Chinese Name: Li Jun

Japanese Name: Konkōryū Rishun

Rank: 26th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Turbulent River Dragon

Li Jun was originally a helmsman on the Yangtze River. He often worked with the salt smugglers, brothers Tong Wei (plate 32) and Tong Meng (plate 94). He was very tall and an excellent swimmer and fighter—especially under water. Li Jun had become a member of the Liangshan bandits after joining a rescue party to save Song Jiang (plate 107) from execution (see plates 34; 36 for story details). 

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As the saga of the bandits continued, Li Jun was part of a Liangshan rescue mission to save two comrades-in-arms, Lu Zhishen (plates 6; 10) and Shi Jin (plates 1; 4; 9), who had been captured by Governor He of Hua Prefecture. Song Jiang led a team of Liangshan troops to intercept the boat of an official named Marshal Hu who was on his way to see Governor He. They insisted Marshal Hu should lend them his boat and were very clear about their intentions of using it to sneak into Hua Prefecture and rescue their comrades. When Marshal Hu refused to oblige, Li Jun and Zhang Shun (plate 99) dove into the water and pulled two of the minor officers into the river. Realizing the strength of the outlaws, Marshal Hu surrendered and agreed to their demands. 

The bandits switched clothes with Marshal Hu and his men and took their boat to Hua Prefecture. When Governor He came to greet the supposed Marshal Hu, he was seized and beheaded. Song Jiang went straight to the prison to free Lu Zhishen and Shi Jin while the rest of the bandits proceeded to sack the city, killing soldier and civilian alike. On returning to Liangshan Marsh, they returned the boat and clothing to Marshal Hu and his men as well as giving them a good portion of the silver and gold they had seized from Hua Prefecture. 

Zhang Shun dove into the water to pull one of Marshal Hu’s officers into the river, and Li Jun is shown here flipping a boat to knock another of Marshal Hu’s officers into the water. 

Kuniyoshi recreation