In the Water Margin
An Daoquan is a physician of Jiankang, on the Yangtze, whose skill in both internal medicine and surgery comes down through his family. People call him the "Divine Physician", and in a novel full of sword cuts, arrow wounds and beatings, his is the most practical talent of all. Unlike most of the 108, he has no wish to be an outlaw. He is comfortable in his city, fond of his practice and fonder still of a courtesan named Li Qiaonu.
He comes to Liangshan because Song Jiang nearly dies. During the campaign against Daming, the leader develops a severe abscess on his back that no one in camp can treat, and Zhang Shun, who knows An Daoquan's reputation, goes to fetch him. An Daoquan stays on as the band's doctor and is ranked fifty-sixth of the 108.
Key episodes
An unwilling recruit. When Zhang Shun arrives, An Daoquan agrees in principle but keeps delaying, unwilling to leave Li Qiaonu. Zhang Shun settles the matter in the darkest way available: he kills the courtesan and her household in the night and writes on the wall that An Daoquan did it. With his name on a murder scene, the doctor has nowhere left to go but Liangshan.
Saving Song Jiang. An Daoquan reaches the camp in time. He treats the abscess with moxibustion, ointments and medicine, and within days Song Jiang is out of danger. With their leader on his feet again, the outlaws can return to the unfinished business at Daming.
Called away to court. In the later wars his reputation travels further than any of his comrades. An imperial order summons him to the capital to serve as a court physician, and he leaves the band while the fighting is still going on, one of the few heroes the story lets walk away unhurt.
