Chinese Name: Dong Ping

Japanese Name: Sōsōshō Tōhei

Rank: 15th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: General Two Spears

Dong Ping was a general who served in Dongping Prefecture. He fought with two spears simultaneously and is described as being brilliant, handsome, musically talented, and a highly skilled fighter. He was infatuated with Governor Cheng’s beautiful daughter and had asked the governor several times for her hand in marriage. But, despite all of Dong Ping’s qualities, the governor would not agree to their union. This created an air of tension between the two men. 

The Liangshan bandits were in short supply of rice and decided to borrow some from Dongping Prefecture. Song Jiang (plate 107) sent a messenger to the prefect in Dongping asking for the needed grain. The Prefect’s response was to have the messenger severely beaten and thrown out. Song Jiang then mounted an attack on Dongping to forcibly take the needed grain. 

General Dong Ping rode out with his troops to defend against the Liangshan bandits. He fought several of the bandits one on one but neither side could gain an advantage over the other. In between battles, Dong Ping took the opportunity to again request the hand in marriage of Governor Cheng’s daughter, and again Governor Cheng denied his request, leaving Dong Ping very frustrated. 

On the next bout, Song Jiang rode out to the front shouting insults at Dong Ping—enraged, he charged his horse forward. Song Jiang turned and fled with Dong Ping in pursuit. The chase went for several miles until they arrived at a nearby village where a number of Liangshan bandits lay hidden in the huts lining the main road. They had set a trap for Dong Ping by drawing ropes across the road and covering them with dirt. Song Jiang raced over the hidden ropes and just as Dong Ping began to cross them, the bandits pulled the ropes tight tripping his horse and sending them crashing to the ground. Several bandits fell upon him and tied him with ropes.

Song Jiang rode back to Dong Ping and untied him, then warmly requested he join with him in leading the legions of Liangshan. Dong Ping, being so frustrated with Governor Cheng’s ill regard for him and his abilities, agreed. Together they rode back to Dongping Prefecture and General Dong Ping ordered the soldiers guarding the city walls to lower the gates. The Liangshan bandits then charged into the town and raided the granary and the treasury. Dong Ping went to the Governor’s home and took his beautiful daughter. He killed the Governor and the remainder of his family then returned with Song Jiang and his bandits to Liangshan Marsh.  

Dong Ping is shown here with his two spears.

Isaac Nichols original