Tang Yang (simplified: 唐洋, traditional: 唐洋, pinyin: Táng Yáng, jyutping: tong4 joeng4) was the leader of the Water Banner Faction (洪水旗) of the Ming Order. He specialized in chemical warfare, using corrosive poison water as his faction’s primary weapon. He coordinated tactical withdrawals during the battle at Bright Peak.
Biography
Leadership of the Water Banner Faction
Tang Yang served as the leader of the Water Banner Faction, one of the Ming Order’s Five Elements Factions. The Water Banner Faction specialized in naval operations, riverine transport coordination, and chemical warfare using corrosive poison water.
Water Banner tactics and equipment
The Water Banner Faction used a sophisticated chemical warfare system. Members were equipped with ceramic sprayers (陶质喷筒) loaded with corrosive poison water (腐蚀药水). This poison water was made by refining sulfur and saltpeter (硫磺硝石), and when it came into contact with skin, it would cause ulceration and charring.
Members wore black headbands as identification, and the faction used black banners as signals. During combat, the faction would form coordinated formations, using carts to transport the sprayer equipment for multi-angle poison water attacks.
The tactical effectiveness of this system was demonstrated during the battle at Bright Peak, where Tang Yang commanded two hundred subordinates to simultaneously spray poison water, instantly turning twenty fierce wolves into charcoal, validating the weapon’s practical effectiveness in combat.
Battle at Bright Peak
During the Six Major Factions’ attack on Bright Peak, Tang Yang led the Water Banner Faction in defence of the Order’s headquarters. When the situation became unfavourable, he coordinated the tactical withdrawal of the Gold Banner and Fire Banner Factions.
When someone from the Water Banner shouted that Flag Leader Zhuang (Zhuang Zheng) had returned to Heaven and ordered the Gold Banner and Fire Banner to withdraw while the Water Banner covered the retreat, the Gold Banner continued to fight fiercely, refusing to withdraw. Tang Yang then issued a direct order: “Flag Leader Tang of Water Banner gives his order: the situation is unfavourable, Gold Banner people to withdraw immediately. We will avenge Flag Leader Zhuang on a later date.”
When the Gold Banner members still refused to withdraw, shouting that they would live and die together with Flag Leader Zhuang, the Water Banner raised a black banner, and someone with a thunderous voice called out, “Brothers of the Gold Banner, the Water Banner will definitely avenge you.”
The remaining Gold Banner members (about seventy) all called out together, “Many thanks Flag Leader Tang!” before the Water Banner withdrew to the west.
Tang Yang’s tactical coordination and leadership during this critical moment demonstrated his ability to make difficult decisions and to coordinate effectively with other banners, even when faced with the emotional reactions of his fellow Order members.
Tactical coordination with Earth Banner
Tang Yang’s Water Banner Faction often coordinated with the Earth Banner Faction in tactical operations. In coordinated attacks against Yuan forces, Tang Yang would use a strategy where the Earth Banner would first dig traps to limit enemy mobility, then the Water Banner would conduct poison water coverage attacks. This coordination demonstrated the effectiveness of combining different specialized capabilities.
Personality & traits
Tactical leadership
Tang Yang’s ability to coordinate tactical withdrawals and to make difficult decisions during battle demonstrated his strong tactical leadership. His willingness to take responsibility for ordering the withdrawal, even when it was emotionally difficult for the Gold Banner members, showed his understanding of strategic necessities.
Coordination and cooperation
Tang Yang’s coordination with other banners, particularly the Earth Banner, demonstrated his ability to work effectively with other leaders. His understanding of how to combine different specialized capabilities showed his strategic thinking and his commitment to the Order’s overall objectives.
Loyalty and commitment
Tang Yang’s promise to avenge Zhuang Zheng demonstrated his loyalty to his fellow Order members and his commitment to their memory. Despite ordering the tactical withdrawal, he maintained the commitment to honour and remembrance that characterized the Order’s code of brotherhood.
Relationships
With Zhuang Zheng
Tang Yang’s relationship with Zhuang Zheng, the Gold Banner Faction leader, was one of mutual respect within the Five Elements Banners structure. His promise to avenge Zhuang Zheng’s death demonstrated his loyalty and his commitment to the Order’s code of brotherhood, even when tactical necessity required withdrawal.
With the Water Banner Faction
As the leader of the Water Banner Faction, Tang Yang commanded a specialized unit with unique capabilities in chemical warfare and naval operations. His leadership enabled the faction to contribute effectively to the Order’s military operations and to coordinate with other banners in complex tactical situations.
With Yan Yuan
Tang Yang’s coordination with Yan Yuan, the Earth Banner Faction leader, demonstrated effective cooperation between different banners. Their combined tactics, using Earth Banner’s traps and Water Banner’s poison water, showed how different specialized capabilities could be integrated for maximum effectiveness.
With Zhang Wuji
Tang Yang served Zhang Wuji faithfully as the Order’s leader. His tactical coordination during the battle at Bright Peak and his participation in the Order’s operations demonstrated his loyalty and his commitment to the Order’s objectives under Zhang Wuji’s leadership.
Behind the scenes
Character significance
Tang Yang represents the specialized capabilities of the Five Elements Banners, particularly in chemical warfare and tactical coordination. His role in coordinating the withdrawal at Bright Peak demonstrates the importance of strategic thinking and tactical leadership, even in emotionally charged situations.
The Water Banner Faction’s sophisticated chemical warfare techniques demonstrate the Ming Order’s advanced military organization and its ability to deploy specialized capabilities for different operational requirements.
Role in the narrative
Tang Yang’s tactical coordination during the battle at Bright Peak contributes to the narrative by demonstrating the Order’s organizational capabilities and the effectiveness of the Five Elements Banners system. His promise to avenge Zhuang Zheng also contributes to the theme of loyalty and the code of brotherhood that runs throughout the novel.
See also
- Zhuang Zheng — The Gold Banner Faction leader whom Tang Yang promised to avenge
- Yan Yuan — The Earth Banner Faction leader with whom Tang Yang coordinated
- Water Banner Faction — The faction Tang Yang led
- Ming Order — The organisation Tang Yang served
- Five Elements — The philosophical system underlying the Five Elements Banners