The Snow-Hoofed Black Steed is Huyan Zhuo’s named mount in Water Margin. The contrast of an ink-black body and four white feet supplies the image behind its Chinese name, Tixue Wuzhui.
Chapter 54 presents the horse as an imperial gift before the campaign against Liangshan. After defeat and the loss of the horse, chapter 58 has Song Jiang arrange its return when Huyan Zhuo joins the mountain fellowship.
The mount follows the general across a change of allegiance, carrying both the memory of imperial favour and his new place among the heroes. The text’s celebrated speed belongs to the praise of an exceptional horse, without requiring a supernatural species.
