Zhu Gui

Zhu Gui (朱贵) was a character in the "Water Margin", being one of the 72 Earthly Fiends.

Zhu Gui was born tall in stature and had a long beard. He was initially a trader, but made a great loss and decided to join the bandits on Liangshan to rob for a living, and became one of the founding fathers of Liangshan. He was nicknamed 'Dry land crocodile' (旱地忽律).

Once, Lin Chong fled to Liangshan for refuge and happened to take a break in Zhu Gui's restaurant near Liangshan. Zhu Gui recognised him and sent him to Liangshan immediately, but Wang Lun, chief of the Liangshan bandits, refused to allow Lin Chong join the band. Eventually, after Zhu Gui's constant persuasion, Wang Lun agreed on one condition, which is, Lin Chong has to kill a man and present his head within three days to prove his loyalty to Liangshan. Lin Chong fought with Yang Zhi for a long time on the third day, but neither emerged the victor. In the end, Wang Lun stopped the fight and agreed to allow Lin Chong to join the band.

Later, Chao Gai and his six friends fled to Liangshan for refuge after having robbed the convoy of birthday gifts. The narrow-hearted Wang Lun once again tried to send them off, but this time, Lin Chong killed the incompetent Wang Lun after being cleverly persuaded by Wu Yong. Then, the charismatic Chao Gai became the new chief.

Another time, Li Kui went on a trip home to fetch his aged mother to Liangshan. Song Jiang was worried that Li Kui would create trouble, so he sent Zhu Gui to look out on Li Kui. As expected, Li Kui ran into some trouble and was arrested in a drunken stupor in a trap set by Lord Cao. The constable Li Yun was assigned to escort Li Kui as a prisoner to the county office, but Zhu Gui and his brother Zhu Fu made Li Yun drunk and rescued Li Kui.

Zhu Gui became in charge of hearing about news from customers in his restaurant, which he operated near Liangshan, and played an important role in receiving the imperial envoys despatched by the emperor to Liangshan when he granted the outlaws amnesty. Zhu Gui followed the heroes on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels after they had obtained amnesty. During the Fang La campaign, Zhu Gui fell ill after the battle of Hangzhou and died of illness on the verge of victory over Fang La.