Feng Boe

Feng Boe (simplified: 风波恶, traditional: 風波惡, pinyin: Fēng Bōè) was one of Murong’s four great retainers, serving as the fourth retainer of the Murong Clan of Gusu. He earned the epithet Jiangnan One Gust of Wind for his exceptional speed and agility in combat, and was known for his enthusiasm for battle and straightforward nature.

Biography

Fourth retainer of Murong Clan

Feng Boe served as the fourth retainer in the hierarchy of the Murong Clan of Gusu, one of the most prestigious martial arts families in the jianghu. As part of the four great retainers system, he played a crucial role in supporting the clan’s operations and maintaining their influence throughout the martial world.

The four great retainers consisted of:

Deng Baichuan (邓百川) - Chief retainer, commanding Qingyun Manor
Gongye Qian (公冶乾) - Second retainer, commanding Chixia Manor
Bao Butong (包不同) - Third retainer, commanding Jinfeng Manor
Feng Boe (风波恶) - Fourth retainer, commanding Xuanshuang Manor

Control of Xuanshuang Manor

Feng Boe was entrusted with the control of Xuanshuang Manor, one of the four major estates that formed the foundation of the Murong Clan’s power structure. Each retainer commanded a specific manor, creating a decentralized system that allowed the clan to maintain influence across different regions while ensuring loyalty through personal responsibility.

Martial arts and abilities

Lightning-fast movement

Feng Boe earned the epithet Jiangnan One Gust of Wind for his exceptional speed and agility in combat. This nickname reflected his lightning-fast movement techniques that made him a formidable opponent in battle. His ability to move with such rapidity suggested mastery of advanced qinggong techniques and exceptional qi cultivation.

Enthusiasm for combat

Feng Boe was known for his enthusiasm for combat and willingness to engage any opponent. This characteristic demonstrated his confidence in his martial abilities and his dedication to the martial arts way of life. His eagerness for battle made him a reliable enforcer for the Murong Clan’s interests.

Combat experience and tactics

Feng Boe demonstrated his martial prowess during the confrontation with the Beggars’ Guild at Wuxi, where he fought alongside his fellow retainers against the guild’s forces. His ability to quickly assess combat situations and his willingness to engage in battle made him an effective warrior, though his enthusiasm sometimes led him to seek out fights even when they might not have been strategically necessary.

Weapon mastery

Feng Boe was skilled with various weapons, including the single saber that he carried during his travels. His weapon techniques complemented his speed-based fighting style, allowing him to strike quickly and effectively while maintaining his mobility advantage.

Personality and traits

Clear moral principles

Despite his role as a retainer in a politically ambitious clan, Feng Boe possessed clear moral principles that guided his actions. This moral clarity distinguished him from some of his colleagues who might have been more willing to compromise their ethics for political gain.

Straightforward nature

Feng Boe’s straightforward nature earned him recognition from Xiao Feng, one of the most respected martial artists in the jianghu. Xiao Feng’s acknowledgment of Feng Boe’s character suggests that he was known for honesty and directness in his dealings, qualities that were valued in the martial world.

Loyalty to the Murong Clan

Feng Boe was deeply loyal to the Murong Clan and its mission to restore the Great Yan dynasty. During the discussion about the Western Xia marriage proposal, he demonstrated his commitment by standing with his fellow retainers and declaring “the ambition to restore the country is never forgotten”. This loyalty extended beyond simple service to a deep personal commitment to the clan’s historical mission.

Practical thinking

Despite his enthusiasm for combat, Feng Boe demonstrated practical thinking in strategic matters. During the discussion about the Western Xia marriage proposal, he contributed valuable insights about the political implications of a Song-Xia alliance, showing that he could think beyond immediate combat situations to consider broader strategic implications.

Fighting spirit

Feng Boe’s fighting spirit was another quality that earned him respect. His determination and courage in combat situations made him a valuable asset to the Murong Clan, particularly in situations requiring decisive action and martial prowess.

Relationships

Fellow retainers

Feng Boe maintained close relationships with his fellow retainers, particularly Deng Baichuan, Gongye Qian, and Bao Butong. Together, they formed a cohesive unit that supported the Murong Clan’s operations. Their loyalty to each other was demonstrated during various crises, including the confrontation with the Beggars’ Guild and their travels to the Western Xia kingdom.

Murong Fu

Feng Boe was deeply loyal to Murong Fu, the young master of the Murong Clan. He accompanied Murong Fu on various missions, including the journey to the Western Xia kingdom for the marriage proposal. His dedication to Murong Fu’s cause was evident in his willingness to risk his life and engage in dangerous situations to advance the clan’s interests.

Adventures and missions

Feng Boe participated in several significant missions for the Murong Clan, including:

Confrontation with the Beggars’ Guild: At Wuxi, he fought alongside his fellow retainers against the guild’s forces
Journey to Western Xia: He accompanied Murong Fu on the mission to seek the Western Xia princess’s hand in marriage
Investigation of the Beggars’ Guild massacre: He helped investigate the deaths of several Beggars’ Guild members and discovered the Western Xia marriage proposal document

Recognition by other martial artists

Feng Boe’s straightforward nature and martial prowess earned him respect from various martial artists in the jianghu. His recognition by Xiao Feng as a man of good character demonstrated that his reputation extended beyond the Murong Clan, despite his association with their politically ambitious goals.

Feng Boe’s recognition by Xiao Feng represents a significant achievement, as Xiao Feng was known for his discerning judgment of character and martial ability. This acknowledgment suggests that Feng Boe possessed both the martial skills and personal qualities that Xiao Feng valued in a fellow martial artist. As one of the four great retainers of the Murong Clan, Feng Boe enjoyed considerable reputation throughout the Jiangnan region.

Behind the scenes

Literary significance

Feng Boe’s character serves several important narrative functions:

Demonstrates clan structure: His position as fourth retainer shows the sophisticated organisational system of the Murong Clan
Highlights martial excellence: His epithet and combat abilities emphasize the clan’s martial prowess
Shows moral complexity: His clear principles within a politically ambitious clan create interesting character dynamics

Character representation

As one of the four great retainers, Feng Boe represents the loyal service class that supported the Murong Clan’s ambitions. His combination of martial ability and moral character shows that the clan attracted individuals of quality, even as their political goals became increasingly problematic.

Impact on clan operations

Feng Boe’s martial prowess and loyalty made him an invaluable asset to the Murong Clan’s operations. His ability to handle various martial situations, combined with his straightforward nature, ensured that the clan could rely on him for both combat and diplomatic missions. His role in the Western Xia marriage proposal mission demonstrated his importance to the clan’s strategic objectives.