Du Xing

Du Xing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Demon Face", he ranks 89th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 53rd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Du Xing
Water Margin character
First appearanceChapter 46
Nickname"Demon Face"
鬼臉兒
Rank89th, Complete Star (地全星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends
Scout leader of Liangshan
OriginLi Ying's steward
Ancestral home / Place of originZhongshan Prefecture (around present-day Dingzhou, Hebei)
Names
Simplified Chinese杜兴
Traditional Chinese杜興
PinyinDù Xīng
Wade–GilesTu Hsing

Background

A native of Zhongshan Prefecture (中山府; around present-day Dingzhou, Hebei), Du Xing is nicknamed "Demon Face" due to his hideous look. When doing business in Jizhou (薊州; around present-day Ji County, Tianjin), he kills a partner in a heated quarrel and is jailed. Fortunately the chief warden Yang Xiong helps to get him freed.

Zhu Family Village

After killing his adulterous wife at Mount Cuiping, Yang Xiong, with his sworn brother Shi Xiu, decides to join the outlaws at Liangshan Marsh. The burglar Shi Qian, who happens upon the killing, asks to go with them. Passing by the Zhu Family Village, the three get into a fight with the keeper of an inn owned by the Zhus after Shi Qian, finding the place's food dissatisfying, stole its only rooster and cooked it for meal. Shi Qian is captured as the three flee chased by dozens of men. Yang and Shi land in the neighbouring Li Family Village, where they run into Du Xing in an inn where he has come to buy wine. As Yang Xiong is his benefactor, Du Xing, now the steward of Li Ying, the head of Li Family Village, asks his master to help solicit the release of Shi Qian.

Li Ying writes a letter to the Zhu family politely requesting that they free Shi Qian. Rebuffed by the Zhus, Li Ying sends Du Xing to personally deliver another letter. This time the Zhus tear up the letter and verbally insult Li Ying for associating himself with bandits. Shocked, Du Xing reports the aspersions to his master. Li, also infuriated, goes to confront the Zhus with some of his men but is wounded in the arm by an arrow shot by Zhu Biao. Luckily he is saved by Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu. Yang and Shi continue their way to Liangshan, which is their only hope to save Shi Qian. After three military offensives, Song Jiang eventually razes the Zhu Family Village.

Joining Liangshan

Wanting to induct Li Ying and Du Xing, Song Jiang implements a plan in which Xiao Rang and a few others pose as officials to arrest the two for "collaborating" with Liangshan. As Li and Du are being "escorted" to the county office, the outlaws appear to "rescue" them. At the stronghold Li Ying has no other option but acquiesce, especially with his family also taken there. Du Xing also becomes a chieftain following his master.

Campaigns

Du Xing is placed in charge of an inn which acts as a lookout for Liangshan 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.

Du Xing is one of the few Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. Although conferred the title "Martial Gentleman of Grace" (武奕郎) and given an official position, he quits his post upon learning Li Ying has resigned his. The two return to the Li Family Village where they lead a comfortable life.

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. 181. 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. 68
  • Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.
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