Tong Wei

Tong Wei is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Dragon Emerging from a Cave", he ranks 68th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 32nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Tong Wei and his younger brother, Tong Meng, live in Jieyang Ridge (揭陽嶺; believed to be in present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi) near the Xunyang River. They are known for their prowess in swimming, diving and naval combat. The Tong brothers assist their friend Li Jun in running an illegal business of salt smuggling. They are also friends with Li Li, who runs a tavern at Jieyang Ridge to ensnare unsuspecting travellers and rob and kill them.

Joining Liangshan

When Song Jiang, under the escort of two guards, is en route to exile in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he passes by Jieyang Ridge and stops for a break at Li Li's inn. Li Li knocks them out by serving them wine spiked with drugs that will make them unconscious. Just as Li Li is about to kill them and seize their valuables, Li Jun and the Tong brothers show up at the inn. Li Jun finds official documents on the guards and learns that the prisoner they are escorting is actually Song Jiang. Li Jun, Li Li and the Tong brothers have long heard of Song Jiang's reputation as a generous and chivalrous hero, and have been wanting to meet him. Li Li immediately revives Song Jiang, apologises to him, and introduces himself and his friends to Song Jiang. Song Jiang befriends them before leaving to continue his journey to Jiangzhou.

Song Jiang later runs into trouble with the Mu brothers (Mu Hong and Mu Chun) in the nearby Jieyang Town. While attempting to flee, he boards Zhang Heng's boat in desperation without knowing that Zhang Heng is a pirate in disguise as a boatman. When the boat reaches the middle of the river, Zhang Heng wants to rob and kill Song Jiang. However, Li Jun and the Tong brothers pass by, recognise Song Jiang, and stop Zhang Heng in time. They introduce Song Jiang to Zhang Heng and the Mu brothers, who are so shocked when they learn of Song Jiang's true identity. They apologise to him, befriend him, and then see him off on the rest of his journey to Jiangzhou.

When he is in Jiangzhou, Song Jiang writes a seditious poem in a drunken stupor and ends up being arrested and sentenced to death. The outlaws from Liangshan Marsh show up in Jiangzhou, storm the execution ground, and save him. In the meantime, Li Jun gathers several of his friends, including the Tong brothers, and sail to a temple at the riverbank. Song Jiang and the Liangshan outlaws have retreated to the temple after escaping from Jiangzhou, and are under siege by government forces. Li Jun and his friends show up just in time to fetch Song Jiang and the outlaws, and ferry them safely back to the outlaw stronghold at Liangshan Marsh. The Tong brothers then join the Liangshan outlaw band.

Campaigns

Tong Wei becomes one of the leaders of Liangshan's 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 rebel forces, the Tong brothers and Li Jun embark on an espionage mission in Suzhou and play key roles in helping the Liangshan forces capture the city from Fang La's forces.

The Tong brothers are among the few Liangshan heroes who survive the campaign against Fang La. When the Liangshan forces are en route to the imperial capital to report their victory, Li Jun and the Tong brothers secretly make a pact to leave Liangshan because they do not want to continue serving the Song government, which they perceive to be corrupt. Li Jun then feigns illness while the Tong brothers play along by pretending to stay behind to take care of him. They are never seen again.

It is said that Li Jun, the Tong brothers and their friends made their way to the port-city of Taicang and sailed into the open sea. They eventually arrived in Siam, where Li Jun becomes king while the Tong brothers and the others serve as his subjects.

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. 137. 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. 84
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.