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天魁星呼保义 宋江 Song Jiang Song Jiang's fictional association with Mount Liang is very old. Folk stories in the Mount Liangshan area refer to 'thirty-six big banners and seventy-two small banners' of local bandits, perhaps a reference to the original thiry-six companions of Song Jiang. Song Jiang's appearance was outstanding from normal people, with eyes like those of a phoenix, a big squarish mouth, and a dark complexion. He stood at about six feet, which was quite short as compared to the other heroes. He was known to be very filial and helped those who were in need of help selflessly, which earned him his reputation throughout Shandong Hebei region and the nickname The Timely Rain, or The Welcome Rain (及时雨). He was also well-versed in martial arts and literature, and served as an official in Yuncheng Prefecture. For his benevolence, Song was the popular choice to succeed Chao Gai when the latter died from an arrow wound inflicted by Shi Wen-gong. Once, Song had heard that the officials were after Chao and the band (i.e. Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, the Ruan brothers, Liu Tang and Bai Sheng) who robbed the birthday gifts of Cai Jing, and he quickly rode to warn Chao and the others of the danger they were in. Song Jiang also married Yan Poxi, but she committed adultery by having an affair with Zhang Wenyuan, Song Jiang's assistant. Yan discovered Song Jiang's relationship with Chao Gai and the bandits through a letter from Chao for Song, and threatened to expose him. Song Jiang accidentally killed her while trying to get the letter back. In fact, when he was captured by the government later (see below) for writing a rebellious poem while drunk, his rescue was most well orchestrated, highlighting his importance to the Liangshan cause. Nonetheless, it took some persuading before Song was willing to join the bandits. Nonetheless, Song Jiang soon escaped to Cangzhou, where Chai Jin lived and sought refuge under him. Then, he travelled on to Qingfeng Fort where his friend, Hua Rong, stayed. Liu Gao, the official in charge of Qingfeng Fort repaid kindness with hatred and had Song Jiang locked up. The bandits from Qingfeng Mountain rescued Song Jiang. Song Jiang decided to return home to visit his father, who was reportedly dying, but was caught by the officials and was exiled to Jiangzhou. And it was here that Song Jiang wrote the poem which had revolutionary undertones and was framed by Huang Wenbing. Song Jiang was sentenced to be executed for opposing the Imperial Court. However, Li Kui and the bandits from Liangshan Mountain stormed the execution ground and rescued Song Jiang. It was then when Song Jiang finally agreed to join the band on Liangshan Mountain. As one of the most important chieftains, Song led the bandits in conquering the Zhu Family Village, Gaotangzhou, the Zeng Family Village and made great contributions to the Liangshan band. After Chao Gai's death, the Imperial Court made a pact with the Liangshan band and allowed them to go on expeditions against the other rebels. Hence, it was ironic that Song's constant faith in the government would bring about the disintegration of Liangshan - Song was persistent in obtaining an amnesty from the government, and when he succeeded after, strangely enough, many military campaigns by the government against his men, the Liangshan bandits were ordered to repel both the Liao armies and the rebel Fang La, but at a huge cost. By the time Fang, the last thorn in the government's flesh, was removed, there were only about a third of the 108 heroes left. One only wonders what would have happened if Song had led his men to usurp the throne; something they could have done easily, considering how they defeated the imperial troops effortlessly whenever the latter assaulted their stronghold. Then again, there was, historically, never 108 heroes to begin with. But a parallel act of mercy which turned the fortunes of an empire can find some historical veracity in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, when in the great battle of Chibi, Guan Yu decides to let Cao Cao live - and the kingdom of Shu as we all know was to be destroyed by the kingdom of Wei decades later. Eventually, Song Jiang, Wu Yong, Hua Rong, Li Kui and the other survivors were either secretely assassinated by the government or chose to commit suicide out of anguish, bringing a rather tragic end to the glorious reign of the Liangshan heroes. Only a small number retired in peace, and even so, it was before the campaigns against the Liao and Fang had begun. Information from Wikipedia. Bottle painting by Li Yaming |