List of Water Margin characters

The following is a list of characters in Water Margin, one of the Classic Chinese Novels.

108 Heroes

The 108 Heroes are at the core of the plot of Water Margin. Based on the Taoist concept that each person's destiny is tied to a "Star of Destiny" (宿星), the 108 Heroes are formerly 108 demons who were banished by the supreme deity Shangdi. Having repented since their expulsion, the 108 demons are accidentally released from their place of confinement, and are reincarnated as 108 heroes who band together for the cause of justice. They are divided into the 36 Heavenly Spirits and 72 Earthly Fiends.

Chao Gai's story

• He Tao (何濤) is a law enforcement officer from Jizhou assigned to the case of the theft of the birthday gifts for Cai Jing. After identifying Chao Gai as one of the seven thieves, he leads his men to arrest them. However, he suffers a disastrous defeat in the area around Liangshan Marsh, and ends up being captured by Chao Gai and his friends. Ruan Xiaoqi cuts off his ears before releasing him to report his defeat to the government.
• He Qing (何清) is He Tao's younger brother. He is coincidentally near Yellow Soil Ridge the day before Chao Gai and his friends steal the birthday gifts. Although he does not know them personally, he recognises Chao Gai as the headman of Dongxi Village. Later, when He Tao is investigating the robbery, He Qing provides him with a lead by saying that he saw Chao Gai and six others suspiciously interacting with Bai Sheng the day before the robbery. Using this information, He Tao tracks down Bai Sheng, finds part of the loot in Bai Sheng's house, and confirms that Chao Gai is one of the thieves.
• Huang An (黃安) is a local militia commander from Jizhou assigned to lead his men to attack Liangshan after He Tao's failed attempt to arrest Chao Gai and his friends. He is captured by Liu Tang while attempting to escape after his defeat.

Song Jiang's story

• Yan Poxi (閻婆惜) is Song Jiang's concubine. Her mother pressured her to be Song Jiang's concubine as an expression of gratitude after he paid for her father's funeral. Over time, she increasingly resents Song Jiang, who deliberately avoids spending time with her, and starts an affair with Zhang Wenyuan. One night, she discovers Chao Gai's letter to Song Jiang, and threatens to report him to the magistrate for consorting with the outlaws unless he agrees to three conditions: 1) allow her to marry Zhang Wenyuan; 2) let her keep all the clothes, ornaments, property, etc., he has given her; and 3) give her the gold bars from Chao Gai. Song Jiang agrees but cannot fulfil the third condition because he only accepted one of the gold bars mentioned in Chao Gai's letter. Yan Poxi refuses to believe him and continues to threaten him. Song Jiang eventually loses patience and stabs her to death in a fit of anger. He then burns the letter and escapes from Yuncheng County.
• Zhang Wenyuan (張文遠) is Song Jiang's assistant at the magistrate's office. He has an affair with Yan Poxi.
• Shi Wenbin (時文彬) is the magistrate of Yuncheng County.
• Liu Gao (劉高) is the commandant of Qingfeng Fort. He believes his wife's account and orders Song Jiang's arrest. Along with the rest of his family, he is killed by the Mount Qingfeng outlaws when they overrun the fort.
• Liu Gao's wife was captured by the Mount Qingfeng outlaws and almost raped by Wang Ying. However, Song Jiang intervenes and manages to convince Wang Ying to release her. Later, she repays Song Jiang's kindness with evil by falsely accusing him of being the outlaw who kidnapped and attempted to rape her.
• Murong Yanda (慕容彥達) is the governor of Qingzhou. He orders the execution of Qin Ming's family after mistakenly believing that the latter has joined the Mount Qingfeng outlaws. Huyan Zhuo comes to Qingzhou to join him after his defeat and helps him in attacking some outlaws in Qingzhou. After the Liangshan outlaws capture Huyan Zhuo and convince him to surrender and join them, Huyan Zhuo tricks Murong Yanda into opening Qingzhou's gates for the outlaws to enter and overrun the city. Qin Ming captures and kills Murong Yanda to avenge his family.
• Cai Dezhang (蔡得章), better known as Cai Jiu (蔡九), is Cai Jing's ninth son and the governor of Jiangzhou. An unintelligent, greedy and corrupt official, he sentences Song Jiang and Dai Zong to death after believing that Song Jiang is plotting a rebellion.
• Huang Wenbing (黃文炳), nicknamed "Wasp's Sting" (黃蜂刺), is a petty and scheming man from Jiangzhou who chances upon Song Jiang's seditious poem and reports it to Cai Jiu in the hope of getting rewarded for exposing a rebellious plot. After Song Jiang narrowly escapes execution, he gets the Liangshan outlaws to help him take revenge on Huang Wenbing. The outlaws break into Huang Wenbing's house, kill his family, and burn down his house. Huang Wenbing, who is not at home at the time, tries to escape but gets captured by Zhang Shun, who bring him before Song Jiang and the other outlaws. Huang Wenbing is killed by Li Kui.
• Huang Wenye (黃文燁), nicknamed "Buddha Huang" (黃佛子), is Huang Wenbing's elder brother. In contrast with his wicked brother, he is known for his kindness and for helping those in need. When the Liangshan outlaws kill Huang Wenbing's family, Hou Jian manages to persuade his fellow outlaws to spare Huang Wenye by pointing out that Huang Wenye is a good man.
• Jiutian Xuannü (九天玄女) is a deity whom Song Jiang encounters on two separate occasions. The first time, he takes shelter in a temple while evading soldiers trying to arrest him, and encounters the deity, who presents him a set of three divine books to aid him in his quest to "deliver justice on Heaven's behalf". The second time, she appears in his dream when he is leading the Liangshan forces to resist the Liao invaders, and teaches him how to break the Liao forces' battle formation.

