Li Zhong

Li Zhong is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Tiger Slaying General", he ranks 86th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 50th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Background A native of Haozhou (濠州; around present-day Chuzhou, Anhui), Li Zhong makes a living as he drifts around by teaching martial arts and performing fighting stunts in public for tips from onlookers and as a way to push his medicinal items. He is nicknamed "Tiger Slaying General" as he is muscular and looks like one who could kill a tiger. Becoming an outlaw Li Zhong becomes the first martial arts teacher of Shi Jin when he is at Huayin County and is hired by Shi's father. Shi Jin eventually finds a far more competent teacher Wang Jin, a former imperial troops instructor. After killing constables sent to arrest him over his association with the bandits of Mount Shaohua, Shi leaves for Weizhou (渭州; around present-day Pingliang, Gansu) in search of Wang Jin. At Weizhou he comes to know Lu Da, a local garrison officer. The two run into Li Zhong when he is doing his usual roadside stunts show. Later Lu Da unwittingly boxes a butcher to death who had been blackmailing a woman for money after using a scheme to bed her. Hearing that, Li Zhong flees Weizhou. He passes by Mount Peach Blossom in Qingzhou (in present-day Shandong), where Zhou Tong and his bandit gang set upon him to rob him. But Zhou is beaten, and in admiration of Li's fighting skill he offers his position to Li, who accepts it.