Tang Long

Tang Long (汤隆) is a character in the classic Chinese novel "Water Margin".

Tang Long stood at above seven feet, and had several spots all over his face and body, thus earning him the nickname 'Spotted leopard' (金钱豹子). Tang Long excelled in the use of the spear and cudgel. He was a gambler and made a living as a wandering blacksmith.

Once, Li Kui and Dai Zong were on their way to find Gongsun Sheng to help them defeat Gao Lian, and happened to meet Tang Long. They invited Tang to join the Liangshan band and Tang went back with them after Gaotangzhou was conquered.

Later, Gao Qiu wanted to avenge Gao Lian so he despatched an army under the command of Huyuan Zhuo to attack Liangshan. Huyuan defeated the Liangshan heroes with his chain-linked armoured cavalry, so Tang Long proposed that the heroes invite Xu Ning, his cousin, to help them defeat Huyuan. Tang Long drafted the design of the hooked spear and had the blacksmiths make several of them under Lei Heng's supervision. At the same time, Shi Qian went to steal Xu Ning's suit of golden armour, a family heirloom, in order to lure Xu Ning to Liangshan. Then, Tang Long robbed a rich merchant, claiming to be Xu Ning, thus sealing Xu Ning's return route and Xu had no choice but to join the Liangshan band. Xu Ning trained the Liangshan troops in the use of the hooked spear and they won a great victory over Huyuan Zhuo's chain-linked armoured cavalry.

Tang Long became the overall-in-charge of making weapons and armours for the Liangshan troops and was one of the 72 Earthly Warriors. After the heroes had obtained amnesty from the emperor, Tang Long followed them on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels, making great contributions. During the Fang La campaign, Tang Long was assigned to attack Qingxi Prefecture, but he died after the battle due to his severe wounds.