Friday, September 19, 2008

Guo Sheng

Guo Sheng is a character in the ''Water Margin''.

Guo Sheng wore a similar headdress to Lu Fang's, donned a white robe, covered by a suit of silvery-white armour, along with a silver belt. He rode on a snow-white steed and wielded a white spear similar to Lu Fang's.

Guo was from Jialing, Xichuan. Initially, he made a living by selling , however, his goods were lost in the river during a storm. Thus, he had no money to return home. Guo learned the skill of using his halberd from Major Zhang in Jialing and became an expert, so he was nicknamed 'One as good as Rengui' or 'Benevolent Aristocrat'.

Guo heard that Lu Fang was an expert in using the spear as well and decided to challenge him to a duel. Both men duelled for more than ten days but neither emerged the winner. At that time, Song Jiang and Hua Rong passed by and stopped the duel. Song Jiang managed to persuade Lu Fang and Guo Sheng to join the Liangshan band.

Guo Sheng became one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry and 72 Earthly Fiends. He and Lu Fang had protected Song Jiang from danger many times before, making great contributions. After Song Jiang had obtained amnesty from the emperor, Guo Sheng followed the heroes on their campaigns. During the Fang La campaign, Guo Sheng was assigned to attack Wulong Ridge. He took the lead in charging up the slope towards the enemy, but was killed by boulders rolled down by the enemy.

In Jinyong's Legend of the Condor Heroes, Guo Sheng was said to be the ancestor of the protagonist Guo Jing.

No comments: