Preface
As we all know, "Water Margin", as a classic novel describing the peasant uprising, brings together the stories of many heroes and heroes, including the uninhibited Yan Qing, the meat-eating flower monk Lu Zhishen, and the popular hero Wu Song.
Wu Song's image has always been deeply rooted in people's hearts, he is a hero who dares to love and hate, and is awe-inspiring. However, in the plot of the novel, Wu Song shows a surprising side after learning that Song Jiang was poisoned, he does not show sadness or sadness, but coldly says something unbelievable.
First, Chai Mansion is married, and the world is a bosom friend
The fate of Wu Song and Song Jiang started from a chance encounter in Chai Jin's mansion. At that time, Wu Song fled to another country because of the murder case, and went to Chai Jin Mansion to become a doorman. And Song Jiang was relegated here because he killed his wife's uncle Yan Po. The two met in Chaifu, and Wu Song had heard of Song Jiang's name, and they were busy greeting and greeting each other, and they were quite admired.
Chai Mansion lives a tacit understanding, and the two have been in love for a long time. Wu Song is righteous and upright; Song Jiang is not only heroic and ambitious, but also deeply appreciated by Chai Jin. Chai Jin often called him to drink and talk about Taoism, looking for him to learn good strategies for governing the world. The two have similar interests and often learn martial arts and exchange experiences through drinks. As a result, there is a sense of like-mindedness. Wu Song often worships Song Jiang as his bosom friend, and Song Jiang often takes Wu Song as his right and left hand.
However, the good times did not last long, but they had no choice but to encounter traitors and frames, Chai Jinfu suddenly broke into chaos, the Chai family was given to death, and Wu Song and Song Jiang had to flee in all directions. After leaving Chaifu, Wu Song defected to Erlongshan, and Song Jiang went to Liangshan. Although the heavens are separated, this relationship between Chai Mansion has achieved a deep friendship between the two. The rivers and lakes are so big, he can always meet again one day.
If it is said that the acquaintance in Chai Mansion is a good story in the lives of Wu Song and Song Jiang, then the acquaintance of Chai Jin is their bosom friend of the world. This court is heavy, full of economy, and bears the rise and fall. He not only admired Song Jiang's talent, but also valued Wu Song's integrity. The three of them have often lived for thousands of years, and they have the power to seek the fortunes of the country. Chai took Song and Wu as his right-hand men and made great plans.
However, the good man was eventually victimized by the traitor. In the fourth year of Jianyan, the third secretary made Gao Yu see that Chai Jin was loyal and upright, and his merits were high, so he opened his mouth and slandered Song Gaozong. In the end, Chai's family was given to die, and Song Jiang and Wu Song could only flee in all directions, and they were separated from their bosom friends.
In fact, Chai Jin's unjust imprisonment is a microcosm of this dynasty. In today's world, traitors are in charge, and there is no way out of loyalty. As soon as Chai died, it was like the sudden collapse of the country. As the saying goes, as soon as the prime minister dies, the world will be in turmoil. Wu Song and Song Jiang also drifted away because of this, but they never forgot the teachings of Chai Jin, a bosom friend.
This relationship between Chai Mansion is that the two have since stood on the side of righteousness. Throughout their lives, they are also alerting to this troubled world and reviving this country.
2. Gather in Liangshan and go their separate ways
A few years later, Song Jiang sat on the position of the owner of Liangshan Cottage and immediately sent people to various places to recruit his old friends. Wu Song received an invitation in Erlong Mountain, was overjoyed, and worshiped Song Jiang as a righteous brother.
On the occasion of the reunion, the two chatted about the past of Chai Mansion and couldn't help but recall their participation in business. Talking and laughing, it rekindled the feelings of the old Chai Mansion. Wu Song happily decided to follow Song Jiang down the mountain to fight against Jin and eliminate violence for the country.
During his time in Liangshan, Wu Song was loyal and never disobeyed Song Jiang's orders. Every time he returns to the village from the battle, Song Jiang must hold a banquet to greet him, and the brothers hate to see each other late. So much so that later Song Jiang was determined to accept the imperial court's recruitment, and although Wu Song was deeply disappointed, he was still ordered to conquer Fang La.
