Shi Qian
Encyclopedia
Shi Qian is a fictional character in the Water Margin
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
of Chinese literature
. He ranks 107th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 71st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Flea on a Drum".
, Shandong
). Although he has an ugly appearance, he is very fit, agile and nimble. He goes to Jizhou (蓟州) and steals for a living. He is nicknamed "Flea on a Drum" for his excellent thieving skills.
) and Yang Xiong helps him. After raiding a tomb, by coincidence, he witnesses Yang Xiong killing his adulterous wife, Pan Qiaoyun. Shi Qian threatens to report Yang Xiong to the county office if Yang does not bring him along to Liangshan Marsh
. Shi Qian, Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu
travel together and stop by the inn at the Zhu Family Village for a break.
Shi Qian steals the innkeeper's hen and creates havoc in the village. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu manage to escape safely but Shi Qian is captured by the Zhus. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu seek help from Li Ying to save Shi Qian and Li writes an apology letter to the Zhus on behalf of the three men, requesting that they release Shi Qian. The Zhus refuse and insult Li Ying. Li Ying is furious and he confronts the Zhus. He is wounded by an arrow fired by Zhu Biao and forced to retreat.
Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu then travel to Liangshan to seek help. Song Jiang
leads the outlaws to attack the Zhu Family Village and succeed in rescuing Shi Qian. Shi Qian becomes part of the Liangshan outlaw band and plays an important role in the recruitment of Xu Ning
. He is sent to steal Xu Ning's golden armour and lure Xu to Liangshan. Xu Ning helps the outlaws defeat the imperial forces led by Huyan Zhuo.
invaders and rebel forces after they have been granted amnesty by the emperor. He is one of the few survivors after the campaigns but he does not make it back to the capital even after the victory, as he dies from an intestinal disease on the return journey.
Water Margin
Water Margin , also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang, is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty,...
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
Four Great Classical Novels
The Four Great Classical Novels, or the Four Major Classical Novels of Chinese literature, are the four novels commonly regarded by scholars to be the greatest and most influential of pre-modern Chinese fiction. Dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, they are well known to most Chinese readers...
of Chinese literature
Chinese literature
Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
. He ranks 107th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 71st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Flea on a Drum".
Background
Shi Qian is from Gaotangzhou (present-day Gaotang CountyGaotang County
Gaotang County is a county of northwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It is administered by Liaocheng City.The population was in 1999.- External links :*...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
). Although he has an ugly appearance, he is very fit, agile and nimble. He goes to Jizhou (蓟州) and steals for a living. He is nicknamed "Flea on a Drum" for his excellent thieving skills.
Joining Liangshan
Shi Qian runs into some trouble in Jizhou (present-day Ji County, TianjinJi County, Tianjin
Ji County is a county in the far north of Tianjin municipality, China of cultural and historical significance . The administration of the county was transferred from Hebei province to Tianjin in 1973...
) and Yang Xiong helps him. After raiding a tomb, by coincidence, he witnesses Yang Xiong killing his adulterous wife, Pan Qiaoyun. Shi Qian threatens to report Yang Xiong to the county office if Yang does not bring him along to Liangshan Marsh
Mount Liang
Mount Liang is a mountain in Liangshan County, Shandong province, China which rises to 197.9 m above sea level. It is well known as the stronghold of the 108 legendary Song Dynasty heroes of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin...
. Shi Qian, Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu
Shi Xiu
Shi Xiu is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 33rd of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Daredevil Third Brother".-Background:...
travel together and stop by the inn at the Zhu Family Village for a break.
Shi Qian steals the innkeeper's hen and creates havoc in the village. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu manage to escape safely but Shi Qian is captured by the Zhus. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu seek help from Li Ying to save Shi Qian and Li writes an apology letter to the Zhus on behalf of the three men, requesting that they release Shi Qian. The Zhus refuse and insult Li Ying. Li Ying is furious and he confronts the Zhus. He is wounded by an arrow fired by Zhu Biao and forced to retreat.
Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu then travel to Liangshan to seek help. Song Jiang
Song 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...
leads the outlaws to attack the Zhu Family Village and succeed in rescuing Shi Qian. Shi Qian becomes part of the Liangshan outlaw band and plays an important role in the recruitment of Xu Ning
Xu Ning
Xu Ning is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 18th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Gold Lancer".-Background:...
. He is sent to steal Xu Ning's golden armour and lure Xu to Liangshan. Xu Ning helps the outlaws defeat the imperial forces led by Huyan Zhuo.
Campaigns and death
Shi Qian becomes one of the scout leaders of Liangshan after the Grand Assembly. He follows the heroes on their campaigns against the LiaoLiao 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...
invaders and rebel forces after they have been granted amnesty by the emperor. He is one of the few survivors after the campaigns but he does not make it back to the capital even after the victory, as he dies from an intestinal disease on the return journey.