Yue He 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 ...

in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Iron Whistle", he ranks 77th 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 41st among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

The novel depicts Yue He, a native of Maozhou (茅州; present-day

Changyi, Shandong Changyi () is a county-level city of Weifang, Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The city is 1627.5 square kilometers in area, with a household population of 581,000 as of 2010. The city is under the administration of the Changyi Muni ...

), as good-looking. Talented in music, he could play many kinds of instruments and sing well. He is also skilled in martial arts and makes a good spy. His sister is married to Sun Li, the garrison commandant of Dengzhou (登州; in present-day eastern

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 ...

Becoming an outlaw

One day Yue He, a jailer in the Dengzhou prison, is put in charge of the new prisoners Xie Zhen and

Xie Bao Xie Bao is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Twin-tailed Scorpion", he ranks 35th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Back ...

. The hunter brothers have been arrested for smashing up the house of one Squire Mao after failing to find a tiger they shot that had fallen into the old man's garden. In fact the squire and his son had sent the tiger to the prefecture office to claim reward. Yue He sympathises with the brothers, knowing they would be murdered in prison. Besides, he is related to the Xies, his brother-in-law Sun Li being the brother-in-law of

Gu Dasao Gu Dasao (literally "Elder Sister-in-Law Gu") is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Female Tiger", she ranks 101st among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 65th among the ...

, a cousin of the hunters. Gu's husband is Sun Xin, Sun Li's younger brother. Yue He takes the news about the Xies to Gu Dasao and Sun Xin, who pressure Sun Li to join in their rescue plan. They also involve the bandits

Zou Yuan Zou Yuan is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Forest Emerging Dragon", he ranks 90th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 54th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Backgrou ...

and

Zou Run Zou Run is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Single Horned Dragon", he ranks 91st among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 55th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background ...

. Yue He lets Gu Dasao, who pretends to be sending food to the Xies, into the jail. He then frees the brothers who are locked on a stone bed while Gu causes commotion in the compound. Meanwhile Sun Li breaks into the prison with the rest. After pulling off the rescue, the group kill the Mao family and flee to join 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 ...

. Before going up to the stronghold, Sun Li volunteers to infiltrate the Zhu Family Manor, which Liangshan has failed to take in two offensives. As Sun Li has learnt combat from the same teacher as Luan Tingyu, the martial arts instructor of the manor, he wins the confidence of the Zhus. Yue He, together with Gu Dasao, Sun Xin, Zou Yuan, Zou Run and the Xie brothers, goes on a rampage inside the manor, taking it by surprise, when Sun Li gives his signal. The fall of the Zhu Family Manor is a huge contribution by the group before their acceptance into Liangshan.

Campaigns

Yue He is appointed as one of Liangshan's scout leaders after the

came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. When 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 ...

attacks Liangshan with a massive military force, he is defeated and captured. But the outlaws free him after he promised to help them secure amnesty from Emperor Huizong. Yue He and

Xiao Rang Xiao Rang is a fictional character in '' Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Sacred Handed Scholar", he ranks 46th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and tenth among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Backg ...

go with Gao to the capital Dongjing as Liangshan's representatives to meet the emperor. However, Gao detains them in his residence and reneges on his promise.

Yan Qing Yan Qing is a fictional character in '' Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "''Langzi''" (浪子; meaning "the Wanderer" or "the Prodigal"), he ranks last among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the fi ...

and

Dai Zong Dai Zong is a fictional character in '' Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Magic Traveller", he ranks 20th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Backg ...

later break into Gao's house and save the two. The outlaws eventually receive amnesty due to help from the courtesan

Li Shishi Li Shishi (?-?) was a courtesan () from Bianjing (now Kaifeng), the capital of the Song Empire. At the time, jiaoji refers to women who engaged in performing arts for a living, and their scope of work included: singing, dancing, reciting poe ...

and other court officials. Emperor Huizong sends them on military campaigns against the Liao invaders and other rebel forces on

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 ...

territory to atone for their crimes. Yue He participates in the first three expeditions. Before the fourth starts, which targets the rebel

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 someti ...

, the emperor summons Yue He back to Dongjing. It turns out that a prince consort has heard of Yue He's musical talent and wants him to be his minstrel. Yue spends the rest of his life in the house of the prince.

References

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Yue, He 72 Earthly Fiends Fictional prison officers and governors Fictional characters from Shandong