In this famous Fangla Rebellion, Liangshanbo caused trouble, the rebel army took the lead, and Wu Song was the most injured. In this vicious battle, Wu Song lost an arm, and Lin Chong and many other deceased people also died on the battlefield. In the face of tragic losses, Song Jiang not only didn't care at all, but also planned the future court all day long. This made Wu Song completely see his true colors.
In fact, Song Jiang's acceptance of Zhao'an was the beginning of his step by step away from the people of Liangshan. He first sold the color and recruited An Liangshan. Then he betrayed the righteousness and led a large army to conquer Fang La. However, this bloody massacre made his ambition more and more rampant, regardless of the righteousness of the rivers and lakes that he was proud of.
He knew that there would be tragic sacrifices in this war, but he still wanted to take revenge. The people of Liangshan are not his brothers, but stepping stones. For the sake of the false name of an official and a half-position, he put everyone's lives out of the way. Such a Song Jiang is still worthy of Wu Song to unarm, just for that period of Chai Mansion?
So, Wu Song decided to leave Liangshan. He is no longer the military general who holds a sword and serves Song Jiang. In the tranquil Hong'en Temple, he was ordained a monk, contemplated enlightenment in front of the wall, believed in Buddhism, and left the sins and wars of the world forever.
And Song Jiang was caught in the whirlpool of power desire after Zhao'an and couldn't extricate himself. He is still working day and night for an official and a half-job, locked in the red dust and unable to save himself. The two parted ways, but it also foreshadowed their end. Wu Song, who is a Buddha, is destined to live a long life; Song Jiang, who sank into the sea of power, could not escape the evil retribution.
3. Life and death are born and died, and there is no concern
Time flies, and decades have passed. Song Jiang fought openly and secretly in the court, and was finally killed by a traitor and died of poison. After Wu Song heard the bad news, he said indifferently, "He is finally free."
In fact, many years ago, Wu Song had already seen Song Jiangquan's lustful nature. He hoped that Song Jiang would end this endless power trade as soon as possible and live a free life. Now that people go to the empty building, it can be regarded as an end. After so many years, Wu Song no longer has the slightest concern for Song Jiang, but he just sighs from afar, and he doesn't know whether to sigh at the impermanence of life or sigh at the grievances of the rivers and lakes.
Song Jiang and Wu Song were originally bosom friends and mentors, but because of their different ideas and pursuits, they embarked on very different life paths. Song Jiang was obsessed with the sea of power and was tortured; Wu Song took refuge in Buddhism and was at ease. Two people who could have been side by side have also become strangers separated by life and death.
When Song Jiang died, Wu Song did not give up in the slightest. He just sighed softly, praying for a worry-free life and a better future for this son and daughter of the rivers and lakes who accumulated power and landslides.
epilogue
Looking back on Wu Song's life, it is not difficult to find that he has been pursuing the pleasure and enmity of the rivers and lakes, while the opposite is Song Jiang, who strives to get in touch with power and grasp power, and there is a huge difference in values between the two.
The acquaintance of these two heroes may have been just a joke between them, but their life trajectories have gone to very different ends. Wu Song was happy with revenge all his life, couldn't let go of the sword in his hand, and finally came to a tragic end. His heroic deeds on the rivers and lakes have become a legend, but he also laid the groundwork for his unfortunate ending.
On the contrary, Song Jiang grasped power and tried to gain a foothold in society by contacting power schemes. In the process of pursuing power and political power, he gradually distanced himself from the rivers and lakes. However, in the end, he fell into the whirlpool of power and conspiracy, was coerced by the power system, and went to another tragic ending.
The very different endings of these two heroes may not be surprising in the great dye vat of society at the time. Social mores, values, and personal choices are shaping people's destinies. In these complex times, it is difficult for anyone to be immune to it. This also makes people think deeply, if you can't put down the sword in your hand or the scheming mind, the final outcome will inevitably be tragic. This is perhaps the most profound admonition to the heroes of that era.