Zhu Biao

Zhu Biao (Chinese: t 朱標, s 朱标, p Zhū Biāo; 10 October 1355 – 17 May 1392) was the Hongwu Emperor's first son and crown prince of the Ming Empire. His early death created a crisis in the dynasty's first succession that was resolved by the successful usurpation of his brother Zhu Di as the Yongle Emperor, an act with far-reaching consequences on the future of China.

While his father completed his rebellion against the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Biao was generally kept away from the front lines and provided with the most esteemed Confucian scholars of his time as tutors. Particularly by comparison with his father or brother, Zhu Biao is remembered as being soft-hearted. The official History of Ming records him once questioning his father why so many of the ministers and generals who had aided him in forming the Ming Empire were being rewarded with death or banishment. His father replied that they were like thorns on a vine; not trusting Zhu Biao to do it himself, the Hongwu Emperor was kindly removing them before passing it on to his son.

List of Water Margin characters

The following is a list of characters in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

108 Stars of Destiny

The 108 Stars of Destiny (一百零八星) are at the core of the plot of Water Margin. Based on the Taoist concept that each person's destiny is tied to a Star of Destiny (宿星), the 108 Stars of Destiny are stars that represent 108 demonic overlords who have been banished by the Taoist sage Shangdi. Having repented since their banishment, the Stars are released from their place of banishment by accident, and are reborn in the world as 108 heroes who band together for the cause of justice.

Chao Gai's story