Gambler Fu

(Fu Sheng)

Fu Sheng's parents are dead, but he as a younger brother still alive. After his parents died, he drifted into the life of a gambler. Some weeks he would make enough money to feed his younger brother and himself, some weeks they would go hungry. From time to time, he would supplement his meagre income with various, distasteful odd-jobs (petty thievery, selling patent charms, etc).

After a few years of this, Fu's brother ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was framed for the murder of a young courtesan. Thanks to the perspicacious mind of the young Yu (who was, at the time, a senior clerk), the magistrate presiding over the case was convinced of Younger Fu's innocence. However, in accordance with the seriousness of the case, and given the history of the Fu brothers, he sentenced Younger Shen to a long term in the Chinese army. He also directed Yu to retain Elder Fu in his new post at Peng Lai, and to devote his attentions to the reformation of Elder Fu's dubious character. Yu graciously agreed.

As a result of the reasonably happy outcome (given the alternatives), Gambler Fu has an enormous amount of respect for Jude Yu, and is making an honest effort to better himself. His constant trial is mastering his quick temper and superstitious nature.

Outlaws of the Water Margin is © 1998 by Paul Mason, and is published by Panurgic Publishing. The contents of this page are not in any way intended as a challenge to this copyright.

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Reformed Gambler

(played by Dave Ferguson)