List of Water Margin Minor Characters - Song Imperial Court

Song Imperial Court

• Emperor Huizong (Chinese: 宋徽宗; pinyin: Sòng Huīzōng), personal name Zhao Ji (traditional Chinese: 趙佶; simplified Chinese: 赵佶; pinyin: Zhào Jí), is the ruler of the Song Empire. He was previously known as Prince Duan (Chinese: 端王; pinyin: Duān Wáng) before his accession. He had a keen interest in qiqiu (氣毬; a sport similar to modern soccer) and he got to know Gao Qiu through their common hobby.

• Hong Xin (Chinese: 洪信; pinyin: Hóng Xìn) was a Grand Marshal (太尉) sent by Emperor Renzong to seek Celestial Master Zhang to help them in combating a plague. After completing his mission and before returning to the capital, he visited the temple near where the Master resided and unsuspecting released 108 demons trapped in a secret chamber for centuries. The demons spread out throughout the land after their release and are incarnated as the 108 Liangshan heroes in Emperor Huizong's time. As if Hong Xin's actions were predestined, a stone tablet that stood on the location where the demons were imprisoned had the words "Opens when Hong arrives" (遇洪而開) carved on it.

• "Little Su the Scholar" (traditional Chinese: 小蘇學士; simplified Chinese: 小苏学士; pinyin: Xiǎo Sū Xuéshì) is an imperial academic who recommended Gao Qiu to Wang Shen. His true identity is not specified and has been a topic for debate. Some people believe him to be Su Shi (Su Dongpo) or a member of Su Shi's family.

• Wang Shen (traditional Chinese: 王詵; simplified Chinese: 王诜; pinyin: Wáng Shēn) is a prince consort who married a younger sister of Emperor Zhezong. He is referred to as Wang Jinqing (Chinese: 王晉卿; pinyin: Wáng Jìnqīng) in the novel. Before Gao Qiu rose to power, he was briefly a servant in Wang's residence. Once, Wang tasked him with sending gifts to Prince Duan and Gao Qiu interrupted the prince's qiqiu game by coincidence. The prince is impressed with Gao Qiu's skill and asks Wang to allow Gao to serve him, and Wang agrees.

• Su Yuanjing (Chinese: 宿元景; pinyin: Sù Yuánjǐng) is a Grand Marshal. He is known to be an honest and incorrupt official. Song Jiang wishes to convey his and the Liangshan heroes' grievances of being forced to become outlaws due to the corruption in the government, as well as express their desire to serve the imperial court. Song approaches Su for help and the latter agrees. Su succeeds in persuading Emperor Huizong to grant the outlaws amnesty and he spoke up for them in front of the emperor on several occasions. He is sent by the emperor to grant amnesty to the outlaws for the second time after the first attempt by Chen Zongshan failed.

• Chen Zongshan (traditional Chinese: 陳宗善; simplified Chinese: 陈宗善; pinyin: Chén Zōngshàn) is a Grand Marshal sent by Emperor Huizong to grant amnesty to the Liangshan outlaws for the first time. However, his mission turns out to be a failure because the majority of the outlaws are reluctant to accept amnesty, and Li Kui tears up the imperial decree.

• Liu Menglong (traditional Chinese: 劉夢龍; simplified Chinese: 刘梦龙; pinyin: Líu Mènglóng) is a general who specialises in naval warfare. He is appointed by Gao Qiu to lead the imperial navy to attack Liangshan Marsh. His complacency results in him falling into an ambush in the marsh, where his entire fleet is destroyed and he is captured by the outlaws. He is sent back to Gao Qiu after his defeat and promptly executed on Gao's orders for his failure.