Lu Junyi's story

• Madam Jia (賈氏) is Lu Junyi's wife. She has an affair with Li Gu, collaborating with him to frame her husband for plotting a rebellion. After Lu Junyi is saved by the Liangshan outlaws, he returns home and takes revenge by executing his wife and Li Gu.
• Li Gu (李固) is Lu Junyi's steward. He has an affair with his master's wife, and falsely reports to the authorities that his master is plotting a rebellion, using a poem as evidence. Even after Lu Junyi is arrested, Li Gu still feels uneasy so he tries to bribe the guards to murder his master in prison. However, his plans are thwarted by Chai Jin, who bribes the executioners Cai Fu and Cai Qing to take good care of Lu Junyi. After Lu Junyi is saved by the Liangshan outlaws, he goes home and kills his wife and Li Gu.

Lin Chong's story

• Gao Yanei (高衙內), nicknamed "Tai Sui of Flowers" (花花太歲), is Gao Qiu's lecherous foster son. After seeing Lin Chong's wife at the temple, he tries to molest her but Lin Chong shows up and stops him. Unwilling to give up on Lin Chong's wife, he gets Lu Qian and Fu'an to help him lure her into a trap: Lu Qian pretends to invite Lin Chong out for drinks, while Fu'an lies to Lin Chong's wife that her husband has become unconscious after drinking, and tricks her into entering Lu Qian's house, where Gao Yanei is waiting. Lin Chong's wife puts up resistance when Gao Yanei tries to force himself on her. In the meantime, Jin'er escapes and informs her master, who rushes to Lu Qian's house to save his wife. Gao Yanei flees when he hears Lin Chong approaching. Gao Yanei later falls sick due to his obsession with Lin Chong's wife. Fu'an and Lu Qian help him by plotting to eliminate Lin Chong so that Gao Yanei can take Lin Chong's wife. In the plot, Lin Chong is tricked into entering the White Tiger Hall while carrying a sabre, and framed for attempting to assassinate Gao Qiu.
• Lin Chong's wife hangs herself after Gao Qiu repeatedly pressures her to marry Gao Yanei.
• Jin'er (錦兒) is a maid in Lin Chong's household.
• Instructor Zhang (張教頭) is Lin Chong's father-in-law. He is also a martial arts instructor of the Imperial Guards.
• Lu Qian (陸謙) is an old friend of Lin Chong. When Lin Chong first met him, he was still roaming the streets so Lin Chong took pity on him and helped him find a job. Lu Qian subsequently becomes a yuhou (虞侯) under Gao Qiu. He repays Lin Chong's kindness with evil by collaborating with Gao Qiu and Gao Yanei to frame Lin Chong and cause him to be exiled to Cangzhou. Gao Qiu later sends Lu Qian to Cangzhou to bribe the officials there to murder Lin Chong. However, their plot fails and Lin Chong kills Lu Qian in revenge.
• Fu'an (富安), nicknamed "Bird Head" (乾鳥頭), is Gao Yanei's servant. Acting on Gao Qiu's instruction, he travels to Cangzhou with Lu Qian to bribe the officials there to murder Lin Chong. However, they end up being killed by Lin Chong instead.
• Prefect Teng (滕府尹) is the prefect of Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng).
• Sun Ding (孫定), nicknamed "Buddha Sun" (孫佛兒), is a clerk serving under Prefect Teng. Famous for his righteousness and kindness, he knows that Lin Chong is innocent so he tries to help Lin Chong by urging Prefect Teng not to give in to pressure from Gao Qiu to sentence Lin Chong to death.
• Dong Chao (董超) and Xue Ba (薛霸) are the guards assigned to escort Lin Chong to Cangzhou. They have been bribed by Gao Qiu to kill Lin Chong along the way. They mistreat and abuse Lin Chong throughout the journey, including scalding his feet with boiling water. When they arrive at Wild Boar Woods, they attempt to kill Lin Chong but Lu Zhishen shows up and saves Lin Chong. When Lu Zhishen wants to kill the guards, Lin Chong stops him and insists on serving his sentence so Lu Zhishen forces the guards to take good care of Lin Chong and sees him safely to Cangzhou. In a later chapter, Dong Chao and Xue Ba are assigned to escort Lu Junyi to Shamen Island. They have also been bribed by Li Gu to kill Lu Junyi along the way and they treat Lu Junyi in the same way as they did to Lin Chong. They are killed by Yan Qing when they are about to murder Lu Junyi.
• Instructor Hong (洪教頭) is a martial arts instructor in Chai Jin's residence. An arrogant man, he behaves rudely towards Lin Chong, whom he sees as an inferior convict. He leaves in shame after losing to Lin Chong in a contest.
• Wang Lun (王倫) is the first chief of Liangshan. He is described to be a reckless and selfish man who is unwilling to accept others who are better than him out of fear that they will usurp his position as chief. However, he invites Yang Zhi to join his band as soon as they are introduced, albeit without sincerity. Wang Lun initially tries to send away Lin Chong, but eventually backs down and allows him to stay at Liangshan. When Wang Lun tries to send away Chao Gai and his friends, Lin Chong turns furious and kills Wang Lun.

