| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 白胜, 白勝, Bái Shèng |
| Nickname | 106 - Earthly Consuming Star - 地耗星 (Dìhào Xīng) - Địa Hạo Tinh; Daylight Rat (白日鼠, Báirìshǔ, Bạch Nhật Thử) |
| Other name | Bạch Thắng |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Huangnigang, Yuncheng County (郓城县黄泥冈; gò Hoàng Nê, huyện Vận Thành) |
| Death Reason | Fell ill and passed away from epidemic in Hangzhou (杭州, Hángzhōu, Hàng Châu) during the campaign against Fang La (方腊, Fāng Là, Phương Lạp) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Liangshan Marsh |
| Battles | Robbery of the Imperial Birthday Gift, Campaign against Fang La |
Biography of Bai Sheng in Water Margin
Bai Sheng (白胜), widely known by his nickname the “Daylight Rat” (Bái Rì Shǔ), is a memorable outlaw from the classic Chinese epic Water Margin. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty, he ranks 106th among the 108 Liangshan heroes and is governed by the Earth Exhaustion Star. Unlike the legendary martial artists and high-ranking military commanders who joined Mount Liang, he began his journey as an impoverished gambler and vagrant living around Huangni Ridge.
Role in the Birthday Gift Heist
Despite lacking martial prowess, he played a crucial role in Chao Gai’s daring plot to hijack the Imperial Birthday Gift—a lavish tribute destined for the corrupt Grand Preceptor Cai Jing. Strategist Wu Yong recruited him for his deceptive acting skills and familiarity with local terrain. Disguised as a humble wine peddler, he offered spiked wine to the unsuspecting escort troops led by Yang Zhi, successfully incapacitating them and securing the immense treasure.
Following the heist, government magistrate He Tao captured and subjected him to severe interrogation. Although brutal torture forced an initial confession, his fellow outlaws rescued him from prison. He subsequently joined the mountain stronghold as an undercover operative and scout.
Key Literary Milestones
The Wine Trick at Yellow Mud Ridge
He executes the undercover sting by serving drugged vintage wine to imperial guards, allowing the bandit leaders to seize the valuable birthday convoy.
Capture and Rescue
Arrested by constable He Tao, he endures brutal prison torture until Chao Gai and the Liangshan band orchestrate his liberation.
Final Campaign and Death
Serving as an agile scout during the southern expedition against Fang La, he succumbs to a fatal illness shortly before the imperial army’s return.
Key Relationships and Impact
- Chao Gai: The righteous leader who organized the birthday heist and later ordered the daring raid to free Bai Sheng from imperial captivity.
- Wu Yong: The chief strategist who recognized his street smarts and devised the deceptive wine ruse.
- Yang Zhi: The disgraced imperial officer who fell victim to the drugged wine plot at Yellow Mud Ridge.
In classical Chinese literature, Bai Sheng exemplifies how ordinary underdogs could alter imperial history through cunning rather than raw force.
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