Wang Ying, a skilled fighter, has sparkling eyes. However, the novel said he is relatively short without specifying his height, which earns him the nickname "Stumpy Tiger". Some readers estimate him to be about 1.5 meters tall. Wang is a coachman who transports passengers for a living. One day, he is so tempted by the valuables of some trader passengers that he robs them. After being arrested and escaping from prison, he becomes a bandit leader on Mount Qingfeng under Yan Shun. Zheng Tianshou later joins them.
When Song Jiang, on the run after killing his mistress Yan Poxi, is travelling to Qingfeng Fort to take shelter under his friend Hua Rong, he passes by Mount Qingfeng and is captured in a trap by the bandits. The outlaws want to use his heart to make soup. Just as he is about to be sliced up, Song sighs loudly, "Am I, Song Jiang, destined to die just like this?" Surprised to hear the name of a person he admires for chivalry, Yan Shun stops the killing in time and inquires. After confirming Song's identity, the three chiefs release him, offer their apologies and treat him as an honoured guest. As they are drinking, Wang Ying, who desires pretty women, leaves the feast midway to intercept a group coming by Mount Qingfeng that consists of a sedan chair, which apparently carries a female of some status. Finding the woman attractive, Wang takes her to the stronghold, where he tries to rape her. When the woman says she is the wife of Liu Gao, the governor of Qingfeng Fort, Song Jiang feels obliged to persuade Wang to let her go as Liu is the colleague of Hua Rong, the fort's garrison commandant. Wang reluctantly agrees.
Joining Liangshan
On the Lantern Festival night, Song Jiang, who is then living in Hua Rong's house, goes outdoor to enjoy the celebrations. Liu Gao's wife spots him and lies to her husband that Song has abducted and attempted to rape her at Mount Qingfeng. Believing his wife, Liu orders Song Jiang arrested. After Hua Rong rescued Song by force, Liu Gao seeks help from Murong Yanda, the governor of Qingzhou, which oversees Qingfeng Fort. Huang Xin, who is sent to handle the matter, lures Hua to a feast and captures him, Meanwhile, Liu has re-arrested Song as he tried to sneak to Mount Qingfeng. When Huang Xin is taking Song Jiang and Hua Rong back to Qingzhou, the bandits of Mount Qingfeng waylay the convoy, rescue the two prisoners, and kill Liu Gao. The bandits later defeat an army sent from Qingzhou led by Qin Ming and seize Mrs Liu after breaking into Qingfeng Fort. Wang Ying again intends to keep Mrs Liu, but is prevented by Song Jiang and Yan Shun, who kills the woman whom they believe would ruin Wang. Song promises to find Wang, who nearly clashed with Yan, a better woman to be his wife. As Qingzhou is likely to send a larger force to exterminate them, Song Jiang suggests that the group decamp to join Liangshan Marsh. Wang Ying is thus absorbed into the larger band.
The Zhu Family Manor, located close to Liangshan, refuses to release Shi Qian, whom it has captured after he stole a rooster for meal from its inn while on the way to join the stronghold. Song Jiang comes to attack the manor with a military force to settle the acrimony. After gaining nothing in the first offensive, Liangshan launches the second one, which sees the involvement of Hu Sanniang, who comes to aid the Zhus. Hu Sanniang, the daughter of the squire of the neighbouring Hu Family Manor who is engaged toZhu Biao of the Zhu Family Manor, comes charging on a horse at Song Jiang's army. Excited to see a pretty lady warrior, Wang Ying, who is in the offensive, eagerly takes on Hu in the belief that she can be easily captured. However, he underestimates the amazon, who senses that the guy has wicked intent. Overwhelming Wang with her sabres, she suddenly leans forward, pulls him off his horse and throws him to the ground. Zhus' men rush forward to tie up Wang. Hu Sanniang shows no sign of weariness as she battles in succession Ou Peng and Ma Lin. Song Jiang suddenly finds himself being pursued by Hu on horse as his troops retreat in disarray. Hu comes close to seizing him when Lin Chong appears and intercepts her. She is easily defeated and captured by Lin. Song sends her in captivity to Liangshan, where she is watched over by his father. The outlaws finally overrun the Zhu Family Manor following infiltration by Sun Li and free all the captured chieftains, including Wang Qing. Back at Liangshan, Song Jiang convinces Hu Sanniang, who has become the god daughter of Song's father while under his care, to join the stronghold. He also arranges for her to marry Wang Ying in fulfilment of his promise to find him a wife.
Campaigns and death
Wang Ying is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry 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. In the battle of Muzhou in the campaign against Fang La, Wang Ying encounters the enemy general Zheng Biao. Disoriented by Zheng's magic, Wang is speared to death by the sorcerer. Hu Sanniang tries to avenge her husband but is also killed by Zheng.
