Zhu Wu
| Zhu Wu | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| First appearance | Chapter 2 |
| Nickname | "Resourceful Strategist" |
| Rank | 37th, Leader Star ( |
| Strategist of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Bandit leader from Mount Shaohua |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Dingyuan (present-day Dingyuan County, Anhui) |
| Weapon | Pair of swords |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | |
| Traditional Chinese | |
| Pinyin | Zhū Wǔ |
| Wade–Giles | Chu Wu |
Zhu Wu is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Resourceful Strategist", he ranks 37th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 1st among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
Background
Described in the novel as handsome with his blazing eyes and long beard, Zhu Wu dresses like a Taoist priest and often carries a hand fan made of crane feathers. His acumen as a military strategist and expertise in marshaling battle formations earn him the nickname "Resourceful Strategist".
Originally from Dingyuan (
Befriending Shi Jin
One day, when Chen Da decides to raid Huayin County for supply, Zhu Wu points out that he would have to pass by Shi Jin's village. Zhu Wu is afraid that Shi, who is reputed to be a formidable fighter, would stand in the way. Chen Da ignores Zhu Wu's warning and heads towards Huayin with some men.
Just as Zhu Wu has foreseen, Shi Jin leads his villagers to block Chen Da's path. He takes on Chen in a one-on-one duel on horseback and captures him. Upon receiving the news, Yang Chun suggests battling it out with Shi Jin. However, Zhu Wu suggests Shi Jin could be psyched to release Chen Da. So the two go to the Shi Family Village where they tell Shi Jin they are giving themselves up as they and Chen Da have sworn to die together. Moved by their bond of brotherhood, Shi Jin frees Chen Da and befriends the three. From then on, the two sides often exchange gifts and gather to drink together.
One day, a hunter Li Ji stumbles on a letter of Shi Jin inviting the three Shaohua bandits to his home for a festive drink. He reports the matter to the county office. The magistrate sends soldiers to arrest Shi Jin and his friends on their appointed night of gathering. Besieged, Shi Jin has no choice but to abandon his home and fight his way out with the three bandit chiefs. At the stronghold of Shaohua, Shi refuses to join the band. He leaves for Weizhou to look for his martial arts teacher Wang Jin. But he fails to locate Wang and returns to the Shaohua gang.
Joining Liangshan
When Shi Jin tries to save a woman abducted by the corrupt and lecherous prefect of Huazhou, he falls into the latter's trap and is captured. Lu Zhishen, who has come to Mt Shaohua to invite Shi to join Liangshan, tries to rescue him but is also lured into an ambush. Zhu Wu, Chen Da and Yang Chun turn to Liangshan Marsh for help. The Liangshan outlaws rush to Huazhou where they lure the prefect out of the city and kill him. After saving Shi Jin and Lu Zhishen, they absorb the Mt Shaohua bandits into their fold. Zhu Wu thus becomes part of Liangshan.
Campaigns
Zhu Wu is appointed military strategist of Liangshan alongside Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. Following the amnesty by Emperor Huizong, he follows the Liangshan heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory. He draws up military plans in several battles that decisively beat the enemies.
Zhu Wu is one of the few who survive all the campaigns. While they are returning to the imperial capital after the last battle, Zhu Wu decides to leave the group. He chooses to go with Fan Rui to take up Taoist practice under Gongsun Sheng. He becomes an immortal, according to the novel.
References
- Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Ichisada, Miyazaki (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. 75. 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. 97
- Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.