Du Xing

Du Xing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 89th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 53rd of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Demon Face".

Background

Du Xing is from Zhongshan Prefecture (中山府; around present-day Dingzhou, Baoding, Hebei). He is nicknamed "Demon Face" because of his ugly appearance. When he was trading in Jizhou (薊州; around present-day Ji County, Tianjin), he killed a fellow trader in a heated quarrel and was arrested and imprisoned. During his incarceration, he develops a close friendship with the jailer Yang Xiong, who helps him secure his release from prison.

Zhu Family Village

Yang Xiong kills his adulterous wife and decides to join the outlaws at Liangshan Marsh with Shi Xiu and Shi Qian. They pass by the Zhu Family Village along the way and run into trouble with the Zhus, who capture Shi Qian in a trap. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu go to the neighbouring Li Family Village to seek help from Li Ying, the village chief. Du Xing became Li Ying's steward after leaving prison and he introduces Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu to his master.

Li Ying writes an apology letter to the Zhus on behalf of Yang Xiong and his companions, and requests that the Zhus release Shi Qian. He lets Du Xing deliver the letter. The Zhus not only refuse to release Shi Qian, but also tear up the letter and hurl insults at Li Ying. Du Xing returns and reports the situation to his master. Li Ying is furious and goes to confront the Zhus. He is wounded in the arm by an arrow fired by Zhu Biao, the youngest of the Zhu brothers, and manages to escape with help from his friends. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu go to Liangshan Marsh to seek help from the outlaw band there. Song Jiang leads the outlaws to attack the Zhu Family Village and succeed in capturing the village and rescuing Shi Qian.

Joining Liangshan

Song Jiang is eager to recruit Li Ying and Du Xing to join Liangshan so he instructs Xiao Rang to impersonate a government official and lead some men in disguise as soldiers to the Li Family Village to pretend to arrest Li Ying and Du Xing for collaborating with outlaws. Li Ying and Du Xing are captured and escorted as prisoners to the county office. Along the way, the outlaws pretend to ambush the convoy and rescue Li Ying and Du Xing. Li Ying feels grateful to the outlaws for saving him, but becomes unhappy when he discovers that the outlaws had staged the entire incident to trick him into joining them. However, he eventually agrees to join Liangshan after being persuaded by Song Jiang. Du Xing follows his master and joins Liangshan as well.

Campaigns

Du Xing becomes one of the scout leaders of Liangshan after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He is stationed in the tavern south of Liangshan and is tasked with making preparations to receive the imperial envoy from Emperor Huizong. He follows the Liangshan heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces after they have been granted amnesty by Emperor Huizong.

Du Xing is one of the few surviving Liangshan heroes after the campaigns. The emperor awards him the official post "Martial Gentleman of Grace" (武奕郎) to recognise him for his contributions during the campaigns. Du Xing holds office for some time and resigns later when he learns that Li Ying has also resigned from his civil career. They return to the Li Family Village together and lead the rest of their lives in luxury and comfort.

References

• (Chinese) Li, Mengxia. 108 Heroes from the Water Margin, page 177. EPB Publishers Pte Ltd, 1992. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
• Buck, Pearl. All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell Ltd, 2006. ISBN 9781559213035.
• Zhang, Lin Ching. Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House, 2009. ISBN 978-7506344784.
• Shibusawa, Kou. Bandit Kings of Ancient China, page 68. KOEI, 1989.
• (Japanese) Ichisada, Miyazaki. Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu. Chuo Koronsha, 1993. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Miyamotois, Yoko. Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits.
• Keffer, David. Outlaws of the Marsh.