Lei Heng

Last updated
Lei Heng
Water Margin character
Utagawa Kuniyoshi - Shui Hu Chuan  - Lei Heng 2.jpg
Lei Heng
First appearanceChapter 13
Nickname"Winged Tiger"
插翅虎
Rank25th, Defence Star (天退星) of the 36 Heavenly Spirits
Infantry leader of Liangshan
OriginBlacksmith, constable
Ancestral home / Place of origin Yuncheng County (in present-day Heze, Shandong)
Weapon Pudao
Names
Simplified Chinese 雷横
Traditional Chinese 雷橫
Pinyin Léi Héng
Wade–Giles Lei Heng

Lei Heng is a fictional character in Water Margin , one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 25th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Liangshan heroes, and is nicknamed "Winged Tiger".

Contents

Background

The novel depicts Lei Heng as about seven chi tall, having a purplish face and sporting a big fan-like beard. Strong and skilled in martial arts, he could leap over relatively wide streams and creeks as well as fairly high walls. This talent earns him the nickname "Winged Tiger".

After being a blacksmith and a butcher, he becomes a chief constable in his native Yuncheng County (in present-day Heze, Shandong). He is a close friend of Zhu Tong, his partner chief constable, and Chao Gai, the headman of the Dongxi village in Yuncheng.

One night when out on a patrol, Lei Heng happens upon Liu Tang, who has fallen asleep in a rundown temple after getting drunk. Certain that Liu, with his strange and vagabond looks, is up to no good in the neighbourhood, Lei orders his men to tie him up before he could even put up a fight. The party then stops for a rest in Chao Gai's manor. Chao secretly checks on Liu Tang, who is suspended in a side room. Liu tells him he has come to seek his collaboration to hijack some valuables in transportation to the Grand Tutor Cai Jing in the imperial capital Dongjing. Chao lies to Lei Heng that Liu is his nephew, thus winning the man's release. However, still bitter over the arrest, Liu catches up with Lei as he returns to his office and challenges him to a fight. Chao Gai arrives at the scene and stops the clash.

The hijackers eventually number seven with the participation of Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng and the Ruan Brothers. With the help of Bai Sheng, who poses as a wine seller, they succeed in seizing the valuables at the Yellow Mud Ridge by drugging the escorts of the gifts led by Yang Zhi. But the authorities soon tracks down essential clues and the magistrate of Yuncheng sends Zhu Tong and Lei Heng to seize Chao Gai at his house. Both want to let Chao go but they hide the intention from each other. Zhu Tong prevails on Lei to enter Chao's house through the front door while he himself guards the back knowing Chao would come that way. Lei nevertheless makes noise to warn Chao as his men intrude into the house. As expected by Zhu, Chao and his gang leave by the back and escape with his help.

Becoming an outlaw

One day Lei Heng goes to hear a songstress named Bai Xiuying sing at a tea house. But he forgets to bring his wallet. So when Bai comes to collect money for her performance, Lei, who takes the best seat in the front row, is embarrassed. Bai and her father Bai Yuqiao pass some unkind remarks at Lei, who loses his temper and hits the old man in anger. It turns out that Bai Xiuying is having an affair with the magistrate of Yuncheng. So, Lei Heng is arrested following complaint by Bai. With a cangue fastened around his neck, he is further humiliated by being made to stand tethered outside the county office.

Lei Heng's elderly mother brings food for him and gets into a quarrel with Bai Xiuying when the songstress refuses to let her untie his son. Bai slaps Lei Heng's mother, causing Lei, a filial son, to slam his cangue on to her head, killing the woman. Exiled to Jizhou (薊州; present-day Ji County, Tianjin) on a manslaughter charge, Lei is escorted there by Zhu Tong. On the way, Zhu releases Lei, who seeks refuge in Liangshan Marsh taking along his mother.

Campaigns and death

Lei Heng 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 at Deqing County (in present-day Huzhou, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La, Lei Heng is slain by the enemy general Si Xingfang. He is posthumously awarded the title "Martial Gentleman of Loyalty" (忠武郎).

See also

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.

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

Yang Zhi is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Blue Faced Beast", he ranks 17th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu Yong</span> Water Margin character

Wu Yong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Knowledgeable Star", he ranks third among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhang Qing (Featherless Arrow)</span> Fictional character in Water Margin

Zhang Qing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Featherless Arrow", he ranks 16th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<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 Xiaoqi</span> Water Margin character

Ruan Xiaoqi, also known as Ruan the Seventh, is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Living King Yama", he ranks 31st among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<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">Zhu Tong</span> Water Margin character

Zhu Tong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the four great classical novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Lord of the Beautiful Beard", he ranks 12th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

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

Bai Sheng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Daylight Rat", he ranks 106th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 70th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Song Qing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Iron Fan", he ranks 76th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 40th 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.

<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>All Men Are Brothers</i> (TV series) 2011 Chinese television series

All Men Are Brothers is a 2011 Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's 14th century novel Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The series is directed by Kuk Kwok-leung and features cast members from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The series was first broadcast on 8TV in March 2011 in Malaysia.

<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