Deng Fei is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Classic Chinese Novels. Nicknamed “Fiery Eyed Suanni[a]“, he ranks 49th among the 108 Heroes and 13th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
Background
Originally from Xiangyang, Deng Fei is nicknamed “Fiery Eyed Suanni“[a] due to his bloodshot eyes. A highly-skilled fighter, he uses a long iron chain with spikes in combat.
Deng Fei is first introduced in the novel as the second of three leaders of a small outlaw group based at Yinma River (飲馬川; in present-day Jizhou, Tianjin), ranking between Pei Xuan and Meng Kang.
Joining Liangshan
Deng Fei, along with Pei Xuan and Meng Kang, makes his first appearance in the novel when they are introduced by Yang Lin, an old acquaintance of Deng Fei, to Dai Zong when he passes by Yinma River on his way to find Gongsun Sheng in Jizhou (薊州; present-day Jizhou, Tianjin).
Dai Zong, who is already part of the outlaw band at Liangshan Marsh, invites Yang Lin and the outlaws at Yinma River to join Liangshan, and they accept.
Campaigns and death
Deng Fei is appointed as a Tiger Cub Patrol Commander of the Liangshan cavalry after the 108 Heroes are fully assembled. He participates in their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory after the outlaws receive amnesty from Emperor Huizong.
During the final campaign against Fang La‘s rebel forces, Deng Fei, Suo Chao and other Liangshan heroes are assigned to assault the north gate at the battle of Hangzhou. After Suo Chao is slain by the enemy warrior Shi Bao, Deng Fei attempts to avenge his fallen comrade but is no match for Shi Bao and ends up getting sliced in two.
Notes
References
- Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Miyazaki, Ichisada (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
- Keffer, David. “Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary”. Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 99. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
- Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). “Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits”. Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei
- Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.