Ling Zhen

Ling Zhen is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Heaven Shaking Thunder", he ranks 52nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 16th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Ling Zhen is from Yanling (燕陵; believed to be present-day Yanling County, Henan). He not only excels in archery and military skills, but also has extensive expertise in pyrotechnics and firearms. He is so skilled in firing cannons that he is known as the top artilleryman in China in his time. He serves as an artillery officer in Dongjing, the imperial capital of the Song dynasty.

Becoming an outlaw

Emperor Huizong orders Huyan Zhuo, Han Tao and Peng Qi to lead government forces to attack the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh. Although Peng Qi defects to Liangshan after being captured by the outlaws, Huyan Zhuo does not feel demoralised and continues to gain the upper hand with his seemingly impregnable chain-linked armoured cavalry formation. When the outlaws retreat back to their stronghold and use the surrounding marshes as a buffer, Huyan Zhuo writes to Dongjing to ask the imperial court to send Ling Zhen to assist him. Ling Zhen brings along his arsenal of firearms and long-range artillery, and throws the outlaws into panic and disarray with his heavy bombardment.

Wu Yong, Liangshan's chief strategist, orders the Liangshan flotilla to infiltrate Ling Zhen's base at night, sabotage the artillery platform, and lure him to pursue them. Ling Zhen falls for the ruse and runs after the retreating saboteurs deep into the marshes, where his boat is capsized by swimmers hiding underwater. He is captured and brought before Song Jiang, who treats him respectfully and convinces him to join the Liangshan cause. Ling Zhen later helps the Liangshan outlaws defeat the government forces and get Huyan Zhuo to surrender and join Liangshan as well.

Campaigns

Ling Zhen is put in charge of pyrotechnics 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. During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Ling Zhen is often called upon to bombard enemy cities with artillery fire to creates chaos. The Liangshan heroes then attack and occupy the cities.

Ling Zhen is one of the few lucky survivors after the calamitous campaign against Fang La. He returns to the capital and is offered an official post by the emperor. He accepts the offer and is reinstated as an artillery officer in the imperial army.

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. 105. 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. 94
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.