Zhan Zhao

Zhan Zhao
from one 1890 print of the novel
Created by	Shi Yukun
Appearances	The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants The Five Younger Gallants
Personal information
Courtesy name	Xiongfei (熊飛)
Nickname(s)	Southern Hero (南俠) Royal Cat (御貓)
Gender	Male
Hometown	Wujin, Changzhou
Spouse(s)	Ding Yuehua
Skills and abilities
Qinggong	qinggong
Unarmed combat skills	Poyang Lake Fist (陽湖拳)
Weapons	sleeve arrows Before meeting Ding Yuehua: Juque Sword (巨闕劍) After meeting Ding Yuehua: Zhanlu Sword (湛盧劍)

Zhan Zhao (展昭) is a fictional character in the Chinese wuxia classic The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants. Nicknamed the "Southern Hero", he is a righteous knight-errant with incredible martial arts skills, often helping Prefect Bao Zheng uphold justice. Emperor Renzong of Song made him a 4th rank royal guard and gave him the title "Royal Cat" for his swift movements.

Zhan Zhao sees a priest attempting to commit suicide and saves him. The priest reveals that two lecherous monks have killed the old monk in the Gold Dragon Monastery, and are using the place to hide women they kidnap. The priest reported them, but the government took in bribes and physically punished the priest instead. Meanwhile, Bao Zheng and servant Bao Xing arrive at the monastery for overnight lodging. At night, Zhan climbs over the wall and discovers that the monks have locked the pair up with plans to murder them for money. Zhan helps them escape while he stays behind. A few hours later, Bao Zheng sees a huge fire from the direction of the monastery.

While passing through Earth Dragon Crag, Zhan Zhao is confronted by a bandit named Zhao Hu and defeats him quickly. Other bandits come to help and Zhan sees that his old friend Wang Chao is the leader. Wang invites Zhan to the crag where he rules with blood brothers Ma Han, Zhang Long and Zhao. Zhan discovers that they have two prisoners and recognizes them as Bao Zheng and Bao Xing whom he had saved once before. He asks the bandits to release them and after talking, suggests to the four that instead of remaining as bandits, they should help Bao Zheng serve the country. Eventually his suggestion is followed.