Han Tao

Han Tao is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "General of a Hundred Victories", he ranks 42nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 6th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Han Tao is from Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan), the imperial capital of the Song Empire. A highly skilled martial artist, he serves as a military officer and drill instructor in Chenzhou (陳州; present-day Huaiyang County, Henan). His weapon of choice is a lance made of jujube wood. Because of his combat skills and military expertise, he earns himself the nickname "General of a Hundred Victories".

Becoming an outlaw

Following the battle of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County, Shandong), the Song imperial court recognises that the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh pose a serious threat and decide to send an army to eliminate the outlaws. Emperor Huizong then puts the general Huyan Zhuo in command of an army, with Han Tao and Peng Qi serving as his deputies, and orders them to attack Liangshan.

During the battle, Han Tao engages Liangshan's Qin Ming in a one-on-one duel but turns out to be no match for his opponent. He barely escapes after Huyan Zhuo intervenes and covers him from Qin Ming's attacks. Huyan Zhuo then deploys his chain-linked armoured cavalry formation, which easily overwhelms the Liangshan outlaws.

Liangshan's Tang Long recommends his cousin, Xu Ning, to his fellow outlaws as the person capable of breaking Huyan Zhuo's cavalry formation. After Xu Ning trains the Liangshan infantry to use the unique hooked lance to break Huyan Zhuo's cavalry formation, the outlaws score a major victory over the imperial forces.

While retreating during the rout, Han Tao falls into a trap set by Liangshan's Liu Tang and Shi Qian, who capture him and send him back to their stronghold. At Liangshan, the outlaw leader Song Jiang treats Han Tao respectfully and manages to convince him to surrender and join the outlaw band.

Campaigns and death

Han Tao becomes one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry 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, Han Tao is assigned to lead Liangshan forces to attack Changzhou. He engages the enemy officer Gao Keli in a one-on-one duel on horseback, and falls off his steed after Gao Keli fires an arrow that hits him in the face. Gao Keli's comrade, Zhang Jinren, then seizes the opportunity to kill Han Tao by spearing him in the throat.

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. 85. 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, pp. 91–93
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.