| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 琼英, 瓊英, Qióng Yīng |
| Other name | Quỳnh Anh |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | Song Dynasty |
| Birth Place | Mianzhang County, Weizhou (威州绵上; Miên Thượng, Uy Châu) |
| Died | Song Dynasty |
| Death Reason | Natural causes in retirement |
| FAMILY | |
| Spouse | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Tian Hu Rebel State / Mount Liang Outlaws |
Qiong Ying (琼英, Quỳnh Anh; nicknamed ‘Flying Stones Maiden’ / 琼矢镞), is one of the most radiant and celebrated female warrior heroines in Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan). Originally born into the wealthy Qiu gentry manor in Mianshang, she was orphaned when the rebel warlord Tian Hu plundered the estate and murdered her parents, forcing her into captivity under Tian Hu’s general Ye Qing.
Possessing breathtaking beauty and burning for vengeance against Tian Hu, Qiong Ying had a mystical dream where a handsome warrior with a celestial bow taught her the divine art of hurling flying stones with deadly accuracy. When Song Jiang led the Liangshan army on the imperial expedition to suppress Tian Hu, Qiong Ying rode out at the head of Tian Hu’s vanguard, defeating multiple Liangshan chieftains with her flying stones. When Liangshan’s famed ‘Featherless Arrow’ Zhang Qing (张清) rode onto the field, Qiong Ying instantly recognized him as the divine warrior from her dream.
Zhang Qing, disguised as a doctor, infiltrated her camp; the two warriors confessed their love and swore to avenge Qiong Ying’s parents together. Working in secret concert with Song Jiang, Qiong Ying poisoned Tian Hu’s brother, opened the fortress gates to Liangshan’s armies, and personally decapitated her family’s murderer Tian Biao. Following Tian Hu’s destruction, she wed Zhang Qing and accompanied Liangshan, later giving birth to hero Zhang Jie after Zhang Qing tragically died at Dusong Pass during the Fang La campaign.
Role in Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan)
Chapter 98 (Zhang Qing Infiltrates the Rebel Camp; Qiong Ying Exacts Vengeance for Her Parents): Qiong Ying and Zhang Qing exchange stones in the moonlight; matching each other’s throws, they pledge an eternal vow of marriage and vengeance before the hearth.
Chapter 100 (Tian Hu is Broken in Shanxi; Qiong Ying Enters Liangshan): Qiong Ying slays the rebel Tian Biao with her twin blades, avenging her father and mother before Song Jiang’s grand banners.
Qiong Ying — Historical & Literary Timeline
Northern Song
Tragedy in Mianshang
Parents murdered by rebel Tian Hu; taken into Ye Qing’s household.
Northern Song
The Dream of Flying Stones
Learns mystical stone-hurling arts in a prophetic dream.
Ch. 97 / Northern Song
Encounter with Zhang Qing
Matches stones with Liangshan’s ‘Featherless Arrow’ Zhang Qing; recognizes him as her dream hero.
Ch. 98–100
Revenge & Liberation
Infiltrates Tian Hu’s citadel, slays her parents’ murderer, and surrenders to Song Jiang.
Ch. 110+
Mother of Zhang Jie
Raises Zhang Qing’s son Zhang Jie into an imperial warrior after Zhang Qing dies at Dusong Pass.
Key Relationships
Family
- Husband Zhang Qing (张清, Trương Thanh – Featherless Arrow): Liangshan stone-hurling chieftain who matched her dream vision.
- Son Zhang Jie (张节): Distinguished Song military officer who later fought against the Jin.
- Foster Father / Loyal Protector Ye Qing (叶清): Rebel general who secretly protected Qiong Ying and assisted the Liangshan plot.
Friends
- Liangshan Leader Song Jiang (宋江): Leader who blessed her marriage to Zhang Qing and welcomed her into the brotherhood.
- Warrior Maidens Hu Sanniang, Sun Erniang: Female chieftains of Mount Liang.
Enemies
- Parent Slayers Tian Hu (田虎), Tian Biao: Rebel warlords who murdered her family, executed through her scheme.
Other
- Daoist Master Divine Maiden of Mount Tai: Source of her mystical dream martial art.
In Water Margin
The Moonlight Vow
"Stone met stone in mid-air, showering sparks like falling stars. Qiong Ying smiled through her tears: 'The hero of my dream has come at last to break my chains!'"
Literary Significance
Qiong Ying's romance with Zhang Qing and filial quest for vengeance is celebrated as one of the most poetic and emotionally resonant storylines in the late chapters of Water Margin.
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