Deng Yuanjue

Deng Yuanjue is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Deng Yuanjue is the Royal Advisor serving under the rebel leader, Fang La, one of the antagonists and enemy of the 108 Liangshan outlaws. He is considered one of the most powerful warriors in the entire novel, and one of the Five Tiger Generals of Fang La, the others being Shi Bao, Wang Yin, Fang Jie, and Si Xingfang.

Biography

Deng Yuanjue is initially a monk from Shezhou (present-day She County, Anhui), and is also known as "Buddha of Holy Light". He wields an iron monk's spade weighing more than 25 kg.

Deng Yuanjue is first introduced in the story when the Liangshan heroes are preparing to attack Fang La's city of Hangzhou. The gates of Hangzhou open and the drawbridge is lowered, and Deng Yuanjue emerges, leading 500 infantry soldiers to engage the Liangshan forces. Lu Zhishen of Liangshan, also a monk, is the first to challenge Deng Yuanjue in combat. Both of them fought with their monk's spades for more than 50 rounds but neither emerges as the victor. When Wu Song saw that Lu Zhishen is unable to defeat Deng Yuanjue after so many rounds, he becomes worried and goes to Lu's aid, drawing his sabers and running after Deng. Deng Yuanjue retreats back to Hangzhou.

Deng Yuanjue appears later during the battle at Black Dragon Ridge, where he encounters the Liangshan army led by Song Jiang. He rides forth to challenge Liangshan and Qin Ming takes up the challenge. After fighting for more about six rounds, Qin Ming feigns defeat and retreats. Deng Yuanjue wants to use the opportunity to capture Song Jiang and charges towards Song, but is hit in the face by an arrow fired by Hua Rong, and falls off his horse. He is killed by Liangshan forces after he is down.

External links

• (Chinese) Deng Yuanjue on Baidu Baike