Water Margin: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Water Margin, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- Gao QiuGao Qiu gains military command through Prince Duan’s favor and threatens instructor Wang Jin.First seen in chapter 2
- Shi JinShi Jin receives staff training from Wang Jin after losing a fight to him.First seen in chapter 2
- Lu ZhishenKnown as Lu Da, he helps an extorted woman and her father, then kills Zheng the Butcher.First seen in chapter 3
- Lin ChongLin Chong becomes Lu Zhishen’s sworn brother while Gao Yanei pursues his wife.First seen in chapter 7
- Chai JinChai Jin welcomes Lin Chong warmly and supports his journey to Cangzhou.First seen in chapter 9
- Wang LunWang Lun controls admission to Liangshan and fears Lin Chong’s superior fighting ability.First seen in chapter 11
- Yang ZhiYang Zhi refuses bandit life and seeks to regain his official post under Gao Qiu.First seen in chapter 12
- Wu YongWu Yong helps Chao Gai and Liu Tang discuss trusted recruits for a treasure robbery.First seen in chapter 14
- Chao GaiChao Gai shelters Liu Tang from arrest and hears his proposal to rob birthday treasures.First seen in chapter 14
- Gongsun ShengGongsun Sheng arrives with a proposal to rob the birthday convoy.First seen in chapter 15
- Song JiangSong Jiang secretly warns Chao Gai that officers are coming and delays their investigation.First seen in chapter 18
- Wu SongWu Song becomes Song Jiang’s sworn younger brother and kills a tiger on Jingyang Ridge.First seen in chapter 23
- Li KuiLi Kui receives silver from Song Jiang and fights Zhang Shun while seeking fresh fish.First seen in chapter 38
- Lu JunyiLu Junyi is the man Wu Yong proposes recruiting after Song Jiang takes temporary command.First seen in chapter 60
- Chapter 1
Hong Xin forces open a sealed chamber and releases 108 demons while seeking help against a plague.
- Chapter 2
Gao Qiu gains military command, and his threats force Wang Jin to flee with his mother.
- Chapter 3
Lu Da helps Jin Cuilian and her father escape extortion, kills Zheng the Butcher, and flees.
- Chapter 7
Gao Yanei pursues Lin Chong’s wife, and a scheme approved by Gao Qiu traps Lin Chong in a restricted military hall.
- Chapter 10
Lin Chong overhears a plot to burn him alive, kills the three conspirators, and flees.
- Chapter 14
Chao Gai frees Liu Tang, hears his robbery proposal, and discusses recruiting helpers with Wu Yong.
- Chapter 16
Wu Yong’s group drugs the convoy escorts and steals all eleven loads of birthday gifts.
- Chapter 19
Chao Gai’s companions seek shelter at Liangshan, where Lin Chong kills Wang Lun after his refusal to accept them.
- Chapter 21
Yan Poxi demands payment after finding evidence linking Song Jiang to Liangshan, and he kills her during their struggle.
- Chapter 23
Wu Song kills a tiger on Jingyang Ridge and becomes a foot constable in Yanggu County.
- Chapter 26
When bribery blocks his complaint, Wu Song kills his sister-in-law and Ximen Qing to avenge his brother.
- Chapter 31
Wu Song kills the conspirators against him and household members, then escapes disguised as a wandering monk.
- Chapter 34
Song Jiang arranges an attack using Qin Ming’s appearance, blocking his return to official service.
- Chapter 40
Liangshan fighters and Li Kui rescue Song Jiang and Dai Zong from execution.
- Chapter 43
Li Kui loses his mother to tigers and kills four beasts in revenge.
- Chapter 50
Sun Li’s infiltration helps Song Jiang capture Zhu Manor and free seven prisoners.
- Chapter 54
Gongsun Sheng defeats Gao Lian’s magic, and Li Kui retrieves the injured Chai Jin from a dry well.
- Chapter 57
Xu Ning’s training helps Liangshan defeat Huyan Zhuo’s linked cavalry and capture soldiers and horses.
- Chapter 60
Chao Gai suffers a fatal poisoned wound during an attack, and Song Jiang accepts temporary leadership.
- Chapter 62
Lu Junyi returns to a hostile household, suffers imprisonment, and faces execution before Shi Xiu intervenes.
- Chapter 66
Wu Yong uses the Lantern Festival to infiltrate Daming and free Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu.
- Chapter 68
Lu Junyi captures Shi Wengong, but Chao Gai’s succession instruction conflicts with the chiefs’ wish for Song Jiang to lead.
- Chapter 70
Song Jiang protects the captured Zhang Qing from revenge and gathers exactly 108 commanders at Liangshan.
- Chapter 71
The leaders accept heavenly ranks from a discovered tablet, but Lu Junyi dreams of their execution after surrender.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- CangzhouCangzhou is the destination of Lin Chong’s sentence of exile.First seen in chapter 8
- Liangshan MarshLiangshan is a stronghold reached through Zhu Gui’s inn, where Wang Lun controls admission.First seen in chapter 11
- JiangzhouJiangzhou is the destination of Song Jiang’s sentence of exile.First seen in chapter 36
- DamingDaming is the city Song Jiang surrounds while seeking to rescue Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu.First seen in chapter 63

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