Chai Jin's story

• Gao Lian (高廉) is Gao Qiu's cousin and the corrupt governor of Gaotangzhou. After Li Kui kills Yin Tianxi, Gao Lian holds Chai Jin responsible and orders him imprisoned. When the Liangshan outlaws attack Gaotangzhou to save Chai Jin, Gao Lian uses his mastery of dark magic to hold off the outlaws. However, he eventually loses when Gongsun Sheng shows up and breaks his dark magic, thus allowing the Liangshan outlaws to break in and save Chai Jin. Gao Lian is killed by Lei Heng after falling off his magical cloud while attempting to escape.
• Yin Tianxi (殷天錫) is Gao Lian's relative. He takes advantage of his relationship with Gao Lian to bully the common people. On one occasion, he tries to take over the Chai residence and beats up Chai Jin's elderly uncle, who later dies from his injuries. Chai Jin, accompanied by Li Kui, goes to confront Yin Tianxi. When Yin Tianxi insults Chai Jin, Li Kui loses his temper and kills Yin Tianxi in anger.
• Yu Zhi (于直), Wen Wenbao (溫文寶) and Xue Yuanhui (薛元輝) are three military officers serving under Gao Lian in Gaotangzhou. They are killed by Lin Chong, Qin Ming and Hua Rong respectively.

Lu Zhishen's story

• Jin Cuilian (金翠蓮) is a young woman bullied by Butcher Zheng, who wanted to make her his concubine. After she entered the Zheng household, Zheng's wife hated her and pressured her husband to force Jin Cuilian to leave. Embarrassed by the incident, Zheng forces Jin Cuilian and her father to compensate him, and refuses to allow them to leave until they paid him a large sum of money. Left with no choice, Jin Cuilian and her father turn to performing on the streets to pay their "debt". On one occasion, Jin Cuilian cries over her plight and attracts Lu Zhishen's attention. After hearing her story, a furious Lu Zhishen confronts Zheng and ends up killing him in anger. Jin Cuilian and her father flee from town and eventually find shelter under the kindly Squire Zhao.
• Butcher Zheng (鄭屠夫), nicknamed "Guardian of the West" (鎮關西), is a butcher from Weizhou (渭州; around present-day Pingliang, Gansu) who abuses his wealth by bullying the poor. After failing to take Jin Cuilian as his concubine, he forces her and her father to compensate him. When Lu Zhishen hears about it, he confronts Zheng and ends up killing him with just three punches to the head.
• Squire Zhao (趙員外) is a wealthy squire who marries Jin Cuilian through matchmaking shortly after she and her father escape from Weizhou. Jin Cuilian's father meets Lu Da, who is on the run after killing Butcher Zheng, and brings him to Squire Zhao's house. Squire Zhao, who has a penchant for befriending jianghu figures, welcomes Lu Da and recommends him to be a monk on Mount Wutai.
• Elder Zhizhen (智真長老) is the abbot of Manjusri Monastery (文殊寺) on Mount Wutai. He is a close friend of Squire Zhao.
• Squire Liu (劉太公) is the master of Peach Blossom Manor (桃花莊). His daughter attracts the attention of Zhou Tong, who tries to force her to marry him. Lu Zhishen, who was spending a night at the manor, hears about the Lius' problem and decides to help them. He ambushes Zhou Tong in the dark and beats him up. Zhou Tong later returns with his partner Li Zhong to take revenge against Lu Zhishen. However, Li Zhong is surprised to see Lu Zhishen, whom he met and befriended in Weizhou. The conflict is resolved when Li Zhong manages to convince Zhou Tong to give up on Squire Liu's daughter and stop harassing the Lius.
• Cui Daocheng (崔道成) and Qiu Xiaoyi (邱小乙), nicknamed "Living Iron Buddha" (生鐵佛) and "Sky Flying Yaksha" (飛天夜叉) respectively, are two bandits who disguise themselves as a Buddhist monk and a Taoist priest. They raze a temple to the ground and drive away most of its occupants except a few elderly monks. Lu Zhishen passes by the temple on his journey to Dongjing and encounters the two bandits, who attempt to deceive and kill him for his valuables. Later, with Shi Jin's help, Lu Zhishen defeats and kills the two bandits.
• Elder Zhiqing (智清長老) is Elder Zhizhen's junior and the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple in Dongjing.
• Zhang San (張三) and Li Si (李四), nicknamed "Street Crossing Rat" (過街老鼠) and "Green Grass Snake" (青草蛇) respectively, are the leaders of a gang of hooligans in Dongjing. They steal vegetables from the garden in Daxiangguo Temple for a living. When Lu Zhishen first moved in as the new caretaker of the garden, the hooligans attempt to intimidate him into allowing them to take the vegetables freely. However, Lu Zhishen overpowers and throws them into a pit of faeces. Awed by Lu Zhishen's strength, the hooligans surrender to him and become his followers.
• Deng Long (鄧龍), nicknamed "Golden Eyed Tiger" (金眼虎), is the chief of a bandit gang based on Mount Twin Dragons (二龍山). He is killed by Lu Zhishen, Yang Zhi and Cao Zheng, who seize control of his stronghold.

