Fang Jie
| Fang Jie | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| Royal Nephew of Fang La forces | |
| Origin | Nephew of Fang La |
| Hometown | Shezhou (present-day She County, Anhui) |
| First appearance | Chapter 118 |
| Weapon | Sky Piercer (方天畫戟) |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 方杰 |
| Traditional Chinese | 方傑 |
| Pinyin | Fāng Jié |
| Wade–Giles | Fang Chieh |
Fang Jie is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Fang Jie is the nephew of the rebel leader, Fang La, one of the antagonists and enemy of the 108 Liangshan outlaws. He is best known for slaying Liangshan's Qin Ming in a duel with the help of Du Wei. He is one of the Five Tiger Generals of Fang La, the others being Shi Bao, Deng Yuanjue, Wang Yin, and Si Xingfang.
Biography
Fang Jie is first mentioned by name in chapter 118, when Fang La is discussing with his subjects on how to deal with the incoming Liangshan forces. Fang Jie is the eldest grandson of Fang Hou, Fang La's uncle, making him a nephew of Fang La by blood relations. Fang Jie is eager to avenge his grandfather, who has been killed in battle by Liangshan's Lu Junyi, and he volunteers to lead the army to engage the enemy. A brave and fearsome warrior, he wields a "Sky Piercer" halberd in battle.
The Liangshan army led by Song Jiang, with Guan Sheng, Hua Rong, Qin Ming and Zhu Tong as the vanguard generals, arrive at Qingxi County, where they meet Fang La's army. Fang Jie rides forth to challenge the enemy, with Du Wei following him closely behind on foot. Qin Ming takes up Fang Jie's challenge. They fight for more than 30 rounds but neither emerges the victor. After seeing that Fang Jie is unable to overcome his opponent, Du Wei hurls his flying dagger at Qin Ming, but Qin manages to dodge the incoming projectile. However, Fang Jie uses the opportunity to spear Qin Ming and kill him.
Guan Sheng continues the fight with Fang Jie, followed by Hua Rong. After fighting for a while, Li Ying and Zhu Tong of Liangshan join in the duel. Fang Jie is unable to resist four opponents at the same time so he retreats. While he is retreating, Liangshan's Chai Jin and Yan Qing, who have been serving as undercover agents in Fang La's forces, suddenly reveal their true identities and kill Fang Jie with their combined efforts.
References
- (Chinese) Li, Mengxia. 108 Heroes from the Water Margin, page 217. EPB Publishers Pte Ltd, 1992. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
- Buck, Pearl. All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell Ltd, 2006. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Zhang, Lin Ching. Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House, 2009. ISBN 978-7506344784.
- Keffer, David. Outlaws of the Marsh.
- Miyamotois, Yoko. Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits.
- (Japanese) Ichisada, Miyazaki. Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu. Chuo Koronsha, 1993. ISBN 978-4122020559.
- Shibusawa, Kou. Bandit Kings of Ancient China. KOEI, 1989.