Mu Chun

Last updated
Mu Chun
Water Margin character
Kagaya Kichiemon - Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyaku-hachi-nin no hitori - Walters 95107.jpg
First appearanceChapter 36
Nickname"Little Unrestrained"
小遮攔
Rank80th, Guardian Star (地鎮星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends
Infantry leader of Liangshan
OriginRich man
Ancestral home / Place of originJieyang Town (believed to be in present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi)
Weapon Sabre
Names
Simplified Chinese 穆春
Traditional Chinese 穆春
Pinyin Mù Chūn
Wade–Giles Mu Ch'un

Mu Chun is a fictional character in Water Margin , one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Little Unrestrained", he ranks 80th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 44th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Contents

Background

Mu Chun is nicknamed “Little Unrestrained" as his elder brother Mu Hong is called "The Unrestrained". The Mus, who are wealthy and skilled in martial arts, have huge influence and are feared in Jieyang Town (揭陽鎮; believed to be in present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi) near the Xunyang River, where they live.

Meeting Song Jiang

When Song Jiang is in on the way to exile in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), a reduced sentence for killing his mistress Yan Poxi, he passes by Jieyang Town with his two escorts. He comes upon Xue Yong, who is performing martial stunts on the roadside for tips from onlookers. When Xue first came to Jieyang, he did not go to pay respects to the Mu brothers, who are feared by the local people. To punish him for the snub, the brothers have ordered the townspeople not to patronise him. Unaware of that order, Song Jiang generously tips Xue impressed by his performance and out of pity that no one awards him. Angry that Song made his family lose face, Mu Chun, who is among the onlookers, rushes forth wanting to beat him up. However, he is floored by Xue Yong.

Humiliated, Mu Chun orders every inn and house in the town not to accommodate Song Jiang and his two escorts for the night. The one person who offers them free lodgings is Mus' father, who is kindly and unaware of what have happened. While at the Mus' manor, Song Jiang overhears Mu Chun looking for his brother Mu Hong to help in tracking him down. He also learns that Xue Yong is captured and has been beaten up.

Song Jiang and the two escorts sneak away under the cover of night from the manor. But the brothers have learnt about their presence at their house and comes after them. In desperation the three board the boat of the pirate boatman Zhang Heng. Midway across the Xunyang River, Zhang wants to kill and rob them. Fortunately, Li Jun, whom Song Jiang has recently befriended at Jieyang Ridge, passes by and saves Song in the nick of time. Zhang is shocked to learn that the exile is Song Jiang, who is famous for his chivalry. The Mu brothers, who have been waiting at the bank, are also surprised when told of his identity. The group from here on treats Song as an honoured guest until he leaves for Jiangzhou.

Joining Liangshan

In Jiangzhou Song Jiang is arrested and sentenced to death for writing a seditious poem on a wall in a restaurant. The outlaws from Liangshan Marsh rush to Jiangzhou, where they save him just when he is going to be executed. But they are stranded at a river bank. In the meantime, friends that Song Jiang has made in the Jieyang region, led by Li Jun and including Mu Chun, are sailing to Jiangzhou to rescue Song. They come upon the group and ferries them to safety. Together they head for Liangshan, where Mu Chun becomes one of the chieftains.

Campaigns

Mu Chun 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.

After the Liangshan force conquers Hangzhou in the campaign against Fang La, six heroes fall sick and Mu Chun is told to stay at the city to look after them. Soon after the campaign ends in victory, Mu Chun loses his brother Mu Hong, who dies from illness in Runzhou (潤州; present-day Runzhou District, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu),

When the survivors of Liangshan are back in the imperial capital Dongjing, Mu Chun is conferred the title "Martial Gentleman of Grace" (武奕郎). But he declines official appointment and returns home to lead the life of a commoner.

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">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">Zhang Shun</span> Water Margin character

Zhang Shun is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "White Jumping in the Waves", he ranks 28th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

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

Li Jun is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "River Dragon", he ranks 26th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dai Zong</span> Water Margin character

Dai Zong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Magic Traveller", he ranks 20th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

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

Mu Hong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Unrestrained", he ranks 24th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He once said the quote: Unity is strength... When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.

<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">Ou Peng</span> Water Margin character

Ou Peng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Golden Wings Brushing Against the Clouds", he ranks 48th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 12th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Jiang Jing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Divine Mathematician," he ranks 53rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 17th 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">Ma Lin (Water Margin)</span> Water Margin character

Ma Lin is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Iron Flute Deity", he ranks 67th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 31st among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Tao Zongwang is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Nine Tailed Turtle", he ranks 75th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 39th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tong Wei</span> Water Margin character

Tong Wei is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Dragon Emerging from a Cave", he ranks 68th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 32nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Tong Meng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "River Churning Clam", he ranks 69th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 33rd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Hou Jian is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Interconnected-Arm Gibbon", he ranks 71st among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 35th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

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

Zhang Heng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Boatman", he ranks 30th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

Li Li is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Life Taking Judge", he ranks 96th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 60th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

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

Xue Yong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Superior to Tiger", he ranks 84th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 48th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

References