Zhang Yanfeng

Zhang Yanfeng (simplified: 张雁峰, traditional: 張雁峰, pinyin: Zhāng Yànfēng, jyutping: zoeng1 ngaan6 fung1), also known as Zhang San (张三 — Zhāng Sān) or Zhang San the Precious Blade (宝刀张三 — Bǎodāo Zhāng Sān), was a convoy leader in Twin Blades of the Storm Dragon. His name meaning “Wild Goose Peak,” Zhang Yanfeng murdered Chen Boyu to steal his legendary twin dragon swords, setting in motion the novel’s tragic events.

Biography

Life as a convoy leader

Zhang Yanfeng worked as a convoy leader, transporting goods and managing caravans. He was known by the epithet “Zhang San the Precious Blade,” referring to his prized weapon. The name “Zhang San” (Zhang Three) was a common way to refer to someone by their surname followed by their position in the family or household.

Pursuit by Lu Yinsong

Zhang Yanfeng was being pursued by Lu Yinsong (鲁荫松), known as “Iron Staff Lu” (铁棍鲁荫松 — Tiěgùn Lǔ Yìnsōng), for reasons that were not immediately clear. This pursuit led to Zhang Yanfeng’s encounter with Chen Boyu.

Encounter with Chen Boyu

While being pursued by Lu Yinsong, Zhang Yanfeng encountered Chen Boyu, a renowned martial artist from Henan who possessed the legendary twin dragon swords. Chen Boyu, demonstrating the chivalrous spirit of the jianghu, intervened to help Zhang Yanfeng, saving him from his pursuer.

Betrayal and murder

Despite Chen Boyu’s assistance, Zhang Yanfeng betrayed the man who had saved him. Coveting Chen Boyu’s legendary swords—the Rain-Soaring Azure Dragon and the Wind-Singing White Dragon—Zhang Yanfeng murdered Chen Boyu to steal the treasures.

This act of treachery set the novel’s tragic events in motion, as Chen Boyu’s daughter Chen Xiuxia embarked on a quest for vengeance against Zhang Yanfeng.

Aftermath

Zhang Yanfeng’s murder of Chen Boyu created a blood feud between their families. Chen Xiuxia spent years searching for Zhang San to avenge her father’s death, while Zhang Yanfeng’s adopted son Zhang Yunjie would eventually become entangled in the conflict despite having no direct involvement in the original crime.

Personality and traits

Greed and treachery

Zhang Yanfeng’s most defining characteristic was his greed and willingness to betray those who helped him. His murder of Chen Boyu, who had just saved him from his pursuer, demonstrated a complete lack of honour and gratitude.

Self-interest

Zhang Yanfeng’s actions were driven entirely by self-interest, as he prioritised obtaining the legendary swords over honour, gratitude, or basic human decency. This selfishness set in motion the tragic events that would affect multiple lives.

Relationships

Chen Boyu

Zhang Yanfeng’s relationship with Chen Boyu began when Chen Boyu saved him from Lu Yinsong. However, Zhang Yanfeng repaid this kindness with betrayal and murder, killing Chen Boyu to steal his legendary swords.

Zhang Yunjie

Zhang Yanfeng had an adopted son named Zhang Yunjie, who would become entangled in the blood feud created by his adoptive father’s crime. Despite having no direct involvement in the murder, Zhang Yunjie bore the weight of his adoptive father’s actions.

Lu Yinsong

Zhang Yanfeng was being pursued by Lu Yinsong when he encountered Chen Boyu. The reasons for this pursuit were not immediately clear, but it led to the chain of events that resulted in Chen Boyu’s death.

Behind the scenes

Zhang Yanfeng’s character represents the destructive power of greed and betrayal in the jianghu. His murder of Chen Boyu illustrates how the pursuit of material gain can lead to tragedy and set in motion cycles of violence that affect innocent people.

His story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of treachery and the way that one person’s actions can create suffering for many others. Zhang Yanfeng’s crime creates the central conflict of the novel, forcing his adopted son to bear the consequences of actions he did not commit.