If you read the names of the three village owners in Liangshan upside down, you will understand why Song Jiang had to die. As one of the four great classics of Chinese classics, "Water Margin" contains countless mysteries and metaphors. Liangshan 108 generals, all of them are well-designed and have profound implications. And the names of the three village owners in Liangshan hide the fate of the entire "Water Margin". What kind of fate trajectory made it difficult for Song Jiang, the lord of Liangshan, to escape death in the end? Let us unveil this veil of mystery together.
1. The metaphor of the three village lords of Liangshan
In "Water Margin", Liangshanbo has three village owners, namely Wang Lun, Chao Gai and Song Jiang. The names of these three village owners seem ordinary, but they hide mysteries. If you read their names upside down, it is "Song Jiang Chao Gai Wang Lun", which means "the Song Dynasty changed dynasties, and the Northern Song Dynasty rotated into the Southern Song Dynasty".
Wang Lun, the name is pronounced "King Lun" upside down, which means that the Northern Song Dynasty will be replaced and rotated into the Southern Song Dynasty. Wang Lun's position in Liangshan is not stable, he has no ambitions, he is jealous of the virtuous, and he is wary of Lin Chong, Chao Gai and other capable ministers. In the end, Wang Lun was merged by Lin Chonghuo and became the first owner of the village to be replaced in the history of Liangshan, just as the Northern Song Dynasty would eventually be replaced.
Chao Gai, nicknamed "Tota Heavenly King", the name is read backwards as "Gai Dynasty", which means to change the dynasty. Although Chao Gai was strong in martial arts, he was not good at running Liangshan, and under his leadership, Liangshan did not get much development. On the contrary, Chao Gai also wanted to kill Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu and other heroes who took the initiative to defect. Chao Gai's death heralded that Liangshan would usher in a new leader, just as the Northern Song Dynasty would eventually be replaced.
Song Jiang, the name is read backwards as "Jiang Song", which means the Song Dynasty. Song Jiang was the third and last owner of Liangshan. Under the leadership of Song Jiang, Liangshan reached its heyday and was a powerful city. However, Song Jiang chose Zhao'an, and in the end he could not escape the fate of being killed by traitors. The death of Song Jiang heralded the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty.
The names of the three village owners in Liangshan are like a metaphor, indicating the fate of the Northern Song Dynasty. Wang Lun symbolizes that the Northern Song Dynasty will be replaced, Chao Gai symbolizes the change of dynasty, and Song River symbolizes the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. This metaphor reflects Shi Nai'an's ingenuity, and also adds a layer of mystery to "Water Margin".
Although Wang Lun was one of the founders of Liangshan, he was not a competent leader. He was born in white, and he has a good nature, but he lacks great ambition and leadership skills. When Lin Chong was framed by Gao Yu and forced to go to Liangshan alone, Wang Lun not only treated this hero well, but was on guard everywhere, which made Lin Chong feel cold.
After Chao Gai came to Liangshan, Wang Lun was even more jealous and wanted to get rid of Chao Gai. However, Chao Gai is not only strong in martial arts, but also has a high reputation, and is deeply supported by all heroes. Although Wang Lun is the owner of the village, his prestige has been discredited. In the end, under the prodding of Wu Yong, Lin Chong and Chao Gai joined forces, merged with Wang Lun, and changed the leader of Liangshan.
Wang Lun's death heralded the fate of the Northern Song Dynasty to be replaced. At the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the imperial court was corrupt, the party was constantly fighting, and the emperor was mediocre. The foundations of the Northern Song dynasty were already fragile, as precarious as Wang Lun's position in Liangshan. Eventually, the Jin soldiers moved south, the Northern Song Dynasty was replaced, and Song Gaozong Zhao moved south to establish the Southern Song Dynasty.
Although Wang Lun was one of the founders of Liangshan, he was not a qualified leader. His death cleared the way for the development of Liangshan, and also foreshadowed the fate of the Northern Song Dynasty to be replaced. This metaphor reflects Shi Nai'an's deep insight into history, and also adds a layer of historical weight to "Water Margin".
Second, the fate of Song Jiang
Song Jiang, the last owner of Liangshan, his life is like a legend. From an unambitious official, to the leader of Liangshan, to being crowned and poisoned after Zhao'an, Song Jiang's fate was full of ups and downs, full of drama.
In his early years, Song Jiang was sent to Jiangzhou because of Gao Yu's frame-up, where he met many green forest heroes. Although Song Jiang is in the official mansion, his heart yearns for Liangshan. He secretly received the heroes of Liangshan, provided them with information, and even did not hesitate to send Dai Zong and others to Liangshan under false pretenses.
