Zheng Tianshou

Nicknamed "Fair-skinned Gentleman", Zheng Tianshou is depicted as handsome with a fair complexion, a lean build and broad shoulders. Originally from Suzhou and good in martial arts, he spends much of his younger days wandering around the Song Empire.

One day, when he passes Mount Qingfeng (清風山; in present-day Qingzhou, Shandong), a group of bandits led by Wang Ying dart out to rob him. Zheng fights Wang to a standstill. Impressed with his fighting skill, Yan Shun, the chief of the bandits, invites him to join the band. Zheng gladly agrees.

When Song Jiang, on the run to elude arrest for killing his mistress Yan Poxi, is heading to Qingfeng Fort (清風寨; near Mount Qingfeng) to take shelter under his friend Hua Rong, he passes by Mount Qingfeng and is captured in a trap by the bandits. They intend to kill him and use his heart to make soup. Just as Song is about to be sliced up, he sighs loudly, "Am I, Song Jiang, destined to die just like this?" Yan Shun is surprised to hear the name of a man he admires for chivalry. After Song confirmed his identity, the three bandit chiefs release him, apologise to him, and treat him as an honoured guest before seeing him off to Qingfeng Fort.

One festive night, Song Jiang, then staying at Hua Rong's house, goes outdoor to watch the celebrations. The wife of Liu Gao, the governor of the fort, spots him and lies to her husband that Song had abducted her at Mount Qingfeng and nearly raped her. In fact, Song had helped free her at the stronghold from Wang Ying, who has a weakness for pretty women. Liu Gao believes his wife and arrests Song Jiang.

By and by Hua Rong, who is foiled in his attempt to protect Song Jiang, is also arrested. Both are being escorted to Qingzhou, which oversees Qingfeng Fort. Yan Shun, Wang Ying and Zheng Tianshou intercept the convoy and together defeat the escort leader Huang Xin. Later, the bandits, under the leadership of Song and Hua, also fight a battle with Qin Ming, a commander sent from Qingzhou. After some twists and turns, Qin is won over.

Afraid that Qingzhou would send a larger force, Song Jiang suggests the group decamp to join the bandits of Liangshan Marsh. Thus the bandits of Mount Qingfeng, including Zheng Tianshou, are absorbed into Liangshan.

Zheng Tianshou 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.

Zheng Tianshou is killed in the battle of Muzhou (睦州; in present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La when he is hit by an enemy projectile.

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