Han Tao

Han Tao is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "General of Hundred Victories", he ranks 42nd among the 108 Stars of Destiny and sixth among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

A native of Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan), the imperial capital of the Song Empire, Han Tao is a skilled warrior who serves as a military instructor in Chenzhou (陳州; present-day Huaiyang County, Henan). Nicknamed "General of Hundred Victories" as he is purportedly unbeatable in combat. he fights with a lance made of jujube wood.

Becoming an outlaw

After Liangshan defeated and killed Gao Lian, the governor of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; present-day Gaotang County, Shandong) to rescue Chai Jin, Emperor Huizong appoints the general Huyan Zhuo at the recommendation of Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, who is Gao Lian's cousin, to command an army to stamp out the stronghold. Huyan in turn asks for Han Tao and Peng Qi to be his lieutenants.

In the first clash with Liangshan, Huyan Zhuo and his two assistants run into a marathon fight with a succession of Liangshan warriors. Han Tao engages Qin Ming but apparently could not live up to his nickname. Putting on the defensive, Han escapes when Huyan Zhuo comes to take on Qin. In that clash, Peng Qi is captured by Hu Sanniang. Huyan then sends out his cavalry consisting of groups of chain-linked armoured horses, which charges forth in combined ferocity. Overwhelmed, the outlaws hole up in Liangshan with the marsh as buffer as they work out a counter-attack.

Tang Long recommends that his cousin Xu Ning could beat Huyan's cavalry with his expertise in hooked lance. After being trained by Xu, who is recruited through an elaborate trick, the hooked lancer squad of Liangshan fell the cavalry of Huayan routing his force. Captured, Han Tao surrenders upon the advice of Peng Qi, who has transferred his allegiance to Liangshan.

Campaigns and death

Han Tao is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.

In the attack on Changzhou in the campaign against Fang La, Han Tao fights the enemy commander Gao Keli. He falls off his steed when Gao hits him in the face with an arrow, thereupon he is killed by the latter's comrade Zhang Jinren, who spears him in his throat.

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. 85. 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, pp. 91–93
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.