Zhang Qing (Gardener)

Zhang Qing is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 102nd of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 66th of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Gardener".

Background

Zhang Qing is from Mengzhou, Jiaozuo, Henan. The Water Margin describes him as having a weird-looking face and thin facial hair. He used to work as a gardener in Guangming Monastery. He has a violent quarrel with the monks and kills them in a fit of anger and burns down the monastery. He goes to Cross Slope and becomes an outlaw there.

One day, he attempts to rob an old man but the old man defeats him in a fight instead. The old man recognises Zhang Qing's talent for martial arts and accepts him as his disciple. Zhang Qing marries the old man's daughter, Sun Erniang. The couple run a tavern at Cross Slope. They lure unwary travelers into their tavern for drinks and knock them out using drugs. They kill their victims and rob them of their valuables. They also make meat buns with human flesh fillings from their victims and serve them to customers. Zhang Qing travels around the area and befriends other pugilists. He earns himself the nickname "Gardener".

Meeting Wu Song

Lu Zhishen passes by Cross Slope after seeing Lin Chong safely to Cangzhou and he stops at the tavern for a rest. He is served with drugged wine by Sun Erniang and becomes unconscious. Zhang Qing returns home and he saves Lu Zhishen from his grisly fate....
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