Li Ying (Water Margin)

Li Ying
Water Margin character
An illustration of Li Ying by Chen Hongshou.
First appearance Chapter 47
Nickname "Striking Hawk"
撲天雕
Rank 11th, Wealth Star (天富星) of the 36 Heavenly Spirits
Chief accountant of Liangshan
Origin Master of the Li Family Village
Ancestral home / Place of origin Yunzhou, Zhongshan Prefecture (around present-day Dongping County, Shandong)
Weapon Steel alloy spear (渾鐵點鋼槍); flying daggers (飛刀)
Names
Simplified Chinese 李应
Traditional Chinese 李應
Pinyin Lǐ Yìng
Wade–Giles Li Ying

Li Ying is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Striking Hawk", he ranks 11th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

Background

The novel describes Li Ying as a unique-looking man with eyes like those of a hawk, a head like a tiger's, arms like an ape's and a waist like a wolf's. He dons a red robe, rides a white stallion and wields a steel spear when he goes to battle. He is best known for his skill in throwing daggers, which he flings with accuracy even from a considerable distance. He is nicknamed "Striking Hawk" chiefly for this skill.

Li Ying is from Yunzhou (鄆州), Zhongshan Prefecture (中山府), which is around present-day Dongping County, Shandong. He is the master of the Li Family Village, one of the three villages on Lone Dragon Ridge (獨龍崗). The other two are the Zhu and Hu family villages. A wealthy squire with many servants and a small militia, he is gregarious in personality, and generous in helping the needy.

Battle of the Zhu Family Village

After Shi Qian is captured by the Zhu Family Village for causing trouble there, his companions Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu flee to the neighbouring Li Family Village. They run into Li Ying's steward, Du Xing, who owes Yang Xiong a favour for helping him before. Du Xing brings them to his master Li Ying, who sympathises with them upon hearing their story. He writes a letter to the Zhus and politely asks them to give him face by accepting his apology (on behalf of Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu) and releasing Shi Qian. However, the Zhus not only refuse to release Shi Qian, but also hurl insults at Li Ying. An infuriated Li Ying then leads some men to the Zhu Village to challenge the Zhus. Zhu Biao fires an arrow which hits Li Ying in the arm and causes him to fall off horseback. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu rush forward and manage to save Li Ying.

Joining Liangshan

Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu travel to Liangshan Marsh to seek help from the outlaw band there. Liangshan's chief Chao Gai sends Song Jiang to lead Liangshan forces to attack the Zhu Family Village. It is a tough battle that takes the outlaws three offensives to defeat the Zhu forces and take the village. Li Ying does not participate in the fighting because he does not want to be associated with the Liangshan outlaws so he gives the excuse that he needs to rest at home and nurse his injured arm.

Song Jiang, however, wants Li Ying to join the Liangshan outlaw band. 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 Liangshan outlaws "ambush" the law enforcers and "rescue" Li Ying and Du Xing. Although Li Ying initially feels grateful to the outlaws for rescuing him, he turns furious when he realises that it was actually a ruse to get him to join the outlaws. Nevertheless, Song Jiang manages to convince him to put aside his wealth and prestige, and join the outlaw band to "deliver justice on Heaven's behalf".

Campaigns and later life

Li Ying is appointed one of the two chief accountants in charge of Liangshan's income and stocks after the 108 Stars of Destiny come together in what is called the "Grand Assembly". 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. He is one of the few Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns.

The emperor appoints Li Ying as an official in recognition of his contributions. After holding office for six months, Li Ying hears that Chai Jin has resigned and returned home, so he feigns illness and resigns too. He and Du Xing go back to their village at Lone Dragon Ridge and spend 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. 23. 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. 68–70
  • Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.
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