Hou Jian

Hou Jian is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Long Armed Ape", he ranks 71st among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 35th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Nicknamed "Long Armed Ape", Hou Jian is described in the novel as a skinny but agile and nimble man. Born in Hongdu (洪都; present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi), he works as a tailor in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi). He also learnt martial arts from Xue Yong before.

Joining Liangshan

Hou Jian is hired by Huang Wenbing, a petty government official in Jiangzhou, to work in his residence. On one occasion, Huang Wenbing discovers a seditious poem written by Song Jiang and reports it to Cai Jiu, the governor of Jiangzhou. Song Jiang gets arrested and sentenced to death. However, the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh show up in Jiangzhou, storm the execution ground, and save Song Jiang.

After narrowly escaping death, Song Jiang is determined to take revenge against Huang Wenbing. Xue Yong recommends his apprentice Hou Jian to help Song Jiang and the outlaws. Hou Jian agrees to help and serves as Liangshan's spy in Huang Wenbing's residence. With Hou Jian's help, the outlaws break inside, burn down the house, and kill Huang Wenbing's family. Later, they capture Huang Wenbing and execute him. Hou Jian then joins the outlaws as they return to Liangshan, and becomes a member of the outlaw band there.

Campaigns and death

Hou Jian is placed in charge of making flags, banners and clothing for Liangshan 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, Hou Jian accompanies Ruan Xiaoqi and the Liangshan naval forces on an infiltration mission. However, they get caught up in a storm and are swept far out into the open sea, where the boats sink. Hou Jian, being unable to swim, eventually drowns at sea.

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. 143. 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.