Dong Ping
Encyclopedia
Dong Ping is a character from the epic Chinese novel The Water Margin. He is nicknamed "General of Double Spears" and ranks 15th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes.
(in present-day Shanxi
). He serves in Dongping Prefecture
as a general. Dong Ping wields a pair of double spears in combat and is feared by many for his prowess in battle. Besides being an accomplished warrior, Dong Ping is also a connoisseur of music and the arts. He could play musical instruments and is described by women to be a romantic man. Hence, his nickname is sometimes lengthened to "Refined and Cultured General of Double Spears".
attacked Dongping Prefecture, Song sends Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu to announce the attack to the prefect of Dongping. The prefect is shocked but Dong Ping manages to calm him down. Dong Ping retorts furiously to the envoys that they will not surrender to Liangshan. He suggests to the prefect to have the envoys executed as an affirmation of their decision to defend Dongping Prefecture. However, the prefect does not heed Dong Ping's suggestion. He has Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu driven out of the city after having them severely beaten up.
Shi Jin
volunteers to infiltrate Dongping Prefecture and act as a spy for Liangshan through his friendship with a prostitute living in the city. Unfortunately, the mistress reports Shi Jin to the prefecture office and he is arrested and thrown into prison. Song Jiang immediately orders an offensive on Dongping Prefecture after receiving news that Shi has been captured. Dong Ping challenges the Liangshan outlaws to man-on-man duels but neither side emerged victorious after several rounds of fighting.
That night, Song Jiang lures Dong Ping into a trap and Dong is captured. Dong Ping decides to join the Liangshan cause after being persuaded by Song Jiang. He tricks the prefect into opening the city gates and the outlaws swarm in. Dongping Prefecture is captured by the outlaws and Shi Jin is rescued.
of the Liangshan cavalry. He follows the heroes on their campaigns against the invading Liao
army and rebel forces. During the Fang La
campaign, Dong Ping and "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing
are assigned to attack Dusong Pass. Dong Ping's left arm is injured by cannon fire but he continued fighting with the enemy general Li Tianrun
despite his wounds. He is forced to retreat and Zhang Qing rushes forward to continue the fight for him, but is killed by Li Tianrun. Dong Ping attempts to avenge Zhang Qing but the enemy general Zhang Tao sneaks up on him and slices him into two from behind before he could do so.
Background
Dong Ping is from Shangdang, HedongHedong Commandery
Hedong Commandery was a historical region in ancient China.During the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Hedong Commandery was located in the area to the east of the Yellow River in Shanxi province . In Chapter one of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu states that he is from Xieliang County in the...
(in present-day Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
). He serves in Dongping Prefecture
Dongping County
Dongping County is a county in the Southwestern part of Taian Prefecture of Shandong Province, China.In 2007 a remarkable series of well-preserved frescoes dating to the Western Han Period was discovered in a tomb as construction workers were excavating for a planned shopping mall...
as a general. Dong Ping wields a pair of double spears in combat and is feared by many for his prowess in battle. Besides being an accomplished warrior, Dong Ping is also a connoisseur of music and the arts. He could play musical instruments and is described by women to be a romantic man. Hence, his nickname is sometimes lengthened to "Refined and Cultured General of Double Spears".
Becoming an outlaw
When the Liangshan outlaws led by Song JiangSong Jiang
Song Jiang was the leader of a group of outlaws who lived during the Song Dynasty. The outlaws were active in the present-day provinces of Shandong and Henan before their eventual surrender to the government. Song Jiang is also featured as a character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great...
attacked Dongping Prefecture, Song sends Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu to announce the attack to the prefect of Dongping. The prefect is shocked but Dong Ping manages to calm him down. Dong Ping retorts furiously to the envoys that they will not surrender to Liangshan. He suggests to the prefect to have the envoys executed as an affirmation of their decision to defend Dongping Prefecture. However, the prefect does not heed Dong Ping's suggestion. He has Yu Baosi and Wang Dingliu driven out of the city after having them severely beaten up.
Shi Jin
Shi Jin
Shi Jin is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 23rd of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Nine Tattooed Dragons".-Background:...
volunteers to infiltrate Dongping Prefecture and act as a spy for Liangshan through his friendship with a prostitute living in the city. Unfortunately, the mistress reports Shi Jin to the prefecture office and he is arrested and thrown into prison. Song Jiang immediately orders an offensive on Dongping Prefecture after receiving news that Shi has been captured. Dong Ping challenges the Liangshan outlaws to man-on-man duels but neither side emerged victorious after several rounds of fighting.
That night, Song Jiang lures Dong Ping into a trap and Dong is captured. Dong Ping decides to join the Liangshan cause after being persuaded by Song Jiang. He tricks the prefect into opening the city gates and the outlaws swarm in. Dongping Prefecture is captured by the outlaws and Shi Jin is rescued.
Death
Dong Ping becomes one of the Five Tiger GeneralsFive Tiger Generals
The Five Tiger Generals is a popular appellation in Chinese culture for any five military generals serving under a ruler. This term is used in literature texts, plays and popular culture. In the historical context, "Five Tiger Generals" usually refers to the five best military generals serving...
of the Liangshan cavalry. He follows the heroes on their campaigns against the invading Liao
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
army and rebel forces. During the Fang La
Fang La
Fang La was a rebel leader who lived during the Song Dynasty. He is also featured as one of the antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan heroes in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.-Biography:...
campaign, Dong Ping and "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing
Zhang Qing (Featherless Arrow)
Zhang Qing is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 16th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Featherless Arrow".-Background:...
are assigned to attack Dusong Pass. Dong Ping's left arm is injured by cannon fire but he continued fighting with the enemy general Li Tianrun
Li Tianrun
Li Tianrun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Li Tianrun is the Kingdom Stabilising Great General serving under the rebel leader, Fang La, one of the antagonists and enemy of the 108 Liangshan outlaws...
despite his wounds. He is forced to retreat and Zhang Qing rushes forward to continue the fight for him, but is killed by Li Tianrun. Dong Ping attempts to avenge Zhang Qing but the enemy general Zhang Tao sneaks up on him and slices him into two from behind before he could do so.