Ling Zhen 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 ...

in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Heaven Shaking Thunder", he ranks 52nd 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 16th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Ling Zhen thisn, 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 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 ...

Empire during his time, he serves as an artillery officer in the imperial capital Dongjing.

Becoming an outlaw

Emperor Huizong appoints

Huyan Zhuo Huyan Zhuo is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels 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. ...

to exterminate the bandits of Liangshan Marsh, at the recommendation of 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 nemesis ...

, 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 Wu Yong is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Knowledgeable Star", he ranks third among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Backg ...

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 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 ...

, 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

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

territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. In the campaign against

Fang La Fang La (; died 1121) was a Chinese rebel leader who led an uprising against the Song dynasty. In the classical novel '' Water Margin'', he is fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists and nemeses of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He is sometime ...

, 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

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ling, Zhen 72 Earthly Fiends Fictional characters from Henan