Suo Chao
| Suo Chao | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
 An illustration of Suo Chao by Chen Hongshou | |
| First appearance | Chapter 13 |
| Nickname | "Impatient Vanguard" 急先鋒 |
| Rank | 19th, Flight Star (天空星) of the 36 Heavenly Spirits |
| Tiger Cub Vanguard General of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Military officer |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Hebei |
| Weapon | Golden Axe (金蘸斧) |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 索超 |
| Traditional Chinese | 索超 |
| Pinyin | Suǒ Chāo |
| Wade–Giles | So Ch'ao |
Template:Chinese-name Suo Chao is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Impatient Vanguard", he ranks 19th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.
Background
The novel describes Suo Chao as an impressive-looking man seven chi tall, with a round face, big ears, a squarish mouth and a beard which overshadows his face. He serves as a senior military officer in Daming Prefecture (present-day Daming County, Hebei) under the prefectural governor, Grand Secretary Liang Shijie. Due to his hot temper and tendency to charge ahead of his men in battle, he earns himself the nickname "Impatient Vanguard". He wields a large burnished battle axe in combat.
Contest with Yang Zhi
When Yang Zhi comes to Daming Prefecture as an exiled convict, Liang Shijie recognises his talents and wants to recruit him as a subordinate. He then arranges for Yang Zhi to compete with Zhou Jin, one of his best officers. After Yang Zhi beats Zhou Jin easily in a three-round contest, Liang Shijie wants to confer an appointment on Yang Zhi. Just then, Suo Chao, who is unhappy with the outcome of the contest, steps forth and challenges Yang Zhi. Yang Zhi accepts the challenge. Neither Suo Chao nor Yang Zhi is able to defeat his opponent after duelling for several rounds on horseback. Liang Shijie feels so impressed with their skills that he decides to promote both of them to the same rank. Suo Chao and Yang Zhi become good friends.
Becoming an outlaw
When Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu are captured and imprisoned in Daming Prefecture, Song Jiang leads the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh to attack the city to rescue them. After receiving orders from Liang Shijie to lead government forces to drive back the outlaws, Suo Chao leads his men to attack the outlaws at the outskirts of Daming Prefecture. He engages Liangshan's Qin Ming in a one-on-one duel on horseback but neither of them manages to overcome his opponent. Just then, Liangshan's Han Tao breaks the deadlock by firing an arrow that injures Suo Chao's left arm and forces him to retreat into the city.
During the Liangshan outlaws' second assault on Daming Prefecture, they lure Suo Chao out of the city and lead him to a hidden pit. Suo Chao falls into the pit and ends up being captured. Song Jiang treats Suo Chao respectfully and successfully convinces him to surrender and join the Liangshan outlaw band.
Campaigns and death
Suo Chao becomes one of the Eight Tiger Cub Vanguard Generals of the Liangshan cavalry after the 108 Stars of Destiny come together in what is called the Grand Assembly. After the outlaws received amnesty from Emperor Huizong, he follows them on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory.
During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Suo Chao is assigned to attack the northern gate of Hangzhou, where he encounters the enemy general Shi Bao. After feigning defeat to lure Suo Chao to pursue him, Shi Bao catches his opponent off guard with a sudden attack and kills him. After the campaign concludes with a Liangshan victory, the emperor awards Suo Chao the posthumous title "Martial Gentleman of Loyalty" (忠武郎) to honour him for his service to the Song Empire.
References
- Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Ichisada, Miyazaki (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. 39. 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.