Xiang Chong
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Xiang Chong (项充) is a character in the epic Chinese novel the Water Margin.
Xiang Chong was from Peixian, Xuzhou. He wore a steel helmet, carried a shield with a beast's head engraved on it, an iron spear and 24 daggers which he used to throw at his enemies. Xiang excelled in martial arts and was able to hit a target accurately within a hundred steps with his flying daggers. He also walked at lightning speed, thus earning him the nicknamed 'Eight-armed Nezha' (八臂哪吒).
Xiang Chong was a good friend of Pan Rui and he served as Pan's surbordinate along with Li Gun. They commanded an army of about 3000 men on Mangdang Mountain and proclaimed that they would one day conquer Liangshan. Song Jiang heard about it and was furious, so he led the Liangshan heroes to attack Mangdang Mountain. Shi Jin volunteered to be the vanguard general to attack Mangdang Mountain, but was defeated by Xiang Chong.
The next day, Gongsun Sheng arranged the Liangshan troops in the Eight Trigrams Formation. Pan Rui used his magic powers in an attempt to break the formation while ordering Xiang Chong and Li Gun to charge into the formation at the same time. Unexpectedly, Gongsun Sheng defeated Pan Rui in magic combat. Xiang Chong and Li Gun found themselves lost inside the formation and eventually fell into a pit and were captured. Song Jiang treated them with respect and both men were touched by Song's kindness. Xiang Chong and Li Gun went back to find Pan Rui and managed to persuade Pan to join the Liangshan band.
Xiang Chong became one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry and 72 Earthly Fiends. After Song Jiang had obtained amnesty from the emperor, Xiang Chong followed the heroes on their campaigns, making invaluable contributions to the Imperial Court. During the Fang La campaign, Xiang Chong was assigned to attack Muzhou. There, he faced Zheng Mojun bravely, but was tripped by Zheng's lasso. Xiang Chong died a gruesome death at the hands of the enemy; he was sliced and minced into pieces by the enemy.
