Ma Lin (Water Margin)

Ma Lin (马麟) is a character in the epic Chinese tale, the "Water Margin".

Ma Lin was from Jiankang, Nanjing. He could play the flute very well and was excellent in martial arts as well. He wielded a pair of bronze sabres into battle, and could fight a hundred men at the same time. He was nicknamed the 'Iron Flute player' (铁笛仙).

After the Liangshan heroes had rescued Song Jiang and Dai Zong from execution in Jiangzhou, they passed by Huangmen Mountain where Ma Lin, Ou Peng, Tao Zong-wang and Jiang Jing lived as bandits. The bandits stopped Song Jiang and paid their respects, requesting that Song Jiang let them join the Liangshan band, which Song agreed.

During the assault on the Zhu Family Village, Ma Lin fought with Hu San Niang and Zhu Long. After the Zhu Family Village was conquered, Ma Lin disguised himself as a constable and had Li Ying 'arrested' and brought back to Liangshan to join the Liangshan band.

Ma Lin became one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry and was one of the 72 Earthly Fiends. After the heroes had obtained amnesty from the emperor, Ma Lin followed them on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels, making great contributions. During the Fang La campaign, Ma Lin was assigned to attack Wulong Ridge. He fought with Bai Qin but was knocked off his horse accidentally and finished off by Shi Bao who sliced him into two on the ground.