Du Xing

Du Xing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Demon Face", he ranks 89th of the 108 Stars of Destiny and 53rd of the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Du Xing is from Zhongshan Prefecture (中山府; around present-day Dingzhou, Hebei). He is nicknamed "Demon Face" because of his ugly appearance. When he was trading in Jizhou (薊州; around present-day Ji County, Tianjin), he killed a fellow trader in a heated quarrel and ended up being arrested and imprisoned. During his incarceration, he develops a close friendship with the jailer Yang Xiong, who helps him secure his release from prison.

Zhu Family Village

After Yang Xiong kills his adulterous wife, he decides to join the outlaws at Liangshan Marsh with his companions Shi Xiu and Shi Qian. They pass by the Zhu Family Village along the way and run into trouble with the Zhus, who capture Shi Qian in a trap. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu go to the neighbouring Li Family Village to seek help from Li Ying, the village chief. At the time, Du Xing has become Li Ying's steward after leaving prison. He decides to repay Yang Xiong's kindness by introducing Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu to his master, and asking his master to help them.

Li Ying writes an apology letter to the Zhus on behalf of Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu, and politely requests the Zhus to give him face by releasing Shi Qian. He lets Du Xing deliver the letter. However, the Zhus not only refuse to release Shi Qian, but also tear up the letter and hurl insults at Li Ying. Du Xing returns and reports the situation to his master. Li Ying turns furious and goes to confront the Zhus. Zhu Biao fires an arrow which hits Li Ying in the arm and causes him to fall off horseback. With Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu's help, Li Ying survives and manages to return to his village safely. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu then go to Liangshan Marsh to seek help from the outlaw band there. Song Jiang leads the outlaws to attack the Zhu Family Village and succeed in capturing the village and rescuing Shi Qian.

Joining Liangshan

Song Jiang is eager to recruit Li Ying and Du Xing to join Liangshan so he instructs Xiao Rang and others to impersonate law enforcers, go to the Li Family Village, and pretend to arrest Li Ying and Du Xing for collaborating with outlaws. Along the way, the outlaws "ambush" the law enforcers and "rescue" Li Ying and Du Xing. Although Li Ying initially feels grateful to the outlaws for saving him, he turns unhappy when he realises that it was a ruse to get him to join the outlaws. Nevertheless, Song Jiang manages to convince him to join Liangshan and "deliver justice on Heaven's behalf". Du Xing follows his master and joins Liangshan as well.

Campaigns

Du Xing becomes one of the scout leaders of Liangshan after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He is stationed in the tavern south of Liangshan and is tasked with making preparations to receive the imperial envoy from Emperor Huizong. 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.

Du Xing is one of the few Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. The emperor awards him the official post of "Martial Gentleman of Grace" (武奕郎) to honour him for his contributions during the campaigns. Du Xing holds office for some time and resigns later when he learns that Li Ying has also resigned. They return to the Li Family Village and live the rest of their lives in luxury and comfort.

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. 181. 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, p. 68
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.