Wu Song's story

• Wu Dalang (武大郎), nicknamed "Three-cun Nail" (三寸釘) for his short stature and ugly appearance, is Wu Song's elder brother. He is murdered by Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing.
• Pan Jinlian (潘金蓮) is Wu Dalang's wife. With Granny Wang's help, she starts an affair with Ximen Qing. When Wu Dalang catches them in bed, Ximen Qing kicks him in the abdomen and causes him to be bedridden. Out of fear that Wu Dalang will tell his brother about them, Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing murder him by poisoning his medicine. Pan Jinlian even hastens Wu Dalang's death by smothering him with a blanket while he is struggling under the effects of poisoning. Pan Jinlian is eventually killed by Wu Song after she confesses to the murder.
• Ximen Qing (西門慶) is an influential merchant in Yanggu County. With Granny Wang's help, he starts an affair with Pan Jinlian and conspires with her to murder Wu Dalang when he discovers their affair. Wu Song confronts him at Lion Tower later and kills him after a vicious fight.
• Granny Wang (王婆) is Wu Dalang's neighbour who runs a teahouse opposite his home. She secretly helps Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing get together, and abets them in murdering Wu Dalang. After obtaining Pan Jinlian's confession and killing her, Wu Song takes Granny Wang to the county office to face justice. Granny Wang is ultimately convicted of abetting murder and sentenced to execution by lingchi.
• He Jiu (何九) is the coroner who inspects Wu Dalang's corpse. He knows that Wu Dalang died of poisoning but he keeps silent because he has been bribed by Ximen Qing. Haunted by his conscience, he secretly keeps a darkened bone from Wu Dalang's cremated body as evidence of poisoning. When Wu Song approaches him later, he agrees to testify in court as a witness.
• Yunge (鄆哥) is a street urchin who befriends Wu Dalang and makes a living by selling pears. He knows of Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing's affair and tells Wu Dalang about it. Later, he helps Wu Song by testifying in court as a witness.
• Zhang Mengfang (張蒙方), also known as Inspector Zhang (張都監), is a military officer in Mengzhou. He conspires with Jiang Zhong and Instructor Zhang to frame Wu Song for theft, and then bribes the guards escorting Wu Song to kill him along the way. However, Wu Song kills the guards instead, returns to Mengzhou to take his revenge, and kills Zhang Mengfang and his family.
• Instructor Zhang (張團練) is Zhang Mengfang's sworn brother and Jiang Zhong's friend. He conspires with them to frame Wu Song for theft. Wu Song survives and returns to Mengzhou to take his revenge and kill them at Mandarin Ducks Tower.
• Jiang Zhong (蔣忠) is a hooligan nicknamed "Jiang the Door God" (蔣門神) for his big stature and fighting skills. He beats up Shi En and seizes Shi En's restaurant for himself. Shi En seeks help from Wu Song, who defeats Jiang Zhong in a fight and demands that he return the restaurant and leave Mengzhou for good. Jiang Zhong plots his revenge with Zhang Mengfang and Instructor Zhang to frame Wu Song for theft. Wu Song survives the journey into exile and returns to take his revenge. Jiang Zhong is killed by Wu Song at Mandarin Ducks Tower.

• Taoist Wang (王道人), nicknamed "Flying Centipede" (飛天蜈蚣), is an evil Taoist priest living in a temple at Centipede Ridge (蜈蚣嶺). Wu Song passes by the temple during his journey to Mount Twin Dragons, kills the evil Taoist, and saves a woman from being raped by him.

Dong Ping's story

• Cheng Wanli (程萬里) is the prefect of Dongping Prefecture. When Dong Ping was still serving as a military officer in the prefecture, he had proposed to marry Cheng Wanli's daughter but was refused. After defecting to the Liangshan outlaws, Dong Ping kills Cheng Wanli and forces his daughter to marry him.

Yang Zhi's story

• Niu Er (牛二), nicknamed "Hairless Tiger" (沒毛大蟲), is a hooligan who bullies and terrorises the locals in Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng). The authorities do not dare to interfere because he has connections to the aristocracy. When Yang Zhi is selling his sabre on the streets, he encounters Niu Er, who demands to test the weapon's special properties. As Yang Zhi is desperate to sell the sabre, he reluctantly agrees the hooligan's demand. However, when Niu Er orders him to kill a man with the sabre to prove that its blade will not be stained with blood, Yang Zhi refuses and tries to leave but ends up accidentally killing Niu Er when the latter attempts to snatch the sabre from him.
• Liang Shijie (梁世傑), better known as Grand Secretary Liang (梁中書), is Cai Jing's son-in-law and the governor of Daming Prefecture. When Yang Zhi is exiled to Daming Prefecture, Liang Shijie recruits him as his subordinate after Yang Zhi impresses him with his skills in a martial arts contest. Liang Shijie later puts Yang Zhi in charge of escorting a convoy of birthday gifts to his father-in-law in Dongjing. However, the gifts are stolen by Chao Gai and his friends, who flee to Liangshan Marsh and join the outlaw band there. Fearing that he will be punished for his failure, Yang Zhi abandons his men and later becomes an outlaw too. Since then, Liang Shijie has been holding a grudge against the Liangshan outlaws. When Lu Junyi is arrested and accused of being in league with the Liangshan outlaws, Liang Shijie vents his frustration on Lu Junyi by ordering him to be tortured and ill-treated in prison.
• Zhou Jin (周瑾) is Suo Chao's apprentice and a military officer serving under Liang Shijie. He is dismissed from office after losing to Yang Zhi in a martial arts contest.
• Li Cheng (李成) and Wen Da (聞達) are two military officers serving in Daming Prefecture. They are defeated in battle by the Liangshan outlaws.

