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Water Margin, Chapter 5 summary

Chapter 5 of 71 · 21 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 5, Lu Zhishen joins Shi Jin to kill two bandits occupying a temple, burns the buildings, and reaches the Eastern Capital seeking a monastery post. Assigned to manage a vegetable garden rather than hold high office, he encounters local thieves who disguise an attack as a welcoming visit.

What happens

  1. At Waguansi Temple, starving monks accuse Cui Daocheng and Qiu Xiaoyi of seizing the property, but the pair drive Zhishen away.
  2. Zhishen fights a highwayman, recognizes Shi Jin, accepts food from him, and returns with him to confront the bandits.
  3. They kill both bandits, discover the monks and abducted woman dead, recover valuables, and burn the temple.
  4. After parting from Shi Jin, Zhishen reaches the Eastern Capital and presents Elder Zhizhen’s letter to Elder Zhiqing.
  5. The monastery assigns Zhishen its troublesome vegetable garden, and he accepts after hearing that promotion is possible.
  6. Local vegetable thieves offer welcoming gifts, lure Zhishen beside a dung pit, and grab for his feet.

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In this chapter

Lu Zhishen

What to notice

Zhishen accepts garden work only after hearing about promotion. The line marks his agreement to a post intended to contain both his forcefulness and the garden’s troublemakers.

Quick check

Why does the director recommend putting Zhishen in charge of the garden?

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