Ling Zhen
| Ling Zhen | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
 an illustration of Ling Zhen by Utagawa Kuniyoshi | |
First appearance | Chapter 55 |
| In-universe information | |
| Nicknames | "Heaven-shaking Thunder" 轟天雷 |
| Origin | military officer |
Designation | Artillery Commander of Liangshan |
Rank | 52nd, Axis Star (地軸星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
Ancestral home / Place of origin | Yanling (present-day Yanling County, Henan) |
| Chinese names | |
| 凌振 | |
| 凌振 | |
| Líng Zhèn | |
| Ling Chen | |
Ling Zhen is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Classic Chinese Novels. Nicknamed "Heaven-shaking Thunder", he ranks 52nd among the 108 Heroes and 16th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
Background
[edit]Originally from Yanling (燕陵; present-day Yanling County, Henan), Ling Zhen is a highly-skilled warrior and archer serving as a military officer in the capital Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan). He is best known for his expertise in gunpowder weapons – particularly cannons – hence he is nicknamed "Heaven-shaking Thunder".
Becoming an outlaw
[edit]
Ling Zhen is first introduced in the novel when he is summoned to provide artillery support to the government forces led by Huyan Zhuo, who has been tasked with destroying the outlaws at Liangshan Marsh.
At Huyan Zhuo's direction, Ling Zhen bombards the outlaw stronghold with cannon fire on a platform near the riverbank. In retaliation, Liangshan marines approach the platform undetected by swimming underwater, and sabotage the cannons. Furious, Ling Zhen attempts to pursue the enemy but loses his way in the marshes and ends up being taken captive. The outlaws treat him respectfully and manage to convince him to surrender and join their cause of "upholding justice on Heaven's behalf".
After losing artillery support, Huyan Zhuo deploys his special cavalry comprising groups of heavily armoured horsemen connected by chains. The combined might of the horsemen charging forward overwhelms the Liangshan forces.
The outlaws eventually recruit Xu Ning, who trains their infantry in using the hooked lance, targeting the armoured cavalry's weak point: the horses' legs. Ling Zhen, now on Liangshan's side, provides artillery support, scaring the horses with cannon fire during the battle.
In the end, the outlaws defeat Huyan Zhuo and completely destroy his chain-linked armoured cavalry. Huyan Zhuo himself is ultimately captured by the outlaws and agrees to surrender and join them too.
Campaigns
[edit]Ling Zhen is appointed as the artillery commander at Liangshan after the 108 Heroes are fully assembled. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory after the outlaws receive amnesty from Emperor Huizong.
During the final campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Ling Zhen is often called upon to bombard enemy fortifications with cannon fire to create chaos before the Liangshan forces stage their assaults.
Ling Zhen is one of the few Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. To honour him for his contributions, the emperor reinstates him as a military officer.
References
[edit]- Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Miyazaki, Ichisada (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
- Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 105. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
- Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei, p. 94
- Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.