Huang Xin

Huang Xin is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 38th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 2nd of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Guardian of the Three Mountains".

Background

Huang Xin is an imperial general from Qingzhou (in present-day Shandong). He is famous for his prowess in martial arts. Once, he boasts that he can eliminate the outlaws on three mountains in the areas around Qingzhou – Mount Qingfeng (清風山), Mount Twin Dragons (二龍山) and Mount Peach Blossom (桃花山). He is thus nicknamed "Guardian of Three Mountains".

Becoming an outlaw

When Song Jiang has been arrested by Liu Gao, the official in charge of Qingfeng Fort (清風寨; in present-day Qingzhou, Weifang, Shandong), Qingzhou's governor, Murong Yanda, orders Huang Xin to lead a group of soldiers to the fort to escort Song Jiang back to Qingzhou for further action. In the meantime, Hua Rong goes to confront Liu Gao and frees Song Jiang by force. Although Huang Xin is a close associate of Hua Rong, he chooses to believe Liu Gao and mistakenly thinks that Hua Rong has committed treason by helping a fugitive escape. He lies to Hua Rong that he wants to speak to him personally and help him resolve the conflict, and invites Hua to attend a feast hosted by him. When Hua Rong shows up at the feast, Huang Xin's men ambush and capture him.

While escorting Song Jiang and Hua Rong as prisoners back to Qingzhou, Huang Xin and his convoy are ambushed by a group of bandits from Mount Qingfeng. Huang Xin fights with the three bandit chiefs – Yan Shun, Wang Ying and Zheng Tianshou – by is eventually outnumbered and forced to retreat back to Qingfeng Fort. When Murong Yanda learns of Huang Xin's defeat, he orders Qin Ming to lead an army to reinforce Huang and eliminate the outlaws. However, Qin Ming ends up being captured by the outlaws and decides to join them after being convinced by Song Jiang. Qin Ming volunteers to persuade Huang Xin to join the outlaws and succeeds in doing so. Huang Xin opens the gates of Qingfeng Fort for the outlaws, who rush inside, overrun the fort, and kill Liu Gao and his family in revenge. The victorious outlaws then travel to Liangshan Marsh to join the outlaw band there.

Campaigns

Huang Xin becomes one of the scouting generals of the Liangshan cavalry after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He joins the heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces after they have been granted amnesty by Emperor Huizong. Huang Xin survives the campaign against the rebel leader Fang La and returns to the capital. The emperor reinstates him as a general in Qingzhou in recognition of his contributions during the campaigns.

References

• (Chinese) Li, Mengxia. 108 Heroes from the Water Margin, page 77. 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.
• Keffer, David. Outlaws of the Marsh.
• Miyamotois, Yoko. Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits.
• (Japanese) Ichisada, Miyazaki. Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu. Chuo Koronsha, 1993. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Shibusawa, Kou. Bandit Kings of Ancient China. KOEI, 1989.