Li Kui's story

• Li Da (李達) is Li Kui's elder brother. When Li Kui goes home to fetch his mother to Liangshan, he lies to her that he has become a government official and has come to fetch her to live with him. Just then, Li Da comes home and exposes his brother's lies; Li Kui has actually become an outlaw. The Li brothers then get into a heated quarrel. Li Da, knowing that he cannot win Li Kui in a fight, leaves the house to seek help from others. In the meantime, Li Kui leaves behind some money for his brother and carries his mother on his back as they make their way through the woods to Liangshan.
• Li Kui's mother is killed and eaten by tigers when Li Kui leaves her for a while to find water. In revenge, Li Kui tracks down the four tigers to their den and kills them.
• Li Gui (李鬼) is a man who impersonates Li Kui and robs passersby in the woods in Li Kui's name. He encounters Li Kui, who is on his way home to fetch his mother to Liangshan, and loses to him in a fight. Just as Li Kui is about to kill him, Li Gui lies that he has an elderly mother who depends on him, and pleads for his life. Li Kui, believing that Li Gui is a filial son, releases him. After getting home, Li Gui plots with his wife to capture Li Kui and hand him over to the authorities for a reward. However, Li Kui passes by, overhears their conversation, and barges in and kills Li Gui.
• Li Gui's wife plots with her husband to capture Li Kui and collect the bounty on his head. However, Li Kui overhears their conversation and kills Li Gui. Li Gui's wife manages to escape and take shelter under Squire Cao.
• Squire Cao (曹太公) is a wealthy squire living in a town near Li Kui's home. He plots to capture Li Kui and hand him to the authorities for a reward after learning of Li Kui's true identity from Li Gui's wife. He pretends to be hospitable and sympathetic towards Li Kui. The unsuspecting Li Kui indulges in alcohol to forget the sorrow of losing his mother. When Li Kui is drunk, Squire Cao sends his servant to inform the local magistrate, who orders Li Yun and a group of soldiers to tie up Li Kui and escort him to the county prison. Along the way, Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu pretend to offer food and wine to Li Yun and his men. When Li Yun and the others become unconscious, the Zhu brothers free Li Kui, who proceeds to kill Squire Cao, Li Gui's wife and all the soldiers.
• Taoist Luo (羅真人) is a Taoist sorcerer and Gongsun Sheng's master. When the Liangshan outlaws are attacking Gaotangzhou to rescue Chai Jin, they are held back by Gao Lian's dark magic so Song Jiang sends Dai Zong and Li Kui to find Gongsun Sheng to help them. When Taoist Luo refuses to allow his apprentice to leave, Li Kui sneaks up on the sorcerer at night and kills him. The following day, Li Kui is shocked to see that Taoist Luo is alive and well. Taoist Luo then agrees to let Gongsun Sheng leave with them.
• Han Bolong (韓伯龍) is an outlaw who wanted to join Liangshan but had no opportunity to formally introduce himself to Song Jiang. While waiting, he was assigned by Zhu Gui to run a tavern near Liangshan to gather information from travellers. On one occasion, he encounters Li Kui, who refused to pay after having a meal at the tavern, and quarrels with him. Li Kui kills him in anger.

Shi Jin's story

• Wang Jin (王進) is a martial arts instructor of the Imperial Guards. His father taught Gao Qiu a painful lesson when Gao Qiu was still a street ruffian. Gao Qiu seeks vengeance on Wang Jin after he became a Grand Marshal. Wang Jin knows that Gao Qiu will not let him off so he escapes with his mother. They pass by Shi Jin's home and take shelter there. Wang Jin instructs Shi Jin in martial arts.
• Wang Sheng (王昇) was Wang Jin's father who was also a martial arts instructor.
• Squire Shi (史太公) is Shi Jin's father. He dies of illness not long after Wang Jin leaves their manor.
• Wang Si (王四) is a servant in Shi Jin's household. He is nicknamed "As Good as Bodang" (賽伯當) because he has a glib tongue and knows how to handle a variety of situations. On one occasion, he loses a letter written by the Mount Shaohua outlaws to Shi Jin, and keeps quiet about it. Shi Jin kills him after finding out that he is responsible for leaking out news to the authorities about Shi Jin's friendship with the outlaws.
• Li Ji (李吉) is a hunter who reports Shi Jin to the authorities for consorting with the Mount Shaohua outlaws after stealing the letter from Wang Si. Shi Jin sets fire to his manor, fights his way out, and kills Li Ji along the way.
• Prefect He (賀太守) is the corrupt governor of Huazhou (華州; present-day Huayin, Shaanxi) who seizes the daughter of a craftsman. Shi Jin breaks into his residence to assassinate him and rescue the girl but fails and ends up being captured. Lu Zhishen attempts to rescue Shi Jin but fails and gets captured too. Later, Song Jiang impersonates Marshal Su Yuanjing and lures Prefect He out of the city to pay his respects. When Prefect He comes out, he is killed by Xie Zhen and Xie Bao. The Liangshan outlaws then break into the city and rescue Shi Jin and Lu Zhishen.
• Wang Yi (王義) is a craftsman whose daughter is abducted by Prefect He.
• Li Ruilan (李瑞蘭) is a prostitute from Dongping Prefecture and Shi Jin's acquaintance. When the Liangshan outlaws are attacking Dongping Prefecture, Shi Jin offers to make use of his relationship with Li Ruilan to work as a spy for Liangshan inside the city. However, the brothel owner finds out and secretly reports Shi Jin to the authorities, who capture Shi Jin in an ambush. Shi Jin is saved after the outlaws defeat the government forces.

Lei Heng's story

• Bai Yuqiao (白玉喬) is Bai Xiuying's father. Lei Heng goes to watch their performance but forgets to bring money with him. The Bais pester Lei Heng to pay up and insult him when he says he has no money. Lei Heng beats up Bai Yuqiao in anger but is arrested later since Bai Yuqiao has connections with the corrupt officials.
• Bai Xiuying (白秀英) is a singer who insulted Lei Heng when he watched her performance without paying. Lei Heng hits her father in anger and is arrested and put in chains. When Lei Heng's mother goes to visit him, Bai Xiuying insults her and slaps her. Lei Heng cannot tolerate Bai Xiuying's attitude towards his mother and kills her in anger by slamming his shackles on her.

Li Jun's story

The following persons are jianghu figures living around the Lake Tai area. They become sworn brothers with Li Jun and eventually follow him to Siam, where he becomes king.

• Fei Bao (費保), nicknamed "Red Whiskers Dragon" (赤鬚龍).
• Ni Yun (倪雲), nicknamed "Curly Haired Tiger" (捲毛虎).
• Bu Qing (卜青), nicknamed "Lake Tai Dragon" (太湖蛟).
• Di Cheng (狄成), nicknamed "Narrow Faced Bear" (瘦臉熊).

