Chinese Name: Hua Rong 

Japanese Name: Shōrikō Kaei 

Rank: 9th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Little Li Guang 

Hua Rong is depicted as being handsome, strong and unrivaled in his skill as an archer. When introduced in the story he was the garrison commandant of Qingfeng Fortress under civil magistrate Liu Gao.  

Song Jiang (plate 107) was on the run from the law after killing his mistress Yan Poxi. He had been hiding out at the home of Old Kong, and while there, received a letter from Hua Rong. Hua Rong said he had been made aware of Song Jiang’s situation and invited him to seek refuge at his home in Qingfeng Village. Song Jiang bid farewell to the Kong family and traveled to Qingfeng. 

One day he decided to go into town to see the lantern festival. While there, the wife of civil magistrate Liu Gao spotted Song Jiang and falsely accused him of trying to rape her (see plate 25 for story details). Liu Gao immediately ordered his men to arrest Song Jiang. Hua Rong wrote Liu Gao a letter in which he claimed Song Jiang to be his relative, named Liu Zhang, who was visiting from Jizhou and pleaded for his release. Liu Gao did not believe the letter and its claims of the (false) identity of Song Jiang, and was instead convinced of Hua Rong’s collusion with bandits.

When Liu Gao refused to release Song Jiang, Hua Rong decided to abandon his position as garrison commandant. He gathered fifty of his loyal troops and freed Song Jiang by force. As the story unfolded, Song Jiang and Hua Rong were sheltered by Yan Shun (plate 104) and the bandits of Mount Qingfeng. With their aid, Liu Gao was captured and Hua Rong cut out his heart and presented it to Song Jiang.  

Fearing swift and deadly government retaliation, Song Jiang suggested the bandits of Mount Qingfeng should relocate to the Liangshan Marsh stronghold led by Chao Gai (see plate 14). Everyone agreed to the plan and they made their way to Liangshan. 

Hua Rong is depicted here displaying his abilities as an archer to the leader of Liangshan, Chao Gai. Selecting a goose flying by in a flock, he aims for its head and connects with his target bringing the goose down from the sky. 

Kuniyoshi recreation