Meng Kang

Meng Kang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Jade Flagpole", he ranks 70th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 34th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Described in the novel as a tall and thin man with a pale complexion, Meng Kang is nicknamed "Jade Flagpole". He is from Zhending Prefecture (真定府; around present-day Zhengding County, Hebei).

Becoming an outlaw

Having heard of his expertise in shipbuilding, the Song government recruited Meng Kang to construct a vessel for transporting rare plants and rocks to an imperial park in Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan). However, after being punished by his overbearing and demanding supervisor for failing to meet the deadline, Meng Kang killed his supervisor in anger and went on the run. He met Deng Fei and Pei Xuan, who lead a bandit gang active around the Yinma River (飲馬川; in present-day Ji County, Tianjin) region, and joined the gang as their third leader.

When Dai Zong and Yang Lin are searching for Gongsun Sheng, they pass by Yinma River, encounter the three bandit chiefs, and invite them to join the outlaw band at Liangshan Marsh. The bandits accept the offer, disguise themselves as soldiers, and make their way to Liangshan.

Campaigns and death

Meng Kang is placed in charge of overseeing the construction of battleships for the Liangshan flotilla 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 forces, Meng Kang participates in the assault on the enemy position at Black Dragon Ridge (烏龍嶺; northeast of present-day Meicheng Town, Jiande, Zhejiang). In the midst of battle, he gets trapped and ends up being blasted into bits by enemy artillery.

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. 141. 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.