Chinese Name: Yang Lin

Japanese Name: Kinhyōshi Yōrin

Rank: 51st of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Elegant Panther 

Yang Lin is described as being a large man with broad shoulders and handsome features. He made his way as a lone highwayman and carried a spear as his primary weapon. 

While traveling through Yishui County, Yang Lin met Dai Zong (plate 97). Dai Zong had been sent by the leaders of Liangshan Marsh to find Gongsun Sheng (plate 15) who had gone to visit his mother in Jizhou. Yang Lin had met Gongsun Sheng along the road a few months earlier, and was given a letter of recommendation by him to present to the leaders of the Liangshan bandits should he wish to join. Dai Zong invited Yang Lin to accompany him on his search for Gongsun Sheng. The two men were unable to locate him though, and finally returned to Liangshan where Yang Lin was admitted into their ranks. 

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Yin Tianxi was the brother-in-law of the prefect Gao Lian, and he often took advantage of this social status. Chai Jin’s (plate 11) uncle had a manor with a beautiful garden and Yin Tianxi demanded it be turned over to him. When Chai Jin’s uncle refused, Yin Tianxi’s thugs were sent to change his mind, and he was beaten to death. Chai Jin and Li Kui (plates 36; 81; 107) went to defend his uncle’s home and in the ensuing conflict, Li Kui beat Yin Tianxi to death with his bare hands. Chai Jin and his family had been granted the “Wrought Iron Pledge” by the first Song emperor which gave his family immunity from prosecution for all but capitol crimes. However, when Gao Lian heard of Yin Tianxi’s death, he ordered Chai Jin’s arrest, dismissing the Wrought Iron Pledge. 

When the Liangshan bandits heard the news of Chai Jin’s arrest, Song Jiang (plate 107) sent an army of 5000 men to rescue him. Gao Lian was informed of this, assembled his own troops, and rode out to meet them. When the battle began, Gao Lian used a magic spell to conjure up a dust storm as well as an array of dangerous animals and insects. The Liangshan army was thrown into disarray and forced to retreat. 

Anticipating Gao Lian advancing on their encampment, Song Jiang moved the majority of their troops, but Yang Lin stayed behind with 300 men to hide in ambush in the grass. Gao Lian arrived and began conjuring up a storm but became suspicious when he saw the empty encampment. Just then, Yang Lin and the other hidden bandits sprang from the grass firing a barrage of arrows and killing many of Gao Lian’s troops, but, Gao Lian managed to escape.

Yang Lin is depicted here dressed in camouflage, pushing against Gao Lian’s conjured storm as he springs from the grass to attack.  

Kuniyoshi recreation