Chinese Name: Shi En

Japanese Name: Kinganhyō Shion

Rank: 85th of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Golden Eyed Tiger Cub

Shi En is described as being a tall man with fair skin who wore a thin beard with a mustache. He was the son of the warden at Mengzhou Prison and as a youth had been well trained in the martial arts. 

Shi En ran a prosperous tavern located in a market place called Kuaihuo Forest, where he employed eighty criminals as assistants. He also ran the prostitution there, and supplied the other businesses in the market with meat and wine. Things ran smoothly for him until a man named Jiang Zhong, nicknamed “Jiang the Door God”, arrived and forcibly took Shi En’s tavern as well as his other enterprises. Shi En tried to stop him, but was beaten so badly he was confined to his bed for two months.  

Wu Song (plate 23) had been sent to Mengzhou Prison after murdering his sister-in-law and her lover for poisoning and killing his brother, Wu the Elder. Shi En had heard of Wu Song The Tiger Killer, and he arranged to meet the famous hero to ask him for help in retaking his tavern. Wu Song agreed to assist Shi En, saying he was always eager to right the wrongs of unjust men. Shi En’s father was very pleased that Wu Song was willing to help his son and the following day the two men set out to roust Jiang Zhong.

Wu Song went to the tavern to confront Jiang Zhong, and a fight between the two quickly ensued. Jiang swung at Wu Song, but Wu dodged the attack and kicked Jiang in the groin dropping him to his knees. Wu Song continued his onslaught and kicked him in the face knocking him flat onto his back, then Wu put his foot on Jiang’s chest and punched him in the face with both fists at once. Jiang covered his face with his hands, let out a loud moan and begged him to stop. Wu Song said his life would be spared if he agreed to return Shi En’s tavern and property, but he must also leave the district and never return. Jiang The Door God was only too happy to agree.

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Shi En later helped Wu Song escape prison, but as a result was forced to flee himself. Wu Song went on to join with the bandits of Mount Lianglong and Shi En eventually joined as well. The bandits of Mount Lianglong later teamed up with the bandit gangs of Mount Taohua and Mount Baihu and they joined forces with the bandits at Liangshan Marsh to defeat general Huyan Zhuo (plate 55). Realizing the advantages and strength gained by joining forces, the bandits of Mount Lianglong, including Shi En, and the bandit gangs of Mount Taohua and Mount Baihu, remained at Liangshan Marsh and became part of their legions. 

Isaac Nichols original