Gong Wang

Gong Wang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Flowery Necked Tiger", he ranks 78th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 42nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Gong Wang sports tattoos of tiger's stripes all over his body and the tattoo of a tiger's head on his neck. He is nicknamed "Flowery Necked Tiger" because of his tattoos. He excels in martial arts and fights well on foot and horseback. He and Ding Desun assist Zhang Qing, their commander, in defending Dongchang Prefecture (東昌府; in present-day Liaocheng, Shandong).

Joining Liangshan

Zhang Qing, who flings stones with accuracy, defeats the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh twice, who are led by Lu Junyi. Song Jiang's army arrives to reinforce Lu Junyi. Zhang Qing injures some of Liangshan's best warriors with his stones when he fights them one-on-one and causes others to back off. During Zhang Qing's duels, Gong Wang and Ding Desun stay on the sidelines and prepare to capture any enemy warrior their commander dismounts.

When Zhang Qing and Liangshan's Dong Ping end up in an arm grapple on horseback during their duel, Gong Wang takes on Liangshan's Lin Chong and Hua Rong as they rush to aid Dong Ping. However, Gong Wang is no match for Lin Chong and Hua Rong. Cornered and overwhelmed, he hurls his spear at them but misses. He is finally knocked off his horse and captured. Gong Wang and Ding Desun are sent in captivity back to Liangshan. Zhang Qing eventually loses in battle and decides to surrender and join the outlaws. Gong Wang and Ding Desun follow suit.

Campaigns and death

Gong Wang becomes one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny come together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He follows the 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 the rebel leader Fang La, Gong Wang follows Huyan Zhuo to attack the enemy at Deqing County. While pursuing an enemy officer Huang Ai (黄愛), Gong Wang accidentally falls into a stream and is speared to death by enemy soldiers.

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. 157. 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. 93
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.