Chinese Name: Zhuo Tong

Japanese Name: Shōhaō Shūtsū

Rank: 87th of the 108 stars of Destiny

Nickname: Little Conqueror 

Zhuo Tong was second in command of 700 bandits at Mount Taohua. He had a stout build, a loud voice, and an intimidating presence. He was a formidable warrior whose weapon of choice was the long spear.  

Zhuo Tong is introduced in the story on the day of his wedding. The daughter of a farmer named Grandpa Liu had caught his eye, and he presented the old man with gifts as an indication of his intent to wed her. The young woman did not desire a leader of bandits as a husband, but, Zhuo Tong was a notorious mad man—he and his brigands killed at the slightest provocation—leaving Grandpa Liu and his daughter no choice but to finalize the marriage.

Lu Zhishen (plates 6; 10) came upon the Liu Family Farm while making his way to the Xiangguo Monastery. Grandpa Liu told him of his family’s troubles and Lu Zhishen said he would convince Zhuo Tong not to marry his daughter.  

The wedding day arrived and Zhuo Tong went into the unlit bridal chamber to meet his bride. Feeling around in the dark, he made it to the bed and reached under the covers. Lu Zhishen was hiding there and grabbed him by the head, pinned him down, and began to strike him. Zhuo Tong, battered and bewildered, cried out, and several of his men ran to his doorway. Shining their lanterns into the chamber, they saw a naked Lu Zhishen pinning Zhuo Tong to the ground beating him mercilessly. Lu Zhishen seeing the group of armed bandits, let go of Zhuo Tong, and grabbing his great iron monk’s staff, he stood to face them. The sight of this giant naked monk, towering over them all, covered in tattoos, and wielding a massive metal club, was too much for them and they turned and ran. Lu Zhishen chased them, and Zhuo Tong, seizing the opportunity, made his escape. Leaping onto his horse, he rode back to Mount Taohua. After the altercation, Lu Zhishen discovered that the leader of the Mount Taohua bandits was his old friend Li Zhong, and the dispute between them was settled amicably. 

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As the story later unfolded, General Huyan Zhuo (plate 55) was tasked with ridding the land of brigands. Zhuo Tong and his forces came together with the Mount Lianglong, Mount Baihu, and Liangshan Marsh bandits to defeat him. The four groups comprised a formidable army, and were victorious against General Huyan’s campaign. Realizing the advantages of their combined forces, the four bandit strongholds merged together under the leadership of Liangshan Marsh. 

Zhuo Tong is depicted here drunkenly riding his horse on his way to his wedding at Grandpa Liu’s farm. 

Isaac Nichols Original