Du Qian

Last updated
Du Qian
Water Margin character
Utagawa Kuniyoshi - Shui Hu Chuan  - Du Qian .jpg
A depiction of Du Qian by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
First appearanceChapter 11
Nickname"Touching the Sky"
摸着天
Rank83rd, Demon Star (地妖星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends
Infantry leader of Liangshan
OriginBandit leader from Liangshan Marsh
Names
Simplified Chinese 杜迁
Traditional Chinese 杜遷
Pinyin Dù Qiān
Wade–Giles Tu Ch'ien

Du Qian is a fictional character in Water Margin , one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Touching the Sky", he ranks 83rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 47th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Contents

Background

When Liangshan Marsh is first mentioned in Water Margin, it is occupied by bandits led by Wang Lun, Du Qian and Song Wan. Before coming to this water-locked place, Wang and Du apparently had been drifting around together and were once sheltered by the nobleman Chai Jin. After setting up a stronghold at Liangshan, they expand their band to about 800 men. Wang Lun takes the place of chief, with Du Qian as his top assistant. Song Wan subsequently joins them and takes the third position.

Lin Chong joins Liangshan

Du Qian, along with Wang Lun and Song Wan, is first mentioned when the nobleman Chai Jin suggests to the former imperial troops instructor Lin Chong, who has killed three men sent by Grand Marshal Gao Qiu to murder him in Cangzhou, that he could take refuge in Liangshan. However, when Lin Chong arrives at the stronghold, Wang Lun is worried that Lin, a good fighter, would usurp his place. He tries to send him away with gifts and excuses. But Du Qian, Song Wan and Zhu Gui, who runs an outlying inn which acts as a lookout for Liangshan, pleads on Lin's behalf. Wang Lun eventually allows Lin Chong to stay but keeps him at a low position.

Chao Gai becomes chief

Later Chao Gai and his six robber friends, wanted for hijacking valuables in transportation to Grand Tutor Cai Jing in the imperial capital Dongjing, seek refuge in Liangshan. Again, Wang Lun fears that the group would pose a threat and tries to send them away with gifts and excuses. Wu Yong instigates the disgruntled Lin Chong to kill Wang. Du Qian, Song Wan and Zhu Gui are restrained by the others from interfering. Knowing that they are no match for the group, the three passively witness Wang being killed. They then transfer their loyalty to Chao, accepting him as Liangshan's chief. However, they are relegated to the last three positions.

Campaigns and death

Du Qian is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.

In the battle of Qingxi County (清溪縣; present-day Chun'an County, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La, Du Qian is trampled to death by the enemy cavalry. After the campaign ended, he is conferred the posthumous title of "Righteous Gentleman of Integrity" (義節郎).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song Jiang</span> Chinese historical figure

Song Jiang was a Chinese historical figure who led an armed rebellion against the ruling Song Dynasty in the early 12th century. His band marauded over a region straddling the present-day Chinese provinces of Shandong and Henan. They eventually surrendered to the Imperial Court. The historical Song Jiang was turned into a fictional character in Water Margin, which became one of the four famous Classic Chinese Novels. He is the central figure in the book, and the leader of the 108 Heroes who come together as bandits in Shandong's Liangshan Marsh.

Lin Chong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Panther Head", he ranks sixth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits. In some folk tales derived from the novel, he is said to have learnt martial arts from Zhou Tong, who purportedly trained the Song dynasty general Yue Fei in archery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gongsun Sheng</span> Water Margin character

Gongsun Sheng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Dragon in the Clouds", he ranks fourth among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liu Tang</span> Water Margin character

Liu Tang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Red Haired Devil", he ranks 21st among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chao Gai</span> Water Margin character

Chao Gai, nicknamed "Pagoda-Shifting Heavenly King", is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He is not one of the 108 Stars of Destiny because he dies before the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars. However, after his death, he serves as a spiritual guardian of the outlaws, who from time to time dedicate ceremonial sacrifices to him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruan Xiao'er</span> Water Margin character

Ruan Xiao'er, also known as Ruan the Second, is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Tai Sui Who Stands His Ground", he ranks 27th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruan Xiaowu</span> Water Margin character

Ruan Xiaowu, also known as Ruan the Fifth, is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Lives-Shortening Second Brother", he ranks 29th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Li Kui (Water Margin)</span> Water Margin character

Li Kui is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Black Whirlwind", he ranks 22nd among the 36 Heavenly Spirits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Li Ying (Water Margin)</span> Fictional character in Water Margin

Li Ying is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Striking Hawk", he ranks 11th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chai Jin</span> Water Margin character

Chai Jin is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Little Whirlwind", he ranks 10th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hu Sanniang</span> Water Margin character

Hu Sanniang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Ten Feet of Blue", she ranks 59th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 23rd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xiao Rang</span> Water Margin character

Xiao Rang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Sacred Handed Scholar", he ranks 46th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and tenth among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Jin Dajian is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Jade Armed Craftsman", he ranks 66th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 30th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song Wan (Water Margin)</span> Water Margin character

Song Wan is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Giant in the Clouds", he ranks 82nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 46th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhu Gui (Water Margin)</span> Water Margin character

Zhu Gui is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Dry Land Alligator", he ranks 92nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 56th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Wang Ying (<i>Water Margin</i>) Water Margin character

Wang Ying is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Stumpy Tiger", he ranks 58th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 22nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<i>The Water Margin</i> (film) 1972 Hong Kong film

The Water Margin, also known Outlaws of the Marsh and Seven Blows Of The Dragon, is a 1972 Hong Kong film adapted from the Chinese classical 14th-century novel Water Margin. It was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio and directed by Chang Cheh. Godfrey Ho was assistant director.

<i>The Water Margin</i> (1998 TV series) Chinese TV series or program

The Water Margin is a 1998 Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's classical 14th-century novel of the same title. It was produced by CCTV with Zhang Jizhong as producer. It was first broadcast in China in January 1998. The series also featured action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping.

<i>Outlaws of the Marsh</i> (TV series) Chinese TV series or program

Outlaws of the Marsh is a Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's classical 14th century novel Water Margin. It was first broadcast on Shandong TV in China in 1983, and was not completed until 1986. The series was one of the earliest television dramas with an ancient China setting to be produced in mainland China. It was divided into different parts, each focusing on the story line of a certain character. Widely regarded, as a classic in mainland China, the series won a Golden Eagle Award.

References