Chao Gai
| Chao Gai | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| Nickname | "Pagoda-Shifting Heavenly King" 托塔天王 |
| Also known as | "Heavenly King Chao" 晁天王 |
| Leader of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Village Ward Chief |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Dongxi Village, Yuncheng County, Heze, Shandong |
| First appearance | Chapter 14 |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 晁盖 |
| Traditional Chinese | 晁蓋 |
| Pinyin | Cháo Gài |
| Wade–Giles | Ch'ao Kai |
Chao Gai is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He is not one of the 108 Stars of Destiny because he dies before the Grand Assembly of the 108. However, after his death, he serves as a spiritual guardian of the outlaws and ceremonial sacrifices are made in his honour.
Chao Gai earned his nickname "Pagoda-Shifting Heavenly King" after carrying a pagoda miniature from the west side of a creek to the east, where his village stood, to deter malevolent spirits. He was popularly referred to as "Heavenly King Chao" (晁天王) by his fellows. Born into a wealthy family, he is the Ward Chief (保正) of Dongxi Village (東溪村; or Eastern Creek Village) in Yuncheng County, Heze, Shandong. He is a close friend of Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang and the Ruan brothers. He maintains close relations with the constables Zhu Tong and Lei Heng as well.
Liu Tang overhears news that a convoy escorting some birthday gifts for the Imperial Tutor, Cai Jing, will be passing by Dongxi Village. He falls asleep in a rundown temple after getting drunk and is mistaken for a wanted fugitive by Lei Heng, who arrests him. Lei Heng and his men stop by Dongxi Village to have a short break. Chao Gai surreptitiously goes out to meet Liu Tang, whose original intent was to inform Chao Gai about the convoy. Afterwards, Chao lies to Lei Heng, telling him that Liu is his nephew. Lei releases Liu, but the latter is still unhappy with him for arresting him earlier without reason. He tracks down Lei Heng and fights with him, but Chao Gai arrives and stops them.
Liu Tang tells Chao Gai and the others about the convoy and they decide to rob it. The seven men take an oath of fraternity and disguise themselves as date traders. They succeed in robbing the convoy by following Wu Yong's plan and with some help from Bai Sheng. The authorities send the constable He Tao to investigate the incident and arrest the robbers. Bai Sheng is caught after he unknowingly reveals himself as one of the robbers. Despite being subjected to torture, Bai Sheng refuses to name his accomplices even though the authorities have already confirmed that Chao Gai is one of the robbers.
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