Ding Desun
Fictional character in the Chinese classical novel Water Margin
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Ding Desun is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Arrow-hit Tiger", he ranks 79th among the 108 Heroes and 43rd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
| Ding Desun | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
an illustration of Ding Desun by Utagawa Kuniyoshi | |
| First appearance | Chapter 70 |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | "Arrow-hit Tiger" 中箭虎 |
| Weapon | forked spear |
| Origin | military officer |
| Designation | Infantry Commander of Liangshan |
| Rank | 79th, Speed Star (地速星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
| Chinese names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 丁得孙 |
| Traditional Chinese | 丁得孫 |
| Pinyin | Dīng Désūn |
| Wade–Giles | Ting Te-sun |
Background
Ding Desun is nicknamed "Arrow-hit Tiger" because he has multiple scars on his face and body. A skilled warrior, he specialises in using a forked spear. He and Gong Wang serve as the lieutenants of Zhang Qing, a military officer stationed in Dongchang Prefecture (東昌府; in present-day Liaocheng, Shandong).
Becoming an outlaw
When the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh attack Dongchang Prefecture, Zhang Qing, flanked by Ding Desun and Gong Wang, leads his troops out to engage the enemy. Zhang Qing uses his deadly stone-flinging skill to defeat several of Liangshan's best fighters on horseback and on foot. Each time he takes down his opponent, Ding Desun and Gong Wang will charge forward and attempt to take his opponent captive.
At one point, Zhang Qing and Dong Ping duel on horseback and start grappling with each other after discarding their weapons. Gong Wang moves in to intercept Liangshan's Lin Chong and Hua Rong when they attempt to join the fray to help Dong Ping, but he is no match for the two and ends up being captured. Meanwhile, Ding Desun is captured too by Liangshan's Lü Fang and Guo Sheng. Zhang Qing ultimately falls into a trap and gets taken captive by the outlaws. He decides to surrender and join the outlaws; Ding Desun and Gong Wang follow suit.
Campaigns and death
Ding Desun is appointed as a commander of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Heroes are fully assembled. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory after the outlaws receive amnesty from Emperor Huizong.
During the final campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Ding Desun is assigned to attack Shezhou (present-day She County, Anhui) and lure the enemy into an ambush. The plan succeeds and the enemy is routed. While pursuing the enemy, Ding Desun is bitten by a venomous snake in the bushes and dies of poisoning.
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. p. 159. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
- Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei, p. 93
- Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.