Peng Qi

Peng Qi is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 43rd of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 7th of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "General of Heavenly Vision".

Background

Peng Qi is from Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan). He descends from a family of generals and serves in the imperial army. He excels in martial arts and wields a special saber in combat. He is nicknamed "General of Heavenly Vision".

Becoming an outlaw

Gao Qiu, a corrupt Grand Marshal, is furious with the Liangshan outlaws after they captured Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County, Liaocheng, Shandong) and killed the governor Gao Lian, who was his cousin. He requests Emperor Huizong to send an army to eliminate the outlaws. The emperor places Huyan Zhuo in command of the imperial army and assigns Peng Qi and Han Tao to be his deputies. During the battle between the imperial forces and the Liangshan outlaws, Peng Qi fights with Liangshan's Hu Sanniang, falls into her trap, and ends up being captured by the outlaws. Song Jiang, Liangshan's chief, treats Peng Qi with respect and succeeds in persuading him to join the Liangshan band. Peng Qi reveals the weakness in Huyan Zhuo's chain-linked armoured cavalry formation and helps the outlaws overcome the formation and defeat the imperial forces. He also helps them persuade his colleagues Han Tao and Ling Zhen to join Liangshan.

Campaigns and death

Peng Qi follows the heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces after they have been granted amnesty by Emperor Huizong. During the campaign against the rebel leader Fang La, he is assigned to lead the attack on the enemy-controlled city Changzhou. During the battle, he is shocked after seeing Han Tao die at the hands of the enemy generals Gao Keli and Zhang Jinren. He rides forth to challenge them and attempts to avenge his friend, but is caught off guard by Zhang Jinren, who stabs him in the side and kills him.

References

• (Chinese) Li, Mengxia. 108 Heroes from the Water Margin, page 87. 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.
• Shibusawa, Kou. Bandit Kings of Ancient China, page 91. KOEI, 1989.
• (Japanese) Ichisada, Miyazaki. Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu. Chuo Koronsha, 1993. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Miyamotois, Yoko. Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits.
• Keffer, David. Outlaws of the Marsh.