Chinese Name: Zhang Heng 

Japanese Name: Senkaji Chōō

Rank: 28th of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: The Boatman 

Zhang Heng was of a large build, an excellent swimmer, and an excellent fighter, especially under water. He and his younger brother Zhang Shun (plate 99) developed a scheme to rob travelers who needed to cross the Xunyang River. Zhang Heng would provide the boat service and Zhang Shun would pretend to be one of his patrons. Halfway across the river, Zhang Heng would demand more money from the travelers and Zhang Shun would resist and fight him. Zhang Heng would throw Zhang Shun into the turbulent waters which would scare the rest of the passengers into paying whatever was asked of them. Zhang Shun, an almost supernaturally gifted swimmer, would remain underwater and swim to the shore where he wouldn’t be seen. Eventually they gave up this scheme and took to smuggling along the river instead. Zhang Heng also continued ferrying travelers across the river, oftentimes robbing and killing them.  

Song Jiang (plate 107) was being escorted to Jiangzhou Prison for the murder of his mistress Yan Poxi. Along the way they hired Zhang Heng to take them across the Xunyang River. When Song Jiang boarded the boat, Zhang Heng heard his satchel clink with silver. Once they were on the water, he was about to rob and kill them when Li Jun (plate 61) arrived in his own boat. Recognizing Song Jiang, he stopped Zhang Heng just in time. When Zhang Heng realized he’d nearly killed the famous Song Jiang, he apologized profusely and the two became sworn brothers.  

Song Jiang continued on his way to Jiangzhou Prison, and while there he was caught writing a seditious poem on the wall of a restaurant and was sentenced to death. Zhang Heng was among many of Song Jiang’s comrades who helped rescue him (see plates 34; 36 for details), after which, Zhang Heng joined with the Liangshan bandits. 

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As the saga of the Liangshan bandits continued, Song Jiang and his legions were granted amnesty by the Emperor. To prove their merit they were sent to battle the rebel leader Fang La; he had amassed his own large bandit army and taken control of several prefectures, appointing himself king of the region.  

Zhang Shun was killed attempting to breach one of the cities occupied by Fang La’s forces. His spirit returned soon after and took over the body of his brother Zhang Heng, and with it he killed Fang La’s son. Zhang Shun’s spirit left Zhang Heng, and when Zhang Heng awoke he was informed of what had happened. Realizing his brother was dead, he collapsed and later died from the shock. 

Zhang Heng is depicted here, possessed by Zhang Shun, moments before killing Fang La’s son. The flame in the left corner shows Zhang Shun’s soul guiding the execution. 

Kuniyoshi recreation