Chinese Name: Kong Liang

Japanese Name: Dokukasei Kōryō

Rank: 63rd of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Fiery Star

Kong Liang and his brother Kong Ming (plate 76) lived on a farmstead with their father Squire Kong. While Song Jiang (plate 107) was on the run for killing his mistress Yan Poxi, Squire Kong invited him to stay with them and teach his sons martial arts. After their father died, the Kong brothers went on to lead a small bandit group at Mount Baihu. 

General Huyan Zhuo (plate 55) had been sent by the governor of Qingzhou, Murong Yanda, to take down the three local bandit forces of Mount Baihu, Mount Taohua, and Mount Lianglong. Kong Liang and the bandits of Mount Baihu rode out to meet his army. As the battle ensued, Kong Ming was quickly captured and taken prisoner. Realizing that Huyan Zhuo was a formidable opponent, all three bandit armies reached out to Song Jiang at Liangshan for help, and Song Jiang agreed to join in the fight. Together, the four bandit armies defeated Huyan Zhuo and rescued Kong Ming. Realizing the benefit of their combined strength, Mount Taohua, Mount Lianglong, and Mount Baihu joined with the legions of Liangshan Marsh

Chinese Name: Song Wan

Japanese Name: Unrikongō Sōman

Rank: 82nd of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Guardian of the Clouds

Song Wan was the original third in command of the Liangshan bandits; serving under Du Qian (plate 18) as second, and Wang Lun as chief. When Lin Chong (plate 19) was admitted into Liangshan’s ranks he quickly grew frustrated with Wang Lun’s leadership and eventually killed him. Chao Gai (see plate 14) was then elected the new leader of Liangshan and Song Wan was relegated from third in command to tenth (see plates 18; 19; 20 for details).

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As the story of Liangshan’s exploits continued, Liangshan mounted a rescue attempt for Lu Junyi who was being held prisoner in the city of Daming (see plate 68 for details). The plan was to be carried out during the city’s annual lantern festival. The large crowds drawn to the festival provided the perfect opportunity to sneak many of the bandits into the city disguised as merchants, while the rest of the troops waited outside the city walls. The Blue Cloud Tower inside the city was set on fire as a signal for everyone to attack simultaneously.

Kong Liang and Song Wan were two of the bandits waiting outside the city walls of Daming. They are depicted here looking for a way to get  over the wall. Song Wan holds the pole behind his back and is dressed as a rice merchant, while Kong Liang kneels down and is dressed as a beggar. 

Kuniyoshi recreation