1. Overview
Shan Tinggui is a fictional character in the classical Chinese novel Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Known by his formidable nickname, "General of Sacred Water," he is ranked 44th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and is recognized as the eighth among the 72 Earthly Fiends, specifically associated with the Earth Unique Star (地奇星). He is an imperial drill instructor from Lingzhou who excels in water warfare. Initially dispatched to suppress the Liangshan outlaws, he is defeated by Guan Sheng and subsequently joins the Liangshan forces, playing a pivotal role in persuading his close partner, Wei Dingguo, to also defect. Shan Tinggui actively participates in key Liangshan campaigns, including those against the Liao dynasty and other rebel forces, before ultimately meeting his demise in battle during the campaign against Fang La.
2. Character Description
Shan Tinggui's identity is defined by his background as an imperial drill instructor, his distinctive nickname, and his specialized combat abilities, often working in tandem with Wei Dingguo.
2.1. Name and Nickname
His full name is Shan Tinggui (單廷珪Shàn TíngguīChinese). In Vietnamese, his name is transliterated as Thiện Đình Khuê, or alternatively as Đan Đình Khuê or Đơn Đình Khuê. His Japanese given name is pronounced as Zēng Tíngguī (単 廷珪Zēng TíngguīJapanese), and his Teochew pronunciation is Tan Teng Kooi. He is famously known by his nickname, "General of Sacred Water" (聖水將軍Shèngshuǐ JiāngjūnChinese). This nickname stems from his specialized skill in employing water-based attacks, such as damming and diverting waterways to flood his enemies. Despite his proficiency in this specific form of warfare, the novel does not explicitly depict him utilizing this signature water attack in actual combat.
2.2. Background and Abilities
Shan Tinggui originated from Lingzhou (凌州), an area corresponding to present-day Dezhou, Shandong province. Prior to joining Liangshan, he served as an imperial drill instructor, a position he held alongside his close associate, Wei Dingguo. His primary combat skill lies in water warfare, where he is adept at channeling water to drown his foes. He was noted to have commanded five hundred soldiers specifically trained in these hydraulic techniques. In general combat, he is described as a tough warrior.
2.3. Appearance and Equipment
Shan Tinggui's appearance and equipment are distinctive, reflecting his "Sacred Water" moniker and complementing his partner Wei Dingguo's "Sacred Fire" theme. He wears a suit of black armor and a helmet adorned with a black feather. He rides a black steed into battle and is equipped with a long sabre or a spear, along with a bow and arrows. His troops also wore black armor and carried black banners, further emphasizing the elemental connection of black to water in Five Elements theory. His full battle attire is described as including a square helmet with two tassels, a tiger skin cloak, an embroidered battle robe, leather shoes, a blue belt, and black flags inscribed with "General of Sacred Water Shan Tinggui" in silver.
2.4. Relationship with Wei Dingguo and Guan Sheng
Shan Tinggui shares a close and complementary partnership with Wei Dingguo, who is known as the "General of Sacred Fire" due to his expertise in fire-based attacks. Their respective black (water) and red (fire) themed attire and combat styles symbolize their contrasting yet harmonizing skills, and they consistently operate as a pair. Shan Tinggui also had a prior acquaintance with Guan Sheng, a powerful Liangshan general. This existing relationship played a crucial role when Guan Sheng attempted to persuade Shan Tinggui to join the Liangshan forces, ultimately leading to Shan's surrender and his subsequent successful effort in convincing Wei Dingguo to also defect.
3. Story Arc
Shan Tinggui's journey in Water Margin begins with his service to the Song imperial court, his confrontation with the Liangshan outlaws, and his eventual defection to their ranks.
3.1. Imperial Service and Confrontation with Liangshan
As an imperial drill instructor in Lingzhou, Shan Tinggui, along with Wei Dingguo, was highly regarded. Following the Liangshan forces' successful rescue of Lu Junyi from Daming County, which involved a city-wide rampage, the imperial court was alarmed. Grand Tutor Cai Jing recommended Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo to Emperor Huizong of Song for a special mission to suppress the Liangshan outlaws. In their initial engagement outside Lingzhou, Shan Tinggui's forces successfully captured Guan Sheng's two lieutenants, Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen. Hao Siwen, in particular, was lured into Shan's ranks and swiftly encircled and seized. Meanwhile, Li Kui, who had secretly left Liangshan against Song Jiang's orders to join Guan Sheng, befriended Jiao Ting and subsequently joined forces with Bao Xu's bandit group at Mount Deadwood. Together, they intercepted the convoy escorting Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen to Kaifeng (Dongjing) for punishment, successfully rescuing the two Liangshan lieutenants.
