Guan Sheng
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Nicknamed the 'Great Blade' (大刀), the Water Margin's Guan Sheng (关胜) bore an uncanny resemblance to Guan Yu - simply because he was a direct descendant of the famous general of the Shu Kingdom. Brandishing a halberd, majestic in appearance and skilful in the art of war, it is little wonder that Song Jiang was eager to have the imperial general on board. Flanked by his aides Xuan Zan and Hao Si-Wen, Guan Sheng was fearless in making a frontal assault on Liangshan (this was known as the second imperial attack) but as it were, he was ambushed eventually although he did succeed in capturing a few of Song's followers. Perhaps, just like his more famous ancestor, pride was to be his undoing when he fell into the trap laid by his opponents. Nonetheless, he became a vital member in the Liangshan contingent. Standing at about 8 feet 5-6 inches, Guan had a long beard, long brows and eyes like those of a phoenix.
In order to win him over, Song Jiang suggested that Huyuan Zhuo pretend to be a turncoat and lure Guan Sheng into an ambush, which Guan Sheng did fall into eventually and was captured. Guan was persuaded by Song Jiang to join the Liangshan band in their mission to carry out the Will of Heaven, to fight the corrupted government and bring peace to the nation. With that, Guan became one of the five tiger generals of the Liangshan cavalry and one of the highest-ranked members amongst the 36 Heavenly Spirits.
Once, Cai Jing sent Shan Ting-gui and Wei Ding-guo against the bandits. The two generals were well-versed in attacking the enemy by water strategies and fire strategies respectively. Guan Sheng volunteered to face Shan and Wei, aided by Xuan Zan and Hao Si-Wen. Unexpectedly, Xuan and Hao were both captured. Guan managed to capture Shan by luring him and then knocking him off his horse. Shan decided to join the Liangshan band, and he also managed to persuade Wei Ding-guo to join the band as well.
After the quelling of the Fang La revolt, Guan Sheng was one of the few survivors from Liang Shan (about 30 survived out of 108 heroes), and was rewarded by the Imperial Court with his previous office. One day, Guan Sheng drank a little too much after training his cavalry, and he slipped and fell from his horse. He died shortly afterwards.
