Chao Gai in Water Margin is a tragic character. Originally, as the boss of Liangshan (although he was obtained through fire and Wang Lun), he was leading a group of brothers to drink wine in large bowls, eat meat in large mouths, and live a life like a god, but because song Jiang came after his arrival, he was very depressed and depressed. He had wanted to save face for himself in Zengtou City, but he did not expect that he not only did not win the battle, but also lost his life for it. So if Chao Gai doesn't fight Zengtou City, does he have any other choice? Personally, I think there are still some.
The first is to face up to the gap and completely submit to Song Jiang. This is a bit difficult for Chao Gai, but I have to admit that Song Jiang, who was born as a reader and a small official, was a complete victory over Chao Gai, who was born of a cropper, in terms of pulling together gangs, winning people's hearts, and using power plots. If Chao Gai realized this and put down his body, he willingly let Song Jiang be the first chair and fully assisted Song Jiang in surrendering to the imperial court, although he was wronged and saved his life. Or for Chao Gai, who completely submitted to himself and saved his own life, Song Jiang would not be too desperate.
The second is to set up another mountain and part ways with Song Jiang. At that time, Liangshan, as a large cottage, had a lot of money and power, but at the same time, you had many small cottages, such as Erlong Mountain, Shaomu Mountain, Peach Blossom Mountain, etc., these small cottages gathered some people, evaded the pursuit of the government, and there was still hope for a happy life. If Chao Gai did not want to get mixed up with Song Jiang, then he would lead the Ruan brothers, Liu Tang, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, Gongsun Sheng, etc. who were unwilling to recruit An to leave Liangshan and find another place to survive. Those who are willing to recruit security stay on the side of The Song River in Liangshan, and those who are unwilling to recruit security can follow it, so that the Song River should also be acceptable.
Then there is the accumulation of strength to compete with Song Jiang. Although Song Jiang was very powerful, on the surface he was still polite to him, the boss of Liangshan, and would not take excessive measures. In this way, Chao Gai can completely unite his old team and unite the good men on the Song River side who are unwilling to recruit security, such as Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Tong Wei Tong Meng, Li Jun, and so on. Although these people have received favors from Song Jiang, they are very resolute in opposing the officials and troops of the government, and they are more aware of the unreliability of the emperor and corrupt bureaucrats than Song Jiang, and some people take the lead in not accepting Zhao'an, and many of them will stand on the side of Chao Gai. For this reason, if Chao Gai leads these unwilling people to compete with Song Jiang, there is also hope for victory. Maybe it can also change the direction of the Liangshan Army.
Of course, assuming that this is only a hypothesis, Chao Gai, as a straight, strong and good man, is naturally willing to stand and die, dying violently, and not willing to lie down and live, making people admire and regret!