Zhang Heng (Water Margin)
| Zhang Heng | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
 An illustration of Zhang Heng by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. | |
| First appearance | Chapter 37 |
| Nickname | "Boatman" 船火兒 |
| Rank | 28th, Balance Star (天平星) of the 36 Heavenly Spirits |
| Navy leader of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Pirate |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 张横 |
| Traditional Chinese | 張橫 |
| Pinyin | Zhāng Héng |
| Wade–Giles | Chang Heng |
Zhang Heng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Boatman", he ranks 28th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.
Background
The novel describes Zhang Heng as seven chi tall and having triangle-shaped crimson eyes, yellow whiskers and red hair. He is an excellent swimmer who can survive under water in all weathers. He is nicknamed "Boatman" for both his swimming skill and his facade as a ferryman to dupe and rob travellers.
Zhang Heng lives at Jieyang Ridge (揭陽嶺; believed to be in present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi) near the Xunyang River with his younger brother Zhang Shun. Zhang Heng would pretend to be a ferryman who takes travelers across the Xunyang River. Posing as a passenger, Zhang Shun would board his boat with the others and pretend to resist when Zhang Heng coerces all to surrender their valuables at knifepoint. Zhang Heng would throw Zhang Shun over board, who of course, would swim to land. Cowed, the other passengers would give up their valuables. After Zhangshun moves to Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi) where he becomes a fishmonger, Zhang Heng would simply kill his passengers by knifing or drowning them.
Meeting Song Jiang
When Song Jiang is on his way to exile in the prison in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he passes by Jieyang Town where he offends the Mu brothers (Mu Hong and Mu Chun). He and his two escorts happen to be taken in by the Mus' father for the night. When he realises his dangerous situation , he flees, pursued by the Mus. The three desperately board Zhang Heng's boat and ask to be ferried across the Xunyang River. Midway, Zhang Heng takes out his knife and tell them to choose between being knived or drowning themselves. Just when they are going to jump into the river, Li Jun, a friend of Zhang and who has recently befriended Song Jiang, passes by in his boat. Seeing what happens, he stops Zhang Heng, who is shocked to learn that the convict is Song Jiang, who is widely known to be chivalrous and generous. The Mu brothers, who linger at the bank, are equally shocked. All apologise to Song Jiang for having caused him much distress. They treat Song as an honoured guest before seeing him off to Jiangzhou.
Joining Liangshan
Song Jiang writes a seditious poem in a restaurant in Jiangzhou and is sentenced to death. The outlaws from Liangshan Marsh hurry to Jiangzhou, where they storm the execution ground and save him. They fight their way to a temple by the river. Just as they are stranded there, Li Jun, Zhang Heng, Zhang Shun and others whom Song Jiang have befriended at Jieyang Ridge and Jieyang Town arrive with their boats. They are also rushing to Jiangzhou to rescue Song Jiang. All return to Liangshan Marsh, where Zhang Heng and his brother join the band.
Zhang Heng sees many actions as a leader of Liangshan‘s flotilla. When Guan Sheng leads an imperial force to attack Liangshan, Zhang Heng, eager to score point, launches an unauthorised raid on his camp with a few men. He falls into Guan Sheng's trap and is captured. He is freed after Guan Sheng surrenders and joins Liangshan.
Campaigns and death
After the Liangshan outlaws received amnesty from Emperor Huizong, Zhang Heng follows them on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory.
In a battle against Fang La at Hangzhou, Zhang Shun tries to sneak into the city by climbing over the Yongjin Gate. However, he is killed when Fang Tianding spots him and orders his archers to rain arrows at him. The spirit of Zhang Shun possesses his brother's body and kills Fang Tianding in revenge. Zhang Heng falls unconscious after that. When he comes to, he feels so sad over his brother's death that he falls sick and dies not long after.
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. 57. 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, p. 82
- Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.