3.2. Defeat and Joining Liangshan
The battle at Lingzhou continued, culminating in a one-on-one duel between Guan Sheng and Shan Tinggui on horseback. Guan Sheng strategically lured Shan Tinggui to a remote location by feigning defeat, then suddenly turned, striking Shan Tinggui off his horse with a powerful swing of his large sabre. Instead of immediately killing him, Guan Sheng dismounted and treated Shan Tinggui with kindness and respect. This compassionate approach, coupled with their prior acquaintance, won over Shan Tinggui, leading to his surrender to the Liangshan forces. With Shan Tinggui now on their side, he was tasked with persuading Wei Dingguo, who remained defiant, to also join Liangshan. Shan Tinggui went alone to Wei Dingguo, promising him dignified treatment if he surrendered. Initially, Wei Dingguo insisted that Guan Sheng personally come unaccompanied to show sincerity, which Guan Sheng did, ultimately convincing Wei Dingguo to join the outlaw band. Following their defection, both Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo participated in the subsequent campaigns, including the attack on Zengtou City and the campaign to conquer Dongchang Prefecture.
3.3. Activities After Joining Liangshan
After the 108 Stars of Destiny were assembled at Liangshan in the Grand Assembly, Shan Tinggui was officially ranked 44th among them, aligning with the Earth Unique Star (地奇星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He was appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry, specifically holding the position as the seventh of the sixteen Small Vanguard Cavalry Generals (小彪將xiǎo biāo jiàngChinese), serving as a deputy general under Qin Ming. After the Liangshan forces received imperial amnesty from Emperor Huizong, they were officially recognized as Song dynasty loyalists. Shan Tinggui actively participated in the subsequent campaigns as a member of the imperial army. He fought valiantly alongside Wei Dingguo in major expeditions, including the campaigns against the Liao dynasty invaders and various other rebel forces within Song territory, demonstrating his continued commitment and combat prowess.
4. Demise
Shan Tinggui's life as a Liangshan hero concluded tragically during the final major campaign against Fang La.
4.1. Death in Battle
Shan Tinggui played an active role in the campaign against Fang La. He and Wei Dingguo were assigned to assist Lu Junyi in taking strategic locations such as Xuanzhou (present-day Xuancheng, Anhui) and Huzhou. Their final mission led them to attack She Prefecture (歙州), sometimes referred to as Xuanzhou or Hấp Châu in various accounts. Seeing the city gate wide open and no apparent resistance, Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo eagerly charged into the city, seeking to be the first to achieve victory. However, the open gate was a cunning trap. Both generals, along with their horses, fell into a concealed pit or a horse pit immediately beyond the entrance. Soldiers waiting in ambush on either side then attacked them with long spears and arrows, causing Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo to die instantly in the trap. The Korean source specifically notes that this trap was set by Wang Yin.
5. In Other Media
Shan Tinggui's character has been reinterpreted and featured in literary works beyond the original Water Margin novel, notably in a prominent sequel.
5.1. In Dang Kou Zhi
In Dang Kou Zhi, a sequel to Water Margin, Shan Tinggui's fate differs significantly from his death in the original novel. In chapter 61 of Dang Kou Zhi, Shan Tinggui, along with Wei Dingguo, is portrayed as defending Nam Vượng Doanh, relying on the support of Gia Tường. However, after Huo Yan Zhuo (Hô Diên Chước) suffers a defeat, and Han Tao and Peng Ji are killed, with Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen captured, Gia Tường falls. Huo Yan Zhuo persuades Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo to lead their entire army to attack Gia Tường, to which they agree. On the first day of the assault on the east gate, Shan Tinggui engages Fu Yu (Phó Ngọc) in combat for over 50 rounds, with neither gaining an advantage. The following day, Shan Tinggui and Huo Yan Zhuo continue their attack on the east gate, clashing with Wen Da (Văn Đạt). During this encounter, Shan Tinggui is captured alive by Wen Da and subsequently has both of his hands chopped off.