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Biography of Xie Bao in Water Margin
Xie Bao is a prominent warrior featured in the classic Chinese masterpiece Water Margin. Known by his fearsome moniker “Double-Tailed Scorpion” (Shuang Wei Xie), he stands as the thirty-fifth among the 108 Liangshan heroes and serves as one of the Heavenly Spirits. Originating from Dengzhou, he worked alongside his elder brother Xie Zhen as an elite mountain hunter. The siblings were famous throughout the realm for their exceptional agility, mastery of the hunting trident, and fearless combat instincts across dangerous terrains.
Their peaceful life was violently disrupted during the Northern Song Dynasty when they slew a ferocious man-eating tiger. A greedy local landlord named Squire Mao falsely accused the hunters of theft and had them wrongfully imprisoned. Fortunately, loyal allies and relatives—including their fiery cousin Gu Dasao—staged a daring jailbreak. Having shattered the chains of local corruption, the brothers fled their hometown and pledged allegiance to Song Jiang’s outlaw stronghold atop Mount Liang.
Xie Bao and the Defense of Liangshan
Within the Liangshan brotherhood, he was appointed as one of the primary leaders of the infantry scout forces. Due to his specialized background in tracking and mountain navigation, he repeatedly excelled at intelligence gathering, ambushes, and perilous night infiltrations. His fierce loyalty to the brotherhood earned him deep respect among fellow commanders and common soldiers alike.
Tragic Fate and Legacy
During the final imperial expedition against the southern rebel Fang La, Xie Bao met a tragic end while scaling the perilous cliffs of Wulong Pass. Discovered by vigilant enemy scouts high on the rocky precipice, his rope was severed, causing him to fall to his death before being struck down by enemy arrows. His brave sacrifice epitomizes the raw spirit of brotherhood, loyalty, and defiance that defines traditional outlaw literature.
Key Relationships
- Xie Zhen: His devoted elder brother, known as the “Two-Headed Snake.” The duo fought seamlessly as an inseparable hunting and combat pair.
- Gu Dasao: Their cousin whose unwavering family loyalty orchestrated the famous rescue mission from the Dengzhou prison.
- Song Jiang: The grand leader of Liangshan Marsh, under whose banner the hunters found justice and redemption.
