Jiang Jing (Water Margin)

Jiang Jing is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Divine Mathematician," he ranks 53rd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 17th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

This article is about the fictional character. For the racewalker, see Jiang Jing.
Jiang Jing
Water Margin character
First appearanceChapter 41
Nickname"Divine Mathematician"
神算子
Rank53rd, Meet Star (地會星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends
Accountant of Liangshan
OriginBandit leader from Mount Yellow Gate
Ancestral home / Place of originTanzhou (around present-day Changsha, Hunan)
Names
Simplified Chinese蒋敬
Traditional Chinese蔣敬
PinyinJiǎng Jìng
Wade–GilesChiang Ching
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Jiang.

Background

Jiang Jing, a native of Tanzhou (潭州; around present-day Changsha, Hunan), is a scholar who has repeatedly failed imperial examinations -- the conventional route to become government official in ancient China. Frustrated and disappointed, he shifts to concentrating on military-related subjects. After years of hard work, he is not just skilled in martial arts but also good in military tactics and numerical calculations. His mathematical talent earns him the nickname "Divine Mathematician".

When he first appears in the book, he is one of the fours chiefs leading the bandit group at Mount Yellow Gate (黃門山), ranked below Ou Peng and above Ma Lin and Tao Zongwang

Joining Liangshan

When Song Jiang is following the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh back to their stronghold after they and some heroes of the Jieyang region saved him in Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he comes by Mount Yellow Gate with the group. They are blocked by the four bandit chiefs who demand to know whether Song is among them. When he steps out to show himself, they come forward to pay homage to him. When they learn that the group is heading for Liangshan, they want in and are accepted.

Campaigns and resignation

Jang Jing is appointed to keep accounts of the grain stock, finance and logistics of Liangshan after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the grand assembly. He participates in campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty by Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.

Jiang Jing is one of the Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. Though given an official appointment, he quits soon and goes back to his hometown Tanzhou, where he lives as a commoner for the rest of his life.

gollark: But if it causes bad things, that would be bad, so you should do it.
gollark: But seriously, why do it if it causes bad things?
gollark: Time to initiate Contingency P-485.
gollark: Oh dear, I have become somewhat predictable.
gollark: Bad things? So don't do that, silly.

References
  • Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
  • Miyazaki, Ichisada (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
  • Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  • Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 107. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
  • Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  • Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei
  • Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.
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