Zhang Shun's story

• Zhang Wang (張旺), nicknamed "River Pirate Devil" (截江鬼), is a pirate who robs Zhang Shun while the latter is on a journey to find An Daoquan to cure Song Jiang. Zhang Wang ties up Zhang Shun and throws him into the river, but Zhang Shun manages to break his bonds and swim away. On the return journey, Zhang Shun encounters Zhang Wang again and he takes his revenge by tying up Zhang Wang and throwing him into the river.
• Sun Wu (孫五), nicknamed "Loach in Oil" (油裡鰍), is Zhang Wang's accomplice. Zhang Wang kills him when they have a quarrel over the loot after robbing Zhang Shun.
• Li Qiaonu (李巧奴) is a prostitute and An Daoquan's lover. When Zhang Shun goes to find An Daoquan to cure Song Jiang's illness, Li Qiaonu refuses to allow An Daoquan to leave. Zhang Shun then secretly kills Li Qiaonu and writes "An Daoquan is the killer" on the wall near the crime scene to frame An Daoquan, who has no choice but to leave with Zhang Shun and become an outlaw.

Yang Xiong's story

• Zhang Bao (張保), nicknamed "Sheep Kicker" (踢殺羊), is the leader of a street gang in Jizhou. Jealous of Yang Xiong, he and his gang try to rob him, but Shi Xiu comes to Yang Xiong's aid and drives away the gangsters.
• Pan Qiaoyun (潘巧雲) is Yang Xiong's wife. She has an affair with Pei Ruhai and falsely accuses Shi Xiu of molesting her after he discovers their affair. Shi Xiu kills Pei Ruhai and takes Pan Qiaoyun to Cuiping Hill, where Yang Xiong interrogates her and kills her after she confesses to the affair.
• Pei Ruhai (裴如海), also known as "Haigong" (海公), is a Buddhist monk who has an affair with Pan Qiaoyun. He is killed by Shi Xiu.
• Ying'er (迎兒) is Pan Qiaoyun's servant. She has been helping her mistress cover up her affair with Pei Ruhai. She is killed by Yang Xiong.

Xie brothers' story

• Squire Mao (毛太公) is a wealthy squire in Dengzhou (登州; in present-day Shandong). The Xie brothers are sent to hunt down and kill a ferocious tiger. The tiger is wounded and rolls down the hill and lands in Mao's backyard. The Xies go to Mao's residence to claim the tiger but Mao has already sent his men with the dead tiger to the county office to collect his reward. Mao frames the Xies for attempting to rob him and bribes the magistrate to sentence them to death. The Xie brothers are later rescued by Gu Dasao, Sun Xin and others, and they return to take revenge on Mao by killing him and his family.

Zhu Family Village

• Zhu Chaofeng (祝朝奉) is the headman of the village. He abuses his connections with the local authorities by bullying the people living around his village. He also provokes the Liangshan outlaws by insulting its leaders and declaring that he will destroy Liangshan one day. His actions harden the outlaws' decision to attack his village. After the village falls, he tries to escape but runs into Shi Xiu, who beheads him.
• Zhu Long (祝龍) is Zhu Chaofeng's first son. He is killed by Lin Chong while attempting to escape after the village is taken by the outlaws.
• Zhu Hu (祝虎) is Zhu Chaofeng's second son. He is killed by Lü Fang and Guo Sheng.
• Zhu Biao (祝彪) is Zhu Chaofeng's youngest son. He was originally engaged to Hu Sanniang of the neighbouring Hu Family Village. After the Zhu Family Village falls, Zhu Biao flees to the Hu Family Village and hopes that the Hus will help him. However, Hu Cheng binds him and sends him to Liangshan in exchange for his sister, who has been captured earlier by the outlaws. Zhu Biao is killed by Li Kui while being escorted to the Liangshan camp.
• Luan Tingyu (栾廷玉), nicknamed "Iron Staff" (鐵棒), is Zhu Chaofeng's adviser and a martial arts instructor. He learnt martial arts from the same master as Sun Li. Sun Li makes use of his friendship with Luan Tingyu to infiltrate the village and work as a spy for Liangshan. Luan Tingyu is purportedly killed in battle when the Liangshan outlaws overrun the village.
• Old Man Zhongli (鐘離老人) is an old man who instructs Shi Xiu how to avoid the traps in the village. Shi rescues him later after the village falls to the outlaws.

Zeng Family Fortress

• Zeng Nong (曾弄) is the headman of the fortress. Initially hostile towards the Liangshan outlaws, he regrets later when two of his sons are killed by the outlaws. After failing to make peace with the outlaws, he hangs himself when the outlaws overrun the fortress.
• Zeng Tu (曾涂) is Zeng Nong's first son. He fights with Lü Fang and Guo Sheng and tries to kill them when their spears are entangled but falls off his horse after being hit by an arrow fired by Hua Rong. Lü Fang and Guo Sheng then seize the opportunity to spear him together after he is down.
• Zeng Mi (曾密) is Zeng Nong's second son. He is killed by Zhu Tong when the outlaws overrun the fortress.
• Zeng Suo (曾索) is Zeng Nong's third son. He is killed in an ambush while attempting to launch a sneak attack on the Liangshan camp.
• Zeng Kui (曾魁) is Zeng Nong's fourth son. He is killed by Lu Zhishen and Wu Song when the outlaws overrun the fortress.
• Zeng Sheng (曾升) is Zeng Nong's youngest son. He is sent as a hostage to the Liangshan camp during the negotiations for a truce between Liangshan and the Zengs. He is eventually executed by the outlaws.
• Shi Wengong (史文恭) is Zeng Nong's adviser and a martial arts instructor. A highly-skilled warrior capable of fighting several opponents at the same time, he kills Liangshan's chief Chao Gai with a poisoned arrow in an earlier battle. Before dying, Chao Gai says that whoever captures Shi Wengong will succeed him as chief. When the Liangshan outlaws overrun the fortress, Shi Wengong attempts to flee but encounters Lu Junyi, who defeats and captures him. Shi Wengong is then escorted back to Liangshan and executed as a sacrifice to Chao Gai. Some non-Water Margin sources claim that he is a martial arts apprentice of Zhou Tong.
• Su Ding (蘇定) is a martial arts instructor in the fortress. He is killed in battle when the Liangshan outlaws overrun the fortress.

