Song Qing

Biodata

Background / History

Song Qing has served in the Security Bureau for decades. He is known for handling cases according to the law and refusing gifts from people seeking favorable treatment. That stance has left him ostracized by colleagues and disliked by influential locals 6 13 33.

While pursuing the murderer Hu Yong with his disciple Yang Ming, Song Qing is injured and nearly killed. Lin Fan intervenes and captures Hu Yong. Song Qing thanks him, records his contribution to support his Security Bureau application, and advises him to avoid Loyalty Hall's criminal dealings before the examination 6.

Song Qing later follows a tip about a thief into a trap set by eight armed attackers. He offers to hold them off so Lin Fan can escape with Yang Ming; Lin Fan instead defeats the attackers. None survive long enough to reveal who sent them 14 25. After passing the Law Examination, Lin Fan chooses to serve under Song Qing rather than the better-connected Captain Chen Xingzhi 24.

Personality

• Principled but cautious: Song Qing resists pressure to overlook crimes, yet recognizes when acting without support could endanger his disciple or squad 19 33.
• Protective mentor: When ambushed, his first concern is getting Yang Ming to safety 14.
• Willing to take a risk: He joins Lin Fan's move against Loyalty Hall Hall Master He Sen despite expecting retaliation 34.

Skills & Duties

Law enforcement and casework

• Pursues suspects and reviews case files with Yang Ming 6 14 29.
• Insists on lawful handling of cases rather than accepting gifts to settle them 13 33.
• Cannot reliably summon colleagues to intervene against the well-connected Fierce Tiger Gang 19.

Mentorship and command

• Trains Yang Ming and evaluates Lin Fan as a prospective officer 6 15.
• Leads one of the two squads available to new officers after the Law Examination 24.
• Promotes Lin Fan to a regular officer on the strength of his merits 44.

Relationships

• Yang Ming — Disciple and fellow officer. Song Qing tries to protect him during an ambush 6 14.
• Lin Fan — First meets him after Lin Fan saves him and Yang Ming; later becomes his captain. He supports Lin Fan's entry into the bureau but worries about the consequences of his confrontations with powerful families 6 24 49.
• Chen Xingzhi — Fellow Security Bureau captain whose connections contrast with Song Qing's isolation. Song Qing is stunned when Lin Fan punches Chen during the He Sen procession 24 37.
• Steward Li — Security Bureau superior whom Song Qing accompanies Lin Fan to consult after He Sen's arrest 38.

Notable Quotes

“Brother Lin, take my apprentice and go. I'll hold them off for you.” 14

“Have you considered the aftermath? Arresting Zhao Fu is one thing, but Hu Yu is not easy to deal with.” 49