| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 陶宗旺, 陶宗旺, Táo Zōngwàng |
| Nickname | 75 - Earthly Rational Star - 地理星 (Dìlǐ Xīng) - Địa Lý Tinh; Nine-Tailed Turtle (九尾龜, Jiǔwěiguī, Cửu Vĩ Quy) |
| Other name | Đào Tông Vượng |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Qingzhou (青州; Thanh Châu) |
| Death Reason | Killed in battle at Runzhou (润州, Rùnzhōu, Nhuận Châu) during the Fang La (方腊, Fāng Là, Phương Lạp) campaign |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Liangshan Marsh |
| Battles | Defense of Liangshan, Campaign against the Liao, Campaign against Tian Hu, Campaign against Wang Qing, Campaign against Fang La |
Biography & Historical Record
Tao Zongwang (陶宗旺) was a minor landholder and skilled builder from Guang County who became an outlaw chieftain at Yellow Gate Mountain during the Northern Song Dynasty. Famously dubbed the “Nine-Tailed Tortoise” (Jiǔ Wěi Guī), he represents the Earthly Geography Star (Dìlǐ Xīng) among the 108 Liangshan heroes. Physically renowned for his immense strength, he favored a heavy iron-spiked hoe in combat, symbolizing his practical transition from an agrarian laborer to a legendary rebel engineer.
Role of Tao Zongwang in Water Margin
While he did not command armies with tactical grandeur, he served as the indispensable logistical anchor for the stronghold, fortifying critical mountain defenses against imperial sieges.
In the classic literary masterpiece Water Margin, after joining the marshland forces alongside his close brothers from Yellow Gate Mountain—Ou Peng, Jiang Jing, and Ma Lin—the chieftain took charge of civil engineering, rampart repairs, and fortress gate security. His architectural ingenuity ensured that Liangshan survived multiple hostile invasions. Eventually, during the brutal Southern Campaign against the rebel leader Fang La, he suffered a tragic fate when enemy forces crushed him during the fierce siege of Muzhou.
Tao Zongwang — Historical & Literary Timeline
Gathering at Yellow Gate Mountain
He pledges allegiance to Song Jiang alongside his fellow band leaders, joining the Liangshan cause after intercepting the traveling heroes.
The 108 Destiny Stars Alignment
He officially attains rank as the 75th chieftain and assumes complete managerial oversight over construction, fortress palisades, and defensive works.
The Final Battle at Muzhou
During the grueling campaign against Fang La, he is trapped beneath collapsing fortifications in an ambush and dies in active service.
Key Relationships
- Yellow Gate Mountain Allies:
- Liangshan Leadership:
- Song Jiang: The grand chieftain to whom Tao Zongwang remained steadfastly loyal until his final breath.
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