Gao Qiu's story

• Gao Qiu (高俅) is one of the primary antagonists in the novel. Originally a hooligan living on the streets of Dongjing (present-day Kaifeng, Henan), he meets Prince Duan by chance and impresses the prince with his talent in the ball game qiqiu (氣毬). Through their common hobby, Gao Qiu develops a close relationship with Prince Duan and eventually gets appointed as a Grand Marshal (太尉) when Prince Duan becomes emperor. After entering office, Gao Qiu abuses his powers by taking revenge against those who previously offended him and persecuting innocents. Some of the 108 Heroes – most notably Lin Chong – have suffered some form of injustice at Gao Qiu's hands. Gao Qiu also urges Emperor Huizong to send imperial forces to eliminate the Liangshan outlaws on four separate occasions. However, the outlaws emerge victorious every time, and some of the imperial commanders (e.g. Huyan Zhuo, Guan Sheng) decide to join the outlaws in opposing the corrupt government. When Gao Qiu personally leads imperial forces to attack the outlaws, he suffers a devastating defeat in the marshes and ends up being captured. While Lin Chong and some of the outlaws want to kill Gao Qiu in revenge, Song Jiang stops them because he wants Gao Qiu to help the outlaws convey to Emperor Huizong their desire for to be granted amnesty and opportunities to serve the Song Empire. Gao Qiu pretends to agree, and breaks his promise as soon as the outlaws release him. Despite Gao Qiu and other corrupt officials' attempts to stop them, the outlaws eventually secure amnesty from Emperor Huizong and go on military campaigns against the Liao Empire and rebel forces on Song territory as a form of service to the Song Empire. After the campaigns, Emperor Huizong confers official appointments on the surviving Liangshan heroes to honour them for their service. Gao Qiu and the other corrupt officials were dissatisfied with the outcome so they conspire to murder Song Jiang and Lu Junyi.
• Wang Shen (王詵) is a prince consort who married Emperor Zhezong's sister. He is referred to as Wang Jinqing (王晉卿) in the novel. Before Gao Qiu rose to power, he was briefly a servant in Wang Jinqing's residence. When Wang Jinqing once tasked him with sending gifts to Prince Duan, Gao Qiu interrupted the prince's qiqiu game by coincidence. The prince is so impressed with Gao Qiu's skill that he asks Wang Jinqing to allow Gao Qiu to serve under him.
• "Little Su the Scholar" (小蘇學士) is an imperial academic who recommended Gao Qiu to Wang Shen. His true identity is not specified. He is believed to be Su Shi (Su Dongpo) or a member of Su Shi's family.
• Liu Shiquan (柳世權) is a man who runs a gambling house. He likes to accept idlers and provide them with food and lodging. He lets Gao Qiu stay with him when Gao Qiu was still wandering the streets. He later sends Gao Qiu to his relative, Dong Jiangshi.
• Dong Jiangshi (董將士) is Liu Shiquan's relative, who runs a pharmacy near the Jinliang Bridge in Dongjing (present-day Kaifeng). He accepts Gao Qiu and lets the latter stay with him for a while, but does not really like him. He is afraid that Gao Qiu might have a negative influence on his children so he sends Gao Qiu away to Su Shi's residence.

Song government

• Emperor Huizong (宋徽宗), personal name Zhao Ji (趙佶), is the ruler of the Song Empire. He was previously known as Prince Duan (端王) before he became emperor.
• Cai Jing (蔡京) is the Imperial Tutor (太師) in Emperor Huizong's court. A corrupt official, he collaborates with Gao Qiu, Tong Guan, Yang Jian and others to block the Liangshan outlaws' attempt to obtain amnesty from Emperor Huizong. However, their attempt fails and the outlaws receive amnesty and go on military campaigns as a form of service to the Song Empire. Later, he conspires with Gao Qiu and the others to murder Song Jiang and Lu Junyi. Apart from characterising Cai Jing as a villain, the novel also names Cai Jing as one of the best calligraphers of his time alongside Su Shi (Su Dongpo), Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu. In one chapter, the Liangshan outlaws recruit Xiao Rang, who is known for his ability to imitate the works of the four calligraphers, to forge a letter in Cai Jing's handwriting.
• Tong Guan (童貫) is a eunuch serving as a Privy Councillor (樞密使) in Emperor Huizong's court. A corrupt official who rose to power because the emperor favoured him, he conspires with Gao Qiu and the others to murder Song Jiang and Lu Junyi.
• Yang Jian (楊戩) is a eunuch serving as a Grand Marshal (太尉) in Emperor Huizong's court. A corrupt official who rose to power because the emperor favoured him, he conspires with Gao Qiu and the others to murder Song Jiang and Lu Junyi.
• Su Yuanjing (宿元景) is a Grand Marshal in Emperor Huizong's court. He is known to be an honest official. Song Jiang wishes to convey his and the Liangshan heroes' grievances of being forced to become outlaws due to corruption in the government, as well as express their desire to serve the Song Empire. After Song Jiang approaches Su Yuanjing for help, the latter manages to convince Emperor Huizong to grant the outlaws amnesty. He also speaks up for the Liangshan heroes in front of the emperor on several occasions. He is sent by the emperor to grant amnesty to the outlaws again after the first attempt by Chen Zongshan failed.
• Chen Zongshan (陳宗善) is a Grand Marshal sent by Emperor Huizong to grant amnesty to the Liangshan outlaws the first time. However, his mission fails because the majority of the outlaws are reluctant to accept amnesty, and the impulsive Li Kui tears up the emperor's imperial decree.
• Wang Huan (王煥), Xu Jing (徐京), Wang Wende (王文德), Mei Zhan (梅展), Zhang Kai (張開), Yang Wen (楊溫), Han Cunbao (韓存保), Li Congji (李從吉), Xiang Yuanzhen (項元鎮), and Jing Zhong (荊忠) are ten regional military governors summoned to lead their troops to support Gao Qiu in attacking the Liangshan outlaws.
• Liu Menglong (劉夢龍) is a military officer who specialises in naval warfare. He is appointed by Gao Qiu to lead the imperial navy to attack Liangshan Marsh. His complacency results in him falling into an ambush in the marsh, where his entire fleet is destroyed and he is killed by the Li Jun.
• Niu Bangxi (牛邦喜) is an infantry colonel under Gao Qiu in charge of overseeing logistical preparations for the naval campaign.
• Dang Shiying (黨世英) and Dang Shixiong (黨世雄) are a pair of brothers serving as military officers under Gao Qiu.
• Qiu Yue ((丘岳) and Zhou Ang ((周昂) are two generals sent by Yang Jian to support Gao Qiu in the campaign against the outlaws.
• Wang Bing (王稟) and Zhao Tan (趙譚) serve as Tong Guan's deputies when he leads imperial forces to join the outlaws in fighting Fang La's forces.

