In the Water Margin
Hua Rong is a young officer who serves as a deputy commander of the Qingfeng Fort garrison. His nickname, "Little Li Guang", compares him to the Han dynasty general Li Guang, whose archery was legendary, and the novel never lets the reader forget it: Hua Rong is the finest bowman among the 108 heroes and ranks ninth in the Liangshan roll.
He is also a sworn brother of Song Jiang, and that bond decides his whole life. When Song Jiang, on the run after a killing, comes to stay at Qingfeng, a feud with Hua Rong's corrupt fellow commander Liu Gao turns into an armed clash. Hua Rong breaks his friend out of Liu Gao's custody, both men are later seized by imperial troops, and they are freed by the bandits of nearby Qingfeng Mountain. With his career gone, Hua Rong leads the group toward Liangshan Marsh.
Key episodes
Rescuing Song Jiang at Qingfeng. Liu Gao's wife repays Song Jiang's kindness by denouncing him as a bandit chief. Hua Rong storms Liu Gao's compound to get him back, choosing friendship over rank in the first real test of his loyalty.
The tangled tassels. On the road to Liangshan the party finds two young warriors locked in a duel, their halberds snagged together by the tassels. Hua Rong parts them with a single arrow, and both men join the band on the spot.
The goose in flight. Newly arrived at Liangshan, Hua Rong promises to hit a particular bird in a passing flock of wild geese, and does. The veterans who doubted the newcomer stop doubting.
At Song Jiang's grave. After the campaigns, when Song Jiang dies of poisoned wine sent from court, Hua Rong and Wu Yong travel to his tomb and take their own lives beside it.
