Chinese Name: Wu Yong

Japanese Name: Chitasei Goyō

Rank: 3rd of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Clever Star 

Wu Yong was a school teacher in Yuncheng County. He was renowned for being astute and intelligent. He wore a loose fitting hemp robe, had a fair complexion with elegant eyes and eyebrows, and a long mustache.  His nickname was, “Clever Star”, but he was also known as, “The Inquisitive or Critical Student”—his Taoist name was, “Much Brighter”.

Wu Yong is introduced in the same chapter as Chao Gai. Chao Gai was not officially one of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He was killed by a poison arrow during one of Liangshan’s campaigns (see plate 66) before the grand assembly of the 108 Stars took place. He was however one of the main protagonists of the novel, and played a pivotal roll as leader of Liangshan for a large portion of the story.

A vagabond and black market vendor named Liu Tang (plate 67) came to Chao Gai with information regarding an enormously valuable convoy of birthday gifts being sent to Prime Minister Cai. The two of them sat down to work out a plan, then assembled a team to steal the gifts. The first man they enlisted was Wu Yong. Wu Yong and Chao Gai had known each other since their youths, and he made an invaluable addition because of his superior intellect and strategic abilities. Next they enlisted the three Ruan brothers (plates 20; 21; 95; 103), then decided on Gongsun Sheng (plate 15), and finally, Bai Sheng (plate 35).

Yang Zhi (plate 13) had been assigned the task of leading the convoy of birthday gifts. Chao Gai and his team were able to deceive Yang Zhi and his men by disguising themselves as a group of date sellers and a wine vendor. They met Yang Zhi’s convoy (who were disguised as simple travelers) along the Huangni Ridge. It was exceedingly hot and Yang Zhi’s men convinced him to let them purchase wine to quench their thirsts as they rested. Unfortunately for Yang Zhi, the wine was drugged and he and his men soon collapsed to the ground; Yang Zhi, still somewhat conscious, watched in horror as Chao Gai and his men carted away the valuable cargo.

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The authorities captured Bai Sheng, one of Chao Gai’s team members, and tortured him until he confessed. Chao Gai learned the authorities were searching for them, so he, Wu Yong, and the rest of his team fled to Liangshan Marsh to seek refuge. After they arrived, they aided Lin Chong (plate 19) in a mutiny against Wang Lun, the original leader of the Liangshan bandits. Wang Lun was killed and Chao Gai was elected the new leader of Liangshan Marsh. 

Wu Yong is shown here with a celestial globe, counting the stars with his fingers. 

Kuniyoshi original