Chinese Name: Zhang Qing

Japanese Name: Saienshi Chōsei

Rank: 102nd of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: The Gardener 

Zhang Qing had worked as a gardener at the Guangming Monastery until one day when he got into an argument with the monks who resided there. In a fit of rage, he killed them, burned down the temple and fled. 

He began a new life as a highwayman, robbing travelers he came across while on the road. One day he attacked an old man, but after twenty bouts, the old man emerged victorious. He told Zhang Qing he had himself been a highwayman in his youth, and offered to take him under his wing. The old man taught him how to be a better fighter as well as the trade secrets he knew from his earlier days spent on the road. He even introduced Zhang Qing to his daughter, Sun Erniang or Sun “The Night Witch” (plate 78). 

Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang married and built an inn along the road outside a village. They served drugged wine to some of their customers, robbed them, killed them, and used their flesh as meat. The walls of their kitchen were lined with stretched-out human skins, and limbs were hung from the rafters. The smaller pieces of flesh would be made into dumplings which they would sell to other unwitting customers, and the larger pieces Zhang Qing would take to the village to sell as beef. 

Lu Zhishen (plates 6; 10) nearly met his end at Zhang Qing’s inn when he stopped there and was rendered unconscious after Sun Erniang served him poisoned wine. Zhang Qing walked in and stopped his wife from butchering Lu Zhishen when he saw his unusual iron monk’s staff. They revived him, and when they realized he was in fact the famous Lu Zhishen the Flowery Monk, they invited him to stay with them. He remained at their inn for several days and when he decided to continue on his way, Zhang Qing suggested he seek refuge with the gang of brigand monks residing at Mount Lianglong. 

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Lu Zhishen heeded Zhang Qing’s advice, joined with the bandits of Lianglong, and soon became their leader. Later, when his band of brigands joined with the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh, Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang joined with them.

Zhang Qing is shown here scouting for travelers. 

Kuniyoshi Recreation