Bai Sheng is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed “Daylight Rat”, he ranks 106th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 70th among the 72 Earthly Fiends. Wikipedia
Pinyin: Bái Shèng
Simplified Chinese: 白胜
Bai Sheng (白胜) is a character in the Chinese classic novel “Water Margin” (《水浒传》), which was written by Shi Nai’an during the Ming Dynasty. He is also known as “White Stripe in the Waves” (波中白條), due to his skill in swimming and his white hair.
Bai Sheng was born into a poor family, and he worked as a ferryman on the Yangtze River. He was an expert swimmer and a skilled fighter, using a pair of hooks as his weapon of choice. Bai was also known for his loyalty and his love for justice, often helping the poor and the weak.
In the novel, Bai Sheng is first introduced as a member of Liangshan Marsh (梁山泊), a group of outlaws who rebelled against the corrupt government during the Song Dynasty. Bai is described as a tall and muscular man, with a white stripe in his hair and a pair of gleaming hooks. He is also very brave and loyal, often risking his life to protect his fellow outlaws.
Bai Sheng’s most memorable moment in the novel is his fight with Zhu Wu (朱武), a powerful warrior who was sent by the government to capture the outlaws. The two engage in a fierce battle, with Bai using his hooks and Zhu using his broadsword. Although Bai is initially at a disadvantage, he manages to turn the tables by using his swimming skills to evade Zhu’s attacks and strike him from unexpected angles. In the end, Bai emerges victorious, and Zhu is forced to flee in defeat.
Despite his skills as a fighter, Bai Sheng is also shown to have a gentle and compassionate side. He falls in love with Dai Zong (戴宗), a beautiful and kind-hearted woman who is also a member of Liangshan Marsh. Their love story is one of the few romantic subplots in the novel, and it provides a rare glimpse into Bai’s more tender side.
Bai Sheng is one of the most popular characters in “Water Margin”, thanks to his combination of bravery, loyalty, and compassion. He is a skilled fighter who is not afraid to risk his life for his friends, but he is also a kind and gentle soul who cares deeply for the people around him. His love story with Dai Zong is a testament to his emotional depth and his ability to feel deeply.
In conclusion, Bai Sheng is a beloved character in “Water Margin”, who embodies many of the novel’s themes and values. He is a brave fighter and a loyal friend, but he is also a compassionate and tender soul, who cares deeply for the people around him. His love story with Dai Zong is a testament to his emotional depth and his ability to feel deeply. Bai Sheng is a character who continues to captivate readers and audiences to this day.
