Wang Dingliu
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Wang Dingliu (王定六) is a character in the Water Margin.
Wang Dingliu was from Jiangkangfu, and he had a sharp head, sparkling eyes, and a pair of skinny legs. However, he walked at an astonishing speed, as though he was gliding on air, thus earning him the nickname 'Living lightning god'(活闪婆). He was also a good swimmer, knew some martial arts, had learnt from many different teachers before, but did not really master the skills he was taught.
Wang made a living by selling wine in a tavern at the riverbank. Once, Zhang Shun went to find An Dao-quan to cure the growth on Song Jiang's back. On the river, Zhang boarded Zhang Wang and Sun Wu's pirate vessel and was thrown into the river. Luckily, Zhang was a swimmer and he managed to bite the ropes binding him and free himself. He swam to the riverbank and entered Wang's tavern. Wang helped him by giving him a set of dry clothing and even wanted to help him gain revenge. However, Zhang did not wait for Wang and he left hastily to find An Daoquan.
Zhang killed a prostitute and framed An Dao-quan, writing 'An Daoquan is the killer' on the wall near the crime scene, leaving An with no choice but to join the Liangshan band. They came to the riverbank and met Wang Dingliu once again. This time, Wang hailed Zhang Wang's vessel for transport. Zhang Shun recognised Zhang Wang and grabbed him, bound him and threw him into the river for revenge. Zhang Shun knew that Wang was a man of loyalty and trust, and thus decided to invite him to join the Liangshan band, which Wang agreed and went back with them.
When the Liangshan heroes were attacking Dongpingfu, Wang Ding-liu and Yu Bao-si went as envoys to submit the declaration of war to the governor of Dongpingfu. However, the governor had the envoys severely beaten up and chased out of the city. Eventually, the Liangshan heroes managed to conquer Dongpingfu.
Wang became in charge of hearing news from customers in a tavern he ran near Liangshan, and played an important role in receiving important guests and imperial envoys to Liangshan. He participated in the campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels after the heroes had been granted amnesty by the emperor, and eventually met his end when he was hit by a poisoned arrow in the battle of Xuanzhou during the Fang La campaign.
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