Jiao Ting

Jiao Ting is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Faceless", he ranks 98th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 62nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Jiao Ting, a native of Zhongshan Prefecture (中山府; around present-day Dingzhou, Hebei), is skilled in wrestling, having mastered a set of techniques developed by his grandfather and taught only within the family. As he has no distinguished background and connection, he could not find anyone willing to shelter him when he becomes a drifter. For that reason he is nicknamed "Faceless".

Joining Liangshan

Jiao Ting intends to join the bandits on Mount Deadwood (枯樹山) in Kouzhou (寇州; believed to be present-day Guan County, Shandong) led by Bao Xu. On his way there, he runs into Li Kui, who, annoyed by his stare, wants to beat him up. But Jiao Ting easily tackles him to the ground twice.

Impressed with Jiao Ting's wrestling skill, Li Kui asks him to join Liangshan Marsh. In fact Li has sneaked out of the stronghold after Song Jiang disallowed him to join Guan Sheng in a military attack on Shan Tinggui and Wei Dingguo in Lingzhou (in present-day Dezhou, Shandong). Shan and Wei are imperial generals about to set out on an expedition against Liangshan ordered by the Song court.

Jiao Ting thinks Li Kui could work out something with Bao Xu. So the two go to Mount Deadwood. When they are at Bao's stronghold, the convoy escorting Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen, who have been captured by Shan and Wei at Lingzhou, to the imperial capital Dongjing happens to come past. Together, the three rescue the two lieutenants of Guan Sheng.

Li Kui, assisted by Jiao Ting, Bao Xu, Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen, attacks a gate of Lingzhou, causing the city to fall, when Wei Dingguo is outside of it fighting Guan Sheng. Earlier Guan has already beaten Shan Tinggui in a one-on-one fight and won him over. Later Wei also surrenders and Guan returns to Liangshan with the group, which includes Jiao Ting.

Campaigns and death

Jiao Ting is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.

Jiao Ting is killed in the battle of Runzhou (潤州; present-day Runzhou District, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu) in the campaign against Fang La.

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. 199. 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
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.