Du Qian
Du Qian is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Touching the Sky", he ranks 83rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 47th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
| Du Qian | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| First appearance | Chapter 11 |
| Nickname | "Touching the Sky" 摸着天 |
| Rank | 83rd, Demon Star (地妖星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
| Infantry leader of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Bandit leader from Liangshan Marsh |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 杜迁 |
| Traditional Chinese | 杜遷 |
| Pinyin | Dù Qiān |
| Wade–Giles | Tu Ch'ien |
Background
In the narrative framework of Water Margin, Wang Lun and Du Qian are the first two to occupy Liangshan Marsh as bandit chiefs. Before they came to the place, they were apparently vagrants who once put up in the residence of the nobleman Chai Jin. They expand their band to about 800 men. Wang Lun is the chief, with Du Qian placed second and Song Wan, who came later, third.
Lin Chong joins Liangshan
Du Qian, along with Wang Lun and Song Wan, is first mentioned by Chai Jin when the nobleman suggests to the former imperial troops instructor Lin Chong, who has killed three men sent by Grand Marshal Gao Qiu to murder him in Cangzhou, that he could take refuge in Liangshan. However, when Lin Chong arrives at the stronghold, Wang Lun, worried that he might usurp him being an indomitable fighter, tries to send him away with gifts and excuses. But Du Qian, Song Wan and Zhu Gui, who acts as a lookout for Liangshan as an innkeeper, pleads on Lin's behalf. Wang Lun by and by allows Lin Chong to stay but keeps him at a low position.
Chao Gai becomes chief
Later Chao Gai and his six robber friends seek refuge in Liangshan after being identified as the hijackers of valuables in transportation to Grand Tutor Cai Jing in the imperial capital Dongjing. Again, Wang Lun fears that the group would pose a threat and tries to send them away with gifts and excuses. Wu Yong, the shrewd man in Chao's group, instigates the disgruntled Lin Chong to kill Wang. Du Qian, Song Wan and Zhu Gui are restrained by the others from interfering. Knowing that they are no match for the group, the three transfer their loyalty to Chao as Liangshan's chief. However, they are relegated to the last three positions.
Campaigns and death
Du Qian is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.
In the battle of Qingxi County (清溪縣; present-day Chun'an County, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La, Du Qian is trampled to death by the enemy cavalry. After the campaign ends, he is conferred the posthumous title of "Righteous Gentleman of Integrity" (義節郎).
References
- Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Miyazaki, Ichisada (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. 167. 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.