Chinese Name: Zhu Tong 

Japanese Name: Bizenkō Shudō

Rank: 12th of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Lord of the Beautiful Whiskers 

Zhu Tong was a chief constable in Yuncheng County in charge of forty officers. His job’s primary focus was to quash the bandit activity in his area. He is described as being over six feet tall with a beard of almost two feet in length, a red complexion, and sleepless eyes. 

Song Jiang (plate 107) was wanted for the murder of his mistress Yan Poxi and was hiding from the authorities in a secret cellar in his father’s house. Zhu Tong was tasked with finding Song Jiang and bringing him to justice. Unbeknownst to the authorities, Zhu Tong was a friend of Song Jiang’s. He found Song Jiang in his hiding spot but instead of bringing him in, he warned him of his imminent capture if he did not soon make his escape. Song Jiang fled that very night and made his way to the bandits at Liangshan Marsh.  

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Zhu Tong was later arrested for helping another of his friends, Lei Heng (plate 51), escape justice, and was sentenced and exiled to the prison in Cangzhou. While serving his sentence, Zhu Tong met a local prefect and his four year old son who took a liking to him, and he was given the job of taking care of the boy during much of the day. On the night of the Festival of the Departed Spirits, Zhu Tong took the child out to see the festival lamps floating down the river. While there, Zhu Tong was approached by Lei Heng, Wu Yong (plate 14), and Li Kui (plates 36; 81, 107). Zhu Tong told the boy to wait with Li Kui while he walked with the other two men for a bit. While there, Zhu Tong was approached by Lei Heng and Wu Yong (plate 14) Zhu Tong told the boy to wait while he walked with the men for a bit. Grateful for his help in aiding Lei Heng and Song Jiang escape their fates, they told Zhu Tong they had been sent to convince him to return with them to Liangshan and join their legions. Zhu Tong said he preferred to serve out his sentence so he could return home and continue his life. 

When they returned to the spot where they had left the boy, they found he’d gone missing. Under the instruction of Song Jiang, Li Kui (plates 36; 81, 107) had killed the boy with his axe. Zhu Tong was enraged and tried to kill Li Kui but was restrained by the other two. They pointed out to Zhu Tong that he could not return to Cangzhou having allowed the prefect’s son to be murdered. He then understood—he had no choice but to join the bandits of Liangshan Marsh.

Zhu Tong is depicted here looking for Song Jiang when he helps him escape capture by the authorities. 

Kuniyoshi Recreation