Li Zhong (Water Margin)

A native of Haozhou (濠州; around present-day Chuzhou, Anhui), Li Zhong travels around teaching martial arts and performing fighting moves to peddle some medicinal stuff. His muscular physique earns him the nickname "Tiger Slaying General" as he looks like one who could kill a tiger,

Li Zhong becomes the first martial arts teacher of Shi Jin when he lives for some time at the latter's house in Huayin County. Later Shi learns better martial skill from Wang Jin, a former imperial troops instructor. After killing constables sent to arrest him over his links with the bandits of Mount Shaohua, Shi Jin travels to Weizhou (渭州; around present-day Pingliang, Gansu) in search of Wang Jin. There he comes to know Lu Da, a local garrison officer. The two run into Li Zhong, who is doing his usual performance on roadside to peddle his medicinal goods.

Later Lu Da unintentionally kills a bully who extorted a woman for money after luring her to bed with a scheme. Hearing that, Li Zhong flees Weizhou. He passes by Mount Peach Blossom (桃花山) in Qingzhou (in present-day Shandong), where he runs into Zhou Tong and his bandit gang who want to rob him. Upon being beaten, Zhou offers to concede his position to Li, who accepts it.

Zhou Tong happens on the daughter of one Squire Liu, who lives near Mount Peach Blossom, and wants her to be his wife.. Although unwilling, the old man could not object. On the wedding night, when Zhou Tong goes to the bridal room in the squire's house, he is shocked to find a burly monk in bed instead, who gives him a good thrash.

Zhou Tong manages to escape back to the stronghold and asks Li Zhong to avenge the humiliation. Li comes to Squire Liu's house with his men and is surprised to find the man to be Lu Da. Lu has in fact become a monk and adopted the Buddhist name Zhishen at the monastery on Mount Wutai to hide his identity after the killing of the bully. He is on the way to another temple in the imperial capital Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan) following expulsion from Mount Wutai for causing mischief. Giving face to Lu Zhishen, Li Zhong tells Zhou Tong to squash the idea of marrying Squire Liu's daughter. Zhou Tong readily agrees. Lu Zhishen stays at the stronghold for a few days before resuming his journey.

When the imperial general Huyan Zhuo is fleeing to Qingzhou after being beaten in his mission to stamp out the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh, he passes by Mount Peach Blossom and puts up at an inn. His horse, a gift from Emperor Huizong, is stolen by Zhou Tong that night. Infuriated, Huyan suggests to Qingzhou's governor Murong Yanda that he would help him wipe out the local bandits to redeem his defeat by Liangshan.

No match for Huyan, Li Zhong and Zhou Tong turn to the outlaws of the nearby Mount Twin Dragons under Lu Zhishen for help. But finding Huyan a formidable warrior, the bandits approach Liangshan, which sends a force under Song Jiang to Qingzhou. After the capture and surrender of Huyan, Li Zhong and Zhou Tong are absorbed into Liangshan along with the bandits of Mount Twin Dragons.

Li Zhong 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 attack on Yuling Pass (昱嶺關; near present-day Zhupu Village, She County, Anhui) in the campaign against Fang La, Li Zhong and four other Liangshan heroes are shot to death by the archers of Pang Wanchun. Shi Jin also falls being shot by Pang himself.

• 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. 175. 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.