Zhu Fu
Zhu Fu is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Sneering Tiger", he ranks 93rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 57th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
| Zhu Fu | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| First appearance | Chapter 43 |
| Nickname | "Sneering Tiger" 笑面虎 |
| Rank | 93rd, Hidden Star (地藏星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
| Brewery master of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Tavern owner |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Yishui County (in present-day Linyi, Shandong) |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 朱富 |
| Traditional Chinese | 朱富 |
| Pinyin | Zhū Fù |
| Wade–Giles | Chu Fu |
Background
Zhu Fu runs a regular inn in a village in Yishui County, his hometown, while his elder brother Zhu Gui looks after an inn for Liangshan Marsh, which acts as a lookout for the bandit stronghold. Zhu Fu has learnt martial arts from Li Yun, the chief constable of Yishui County.
Saving Li Kui
When Li Kui goes back to his home in Yishui to fetch his mother to Liangshan, Song Jiang is worried that his quick temper will get him into trouble. So Zhu Gui is sent to Yishui as well, which is also his home county, to keep a tab on Li to ensure his safety. Zhu Gui stays in Zhu Fu's house when he is at Yishui.
As Song Jiang has expected, Li Kui runs into trouble with his reckless nature. He has exposed his identity following his killing of four tigers on the Yi Ridge which had eaten his mother. He had earlier killed a highwayman Li Gui who posed as him, but the man's wife ran away aware of who he is. When Li Kui is celebrated as a tiger slayer in a village at the foot of the ridge, Li Gui's wife recognises him and informs one Squire Cao.
The magistrate of Yishui, upon receiving Cao's report, sends chief constable Li Yun to lead soldiers to escort Li Kui to his office. Zhu Gui thinks force is the only way to save Li Kui, but Zhu Fu proposes a plan. As Zhu Fu has once learnt martial arts from Li Yun, the latter unsuspectingly drinks the spiked wine that his former student offers him and his men to toast them for the big catch. When the group are out cold, the Zhu brothers free Li Kui, who kills all the soldiers but spares Li Yun as Zhu Fu intervenes. After Li Yun comes to, he catches up with the three and fights Li Kui. Zhu Fu then interposes and convinces Li Yun to join Liangshan by highlighting to him that he has no other choice.
Campaigns and death
Zhu Fu is put in charge of preparing food and beverage 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.
After the conquest of Hangzhou in the campaign against Fang La, Zhu Fu remains at the city to take care of Zhu Gui, who has fallen sick. Both brothers have died of illness when Liangshan concludes the campaign in victory.
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. 189. 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.