Lin Shaocong

Biodata

Background and History

Lin Shaocong belongs to a family that has worked boats for generations. His father became a demon when Shaocong was young, and his older brothers did not like him. Widely believed to be foolish and unable to walk properly, he concealed both his intelligence and his craft 1 6 7.

Song Yongchang had him abducted for Yuan Kuilong’s bowl-opening scheme because the Lin bloodline suited its “travel” trade requirement. Shaocong did not resist: Song was too strong for him to defeat, and fighting would have exposed his abilities before his captors let down their guard 1 7. In the Hostage House, he enlisted fellow captive Zhang Laifu by describing their escape as a scripted performance. Shaocong made clay tools and weapons, while Zhang carried him out 5.

At Cripple Slope, Shaocong persuaded Liang Yixin to let them leave, but Liang attacked after reconsidering. Shaocong used a clay decoy and Zhang’s help to defeat him. He kept Liang’s willow-fluff Craft Essence and honored his promise that Zhang could have the bowl Liang had hidden nearby 6 7 8. Though killing Zhang would have protected his secrets and let him take the bowl, Shaocong refused to betray someone who had shared hardship with him 8.

Back in Heishakou, estate staff pretended not to recognize Shaocong until guard He Shengjun brought him inside 9. When Hunlong Stronghold later searched the Lin family wharf for him, Shaocong hid with Zhang and prepared clay weapons in case they were found 18. He subsequently refused He’s proposal to kill Zhang, instead ordering that Zhang receive work and lodging. He was furious when he learned He had sent Zhang to the family’s old estate at Whitegrass Marsh, where overnight occupants had disappeared 19 20 21.

By Chapter 49, Shaocong was searching the ruined old estate for Zhang. With Song openly pursuing him and his position at home uncertain, he considered fleeing Heishakou with He Shengjun 49.

Appearance

Shaocong’s legs are impaired; he crawls when he cannot be carried and later uses a wheelchair 5 9 49.

• Public impression: His disability and cultivated foolish persona lead others to underestimate him 1 6 7.
• After his escape: He returns to the Lin estate covered in mud and water, with his hair hanging loose 9.

Personality

Shaocong favors patience and deception over a fight he cannot win. His decision not to resist Song Yongchang preserves the foolish persona that later helps him escape 7. He is wary of what others might do with knowledge of his abilities, but holds to a rule against betraying people who have endured hardship alongside him 8 20.

His standing as a Lin young master does not give him dependable authority. He doubts whether wharf staff will meaningfully protect him and struggles to oppose He Shengjun’s decisions because He is the one family retainer he feels he can rely on 18 21.

Abilities and Skills

Clay-Figure Craft

Shaocong shapes clay into functional objects and weapons, drawing on a trade he identifies with the lineage of Clay Figure Zhang 5 7.

• Makes daggers that move under their own power and can guide themselves toward a target 5 7.
• Forms clay balls to strip cotton from Zhang, as well as a key to open their cell 5.
• Makes locks, knives and throwing darts while hiding at the wharf 18.
• Finds rough hillside mud less suitable for daggers than clay he has carefully selected 7.

Mud Body Shedding

Shaocong can substitute a lifelike clay figure for himself and slip into nearby mud 7.

• Uses the decoy to draw Liang Yixin’s attention, then attacks from concealment 7.
• Must make a matching figure and switch places unnoticed; maintaining the skill takes considerable strength 7.

Mud Manipulation

• Moves mud to cover Liang’s body and recover his Craft Essence 7.
• Destroys a dangerous willow-branch marker by grinding it into mud 8.
• Encloses himself, Zhang and a horse in mud balls to descend the mountain. The shells harden and trap both men until they reach water 8.

Relationships

• Zhang Laifu — Fellow captive and escape partner. Shaocong protects him despite the risk posed by Zhang’s knowledge of his secrets, and later searches for him at the old estate 5 8 20 49.
• He Shengjun — Loyal Lin family guard who recognizes and defends him. Shaocong relies on He but objects to his decision to place Zhang in the dangerous old estate 9 19 21.
• Song Yongchang — Hunlong Stronghold’s second-in-command, who arranges Shaocong’s abduction and later pursues him 1 7 49.
• Liang Yixin — Willow weaver who initially permits Shaocong and Zhang to leave Cripple Slope, then attacks them; Shaocong and Zhang defeat him together 6 7.
• Lin Shaoming — Shaocong’s eldest brother. Shaocong fears he could deny his identity or intercept his departure from Heishakou 9 49.

Notable Quotes

“If I couldn't win, why fight? What good would one more blow do?” 7

“No. I have my rules!” 20