Liao Empire

• Yelü Hui (耶律輝), referred to in the novel as the "Ruler of Liao" (遼國郎主), is the ruler of the Liao Empire. After being defeated in battle by the Liangshan forces, he surrenders and agrees to pay annual tribute to the Song Empire.
• Chu Jian (褚堅) is the Right Premier (右丞相) and Grand Preceptor (太師) of the Liao Empire. He represents the Liao Empire in surrendering to the Song Empire.
• Youxi Bojin (幽西孛瑾) is the Left Premier (左丞相) of the Liao Empire.
• Yelü Guozhen (耶律國珍) is Yelü Hui's nephew. He is killed by Dong Ping.
• Yelü Guobao (耶律國寶) is Yelü Guozhen's younger brother. He falls off horseback after being hit in the face with a stone flung by Zhang Qing, and gets killed by Liangshan forces.
• Taizhen Xuqing (太真胥慶) is Yelü Hui's son-in-law. He flees from battle after Wuyan Yanshou is captured and Li Ji is killed.
• Li Ji (李集), also referred to as Li Jinyu (李金吾), is the security chief of the Liao capital and a descendant of Li Ling. He is killed by Qin Ming.
• Vice-Minister Ouyang (歐陽侍郎) is sent by Yelü Hui to persuade Song Jiang and the Liangshan heroes to surrender and defect to the Liao Empire. Song Jiang pretends to agree; the Liangshan forces then easily take control of Bazhou.

Tian Hu forces

• Tian Hu (田虎), the self-declared "King of Jin" (晉王), is a rebel leader who establishes an independent kingdom based in Weisheng Prefecture (威勝府; around present-day southeast Shanxi). He is ultimately defeated by the Liangshan forces fighting for the Song Empire, and captured by Zhang Qing.
• Tian Ding (田定) is Tian Hu's son and heir apparent. He commits suicide after the Liangshan forces capture Weisheng Prefecture.
• Lady Wu (鄔妃) is Wu Li's sister and Tian Hu's concubine.
• Lady Fan (范美人) is Fan Quan's daughter and Tian Hu's concubine.

Wang Qing forces

Fang La forces

Others

• Hu Cheng (扈成) is Hu Sanniang's elder brother. He pleads with the Liangshan outlaws to release his sister after she is captured by them. Song Jiang agrees on the condition that Hu Cheng brings one of the three Zhu brothers in exchange for her. When Zhu Biao flees to Hu Cheng's village after his defeat, Hu Cheng captures and escorts him to the Liangshan camp. Along the way, they meet Li Kui, who decapitates Zhu Biao.
• Li Shishi (李師師) is a courtesan living in the capital. Emperor Huizong is one of her regular clients. She helps the Liangshan outlaws in obtaining amnesty from the emperor.

Characters mentioned by name

• Hong Xin (洪信) was a Grand Marshal (太尉) sent by Emperor Renzong to seek Celestial Master Zhang to help them in combating a plague. After completing his mission and before returning to the capital, he visited the temple near where the Master resided and unsuspectingly released 108 demons trapped in a secret chamber for centuries. The demons spread out throughout the land after their release and are reincarnated as the 108 Heroes. As if Hong Xin's actions were predestined, a stone tablet that stood on the location where the demons were imprisoned had the words "Opens when Hong (Xin) arrives" (遇洪而開) carved on it.
• Celestial Master Zhang (張天師), also known as Celestial Master Xujing (虛靖天師), was a Taoist sage and Zhang Daoling's heir. Emperor Shenzong sent Hong Xin in search of him to help in combating a plague. Hong Xin reached Mount Dragon Tiger (龍虎山) in Xinzhou (信州), Jiangxi, where the Master resided. The priests at the temple told Hong Xin that he must travel up the mountain alone to find the Master as a test of his courage and faith. Hong Xin met a young cowherd, who told him that the Master already knew about the plague and was on his way to the capital. Upon returning to the temple, the priests told Hong Xin that the cowherd was actually the Master.
• Master Dongxuan (洞玄國師) was a Taoist who lived during the Tang dynasty. He subdued the 108 demons and imprisoned them in a secret chamber in the temple on Mount Dragon Tiger.

Notes

References

• Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
• Miyazaki, Ichisada (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
• Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Shi, Nai'an (1589). Yang, Dingjian (ed.). Water Margin (in Chinese) (120 chapters ed.).
• Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.