Chinese Name: Song Jiang

Japanese Name: Kohōgi Sōkō

Rank: 1st of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Welcome Rain 

Song Jiang was chief clerk in the Yuncheng County Yamen. He was intrigued by outlaws and very generous to bandits and the destitute, providing them with money and refuge in the farmhouse where he lived with his father and his brother, Song Qing (plate 108). He is described as being short and portly with a dark complexion and not a particularly great fighter, though proficient in many kinds of military exercises. His strong suits were his knowledge, intelligence, leadership skills, and chivalrous nature. 

Song Jiang went on the run after killing his mistress Yan Poxi. She had found a letter to him from Chao Gai (plate 14),  leader of the Liangshan outlaws. She threatened to blackmail him; a fight ensued and he decapitated her. Song Jiang fled, but was eventually caught and exiled to Jiangzhou Prison (see plate 34). 

At Jiangzhou Prison, he was allowed to come and go as he pleased. One day while drunk, he wrote and signed a seditious poem on the wall of a tavern. The poem was discovered and Song Jiang was sentenced to death for harboring treasonous sentiments (see plate 34). Song Jiang was well regarded by Liangshan’s bandits, and when they heard of his impending execution, they traveled to Jiangzhou and rescued him (see plate 36). He returned with the bandits to Liangshan and became second in command under Chao Gai. Chao Gai was succeeded by Song Jiang after being killed fighting the Zeng Family (see plate 66). 

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As the saga continued, Liangshan’s bandits were granted amnesty by Emperor Huizong. To prove their merit, they were sent to quell the Liao invaders who’d been advancing into the Song Empire. The mission was a success, and next they were sent to vanquish the rebel, Fang La, who had taken over the southern region of the empire. That mission proved to be far more costly, and although victorious, Liangshan lost the majority of its 108 Stars of Destiny to the campaign. Over half were killed in battle, but many more succumbed as a result of wounds or illness. 

Song Jiang received a governorship as reward for his victory, but a group of jealous officials feigned a bottle of wine sent from the Emperor, and laced it with a slow acting poison. Upon drinking the wine, Song Jiang realized it was tainted. He sent for Li Kui (plates 36; 81), then shared the remainder of the wine with his comrade before divulging it was poisoned. Song Jiang apologized to his friend, saying he feared he would exact revenge on the Emperor and ruin Liangshan’s reputation for loyalty. Li Kui told Song Jiang he would serve him in death as he had in life, and soon after, they both passed from this realm and into history. 

Song Jiang and Li Kui are depicted here reminiscing about their days as outlaws, while Li Kui unknowingly drinks the poisoned wine. 

Isaac Nichols Original