Meng Kang [SEP] present in work
Meng Kang
Meng Kang is a fictional character in "Water Margin", one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Jade Flagpole", he ranks 70th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 34th among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
Background.
Described in the novel as a tall and thin man with a pale complexion, Meng Kang is nicknamed "Jade Flagpole". He is from Zhending Prefecture (真定府; around present-day Zhengding County, Hebei).
Becoming an outlaw.
Having heard of his expertise in shipbuilding, the Song government recruited Meng Kang to construct a vessel for transporting rare plants and rocks to an imperial park in Dongjing (東京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan). However, after being punished by his overbearing and demanding supervisor for failing to meet the deadline, Meng Kang killed his supervisor in anger and went on the run. He met Deng Fei and Pei Xuan, who lead a bandit gang active around the Yinma River (飲馬川; in present-day Ji County