Huangfu Duan


Huangfu Duan is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Purple Bearded Count", he ranks 57th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 21st among the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Background

Huangfu Duan has green eyes and a long yellow beard, which suggest he might be of non-Han or mixed ancestry. He is nicknamed the "Purple Bearded Count" for his looks. He hails from Youzhou, which borders the Khitan empire, but works as a veterinarian in Dongchang Prefecture. He is especially good in treating horses, capable of diagnosing and curing 400 types of equine disease. He is a friend of "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing, the garrison officer of Dongchang.

Joining Liangshan

Huangfu Duan is the last of the 108 Stars of Destiny to appear in Water Margin. He is recommended to Song Jiang by Zhang Qing, who is captured and won over by Liangshan, which has come to seize grain stock from Dongchang. Zhang is grateful to Song, who keeps him from harm as he has earlier injured many Lianghshan chieftains with his stone-flinging skill. Song is glad to recruit Huangfu as horse is a precious animal in all the activities of Liangshan, particularly military engagement.

Campaigns and service to government

Huangfu Duan is appointed as the veterinarian in charge of all the livestock of Liangshan, particularly horses, after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.
But just before the last expedition starts, which targets Fang La, the emperor summons Huangfu Duan to the imperial capital Dongjing and appoints him as an imperial veterinarian. Huangfu serves in that position for the rest of his life.