| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 龚旺, 龔旺, Gōng Wàng |
| Nickname | 78 - Earthly Victorious Star - 地捷星 (Dìjié Xīng) - Địa Tiệp Tinh; Flowery-Necked Tiger (花項虎, Huāxiànghǔ, Hoa Hạng Hổ) |
| Other name | Cung Vượng |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Dengzhou (登州; Đăng Châu) |
| Death Reason | Killed in battle at Deqing (德清, Déqīng, Đức Thanh) by enemy javelins during the campaign against Fang La (方腊, Fāng Là, Phương Lạp) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Liangshan Marsh |
| Battles | Campaign against the Liangshan rebels, Conquest of the Liao Dynasty, Campaign against Fang La |
Gong Wang: Biography and Literary Origins
Gong Wang (龚旺), widely known by his fierce moniker the “Flowery Necked Tiger,” is a memorable fictional warrior from the classic Chinese epic Water Margin. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty, he ranks 78th among the 108 Liangshan heroes and commands respect as the Earthly Liaison Star.
Originally serving as a stalwart vice-general under commander Zhang Qing in Dongchang Prefecture, he was celebrated for his menacing presence and distinctive tiger-head tattoos running across his neck and shoulders. Skilled in mounted combat and throwing javelins, he defended his outpost vigorously before being outmaneuvered and captured by the Liangshan vanguard. Recognizing the virtue and cause of the outlaws, he pledged his allegiance to Song Jiang and transitioned into a devoted scout and cavalry officer.
Martial Feats and the Southern Campaign
“A warrior adorned with the stripes of a predator, swift on horseback and deadly with his throwing spear; he stood fearless amidst the fiercest clashes of the marshland brotherhood.”
Following the imperial amnesty granted by the emperor, the outlaws mobilized as loyal government soldiers on campaigns against foreign invaders and domestic insurrections. During the brutal southern expedition against the rebel leader Fang La, Gong Wang faced harrowing warfare. In the heated battle of Deqing, while pursuing enemy forces across treacherous terrain, he accidentally plunged into a ravine and was overwhelmed by hostile spearmen, sealing his legacy as a fallen hero.
Literary Timeline in Water Margin
The Battle of Dongchang
Gong Wang serves alongside Ding Desun under the command of Zhang Qing, engaging Liangshan forces in fierce combat before suffering capture.
Induction into the 108 Stars
He formally integrates into the Liangshan brotherhood, taking his official seat as an agile cavalry leader among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
The Final Stand at Deqing
While pursuing retreating rebel troops during the Fang La campaign, he falls into a ravine and is killed in action.
Key Relationships and Comrades
- Zhang Qing (张清): His supreme commander at Dongchang Prefecture and fellow Liangshan officer, known for deadly stone-throwing techniques.
- Ding Desun (丁得孙): A close comrade-in-arms who served as co-lieutenant and joined the marsh fortress at the same time.
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