Chinese Name: Gongsun Sheng

Japanese Name: Nyūunryū Kōsonshō

Rank: 4th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Cloud Dragon

Gongsun Sheng was a Taoist priest with magical abilities who could command the wind and rain, and ride on mists and clouds.               He was about 8 feet tall and had an odd looking face and a stately air about him. As a young man he spent much of his time practicing with the spear and cudgel and became quite proficient at both. His adept abilities at military drill earned him the nickname, “Big Brother”. After studying the art of Taoism and learning to command the winds and the rain, he was given the nickname, “Cloud Dragon”. 

Gongsun Sheng had received word about a very valuable convoy of birthday gifts being sent to Prime Minister Cai and brought the news to Chao Gai (see plate 14). Chao Gai was already privy to this information but invited him to join the team being assembled to rob the convoy. 

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 some 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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A member of Chao Gai’s team, Bai Sheng (plate 35), was captured and tortured until he confessed his involvement in the robbery. Word quickly got to Chao Gai that the authorities were searching for them, so he, Gongsun Sheng, and the rest of  the team, fled to Liangshan Marsh seeking 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, with Gongsun Sheng as his third in command. 

Gongsun Sheng is depicted here summoning a storm and a dragon; but, in the novel his powers are limited to just weather manipulation.            

Kuniyoshi Recreation