In the Water Margin
Gongsun Sheng ranks fourth among the heroes of Liangshan under the star Tianxian (天闲星), the "idle" star, a fitting sign for a man who never fully belonged to the world of soldiers and bandits. He is a Taoist from Jizhou in the north, a disciple of the master Luo Zhenren on Erxian Mountain, and the most accomplished practitioner of magic in the band. People call him Dragon in the Clouds for the way he can raise wind, rain and darkness with a sword and a spell.
He enters the story on his own initiative. Hearing that a fortune in birthday gifts is being sent to the Grand Tutor Cai Jing, he seeks out Chao Gai in Dongxi Village and calls it ill-gotten wealth that is fair to take. He becomes one of the seven men who rob the convoy, and when the plot is exposed he flees with them to Liangshan Marsh. From then on, whenever an enemy fights with sorcery, Gongsun Sheng is the man Liangshan sends for.
Key episodes
- The birthday gifts. Alongside Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Liu Tang and the three Ruan brothers, he joins the scheme that empties Yang Zhi's convoy on Yellow Mud Ridge.
- Fetching him home. After leaving to care for his mother and serve his master, he does not come back. When Song Jiang's army stalls at Gaotang Prefecture, Dai Zong and Li Kui are sent to bring him. Li Kui's impatience nearly ruins the errand, and Luo Zhenren teaches him a sharp lesson before releasing his disciple.
- Breaking Gao Lian. At Gaotang, the prefect Gao Lian commands sorcery that has routed the outlaws. Gongsun Sheng counters his spells, the city falls, and Chai Jin is pulled alive from the dry well where he had been imprisoned.
- Leaving the world. After the campaign against the Liao, he keeps an old promise to his master and returns to the mountains, so he takes no part in the costly war against Fang La.
