thumb|right|An illustration of nine of the [[108 Heroes by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Peng Qi is in the centre. The rest are (clockwise from top): Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, Han Tao, Yue He, Yang Lin, Duan Jingzhu, Deng Fei, and Ou Peng.]]
Duan Jingzhu is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Golden Haired Hound", he ranks 108th among the 108 Heroes and 72nd among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
Background
The novel describes Duan Jingzhu as a man with red hair and a yellow beard, which earns him the nickname "Golden Haired Dog". Originally from Zhuozhou, he rustles horses for a living on the northern frontier of the Song Empire.
Becoming an outlaw
One day, Duan Jingzhu steals the Jade Lion (), a swift stallion belonging to a Jurchen prince. He intends to present it to Chao Gai, the chief of the outlaw band at Liangshan Marsh, as his ticket to join the band.
En route, Duan Jingzhu passes by the Zeng Family Fortress, a fortified village run by a family of five brothers and their father. The Zengs attack and rob him of the stallion, mocking him even when he tells them that the horse is meant for the Liangshan outlaws.
Duan Jingzhu later encounters the Liangshan outlaws, who have just recruited another outlaw group from Mount Mangdang, and impresses their commander, Song Jiang, with his appearance. Song Jiang approves Duan Jingzhu's request to join Liangshan, and takes him back to meet Chao Gai.
After Chao Gai hears of the Zengs' deed and insults directed at Liangshan, he is so infuriated that he wants to teach them a lesson. Since Song Jiang has been leading the outlaws in the past battles against their enemies, Chao Gai, as Liangshan's chief, decides to take the lead this time to attack the Zeng Family Fortress.
The first battle between Liangshan and the Zengs ends in a disaster: Chao Gai is struck by a poisoned arrow fired by Shi Wengong, a martial arts instructor serving under the Zengs, and dies of poisoning shortly after. Song Jiang eventually succeeds Chao Gai as Liangshan's chief, and the outlaws also avenge Chao by destroying the Zengs and killing Shi Wengong.
Campaigns and death
Duan Jingzhu is appointed as a commander of the Liangshan infantry after the 108 Heroes are fully assembled. His task is to deliver intelligence reports to and fro the frontline.
After Emperor Huizong grants amnesty to the Liangshan outlaws, Duan Jingzhu joins them in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory.
During the final campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Duan Jingzhu joins Liangshan marines in staging a naval assault on Hangzhou via the Qiantang River. Strong winds sweep his boat into the open sea, where it capsizes. A non-swimmer, Duan Jingzhu eventually drowns.