Chai Jin

Chai Jin is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Little Whirlwind", he ranks 10th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

Background

The novel describes Chai Jin as a handsome man with eyebrows like a dragon's, eyes like a fenghuang's, and red lips and white teeth. He is a descendant of Chai Rong, an emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty. During the Chenqiao Mutiny of 960, the Later Zhou general Zhao Kuangyin usurped the throne from Chai Rong's young son, Chai Zongxun, and established the Song dynasty with himself as the new emperor. However, as Zhao Kuangyin felt guilty about the usurpation, he treated the Chai family well and granted them and their descendants many privileges, including a danshu tiequan (丹書鐵券; literally, "iron certificate inscribed in red ink") which provides them immunity from prosecution if they ever get into trouble with the law. Chai Jin inherits his ancestors' residence in Cangzhou, Hebei, as well as the danshu tiequan and the privileges associated with his lineage.

A number of the Liangshan outlaws, including Lin Chong, Wu Song and Song Jiang, decide to take shelter in Chai Jin's residence when they are on the run. That is because Chai Jin's danshu tiequan also forbids the authorities from entering his residence without his permission. Chai Jin is also very generous with his inherited wealth, which he uses to help his friends and the needy. The Liangshan outlaws regard him as their benefactor and close ally.

Imprisonment

Yin Tianxi is a relative of Gao Lian, the corrupt governor of Gaotangzhou (高唐州; around present-day Gaotang County, Shandong). Gao Tang is, in turn, a cousin of Gao Qiu, a villainous Grand Marshal in the Song imperial court. On one occasion, Yin Tianxi wants to seize a mansion belonging to Chai Jin's uncle so he keeps harassing the older Chai and beats him up severely. After his uncle dies from his injuries, Chai Jin goes to confront Yin Tianxi, who behaves very rudely towards him. Liangshan's Li Kui, who is with Chai Jin at the time, loses control of himself and ends up killing Yin Tianxi. Chai Jin then orders Li Kui to flee and return to Liangshan. When Gao Lian learns about Yin Tianxi's death, he is so furious that he holds Chai Jin responsible, completely disregard the nobleman's "untouchable" status, and arrests him and throws him into prison.

After receiving news of Chai Jin's arrest, the Liangshan outlaws form an army to attack Gaotangzhou to save their ally. After defeating Gao Lian and taking over Gaotangzhou, the outlaws start searching the prison cells for Chai Jin but cannot find him. They hear from a jailer that he has hidden Chai Jin at the bottom of a dry well. After Li Kui volunteers to save Chai Jin, the outlaws lower him into the well in a basket and manage to pull him and Chai Jin out. As Chai Jin suffered from starvation and torture during his imprisonment, he was close to death when the outlaws rescue him. However, he survives after receiving timely medical treatment and eventually recovers.

Becoming an outlaw

Chai Jin decides to join the outlaw band at Liangshan. He and Li Ying are appointed the chief accountants in charge of Liangshan's income and stocks after the 108 Stars of Destiny come together in what is called the "Grand Assembly". He follows the Liangshan heroes on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory after they received amnesty from Emperor Huizong.

Later life

During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Chai Jin and Yan Qing disguise themselves and infiltrate Fang La's base in Qingxi County (清溪縣; present-day Chun'an County, Zhejiang). Chai Jin, who calls himself "Ke Yin" (柯引) while undercover, manages to gain Fang La's trust and even marries the rebel leader's daughter. During the final battle, Chai Jin suddenly reveals his true identity and catches Fang La off guard. The Liangshan heroes then use the opportunity to launch a devastating attack on Fang La's forces and secure their final victory.

Chai Jin is one of the Liangshan heroes who survive all the campaigns. Although he initially accepts Emperor Huizong's offer to serve in the imperial court, he ultimately resigns out of fear that the corrupt officials will find fault with him because of his previous status as the son-in-law of a rebel leader. He then returns home and leads a comfortable and luxurious life until the end of his days.