Quick Answer: Who Is Lu Junyi?
Lu Junyi (卢俊义, Lú Jùnyì) is a wealthy man from Daming Prefecture who becomes an outlaw in Water Margin (水浒传, Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn). Known as the Jade Qilin (玉麒麟, Yù Qílín), he is drawn into the band by a scheme involving a poem and later becomes its second-ranked leader.[1][2][4]
- Wu Yong (吴用, Wú Yòng) leaves a poem whose opening characters can be read as an accusation.[1][2]
- Lu Junyi’s attendant Yan Qing (燕青, Yān Qīng) tries to help him when he returns home.[2]
- At Liangshan (梁山, Liángshān), his capture of Shi Wengong raises the question of who should lead the band.[3]
The novel first makes his name evidence against him and later places it near the top of the roster.
A poem on a wall looks like advice about how to avoid disaster. Once the first character of each line is read down the wall, the same poem can sound like a confession. That difference sets Lu Junyi’s story in motion.
How the Wall Poem Traps Lu Junyi
In Chapter 61, Wu Yong comes to Lu Junyi’s house as a fortune-teller and writes four lines. The warning persuades Lu Junyi to travel, bringing him into contact with the Liangshan band. The poem stays behind on the wall where other people can read it.[1]
In Chapter 62, Wu Yong explains the second reading to Lu Junyi’s steward, Li Gu. The first line begins with the character for reeds, which sounds like Lu’s surname. Read down the four lines, the sequence points to Lu Junyi and the accusation that he rebels. Yan Qing warns his master about the consequences awaiting him at home. Lu Junyi dismisses the warning and goes home.[2]
Why Lu Junyi Ranks Second
In Chapter 68, Lu Junyi captures Shi Wengong. Chao Gai had said the person who captured him should lead Liangshan. Song Jiang raises that promise, but Lu Junyi declines the leading position. The chapter lets the characters weigh the promise, Lu’s service and the authority Song already holds.[3]
The full roster in Chapter 71 puts Song Jiang first and Lu Junyi second among the 108 Liangshan heroes. The list gives a settled position to a man who entered the band under pressure.[4]
The Jade Qilin in a Japanese Print
The qilin is an auspicious creature, and some English catalogues render the nickname as Jade Unicorn. In Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Japanese print series, the name appears as Gyokukirin Roshungi. The Lyon Collection holds a version that forms the center panel of a triptych. It belongs to the same series as portrayals of other Liangshan figures such as Hua Rong.[5]
FAQs About Lu Junyi
What does Jade Qilin mean?
It is Lu Junyi’s nickname. Jade Unicorn is a common rendering in print catalogues.[5]
Who is Yan Qing to Lu Junyi?
Yan Qing serves Lu Junyi and tries to help him when he faces trouble after returning home.[2]
Does Lu Junyi become the leader of Liangshan?
In the full roster, Song Jiang is first and Lu Junyi is second.[4]
Fuentes
[1] Water Margin. Chapter 61, 120-chapter text
[2] Water Margin. Chapter 62, 120-chapter text
[3] Water Margin. Chapter 68, 120-chapter text
[4] Water Margin. Chapter 71, 120-chapter text
[5] Lyon Collection. Lu Junyi, the Jade Unicorn, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi