Chinese Name: Lin Chong 

Japanese Name: Hyōshitō Rinchū

Rank: 6th of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Panther Head 

Lin Chong was originally a drill instructor in the Eastern Capital. He is described as being very tall with round eyes, a beard, and a head shaped like a panther, earning him the nickname, “Panther Head”. He had been exiled to Cangzhou Prison after being framed by Grand Marshal Gao Qiu (see plate 10 for story details). 

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After serving his sentence for several months, Lin Chong was told he was to be promoted to the job of managing a military forage depot outside the city of Cangzhou. He packed his belongings and a soldier escorted him to the depot where he was to reside. It was a cold night and after settling in, he left the depot to buy wine from a nearby inn. On his return, he saw the forage depot engulfed in flames, and spied three men congratulating themselves on their success in killing him. These three men had been sent by Grand Marshal Gao Qiu in yet another plot to eliminate Lin Chong. He killed the three men when he came upon them, then fled the burning depot, unsure of what to do next. The following day he happened across his friend Chai Jin (plate 11) and told him of his situation. Chai Jin wrote him a letter of recommendation and told him to take it to Wang Lun, the leader of the bandit gang at Liangshan Marsh. He told Lin Chong he was on very good terms with Wang Lun, and with his recommendation they would welcome him in.

Lin Chong arrived at Liangshan Marsh and presented Wang Lun with the letter from Chai Jin. Wang Lun was intimidated by Lin Chong’s superior fighting skills and military training, but he reluctantly admitted him. Wang Lun assigned Lin Chong a low rank  which left him embittered. Soon after Lin Chong’s arrival at Liangshan, Chao Gai, Wu Yong (see plate 14), and their team, also sought refuge there after robbing a convoy of valuable birthday gifts en route to Prime Minister Cai. Wu Yong detected Lin Chong’s frustration and sensed an opportunity in it. He befriended Lin Chong and encouraged his rage until finally Lin Chong attacked and killed Wang Lun. Chao Gai assumed leadership of Liangshan and Lin Chong became 4th in command.

Plates 18, 19, and 20 form a triptych arranged from left to right depicting the scene where Lin Chong attacks and kills Liangshan’s first leader, Wang Lun. Lin Chong is depicted here in the second part of the triptych, drawing his sword as he’s about to go after Wang Lun.   

Kuniyoshi Recreation