Dong Ping

Dong Ping is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He is nicknamed "General of Double Spears" and ranks 15th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes.

Background

Dong Ping is from Shangdang (上黨), Hedong (河東), which is around present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi. He serves the imperial army as a general in Dongping Prefecture (東平府; present-day Dongping County, Tai'an, Shandong). He wields a pair of spears in combat – hence his nickname "General of Double Spears" – and is feared by many for his prowess in battle. Apart from being an accomplished warrior, Dong Ping is also a connoisseur of music and the arts. He can play many musical instruments and is described by women as a romantic man. As such, he is also nicknamed "Refined and Cultured General of Double Spears".

Becoming an outlaw

When the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh are preparing to attack Dongping Prefecture, they send Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu to announce the impending attack to the prefect of Dongping and demand that he surrenders. The prefect is shocked but Dong Ping manages to calm him down. Dong Ping then tells Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu that they will not surrender, and suggests to the prefect to execute the two men as an affirmation of their decision to defend Dongping Prefecture. The prefect does not heed Dong Ping's suggestion, but still orders his men to beat up Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu and drive them out of Dongping Prefecture.

Shi Jin volunteers to infiltrate Dongping Prefecture and serve as a spy for Liangshan through his friendship with a prostitute living in the city. Unfortunately, the mistress reports Shi Jin to the prefecture office; the prefect sends soldiers to ambush Shi Jin and capture him. Song Jiang immediately orders an offensive on Dongping Prefecture after receiving news that Shi Jin has been captured. Dong Ping challenges the Liangshan outlaws to man-on-man duels but neither side emerges victorious after several rounds of fighting.

One night, the outlaws lure Dong Ping into a trap and capture him. Song Jiang treats Dong Ping respectfully and succeeds in convincing him to join the outlaw band at Liangshan. Dong Ping returns to Dongping Prefecture, tricks the prefect into opening the city gates, and helps the outlaws capture the prefecture.

Death

Dong Ping becomes one of the Five Tiger Generals of the Liangshan cavalry after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He follows the heroes on their campaigns against the invading Liao army and rebel forces.

During the campaign against the rebel leader Fang La, Dong Ping and "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing are assigned to attack the enemy at Dusong Pass (獨松關; located south of present-day Anji County, Huzhou, Zhejiang). Even though his left arm has been injured by cannon fire, Dong Ping continues fighting with Fang La's general Li Tianrun before he is forced to retreat. Zhang Qing rushes forth and continues the fight with Li Tianrun, but is slain by his opponent after his weapon gets stuck in a tree. Dong Ping attempts to avenge his fallen comrade but is caught off guard by another enemy general, Zhang Tao, who sneaks up on him and slices him into two from behind.

References

• (Chinese) Li, Mengxia. 108 Heroes from the Water Margin, page 31. 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, pages 92–93. 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.