Du Qian

Du Qian is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Touching the Sky", he ranks 83rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 47th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Du Qian is one of the three pioneers of the outlaw band based in Liangshan Marsh. He first met Wang Lun in Chai Jin's residence, and they decided to become outlaws. They recruited about 800 followers, moved to Liangshan Marsh and set up an outlaw stronghold there. Wang Lun became the chief of the outlaw band while Du Qian served as second-in-command. Song Wan later joined the band and became its third leader.

Lin Chong joins Liangshan

Du Qian, along with Wang Lun and Song Wan, are first mentioned in Lin Chong's story arc when Chai Jin recommends Lin Chong to join the outlaw band at Liangshan Marsh. When Lin Chong shows up at the outlaw stronghold, Wang Lun tries to send him away with gifts and excuses because he is worried that Lin Chong, who is more capable than him, will usurp his position as chief. However, after Du Qian, Song Wan and Zhu Gui urge Wang Lun to accept Lin Chong, the outlaw chief agrees on the condition that Lin Chong kills a man within three days and presents his head. Wang Lun eventually reluctantly allows Lin Chong to join the band after the latter engages Yang Zhi in a duel.

Chao Gai becomes chief

In a later story arc, Chao Gai and his six companions seek refuge in Liangshan when they go on the run after robbing a convoy of expensive birthday gifts for Cai Jing, a corrupt government official. Like before, Wang Lun fears that Chao Gai and his friends will pose a threat to his position as chief so he tries to send them away with gifts and excuses in the same way he previously did to Lin Chong. Wu Yong, one of Chao Gai's six companions, senses Lin Chong's unhappiness with Wang Lun, and seizes the opportunity to instigate Lin Chong to kill Wang Lun. Chao Gai then replaces Wang Lun as the new chief of the Liangshan outlaw band, and allows Song Wan, Du Qian, Zhu Gui and Wang Lun's former followers to remain in the band under his leadership.

Campaigns and death

Du Qian becomes one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He follows the Liangshan heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory after they received amnesty from Emperor Huizong.

During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Du Qian is trampled to death by enemy cavalry at the battle of Qingxi County (清溪縣; present-day Chun'an County, Zhejiang). The emperor awards him the posthumous title "Righteous Gentleman of Integrity" (義節郎) to honour him for his service to the Song Empire during the campaigns.

References

• Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
• Ichisada, Miyazaki (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 167. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
• Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.