Dai Zhong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dai Zhong is a character in the epic Chinese tale, the Water Margin. He was also known as Dai Zong (戴宗).
Dai Zong served as a jailer in Jiangzhou.He had a wide face, squarish mouth and a lean body. He had a special magic ability which enabled him to travel over long distances. To travel 500 li, he would require two talismans tied onto his legs. To travel 800 li, he would require four talismans. Due to this ability, he was nicknamed the 'Magic Traveller'(神行太保).
Dai Zong was a good friend of Wu Yong, and when Song Jiang was exiled to Jiangzhou, Dai took good care of Song after reading the letter Song brought with him from Wu Yong. In Jiangzhou, Song Jiang wrote a poem urging rebellion against the government in a drunken state and was arrested. Dai Zong suggested to Song Jiang that he act like a lunatic. Huang Wenbing sensed that Song Jiang was not insane at all and suggested that Song Jiang be tortured. Dai Zong tried his best to help Song Jiang but could not. Cai Jiu sent Dai Zong to the capital city, but Dai went to Liangshan for help instead. Wu Yong came up with a plan and invited Xiao Rang and Jin Dajian to help. Xiao Rang forged a letter by Cai Jing and Jin Dajian came up with a seal similar to Cai Jing's. In the letter, it was stated that Song Jiang was to be released immediately.
Dai Zong returned with the letter to Jiangzhou and handed it to Cai Jiu. Unfortunately, Huang Wenbing discovered the forgery as Jin Dajian had made a mistake. Cai Jiu was furious and had Dai Zong arrested as well. Both Song Jiang and Dai Zong were scheduled to be executed, but the Liangshan heroes stormed the execution ground and rescued them. Once, Song Jiang contracted an illness due to a growth on his back, and was in a critical situation. Zhang Shun went to find An Dao-quan, the famous doctor, and Dai Zong transported An swiftly back to Liangshan with his magic power. Thus, Song Jiang was saved in time.
Dai Zong became the overall-in-charge of the Liangshan scouting team, which gathered information from the enemy. During the battle against the Zeng Family Village, Dai made a great contribution by speeding towards the village twice and back, bringing with him news of the situation, paving the way for victory.
Dai followed the heroes on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels. He was one of the few lucky surviving heroes after the campaigns. He was given the an official post in Yanzhou. However, he resigned and went to a temple where he led a reclusive life. Months later, Dai died after laughing non-stop.
