Zhang Heng (Water Margin)
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Zhang Heng 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 s ...
'', 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 "Boatman", he ranks 28th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.


Background

The novel depicts Zhang Heng as seven ''
chi Chi or CHI may refer to: Greek *Chi (letter), the Greek letter (uppercase Χ, lowercase χ); Chinese *Chi (length), ''Chi'' (length) (尺), a traditional unit of length, about ⅓ meter *Chi (mythology) (螭), a dragon *Chi (surname) (池, pin ...
'' tall and having triangle-shaped crimson eyes, yellow whiskers and red hair. He is an excellent swimmer who can survive under water in all weathers. Nicknamed "Boatman" , he preys on travellers who take his boat thinking he is just a simple ferryman. Zhang Heng and his younger brother
Zhang Shun Zhang Shun is a fictional character in '' Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "White Stripe in the Waves", he ranks 30th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Dest ...
live at Jieyang Ridge (揭陽嶺; believed to be in present-day
Jiujiang Jiujiang (), formerly transliterated Kiukiang or Kew Keang, is a prefecture-level city located on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China. It is the second-largest prefecture-level city ...
,
Jiangxi Jiangxi (; ; formerly romanized as Kiangsi or Chianghsi) is a landlocked province in the east of the People's Republic of China. Its major cities include Nanchang and Jiujiang. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze river in the north int ...
) near the Xunyang River. They use a trick to rob their boat passengers without taking lives. Zhang Shun would disguise himself as a passenger whom Zhang Heng would throw overboard when he pretends to defend his valuables. Zhang Shun would make it to shore while the other travellers are so frightened that they surrender all they have. Zhang Shun later moves to Jiangzhou alone (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi) where he becomes a fishmonger. Without his brother's collusion, Zhang Heng simply kills his passengers by knifing or drowning them.


Meeting Song Jiang

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 exiled to Jiangzhou (江州; present-day
Jiujiang Jiujiang (), formerly transliterated Kiukiang or Kew Keang, is a prefecture-level city located on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China. It is the second-largest prefecture-level city ...
,
Jiangxi Jiangxi (; ; formerly romanized as Kiangsi or Chianghsi) is a landlocked province in the east of the People's Republic of China. Its major cities include Nanchang and Jiujiang. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze river in the north int ...
) as a mitigated sentence for killing his mistress Yan Poxi, he passes by Jieyang Town where he offends the Mu brothers (
Mu Hong Mu Hong (; born December 1956) is a Chinese economist and official, serving since 2014 as the executive deputy director of the Office of Deepening Reform (minister-level), and since 2007 as a deputy director of the National Development and Refor ...
and Mu Chun) by giving money to street performer
Xue Yong Xue Yong is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Sick Tiger", he ranks 84th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 48th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background Xue Yong, ...
, who has neglected to pay respect to the Mus. After unknowingly finding accommodation at the house of the Mus thanks to the kindness of the brothers' father, Song and his two escorts have to sneak away when they realise they are close to danger. Pursued by the Mus, the three scramble on to the boat of Zhang Heng when they come to the bank of Xunyang River. Halfway across the waters, Zhang Heng draws out his knife and asks them whether they would rather be knifed or drowned. Just when the three are resigned to jumping into the river, Li Jun, whom Song Jiang has come to know only recently at Jieyang Ridge, passes by in his boat. Zhang Heng is shocked to learn that the exile is Song Jiang, who is well-known for chivalry. He apologises to him. The Mu brothers, who linger at the bank, are also sorry for the distress they caused him. They treat Song as an honoured guest before seeing him off to Jiangzhou.


Joining Liangshan

Song Jiang is arrested and sentenced to death for composing a seditious poem, which he wrote on the wall of a restaurant after getting drunk. The outlaws from
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 ...
hurry to Jiangzhou, storm the execution ground and rescue him and the chief warden
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 ...
, who is implicated for trying to rescue Song. After fleeing Jiangzhou, the group is stranded at a riverbank. Luckily, Zhang Heng and other friends of Song Jiang from the Jieyang region arrive in boats on their way to rescue him. Zhang Heng follows the band to Liangshan. When
Guan Sheng Guan Sheng is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Great Blade", he ranks fifth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Backgrou ...
, by order of 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 repetitio ...
court, leads an imperial force to stamp out Liangshan, Zhang Heng, who wants to score merit for himself, leads some men to raid his camp without informing other chieftains except
Ruan Xiaoqi Ruan Xiaoqi, also known as Ruan the Seventh, is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Living King Yama", he ranks 31st among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third ...
. He falls into Guan's trap and is captured. He is freed after Guan surrenders and joins Liangshan.


Campaigns and death

Zhang Heng is appointed as one of the commanders of Liangshan‘s flotilla after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. Zhang Heng participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and 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 repetitio ...
territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan. In the battle of
Hangzhou Hangzhou ( or , ; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), also romanized as Hangchow, is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang, China. It is located in the northwestern part of the province, sitting at the head of Hangzhou Bay, whi ...
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 ...
, Zhang Shun tries to sneak into the city by climbing over the sluice gate of Yongjin. But he is killed by a hail of arrows when
Fang Tianding The following is a list of characters in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. 108 Stars of Destiny The 108 Stars of Destiny are at the core of the plot of ''Water Margin''. Based on the Taoist concept ...
, the son of Fang La, spots him. Zhang Shun's spirit possesses Zhang Heng's body and seeks out Fang Tianding whom he kills using the hand of his brother. Zhang Heng falls unconscious after the revenge. When he comes to, he is sad to learn of his brother's death that he falls sick and dies soon after.


References

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Zhang, Heng (Water Margin) 36 Heavenly Spirits Fictional pirates Fictional characters from Jiangxi