Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Water Margin are known as the “Four great works” of Chinese literature.
Among them, Water Margin by writer Thi Nai Am writes about 108 heroes who gathered at Luong Son Bac and fought together against the oppression and exploitation of the Song Dynasty. Tong Giang and Vo Tong are both two of the few characters that Thi Nai Am took from real-life prototypes.
In real history, the rebellion of leader Song Jiang and other heroes was not as dramatic as in the story. But both history books and novels have one thing in common: That is, the heroes who participated in the uprising basically did not have a good ending.
The story says that there were 108 heroes on Liangshan Mountain, each of them possessed unique skills. Some people have extremely high martial arts skills, some people are more talented than others, and some people have unrivaled health in the world. However, most of these heroes died in battle, died of disease or poisoning.
At least, these four heroes of Luong Son Bac had a better ending. Who are they?
1. Ly Tuan
In Water Margin, Ly Tuan is known as Hoan Giang Long (Dragon stirring up the river). After joining Luong Son Bac, Ly Tuan was the 26th ranked leader, holding the position of Marine Corps leader.
Before joining the heroes, Ly Tuan was already a highly skilled martial artist and an extremely good swimmer, familiar with rivers and waters. Together with Ly Lap, brothers Dong Uy, Dong Manh, and Ly Tuan formed a gang of robbers, practicing at Yet Duong mountain.
It was at Yet Duong Mountain that Ly Tuan had the opportunity to meet and rescue Tong Giang from the imperial army, then went up the mountain to fight for justice with other heroes. Among the battles that made Ly Tuan’s name, it is impossible not to mention the battle of Thai Nguyen citadel and the battle of To Chau citadel.
![Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The 2nd person was the most perfect - Photo 1. Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The 2nd person was the most perfect - Photo 1.](https://gamek.mediacdn.vn/133514250583805952/2024/3/14/photo-4-1710340671017960742330-1710391878112-1710391878503943073199.png)
Thanks to the Chaos River Long Ly Tuan, Luong Son Bac won a resounding victory over the Phuong Lap army in the battle of Thai Nguyen citadel (in present-day Son Tay, China). Thanks to his swimming ability and extraordinary health, Ly Tuan and other heroes took advantage of the floods to drain the Tan Thuy River, causing Thai Nguyen citadel to sink into the sea.
During the battle of Suzhou – the final battle between Luong Son Bac and Phuong Lap, Ly Tuan and his brothers Dong Uy and Dong Manh hid as spies, contributing greatly to the Luong Son Bac leaders taking down To citadel. Chau, ending the Binh Phuong Lap campaign in a song of triumph.
Ly Tuan was one of the few leaders of Luong Son Bac who returned alive after a series of large and small battles with Phuong Lap’s army. Wanting to travel the world and live a leisurely life after years of war, Ly Tuan, Dong Manh and Dong Uy set sail, sailed to Siam (present-day Thailand) and became Emperor of Siam.
2. Cong Ton Thang
In Water Margin, Cong Ton Thang is nicknamed Nhat Van Long (Dragon through the clouds). Cong Ton Thang was considered to be the most talented and intelligent person among the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, so he was appointed the top strategist.
Not only intelligent, Cong Ton Thang also has high martial arts and unpredictable magical talent. He was described by Thi Nai Am as a “Taoist magic master” who could call rain and wind.
![Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The second person was the most perfect - Photo 2. Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The second person was the most perfect - Photo 2.](https://gamek.mediacdn.vn/133514250583805952/2024/3/14/photo-3-171034066911353638399-1710391879060-1710391879205721166780.jpeg)
It can be said that Cong Ton Thang is the character with the most perfect ending among the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac. Because, this person early “predicted” that Song Giang’s surrender to the court (due to his strong loyalist and patriotic ideology) would make the hero Luong Son miserable, so he chose to leave the Luong Son insurgent army early.
Cong Ton Thang then returned to his hometown to take care of his mother, living a peaceful, quiet life, drinking wine and reciting poetry every day. Later, this person focused on studying Taoism and was dubbed the “Living God”.
3. Yen Thanh
Yen Thanh is a real character in history, famous for the martial art Yen Thanh Quyen. Falling in love with Yen Thanh’s martial arts talent and handsome appearance, Thi Nai Am cast this character as the great hero Luong Son Bac.
That is also the reason why Yen Thanh is nicknamed “Lang Tu” in Water Margin. Yen Thanh in the story is talented in using crossbows and darts and is one of the 10 military leaders of Luong Son Bac. After joining Luong Son Bac, “Romantic Prince” Yen Thanh ranked 36th.
![Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The 2nd person was the most perfect - Photo 3. Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The 2nd person was the most perfect - Photo 3.](https://gamek.mediacdn.vn/133514250583805952/2024/3/14/photo-2-1710340666939194375646-1710391879854-17103918799691092337212.jpeg)
Adopted by Lu Tuan Nghia (one of the Three Heroes of Hebei, extremely skilled in martial arts, second in 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac) at the age of 13, Yen Thanh soon learned martial arts from his master.
After going to Luong Son with Lu Tuan Nghia to join the cause, Yen Thanh became friends with Ly Quy and continuously achieved many achievements when Luong Son went to conquer Phuong Lap.
Returning victorious, Yen Thanh insisted on asking Tong Giang to retire and live in hiding. Later, the “Roman” lived a peaceful life in the mountains and forests.
4. Lo Tri Tham
Under the pen of Thi Nai Am, Lo Tri Tham is a man with a large and strong body. After making friends with Lam Chong, the two went to Luong Son Bac and reunited with other heroes.
![Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The second person was the most perfect - Photo 4. Of the 108 heroes of Luong Son Bac, only 4 had a happy ending: The second person was the most perfect - Photo 4.](https://gamek.mediacdn.vn/133514250583805952/2024/3/14/photo-1-17103406650551695804775-1710391880588-1710391880721185281326.jpeg)
In the first half of his life, Lo Tri Tham was a general devoted to justice. Lo Tri Tham’s name is famous throughout the world because whenever he encounters a grievance, this person will come to the rescue.
Later, because he defended a weak woman, he beat Tran Quan Tay Trinh Do three times to death, putting himself in danger, making him wanted, and then having a relationship with the pagoda.
Lo Tri Tham went to Ngu Dai mountain and became a disciple of Tri Chan. That’s why this person is nicknamed Venerable Hoa in Water Margin. Later, Lo Tri Tham passed away while meditating at the temple.
Reference: QQ, iFeng, 163