Name: Xuan Zan 

Japanese Name: Shūgunba Sensan 

Rank: 40th of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Ugly Son-in-Law

Xuan Zan was a captain of the Imperial Guard. He is described as being very tall and ugly with a snub nose, dark skin, and black curly hair with a red mustache. He fought with a heavy steel sword and was a highly skilled archer. He was betrothed and married to a prince’s daughter because of his archery skills, but, she was so repulsed by his ugliness, she withered from loneliness and died. From then on the prince held him in disdain and he was never able to advance from his mid-level rank despite his abilities. 

Xuan Zan had recommended to the Prime Minister that Guan Sheng (plate 70) be called upon to help protect the city of Daming against the Liangshan bandits—they had been sieging the city to rescue Lu Junyi (plate 68). The Prime Minister agreed and Guan Sheng appointed Xuan Zan as one of his lieutenants. 

Guan Sheng decided to attack the stronghold at Liangshan Marsh, hoping to force the bandits to abandon their campaign against Daming. The tactic worked and Song Jiang (plate 107) pulled a large faction of the Liangshan army back to their home base to fight against Guan Sheng. 

During the battle at Liangshan, Guan Sheng and his men were led into an ambush. Xuan Zan was cut off from the rest of the forces and attacked. After fighting several bouts, Xuan Zan tried to retreat but was caught with a lasso, pulled from his horse, and seized by several Liangshan soldiers. Guan Sheng and many of his soldiers were also captured and they were all taken to Liangshan’s stronghold. Song Jiang treated them with warmth and hospitality and invited them to join their ranks. Moved by Song Jiang’s kindness—as well as being too disgraced to return to Daming—Xuan Zan, Guan Sheng, and their troops joined forces with the Liangshan bandits. 

Xuan Zan is depicted here waiting outside the city of Daming as the Liangshan bandits attempt to rescue Lu Junyi. 

Kuniyoshi recreation