Huangfu Duan
Huangfu Duan is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Purple Bearded Count", he ranks 57th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 21st among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
Huangfu Duan | |
---|---|
Water Margin character | |
First appearance | Chapter 70 |
Nickname | "Purple Bearded Count" 紫髯伯 |
Rank | 57th, Beast Star (地獸星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
Veterinarian of Liangshan | |
Origin | Veterinarian |
Ancestral home / Place of origin | Youzhou (around present-day Beijing) |
Names | |
Simplified Chinese | 皇甫端 |
Traditional Chinese | 皇甫端 |
Pinyin | Huángfǔ Duān |
Wade–Giles | Huang-fu Tuan |
Background
Having green eyes and a long yellow beard, which suggests he might be of non-Han or mixed ancestry, Huangfu Duan is nicknamed the "Purple Bearded Count" for his looks. Hailing from Youzhou (幽州; around present-day Beijing) and working as a veterinarian in Dongchang Prefecture (東昌府; in present-day Liaocheng, Shandong), Huangfu is especially good in treating horses, with the capability to cure more than 400 types of equine disease. He is a friend of "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing, the garrison officer of Dongchang.
Joining Liangshan
Huangfu Duan is the last of the 108 Stars of Destiny to appear in Water Margin. After Zhang Qing, who has injured many of Liangshan's heroes with his stone-flinging skill, is captured and won over by the stronghold, which has come to demand food from Dongchang, he recommends Huangfu Duan to Song Jiang. Song is glad to recruit Huangfu as horses are a key resource and play a crucial role in war.
Huangfu Duan is appointed as the veterinarian to take care of Liangshan's livestock, particularly horses, 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.
But just before the last expedition, which targets Fang La, commences, the emperor summons Huangfu Duan and appoints him as an imperial veterinarian. Huangfu serves in that role for the rest of his life.
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. 115. 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.