Literary image of Wu Song
Literary image of Wu Song · 1830A later literary image, not a contemporary documentary portraitPrint artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳) Print artist: Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞 Toyokuni III)Source·Public domain

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Wu Song武松

LiangshanFiction

A native of Qinghe County, a tiger-slaying hero at Jingyang Ridge, sworn brother of Song Jiang. Served as constable of Yanggu County, sent on a mission to the Eastern Capital. Upon return, investigated the cause of his elder brother's death.

DIRECT FIGURES
34
RELATION RECORDS
61
SOURCE WORKS
1

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Wu Song, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

2 figures · 2 records
02
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

5 figures · 7 records
  • Song JiangWu Songsworn brothers

    Read the original source
    就此受武二四拜,拜为义兄。

    Water Margin, ch. 23

  • Wu SongZhang Qingsworn brothers

    Read the original source
    武松因此感激张青夫妻两个厚意。论年齿,张青却长武松五年,因此武松结拜张青为兄。

    Water Margin, ch. 28

  • Shi EnWu Songsworn brothers

    Read the original source
    施恩纳头便拜了四拜。武松连忙答礼,结为弟兄。

    Water Margin, ch. 29

2 more in the complete record
03
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

4 figures · 7 records
1 more in the complete record
04
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

11 figures · 12 records
9 more in the complete record
05
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

11 figures · 12 records
9 more in the complete record

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

FeatureHistory vs. Fiction: The Truth Behind the 108 Heroes of the Water Margin《水浒传》一百二十回写了一百零八个人,《宋史》给这件事的篇幅是几行字。《侯蒙传》说宋江「以三十六人横行齐魏」,《张叔夜传》说他被设伏击败后投降,《徽宗本纪》只有一句「淮南盗宋江等犯淮阳军」。三十六人怎么变成一百零八人,招安与征方腊在正史里是什么样子,这篇对着两边看。

In history ·

Slayed a tiger at Jingyang Ridge and became constable of Yanggu County. Avenged his brother by killing Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing, and was exiled to Mengzhou. After beating Jiang the Gate Guard Giant in a drunken brawl, was framed by Zhang Duijian, caused a great disturbance at Feiyun Ford, disguised as a pilgrim and fled to Mount Erlong. After joining Liangshan, opposed the amnesty. During the campaign against Fang La, his left arm was severed by Bao Daoyi, and he became a monk at Liuhe Temple, posthumously titled Qingzhong Patriarch.

History vs. fiction

Tiger-slaying hero

  • The episode in "Water Margin" where Wu Song, drunk, beats a fierce tiger to death is deeply ingrained in people's minds; however, this belongs to the folk literary creation of storytellers and novelists across dynasties, and there is no such person or event in official history. The original text reads: "Wu Song saw the tiger pounce, and with a single dodge, he was behind the tiger." ("Water Margin", Chapter 23)

  • In the novel, Wu Song loses an arm during the campaign against Fang La and captures Fang La single-handedly; however, the "History of Song" clearly records that Fang La was captured alive by Han Shizhong's subordinate general, having nothing to do with Wu Song. The original text states: "即挺身仗戈直前,渡险数里,𢭏其穴,格杀数十人,禽腊以出。" (from "History of Song: Biography of Han Shizhong").

Relationship network

35 figures · 156 links
Wu SongWu SongSong JiangSong JiangWu YongWu YongLin ChongLin ChongLu ZhishenLu ZhishenLu JunyiLu JunyiLi JunLi JunZhang ShunZhang ShunLei HengLei HengSun ErniangSun ErniangBai ShengBai ShengQiao DaoqingZhang QingLiang ZhongshuMa LinShi EnKong LiangKong MingPan JinlianWang PoXimen QingDeng YuanjueWu DalangYelü DezhongFang MaoWu DaJiang MenshenBao DaoyiZhang DujianCounty MagistrateZhang TuanlianYulanShopkeeperShen AnHunter
historyliteraturedual
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To keep this page fast, the 40 most important records are shown here.View all 61 relationships in the atlas →

Sources: Water Margin, ch. 13; Water Margin, ch. 22; Water Margin, ch. 23; Water Margin, ch. 24; Water Margin, ch. 25; Water Margin, ch. 26; Water Margin, ch. 27; Water Margin, ch. 28

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.