13: Yang Zhi: Isaac Nichols
13: Yang Zhi: Isaac Nichols
11” x 14”
Sumi Ink on Washi Paper
Chinese Name: Yang Zhi
Japanese Name: Seimenjū Yōshi
Rank: 17th of the 108 Stars of Destiny
Nickname: Blue Faced Brute
Yang Zhi was over six feet tall, a highly skilled fighter, and came from a long line of military generals. He received the nickname, “Blue Faced Brute” because of a large blue birthmark on his face.
As a lieutenant of the Imperial Guard, he was assigned the task of shipping marble from a quarry to the Eastern Capital. While ferrying his shipment along the Yellow River, a strong wind capsized his boat and the marble was lost. Afraid of what the repercussions would be, Yang Zhi panicked and fled. He was eventually pardoned, and he returned to the capital in hopes of regaining his position, but his request was denied. Having no money left, he was reduced to selling his last possession which was a sword given to him by his father.
Niu Er, nicknamed, “Hairless Tiger”, was a miscreant who was known for picking fights and terrorizing the local citizens. He drunkenly approached Yang Zhi saying he was interested in purchasing the sword, but wanted him to first prove its worth. Yang Zhi cut copper coins in half to show off the superiority of the blade, and told Niu Er the sword cut so quickly, if used to kill a man, no blood would have time to adhere to the blade. Niu Er demanded he demonstrate this feat, but Yang Zhi refused. Unexpectedly, Niu Er head-butted him and tried to take the sword. Yang Zhi, being a superior fighter, quickly recovered, thrust the blade into Niu Er’s throat and killed him. Yang Zhi turned himself in to the Yamen, but because Niu Er had been a local nuisance, he was given a light sentence. He received 20 blows with a bamboo cane, branded on both sides of his face, and banished to the Northern Capital, Daming Prefecture.
As the story unfolded, Yang Zhi was admitted back into the army as a general. One of his first duties was to escort a convoy of valuable gifts for Prime Minister Cai’s birthday. While in route, his team of military escorts were drugged and the gifts stolen by a small team of robbers assembled by Wu Yong (plate 14) and Chao Gai (plate 14)—Yang Zhi was forced to flee his station in the military yet again.
*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *
As Yang Zhi wandered the land, he met and befriended Lu Zhishen (plates 6; 10), and together they took over the bandit army at Mount Lianglong. Later, Yang Zhi and the Mount Lianglong bandits, as well as the bandit gangs of Mount Taohua and Mount Baihu, became a part of the legions at Liangshan Marsh after joining forces with them to battle General Huyan Zhuo (plate 55).
Yang Zhi is depicted here as he is about to kill Niu Er. The cut copper coins lay on the ground next to Niu Er while Yang Zhi stands over him poised for the fatal strike.
Kuniyoshi Recreation