Li Zhong (Water Margin)
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Li Zhong (李忠) is a character in the Water Margin.
Li Zhong was from Dingyuan, Haozhou. He made a living by performing in the streets and selling medicine. He was strong and muscular, thus earning him the nickname 'Tiger-fighting general' (打虎将).
Li Zhong once taught Shi Jin martial arts and they met in Weizhou once again along with Lu Zhishen (Lu Da) after Shi Jin had become an outlaw. Lu Zhishen was hot-tempered by nature and he killed Butcher Zheng, a local bully in Weizhou, with merely just three punches. Later, Lu Zhishen became a monk on Wutai Mountain to avoid arrest. Li Zhong also left Weizhou and he passed by Taohua Mountain. Zhou Tong, the chief of the bandits on Taohua Mountain attacked Li Zhong and tried to rob him, but was defeated by Li instead. Zhou Tong was impressed and agreed to give up his position and allow Li Zhong to be the new chief, which Li agreed.
Later, Lu Zhishen was expelled from the monastery after creating havoc and he passed by Taohua Manor on the way to Kaifeng. Lord Liu, the master of the manor, treated Lu Zhishen well and told him that Zhou Tong was trying to force his daughter to marry him. Lu Zhishen was furious and agreed to help Lord Liu. Zhou Tong was ambushed by Lu Zhishen and given a good beating. Zhou Tong fled back to his stronghold and told Li Zhong about it. Li was furious and wanted to confront the man who beat up Zhou Tong, but he found out it was Lu Zhishen. In the end, Li Zhong managed to persuade Zhou Tong to give up marrying Lord Liu's daughter and he invited Lu Zhishen to join him at his stronghold. Lu Zhishen did not feel very comfortable in the presence of Zhou Tong and Li Zhong, so he left without a word when Zhou and Li were out.
Later, Huyuan Zhuo was defeated in battle by the Liangshan heroes and he fled to Qingzhou to join Governor Murong. On the way, he passed by Taohua Mountain and his steed was stolen by Zhou Tong. Huyuan was furious and he attacked Taohua Mountain. Li Zhong and Zhou Tong sought help from the bandits on Erlong Mountain, but they were defeated by Huyuan Zhuo as well. In the end, the Liangshan heroes arrived and defeated Huyuan Zhuo at the battle of Qingzhou. Li Zhong then followed them back to Liangshan to deliver justice on heaven's behalf along with the other heroes.
Li Zhong became one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry and 36 Heavenly Spirits. After the heroes had obtained amnesty from the emperor, Li Zhong followed them on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels, making great contributions. During the Fang La campaign, Li Zhong was assigned to attack Yuling Pass. He was shocked to see Shi Jin being shot down by Pang Wanchun in the battle and tried to rescue Shi but perished in the attempt along with four other heroes under dozens of enemy arrows.
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