Chao Gai

Cháo Gài is widely considered as the founding father of the Mount Liang cause in the epic Chinese tale, the ''Water Margin''. He is not regarded as one of the official 108 heroes because of his premature fatal encounter with a poisonous arrow shot by the archery master Shi-wen Gong during a battle with the Zeng Family Village.

Nicknamed the "Heavenly King", Chao was once the headman of Dongxi Village and close friends with Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang and the Ruan brothers. He also had close relations with the constables Zhu Tong and Lei Heng as well.

Once, Liu Tang overheard news that an imperial convoy escorting some birthday gifts for the Imperial Tutor Cai Jing were to pass by near Dongxi Village. He fell asleep after getting drunk in a run-down temple and was mistaken by the patrolling Lei Heng as some wanted criminal and arrested. Later, Lei and his men stopped by Dongxi Village to have a short break and Chao Gai recognised Liu Tang who was held captive by Lei. Chao lied to Lei Heng that Liu Tang was his nephew and not some wanted criminal, so Lei eventually released Liu. Liu Tang was still unhappy for Lei Heng for arresting him for no reason earlier and tried to sneak up on Lei for revenge. The two had a fight which was later stopped by Chao Gai.

Liu Tang told Chao Gai and the others about the convoy of birthday gifts and they decided to rob it. The seven of them became sworn brothers and later disguised themselves as date traders. They managed to rob the convoy of birthday gifts, which was escorted by Yang Zhi and his soldiers who were also in disguise to avoid attention from bandits, by following Wu Yong's brilliant strategem and help from Bai Sheng.

Unfortunately, Bai Sheng was caught and despite facing severe torture, he refused to tell the authorities that Chao and the others were involved, although the authorities already knew. Song Jiang alerted Chao and the others that they were wanted by the government for robbing the birthday gifts, and they prepared to flee Dongxi Village. Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, who were assigned to arrest Chao and his friends, released them out of righteousness and friendship.

Chao Gai and his friends managed to flee to Liangshan for refuge after defeating He Tao's troops in a vicious battle. Wang Lun, the chief of the bandits on Liangshan allowed them to stay at Liangshan temporarily, though deep in his heart he was unhappy because the new heroes posed a threat to his position as chief. Wang Lun tried to send them away with valuable gifts, but Chao Gai and his friends protested that they had nowhere else for refuge and begged Wang to allow them to stay.

Lin Chong, under Wu Yong's clever urging, stood up for the heroes and killed the narrow-hearted and incompetent Wang Lun. Then, Lin invited Chao Gai to take over the new position of chief, which Chao agreed. Chao wasted no time in recruiting Wang Lun's previous deputies Song Wan and Du Qian.

Chao Gai participated in some campaigns against the enemies of Liangshan, but most of the time, he let Song Jiang lead the heroes in battle and remained in Liangshan. Once, he personally led the army against the Zeng Family Village, in which he met his fateful end. The Zengs had previously robbed a precious steed known as the 'Jade Lion' from Liangshan and had beaten up Liu Tang. Chao Gai was furious and wanted to teach the arrogant Zengs a lesson, who further infuriated him by insulting Liangshan, so he personally led a campaign against the Zengs. In the battle, he was hit in the forehead by a poisonous arrow shot by Shi-wen Gong, the archery master who served the Zeng Family Village.

Sadly, Chao Gai died a short while later from the poison in his wound. His dying words were; Whoever that can capture Shi-wen Gong will succeed me as chief.

Later, it was Lu Junyi who eventually captured Shi-wen Gong in battle and Shi was executed as a sacrifice to Chao's spirit. According to Chao Gai's dying words, Lu Junyi should be the eventual successor, but the Liangshan heroes preferred Song Jiang instead, so Song Jiang took up the position of chief with Lu Junyi in second position.

Chao's character was entirely consistent with the ideas presented in the Liangshan bandits' eventual manifesto, ''Delivering Justice on Heaven's Behalf''. His personal history as an official-turned-outlaw portended the way of life and recruitment policy of the Liangshan bandits.