Friday, September 19, 2008

Shi-wen Gong

Shi-wen Gong is a character in the epic tale, the ''Water Margin''. He is sometimes portrayed as a student of , the archery teacher of Song Dynasty General Yue Fei.

Shi was not part of the Liangshan contingent, but was one of the famous enemies of the Liangshan heroes in the novel. He once served as a military instructor in the Zeng Family Village, and killed Chao Gai, leader of the Liangshan heroes by firing a poisoned arrow at Chao's forehead, causing Chao to die due to the poison afterwards. Chao's dying words were; 'Whoever captures Shi Wengong will succeed me as chief'.

Shi Wengong became a sworn enemy of the Liangshan heroes for killing their chief and the Liangshan heroes continued their assault on the Zeng Family Village after Chao Gai's death just to avenge Chao. Eventually, the Liangshan heroes managed to conquer the Zeng Family Village, but Shi Wengong escaped and was eventually captured by Lu Junyi.

Shi was later executed and his head was used as a sacrifice to Chao Gai's spirit, to assure Chao's spirit that the Liangshan heroes had avenged him.

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