Chinese Name: Qin Ming

Japanese Name: Hekirekika Shinmei

Rank: 7th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Thunderer 

General Qin Ming was the commander-in-chief of the troops in Qingzhou Prefecture. He was a third generation military man and it was said he could singlehandedly fend off 10,000 soldiers with just his mace alone. He spoke in a loud booming voice which earned him the nickname, “Thunderer”. 

Song Jiang (plate 107) and Hua Rong (plate 28) were being escorted to Qingzhou Prison when their allies, the bandits from Mount Qingfeng, intercepted and freed them. They all fled to the bandits’ stronghold, but the Governor of Qingzhou, Murong Yanda, sent Qin Ming and an army of 500 soldiers to destroy their stronghold and recapture or kill Song Jiang and Hua Rong. Lured to a trap, Qin Ming and his horse fell into a pit dug by the bandits and he was captured. His men were ambushed and all were either captured or killed.

Instead of killing Qin Ming, the leaders invited him to eat and drink with them, and after spending some time in conversation, Qin Ming found value in them. They offered him a place among their ranks but he declined, saying he could not betray his loyalty to the empire. They continued to feast and drink until Qin Ming was quite drunk and fell asleep.  

In the morning, Qin Ming’s horse and armor were returned to him, and he headed back to Qingzhou. When he arrived, he found the neighborhoods outside the city gate burning and bodies lying everywhere. He reached the city gates, but the gatekeepers would not lower the bridge. The Governor appeared atop the city wall and shouted that he’d been recognized the night before by his horse, helmet, and armor, as he led the team of bandits ransacking the city. Qin Ming professed his innocence but the Governor cut him off, saying, if he’d come back to try and retrieve his family, it was too late. He signaled to one of his men who raised his spear, and Qin Ming beheld the horrible sight of his wife’s impaled head. She, and the rest of his family, had been executed that morning. The archers at the gate then let loose a storm of arrows and Qin Ming turned his horse and fled. 

Qin Ming then realized, disguised by his belongings, the bandits had ridden to Qingzhou while he slept, and attacked the city making it impossible for him to return home. But, as he now had no where else to go, he returned to the bandits of Mount Qingfeng who welcomed him in. 

Fearing further retaliation from Governor Murong, Song Jiang suggested they relocate to Liangshan Marsh and join with the bandit force there. All agreed and they packed up the stronghold and journeyed to Liangshan. 

Qin Ming is depicted here looking down in horror at his wife’s head while arrows from government troops rain down on him.  

Isaac Nichols original