Zhang Qing (Featherless Arrow)

Nicknamed the 'Featherless Arrow' (没羽箭), Zhang Qing (张清) was one of the last heroes to join the Liangshan bandits in the epic Chinese tale the "Water Margin", and it was probably more than a co-incidence that he was probably the hardest to capture.

Zhang Qing was from Zhangdefu, Henan. He served as a general in Dongchangfu. He had a nasty tactic in battle, which was to fling heavy pebbles at soft points on the face of his enemies. His stones struck with extreme accuracy and power, often targeting the nose, brow center, eyes or mouth of opposing generals. This crippling attack led to the deaths of several Liao generals by disabling them or knocking them off their horses and making them easy prey. The throwing stones combined well with his illusiveness on his horse, which he often used a retreat to beg his opponents closer where they became easy targets. His prowess with the stones earned him the nickname 'Featherless Arrow'. However, Zhang was merely average with his long spear, his "primary" weapon. This made him very vulnerable to opposing generals which had evaded his flying stones, and this fact also made Zhang heavily dependent on this stones.

Zhang was born with a waist like a wolf's, arms like those of an ape, and a body like a tiger. When Lu Junyi led the Liangshan forces to attack Dongchangfu, Zhang won the first battle by defeating Hao Si-wen with his stones. Lu asked for reinforcements from Song Jiang. Zhang Qing defeated Xu Ning, Yan Shun, Han Tao, Peng Qi, Xuan Zan, Huyan Zhuo, Liu Tang, Yang Zhi, Zhu Tong, Lei Heng, Guan Sheng, Dong Ping, Suo Chao and even captured Liu Tang.

Wu Yong devised a strategy to lure Zhang Qing to the river bank to seize their supplies. Zhang Qing stunned Lu Zhishen, who was escorting the supplies. At there, Gongsun Sheng used his magic powers to make the sky overcast and dark. Zhang Qing fell into the river and was caught by Zhang Shun and the Liangshan navy.

Song Jiang eventually managed to persuade Zhang Qing to join the Liangshan heroes. Zhang tricked the governor of Dongchangfu into opening the gates and the Liangshan heroes captured the city easily. Liu Tang was rescued. Zhang Qing also recommended Huangfu Duan to join the Liangshan band.

Zhang Qing became one of the 8 vanguard generals of the Liangshan cavalry and 36 Heavenly Spirits. After Song Jiang had obtained amnesty from the Imperial Court, Zhang followed the heroes on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and the southern rebels. During the campaign against Tian Hu, Zhang Qing earned the greatest credit when he lured Tian Hu into a trap and captured Tian with the aid of Qiong Ying, the daughter of one of Tian Hu's generals whom Zhang instructed in the art of stone throwing years ago through mystical dreams. Subsequently, they marry.

In the campaign against Fang La, Zhang Qing and Dong Ping were assigned to attack Dusong Pass. Dong Ping fought with Li Tianrun but was forced to retreat. Zhang went forward to continue the fight and tried to spear Li Tianrun. However, Zhang missed and the spear got stuck in a tree. Zhang tried to pull out but failed and was speared by Li Tianrun in the abdomen, resulting in his death.

ee also

*Chinese history
*Song Dynasty
*Water Margin