled in martial arts but also good in military tactics and numerical calculations. His mathematical talent earns him the nickname "Divine Mathematician". When he first appears in the book, he is one of the fours chiefs leading the bandit group at Mount Yellow Gate (黃門山), ranked below Ou Peng and above Ma Lin and Tao Zongwang

Joining Liangshan

When

Song Jiang 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 repetition ...

is following 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 Margin ...

back to their stronghold after they and some heroes of the Jieyang region saved him in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he comes by Mount Yellow Gate with the group. They are blocked by the four bandit chiefs who demand to know whether Song is among them. When he steps out to show himself, they come forward to pay homage to him. When they learn that the group is heading for Liangshan, they want in and are accepted.

Campaigns and resignation

Jang Jing is appointed to keep accounts of the grain stock, finance and logistics of Liangshan after the

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

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 repetit ...

territory following amnesty by Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. Jiang Jing is one of the Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. Though given an official appointment, he quits soon and goes back to his hometown Tanzhou, where he lives as a commoner for the rest of his life.

References

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Jiang, Jing 72 Earthly Fiends Fictional characters from Hunan