| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 胡员外, 胡員外, Hú Yuánwài |
| Other name | Hồ Viên ngoại |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 140 AD |
| Birth Place | Xiezhou, Hedong Commandery (河东郡解州; Giải Châu, quận Hà Đông) |
| Died | c. 215 AD |
| Death Reason | Old age / Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Children | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Three Kingdoms Folklore / Hedong Clan |
Master Hu (扈太公, Hỗ Thái Công; Squire Hu), was the affluent patriarch of the Hu Family Manor (扈家庄), one of the three powerful fortified estates along the Lone Dragon Ridge (独龙冈) in Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan). He was the father of the formidable warrior maiden Hu Sanniang (扈三娘 – Ten Feet of Steel) and ‘Flying Tiger’ Hu Cheng (扈成).
Initially joined in a defensive pact with the neighboring Zhu and Li Manors to deter banditry, Master Hu recognized the futility of confronting Liangshan’s armies after Song Jiang defeated the Zhu Manor. When his son Hu Cheng negotiated a truce and captured the fleeing Zhu Biao to demonstrate good faith, Master Hu ordered his gates opened, offering food and wine to Song Jiang’s forces in surrender.
Tragically, before Song Jiang’s orders of quarter could reach the rear ranks, Black Whirlwind Li Kui burst into the manor in a berserk frenzy, slaughtering Master Hu and his entire household. The senseless butchery deeply grieved Song Jiang, who sternly rebuked Li Kui, adopted the surviving Hu Sanniang as his sworn sister, and wed her to Wang Ying.
Role in Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan)
Chapter 50 (Wu Yong Employs the Twin Scheme; Black Whirlwind Slaughter the Hu Manor): Master Hu presents tokens of surrender, only for Li Kui’s axes to crash through the courtyard. Song Jiang roared at Li Kui: ‘Hu Cheng already submitted to us; why did you butcher his innocent father Master Hu against my command?!’
Master Hu — Historical & Literary Timeline
Northern Song
Patriarch of Hu Manor
Rules the wealthy Hu Family Manor along Lone Dragon Ridge, commanding hundreds of armed retainers.
Ch. 48 / Northern Song
Lone Dragon Ridge Alliance
Enters mutual defense alliance with Zhu and Li Manors against marshland bandits.
Ch. 50 / Northern Song
Submission to Song Jiang
Dispatches his son Hu Cheng to broker peace and surrenders the manor to Liangshan forces.
Ch. 50 / Northern Song
Tragic Demise
Killed in his hall alongside his family by the berserk Li Kui despite having surrendered.
Key Relationships
Family
- Daughter Hu Sanniang (扈三娘, Hỗ Tam Nương – Ten Feet of Steel): Heroic warrior daughter captured by Lin Chong and subsequently adopted by Song Jiang.
- Son Hu Cheng (扈成, Hỗ Thành – Flying Tiger): Eldest son who brokered the surrender and escaped Li Kui’s axes to flee south.
Friends
- Neighboring Patriarch Squire Li Ying (Li Ying): Patriarch of the Li Manor who joined Liangshan.
- Defensive Ally Squire Zhu Chaofeng (祝朝奉): Patriarch of the neighboring Zhu Manor.
Enemies
- Slayer Li Kui (李逵, Lý Khôi – Black Whirlwind): Berserk Liangshan warrior who massacred Master Hu’s manor in violation of Song Jiang’s surrender terms.
Other
- Liangshan Commander Song Jiang (宋江): Chieftain who accepted Hu Manor’s surrender and bitterly condemned Li Kui for Master Hu’s death.
In Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan)
Chapter 50: The Tragic Massacre
"Song Jiang rebuked Li Kui: 'You bloodthirsty devil! Hu Cheng had already ridden to our camp with Zhu Biao bound in chains! Who told you to enter his hall and slaughter Master Hu?!'"
Literary Nuance
Summary
The tragedy of Master Hu highlights the dangerous, uncontrollable brutality embodied by outlaws like Li Kui, serving as a dark counterpoint to Song Jiang's chivalric ambitions.
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