Chinese Name: Du Qian 

Japanese Name: Mochakuten Tosen 

Rank: 83rd of the 108 Stars of Destiny

Nickname: Sky Feeler 

Du Qian, along with Wang Lun, were the original leaders of the Liangshan Marsh group of outlaws. They had set up a stronghold on an island in the middle of the marsh, and amassed a band of approximately 800 men. Wang Lun took first in command, Du Qian second, and Song Wan (plate 77) third.                                                   

Lin Chong (plate 19) had recently joined with the Liangshan bandits and was dissatisfied with Wang Lun’s leadership—he thought him to be selfish and cowardly. He was also angry at the low rank he'd been given despite his superior military training.  

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Chao Gai, Wu Yong (see plate 14), and their men, had sought refuge at the Liangshan Marsh stronghold after robbing a convoy of valuable birthday gifts which were en route to Prime Minister Cai. Wu Yong detected Lin Chong’s frustration with leadership there, and sensed an opportunity in it. He befriended Lin Chong and encouraged his rage until finally Lin Chong attacked and killed Liangshan’s first in command, Wang Lun; this gave Chao Gai and his men the opening they needed to assume control. Though Lin Chong had killed Wang Lun, he refused to take first in command insisting instead that the role go to Chao Gai. Wu Yong was then assigned second in command, Gongsun Sheng (plate 15) third, and Lin Chong fourth. Du Qian was relegated from second in command to ninth. As the story continued and more recruits joined the ranks, Du Qian’s position dropped all the way down to 83rd of the final 108 chieftains. 

Plates 18, 19, and 20 form a triptych arranged from left to right depicting the scene where Lin Chong attacks and kills Liangshan’s first leader, Wang Lun. Du Qian is shown here pulling out his sword to try and save Wang Lun as Lin Chong is about to kill him. He is restrained however, and prevented from helping his comrade. He watches Wang Lun be killed and then accepts Chao Gai as the new leader of Liangshan. 

Kuniyoshi recreation