Chinese Name: Ling Zhen

Japanese Name: Kōtenrai Ryōshin

Rank: 52nd of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Heaven-Shaking Thunder

Ling Zhen came from the Eastern Capital and was a proficient fighter but was primarily known for his skills with explosives and as a cannoneer. 

Huyan Zhuo (plate 55) had been called upon by Grand Marshal Gao Qiu to eradicate the Liangshan Marsh bandits once and for all. The bandits’ stronghold was positioned on an island far from the banks of the marsh, which was largely why they were so well protected. To address this obstacle, Huyan Zhuo recruited Ling Zhen to launch canon fire at the bandit camp from the outer banks of the marsh. 

A scout reported to the bandit leaders that Ling Zhen had arrived and had surrounded the lake with cannons. Song Jiang (plate 107) ordered all troops to retreat to the main stronghold at the top of the mountain. Ling Zhen’s men fired at the island but could only hit the abandoned camps at the foot of the hill.  

A plan was soon devised and three of Liangshan’s chieftains took 100 bandits on boats and traveled unseen across the lake through the tall reeds. When they got to the other side they crept to a gun carriage and overturned it. This alerted Ling Zhen who assembled 1000 of his men to pursue them. He and his soldiers jumped into their boats and gave chase, but when they got out onto the lake the bandits rose up from under the water and capsized them. Five hundred of Ling Zhen’s men were drowned, 300 escaped, and 200 including Ling Zhen were captured. 

When they returned to the stronghold, Song Jiang came to greet Ling Zhen and through his warm good nature was able to convince him to join with the Liangshan bandits. 

Ling Zhen is depicted here firing a canon at the Liangshan bandits’ encampment.

Kuniyoshi recreation