Suo Chao
| Suo Chao | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| Nickname | "Impatient Vanguard" 急先鋒 |
| Rank | 19th, Flight Star (天空星) of the 36 Heavenly Spirits |
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| Tiger Cub Vanguard General of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Military officer |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Hebei |
| First appearance | Chapter 13 |
| Weapon | Golden Axe (金蘸斧) |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 索超 |
| Traditional Chinese | 索超 |
| Pinyin | Suǒ Chāo |
| Wade–Giles | So Ch'ao |
Suo Chao is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 19th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Impatient Vanguard".
The novel describes Suo Chao as seven chi tall, with a round face, big ears, a squarish mouth and a beard which overshadows his face. His physical appearance gives him an impressive bearing and makes him seem like a hero. He serves as an imperial general in Daming Prefecture (大名府; in present-day Handan, Hebei) under the governor, Grand Secretary Liang Shijie. He is nicknamed "Impatient Vanguard" because of his hot temper and tendency to always charge ahead of his men in battle. He uses a huge golden axe in combat.
When Yang Zhi is exiled to Daming Prefecture, Liang Shijie recognises Yang's abilities and intends to let Yang serve under him. Yang Zhi defeats some of Liang's best officers in jousts. Suo Chao feels dissatisfied so he challenges Yang Zhi to a contest. Neither of them emerges as the victor after several rounds of fighting. Liang is impressed with both of them and promotes them to the same position.
When Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu are captured and imprisoned in Daming Prefecture, Song Jiang leads the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh to attack Daming and rescue Lu and Shi. Liang Shijie orders Suo Chao to lead an army to hold off the outlaws. Suo Chao's men engage the outlaws in a fierce battle at the outskirts of Daming Prefecture. Suo Chao encounters Qin Ming and engages him in a one-on-one duel but neither of them is able to overcome his opponent after rounds of fighting. Han Tao fires an arrow that hits Suo Chao on his left arm, forcing Suo to retreat back to the city.
The outlaws call off their attack on Daming Prefecture when they receive news that their base at Liangshan is under attack by another imperial army led by Guan Sheng. After overcoming Guan Sheng (who joins Liangshan after his defeat), the outlaws return to attack Daming Prefecture and engage Suo Chao and his troops in battle again. Suo Chao falls into a trap during the battle and ends up being captured by the outlaws. Song Jiang treats Suo Chao respectfully and manages to convince him to join the outlaw band.
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