Quick Answer: Who Is Yang Zhi?
Yang Zhi (杨志, Yáng Zhì), known as the Blue-Faced Beast (青面兽, Qīngmiàn Shòu), is an officer turned outlaw in Water Margin (水浒传, Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn). One episode follows his attempt to sell a blade. A later one follows his assignment to escort a birthday gift convoy (生辰纲, shēngchén gāng).[1][2]
- His nickname refers to the large mark on his face.[1]
- The birthday gifts are lost in Chapter 16.[2]
- The final Liangshan (梁山, Liángshān) roster places him seventeenth.[4]
The street encounter and the convoy are distinct setbacks.
A sale in the capital ends in a criminal case. A chance to regain standing ends with an official shipment gone. The two episodes matter because Yang Zhi still hopes for a place in official service when the novel starts following him.
The Blade He Tries to Sell
Chapter 12 introduces Yang during his encounter with Lin Chong and describes the mark on his face. Later in the chapter, he tries to sell his blade in the capital. A man called Niu Er interferes with the sale. The encounter turns fatal and leads to a criminal case against Yang.[1]
Why He Is Escorting Birthday Gifts
Chapter 16 puts Yang in charge of valuable gifts sent for a powerful man’s birthday. His authority over the convoy proves fragile as arguments develop among the travelers. The gifts are taken despite his precautions. The loss leaves him unable to return to the official who entrusted him with them.[2][3]
From Two Dragons Mountain to Liangshan
In Chapter 17, Yang leaves the ridge and meets Lu Zhishen. Their alliance gives him a route to Two Dragons Mountain (二龙山, Èrlóng Shān). By the final count at Liangshan, Yang ranks seventeenth among the 108 outlaws. The roster preserves the nickname readers first encounter in his earlier story.[3][4]
The Nickname in a Japanese Print
Princeton University Art Museum catalogues a print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi under the English title Yang Zhi, the Blue-faced Beast. The print belongs to a Japanese series named for the 108 heroes. Its catalogue title gives both Yang’s name and the nickname by which readers can find him in the novel.[5]
FAQs About Yang Zhi
Why is Yang Zhi called the Blue-Faced Beast?
The name refers to the large blue-green mark described on his face.[1]
Which chapter covers the lost birthday gifts?
The loss takes place in Chapter 16 of the 120-chapter text.[2]
What is Yang Zhi’s rank at Liangshan?
He is seventeenth in the Chapter 71 roster.[4]
資料來源
[1] Water Margin. Chapter 12, 120-chapter text
[2] Water Margin. Chapter 16, 120-chapter text
[3] Water Margin. Chapter 17, 120-chapter text
[4] Water Margin. Chapter 71, 120-chapter text
[5] Princeton University Art Museum. Yang Zhi, the Blue-faced Beast, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi