Tao Zongwang
Tao Zongwang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Nine Tailed Turtle", he ranks 75th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 39th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
| Tao Zongwang | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| First appearance | Chapter 41 |
| Nickname | "Nine Tailed Turtle" 九尾龜 |
| Rank | 75th, Manage Star (地理星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
| Construction supervisor of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Bandit leader from Mount Yellow Gate |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Guangzhou (around present-day Huangchuan County, Henan) |
| Weapon | Iron shovel |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 陶宗旺 |
| Traditional Chinese | 陶宗旺 |
| Pinyin | Táo Zōngwàng |
| Wade–Giles | T'ao Tsung-wang |
Background
Born into a peasant family in Guangzhou (光州; around present-day Huangchuan County, Henan), Tao Zongwang is well-built due to tough farming work and could fight well using spear or sword. When he first appears in the book, he is already the fourth-ranking chief in the bandit group at Mount Yellow Gate (黃門山), under Ou Peng, Jiang Jing and Ma Lin.
Joining Liangshan
When Song Jiang is following the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh back to their stronghold after they and some heroes of the Jieyang region rescued him at Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he comes by Mount Yellow Gate with the pack. They are blocked by the four bandit chiefs who demand to know whether Song is among them. When he steps out to show himself, Song is paid homage by the four bandits, who request to join Liangshan. Song Jiang gladly agrees.
Campaigns and death
Tao Zongwang is placed in charge of construction of forts and ditches at 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.
Tao is killed in the battle of Runzhou (潤州; present-day Runzhou District, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu) in the campaign against Fang La.
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. 151. 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.