Peng Yingyu

Peng Yingyu (simplified: 彭莹玉, traditional: 彭瑩玉, pinyin: Péng Yíngyù, jyutping: paang4 jing4 juk6), also known by the nickname Peng Heshang (彭和尚, Peng the Monk), was one of the Five Wanderers of the Ming Order. He was known for his intelligence, resourcefulness, and loyalty, demonstrating courage and principle in protecting friends and defending the Ming Order’s ideals.

Biography

Role as one of the Five Wanderers

Peng Yingyu was one of the Five Wanderers (五散人), a group of senior members of the Ming Order who operated as a collective advisory body. The Five Wanderers provided guidance and strategic wisdom while maintaining a certain degree of independence from the Order’s formal hierarchy.

As one of the Five Wanderers, Peng Yingyu participated in key decisions affecting the Ming Order and contributed his intelligence and experience to the organisation’s operations.

Encounter with the Emei Order

Peng Yingyu was captured by members of the Emei Order, who subjected him to torture in an attempt to extract information about the Ming Order. During this ordeal, he demonstrated remarkable courage and loyalty, refusing to betray his comrades despite the suffering he endured.

Ding Minjun, the first disciple of the Emei Order, was particularly cruel in her treatment of Peng Yingyu, attempting to extract information through torture. However, Ji Xiaofu, another Emei Order disciple, repeatedly intervened to stop the torture, showing compassion and principle. This contrast between Ding Minjun’s cruelty and Ji Xiaofu’s compassion left a lasting impression.

Giving Ding Minjun her nickname

After his encounter with the Emei Order, Peng Yingyu gave Ding Minjun the nickname “Poisonous Hand Wuyan” (毒手无盐, Dúshǒu Wúyán). The name “Wuyan” refers to Zhong Wuyan (钟无艳), a famously ugly but capable woman from Chinese history, and the nickname was meant as an insult, comparing Ding Minjun’s ugly character to Wuyan’s ugly appearance despite Ding Minjun’s actual physical beauty.

This nickname reflected Peng Yingyu’s sharp wit and his ability to see through people’s appearances to their true character. His observation that Ding Minjun possessed an ugly nature despite her physical beauty demonstrated his perceptiveness.

Supporting Zhang Wuji

After Zhang Wuji became the 34th leader of the Ming Order, Peng Yingyu supported his leadership. When Zhang Wuji decided to step down due to disillusionment with political machinations within the Order, particularly Zhu Yuanzhang’s manipulations, Peng Yingyu was one of the three leaders (along with Yang Xiao and Fan Yao) to whom Zhang Wuji transferred leadership responsibilities.

This trust demonstrated Peng Yingyu’s reputation for reliability and his commitment to the Ming Order’s principles.

Personality & traits

Intelligence and resourcefulness

Peng Yingyu was known for his intelligence and resourcefulness. His ability to assess situations accurately and devise effective solutions made him a valuable member of the Five Wanderers and a trusted advisor within the Ming Order.

Loyalty and courage

Peng Yingyu demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Ming Order and his comrades. His refusal to betray his friends despite torture showed his courage and commitment to his principles. This loyalty earned him the respect and trust of his fellow Order members.

Wit and perceptiveness

Peng Yingyu’s sharp wit was demonstrated through his nickname for Ding Minjun, showing his ability to see through appearances and identify people’s true character. His perceptiveness made him an effective judge of character and a valuable advisor.

Principle and integrity

Peng Yingyu demonstrated strong principles and integrity throughout his service to the Ming Order. His willingness to suffer rather than betray his comrades, and his commitment to the Order’s ideals, reflected his moral character and dedication to righteous causes.

Martial arts abilities

Great Wind Cloud Flying Palm

Peng Yingyu’s signature technique was the Great Wind Cloud Flying Palm (大风云飞掌), a powerful palm technique that demonstrated his martial arts proficiency. This technique reflected his status as one of the Five Wanderers and his overall combat capabilities.

Overall martial arts level

Peng Yingyu possessed solid martial arts abilities, placing him among the top tier of Ming Order members. While he may not have been among the most powerful martial artists in the Order, his combination of intelligence, strategic thinking, and martial arts skills made him a valuable and respected member.

Relationships

Fellow Five Wanderers

Peng Yingyu worked closely with the other Four Wanderers: Leng Qian, Shuobude, Zhang Zhong, and Zhou Dian. Together, they formed a collective advisory body that provided guidance and strategic wisdom to the Ming Order.

Zhang Wuji

Peng Yingyu supported Zhang Wuji’s leadership of the Ming Order and was one of the three leaders to whom Zhang Wuji transferred leadership responsibilities when he decided to step down. This relationship demonstrated mutual respect and trust.

Ji Xiaofu

Peng Yingyu had a relationship of gratitude with Ji Xiaofu, who had shown him compassion and protected him from torture during his encounter with the Emei Order. Ji Xiaofu’s intervention demonstrated the principles of compassion and justice that Peng Yingyu valued.

Behind the scenes

Peng Yingyu is based on a historical figure of the same name, who was a leader of the Red Turban Army during the late Yuan Dynasty. Jin Yong incorporated this historical figure into his novel, adapting his character to fit the fictional narrative while maintaining some connection to the historical person.

In the novel, Peng Yingyu represents the qualities of intelligence, loyalty, and principle that are essential to the Ming Order’s success. His character demonstrates that effective leadership and service require not only martial arts abilities but also intelligence, courage, and moral integrity.

Peng Yingyu’s role as one of the Five Wanderers reflects the importance of collective wisdom and advisory structures within large organisations. His support for Zhang Wuji and his eventual role in leadership succession shows how capable and principled members can help ensure organisational continuity and stability.

The character’s nickname “Peng Heshang” (Peng the Monk) reflects his monastic background and his role as a religious figure within the Ming Order. His combination of religious devotion and revolutionary commitment exemplifies the Ming Order’s unique character as both a religious organisation and a revolutionary movement.

Portrayals

Peng Yingyu has been portrayed in various adaptations of The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre:

The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre

1978 series — Tan Jinhua
1984 series — Qiang Han, Chen Qi
1986 series — Zeng Weiming
2001 series — Xie Jiaqi
2003 series — Li Baocheng
2009 series — Hou Yueqiu
2019 series — Ji Feng