Chinese Name: Lu Zhishen 

Japanese Name: Kaoshō Rochishin 

Rank: 13th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Flowery Monk 

Lu Zhishen, originally known as Lu Da, had been a Garrison Major in the imperial army. He had a round face, bushy beard, a large nose mouth and ears, and flower tattoos decorating his body. Nearly 8 feet tall, he had a 50 inch waist, and fought with an iron monk’s staff that weighed 62 “Jin” (about 82 pounds). He had abandoned his life as a military general and gone into hiding as a monk after killing a butcher named Zheng (see plate 6 for details). 

While working as the temple gardener at Xiangguo Monastery, Lu Zhishen met and befriended Lin Chong (plate 19). Soon after, Lin Chong found himself in a very difficult situation—Master Gao, had become infatuated with his wife, and was obsessed with stealing her away. 

Master Gao was the adopted son of the powerful Grand Marshal, Gao Qiu, who set into motion a plan to remove Lin Chong. Lin Chong had recently purchased a fine sword, and was ordered to bring it before Marshal Gao so he could compare it against his own. When Lin Chong arrived with his sword, he was immediately decried as an assassin. He was banished and transported to the distant prison of Cangzhou, and on the third day of his conveyance, Lin Chong was shackled by his two escorts—Marshal Gao Qiu, they said, had ordered them to kill him.

Lu Zhishen expecting foul play, had set out before the three men that morning, and had stayed just far enough ahead to spy on them. Hidden in the trees, he heard the soldiers divulging their plot, and just as they were about to kill Lin Chong, he sprang from the woods and disarmed them. Lu Zhishen wanted to kill the soldiers, but Lin Chong insisted they be spared, so, Lu Zhishen demonstrated the fate of their heads if something should befall Lin Chong. Swinging his great iron staff, Lu Zhishen splintered the fir tree standing next to him with an explosive crack—large chunks of wood spewed in all directions, and the tree fell to the ground. 

Marshal Gao Qiu sent men to arrest Lu Zhishen for interfering with his assassination plot. Lu Zhishen got word of this, and fled the eastern capital. His travels led him to Mount Lianglong where he became leader of the bandits residing there. 

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General Huyan Zhou (plate 55) had been tasked by the prefect Murong Yanda, to rid his land of brigands. The bandits of Mount Lianglong, Mount Taohua and Mount Baihu joined with the bandits of Liangshan Marsh to defeat him. Realizing the advantages and strength gained from joining forces, Lu Zhishen and the bandits of Mount Lianglong as well as the bandits of Mount Taohua and Mount Baihu remained at Liangshan Marsh and became part of their legions.  

Lu Zhishen is depicted here splintering the fir tree to duly frighten Lin Chong’s escorts ensuring he arrive at his destination alive .

Kuniyoshi recreation