Character Verification in Water Margin: Flying Yaksha Cui Daocheng and the Error of "Qiu Xiaoyi"

Brief Introduction

Among readers of Water Margin, there is often confusion regarding character nicknames and names. Regarding the topic of "Qiu Xiaoyi (Flying Yaksha, Cui Daocheng's accomplice)," upon verification, there is no such person as "Qiu Xiaoyi" in the original novel. This is a common memory lapse or misinformation. In fact, "Flying Yaksha" is Cui Daocheng's nickname, and he is one of the bandit leaders of Hutou Ridge, not an accomplice to others. This article aims to clarify this character's identity and restore the true plot of Water Margin.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Real Identity:
* Name: Cui Daocheng.
* Nickname: Flying Yaksha.
* Identity: Bandit leader of Hutou Ridge, sworn brother with Li Zhong (Tiger Beater).
2. Character Personality:
* Cui Daocheng appears fierce and is domineering, specializing in robbing households and raiding caravans. He is not only unrighteous but also bullies the weak, even attempting to assault passing women (such as Song Jiang's maid).
* Unlike Li Zhong's sense of brotherhood, Cui Daocheng is more characterized by greed and cruelty.
3. Common Misconceptions:
* Many readers mistakenly remember "Cui Daocheng" as "Qiu Xiaoyi," or due to name confusion caused by folk opera adaptations.
* In the original text, Cui Daocheng is the leader, not an accomplice; "Flying Yaksha" refers to him personally.

Connection to Book Content

In Water Margin, prior to Chapter 31 ('Zhang Dumjian's Daoists Offer Spirit, Wu Xingzhe Nightwalks Wugong Ridge') and related chapters (primarily involving plots around Chapter 31), Cui Daocheng's storyline is primarily concentrated at Hutou Ridge:

1. Song Jiang in Danger:
While Song Jiang was being exiled to Jiangzhou, he passed through Hutou Ridge. Cui Daocheng and Li Zhong attempted to rob Song Jiang. Since Song Jiang had previously met Li Zhong (the Tiger Beater), Li Zhong intended to act with brotherhood, but was stopped by Cui Daocheng.
2. Lu Zhishen Intervenes:
At this time, Lu Zhishen (the Flower Monk) happened to be nearby. Upon learning that Cui Daocheng intended to commit injustice, Lu Zhishen stepped in to help, causing a great commotion at Hutou Ridge.
3. Outcome:
With the cooperation of Lu Zhishen and Song Jiang, Cui Daocheng was killed. This plot reflects the Liangshan heroes' spirit of "acting when seeing injustice," as well as the fate of Cui Daocheng as a villainous character.

Summary

Water Margin features numerous characters with striking nicknames that are easy to confuse. 'Flying Yaksha' definitely refers to Cui Daocheng, not Qiu Xiaoyi. Understanding this detail helps to more accurately understand the interaction between Song Jiang and Lu Zhishen at Hutou Ridge, and the original novel's depiction of the different moral faces of bandit leaders. When reading classics, relying on the original text is the only way to avoid spreading misinformation.