Friday, September 19, 2008

Du Xing

Du Xing is a character in the epic Chinese tale, the ''Water Margin''.

Du Xing was from Zhongshanfu. He was born with an ugly appearance, thus earning him the nickname 'Demon face'. Once, he went to Jizhou to trade and killed a fellow trader and was arrested. Du Xing spent his time in prison by chatting with the chief jailer about martial arts, and they became good friends. In the end, Yang Xiong managed to get Du Xing out of prison.

After Yang Xiong had killed his adulterous wife, he decided to flee to Liangshan for refuge together with Shi Xiu and Shi Qian. On the way, they passed by the Zhu Family Village, and Shi Qian was captured after he stole a chicken. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu made their way to the Li Family Village for help. Du Xing happened to be the housekeeper of , the master of the Li Family Village. Du Xing brought the two men to see his master and Li Ying decided to help by writing a letter to the Zhus, requesting that they release Shi Qian. Du Xing delivered the letter, but the arrogant Zhu brothers refused to release Shi Qian and tore up the letter, and made all kinds of rude remarks. Li Ying heard about it and was furious, so he brought his men to confront the Zhus, but he was hit in the arm by an arrow from Zhu Biao. Du Xing, Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu managed to rescue Li Ying and brought him back to the Li Family Village.

Later, after Song Jiang and the Liangshan heroes had conquered the Zhu Family Village, they sent Xiao Rang to disguise himself as an official and pretend to arrest Du Xing and Li Ying. Halfway, the other Liangshan heroes appeared and 'rescued' them. Then, Li Ying and Du Xing followed the heroes back to Liangshan to join the band.

Du Xing became in charge of hearing about news from customers in his restaurant near Liangshan, and played an important role in receiving the imperial envoy from the emperor who granted the heroes amnesty. After the heroes had been granted amnesty, Du Xing followed them on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels. He was one of the few lucky survivors after the campaigns and was granted an official post for his contributions to the imperial court. Later, he heard that Li Ying had resigned from his official post and returned home to Dulong Ridge. Du Xing also decided to resign and he went back with Li Ying, where he enjoyed a peaceful and luxurious life till the end of his days.

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