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 a man seven chi tall, with triangular eyes, yellow whiskers, red hair and crimson eyes. An excellent swimmer, he can propel himself in water like a flying fish. Even harsh weather conditions cannot deter him. He is nicknamed "Boatman" for his prowess in the water.
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. While Zhang Heng pretends to ferry travellers across the Xunyang River and robs them when they are unaware, Zhang Shun moves to Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi) and makes a living as a fishmonger.
Meeting Song Jiang
When Song Jiang is on his way to exile in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he passes by Jieyang Town and runs into trouble with the Mu brothers (Mu Hong and Mu Chun). Desperate to get away from the Mu brothers, Song Jiang unsuspectingly boards Zhang Heng's boat and asks the boatman to ferry him across the river. When the boat reaches the middle of the river, Zhang Heng reveals that he is actually a pirate and wants to rob and kill Song Jiang. Just then, Zhang Heng's friend Li Jun passes by, recognises Song Jiang, and stops Zhang Heng. After Li Jun introduces Song Jiang to Zhang Heng and the Mu brothers, they are so shocked to learn of his true identity because they have heard of him and have been wanting to meet him. They apologise to him and treat him like an honoured guest before seeing him off on his journey to Jiangzhou.
Joining Liangshan
Song Jiang runs into trouble in Jiangzhou later and ends up being sentenced to death. The outlaws from Liangshan Marsh show up in Jiangzhou, storm the execution ground and save him. After fighting off waves of government forces sent to capture them, the outlaws manage to retreat to a temple beside the river. Just as they seemed to be trapped, Li Jun, Zhang Heng, Zhang Shun and the others show up at the river in their boats and ferry them safely all the way back to the outlaw stronghold at Liangshan Marsh. Zhang Heng and his brother then join the outlaw band and become commanders among the Liangshan flotilla.
Zhang Heng participates in the battles between Liangshan and Liangshan's enemies such as government forces and hostile private militias. During the battle against Huyan Zhuo and imperial forces, Zhang Heng infiltrates the enemy camp at night, sabotages the artillery platform, and lures the artillery officer Ling Zhen into a trap. Ling Zhen surrenders and agrees to join Liangshan after he gets captured. When Guan Sheng leads imperial forces to attack Liangshan, Zhang Heng takes the initiative in launching a sneak attack on the enemy camp without informing the others. However, he ends up falling into Guan Sheng's trap and gets captured. He is freed only 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 other rebel forces on Song territory.
During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Zhang Shun tries to sneak into Hangzhou by climbing over the Yongjin Gate. However, Fang Tianding spots him and orders his archers to kill him. After his death, Zhang Shun's spirit possesses his brother's body and later kills Fang Tianding in revenge. Zhang Heng then becomes unconscious after his brother's spirit leaves his body. When he comes to, he feels so deeply saddened by his brother's death that he falls sick and dies not long later.
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. 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.