He Jiushu: The Corpse Inspector Who Endured and Upheld Justice in Water Margin

Brief Introduction

He Jiushu is a seemingly insignificant yet crucial supporting character in Water Margin. He served as the Tuan Tou (Corpse Inspector) of Qinghe County, equivalent to a forensic expert of that era, and played a pivotal role in the case of Wu Dalang's murder. Facing bribery and power pressure from Ximen Qing, he outwardly complied but secretly preserved evidence. Ultimately, he assisted Wu Song in exposing the truth, making him a representative figure embodying the complexity of human nature and unconquered conscience throughout the book.

Core Knowledge Points

* Identity and Position: He was the Tuan Tou of Qinghe County, professionally responsible for corpse inspection and determining causes of death. He was a specialized personnel in the grassroots judicial system of the Song Dynasty responsible for autopsies.
* Bribery Dilemma: After Wu Dalang's death, Ximen Qing gifted him ten taels of silver and threatened him to conceal the truth of poisoning, disguising it as death by illness, using his authority to cover up the crime.
* Securing Evidence: He Jiushu recognized that the deceased died from arsenic poisoning. While outwardly complying with Ximen Qing, he secretly removed a piece of black bone bearing traces of the poison and recorded the autopsy details meticulously to prepare for future contingencies.
* Key Testimony: After Wu Song returned, He Jiushu voluntarily came forward to testify and handed over the bone evidence. This became the core basis for Wu Song's lawsuit and subsequent revenge, directly driving the plot twist.

Connection to the Book's Content

In the "Ten Chapters of Wu" plotline of Water Margin, He Jiushu is the key bridge connecting Wu Dalang's death and Wu Song's revenge. Without him preserving evidence, Wu Song, despite his martial prowess, would have found it difficult to prove his brother was poisoned in front of the authorities, reducing him to vigilante justice. The book describes He Jiushu as "agreeing in mouth, but clear in heart" before Ximen Qing, vividly portraying the survival wisdom of small figures under oppressive power. He later confessed to Wu Song: "I am a public servant; how dare I oppose Ximen Qing?" This statement reveals the corrupt administration and the reality of common people seeking self-preservation at that time. It also explains why Wu Song ultimately chose to spill blood at the Mandarin Duck Tower, becoming thoroughly disillusioned with the authorities.

Character Significance and Historical Background

He Jiushu's image breaks the black-and-white binary opposition. Although he accepted silver, he did not completely extinguish his conscience. His existence enriches Water Margin's depiction of human complexity, indicating that even in a dark world, some still hold their bottom line. Furthermore, He Jiushu's profession reflects the division of labor between "Wu Zuo" (coroners) and "Tuan Tou" in the Song Dynasty judicial system, highlighting the importance placed on autopsies at that time. This character not only advances the plot of Wu Song's story but also indirectly highlights the judicial darkness of the society where "money can make the ghost turn the mill." It provides a reasonable social background setup for Wu Song's eventual journey to Liangshan, making him an indispensable link for understanding the social critique theme of Water Margin.