In the Water Margin
Pei Xuan comes from Jingzhao Prefecture, where he serves as a court clerk. He writes a fine legal hand, is loyal and clear-headed, and will not bend the smallest rule, so the people there call him Iron-Faced Magistrate. He can also handle spear, staff and sword. A greedy new prefect frames him and has him exiled to Shamen Island.
On the road his escort passes Yinma River, where Deng Fei and Meng Kang have a stronghold. They kill the guards, free him and make him their chief. When Dai Zong passes through while searching for Gongsun Sheng, he invites the three to Liangshan. There Pei Xuan heads the office of military discipline, judging merit and fault, and takes seat forty-seven beneath the Dizheng star.