After Chao Gai's death, Song Jiang finally ascended to the throne of the lord of Liangshanzhai. Under his leadership, Liangshan was in full swing, defeating the official army one after another, and commanding the world. Song Jiang was not only strong in martial arts, but also resourceful, and the "Juyi Hall" system he formulated made Liangshan an orderly organization.
However, after all, Song Jiang was born in a family of eunuchs, and his ideal was to be "loyal to the monarch and patriotic", not to overthrow the imperial court. When the imperial court repeatedly sent heavy troops to attack Liangshan to no avail, it began to adopt the strategy of recruiting An. Song Jiang was faced with a difficult choice: should he continue to resist, or accept Zhao'an?
Song Jiang finally chose Zhao'an. On the one hand, he saw that Liangshan's power could not compete with the imperial court, and on the other hand, he also wanted to take the opportunity of Zhao'an to realize his ambitions. Song Jiang led the heroes of Liangshan to quell the Fangla Rebellion for the imperial court and made great contributions.
However, Song Jiang's ending was tragic. Although he was named "General Wude" by the imperial court, he was deeply involved in the power struggle of the imperial court. In the end, Song Jiang was framed by the traitors Cai Jing and Tong Guan on the charge of "rebellion", and was given poisoned wine and died.
Song Jiang's life is full of contradictions and tragedy. He was born in an official eunuch, but he longed for the green forest; he had the ideal of "loyalty to the monarch and patriotism", but he had to rebel against the imperial court; he led the heroes of Liangshan to recruit peace, but finally died at the hands of traitorous ministers. The fate of Song Jiang symbolized the sorrow of that era and also heralded the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Under the leadership of Song Jiang, Liangshan reached its heyday. Song Jiang is not only strong in martial arts, but also resourceful. The "Juyi Hall" system he formulated made Liangshan an orderly organization. Under the leadership of Song Jiang, the heroes of Liangshan defeated the official army one after another, and shocked the world.
However, Song Jiang was faced with a difficult choice: whether to continue to resist or accept Zhao'an? This choice was not only related to the fate of Liang Shan, but also to the fate of Song Jiang himself.
If he continued to resist, although Liangshan could achieve victory in one place and one place, he would not be able to compete with the power of the imperial court after all. Although the heroes of Liangshan are all strong in martial arts, they are scattered and lack cohesion after all. However, the imperial court had strong military, economic, and political power, and could continuously send troops to attack Liangshan.
If he accepts Zhao'an, Song Jiang will have a chance to realize his ambitions. He can use the power of the imperial court to serve the country and establish meritorious deeds. At the same time, Zhao'an can also save the lives of the heroes of Liangshan and save them from the suffering of war.
Song Jiang finally chose Zhao'an. Although this decision made many Liangshan heroes dissatisfied, it was a choice made by Song Jiang after weighing the pros and cons. Song Jiang led the heroes of Liangshan to quell the Fangla Rebellion for the imperial court and made great contributions.
However, Song Jiang's ending was tragic. Although he was named "General Wude" by the imperial court, he was deeply involved in the power struggle of the imperial court. The traitors Cai Jing and Tong Guan were jealous of Song Jiang's exploits and designed to frame him for rebellion. Song Jiang was eventually given poisoned wine and died, becoming a victim of the power struggle in the imperial court.
The tragedy of Song Jiang lies in the fact that he cannot get rid of his origin and ideals. Although he yearns for the green forest, he is still a loyal and patriotic intellectual in his bones. He tries to find a balance between rebellion and allegiance, but ends up in tragedy. The fate of Song Jiang symbolized the sorrow of the intellectuals of that era, and also foreshadowed the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty.
3. The decline and fall of the Northern Song Dynasty
The Northern Song Dynasty was faced with internal and external troubles since its inception. The scourge of partisanship and the power of foreign enemies followed us, which eventually led to the downfall of this dynasty.
In the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi's reform touched the interests of conservatives and triggered a long-term party dispute. The struggle between reformers and conservatives not only affected the country's political stability, but also weakened the economic and military strength of the Northern Song Dynasty. The scourge of party strife, like a cancer, gradually eroded the foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty.
At the same time, the Northern Song Dynasty also faced the threat of foreign enemies. The Liao Kingdom and Western Xia in the north constantly harassed the borders of the Northern Song Dynasty. In order to resist these foreign enemies, the Northern Song Dynasty had to invest a lot of manpower and material resources, which undoubtedly increased the burden of the Northern Song Dynasty.
By the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the scourge of party strife and the power of foreign enemies reached its peak. Cai Jing, Tong Guan and other traitorous ministers were in power, the government was corrupt, and the armament was slack. And the Jin Kingdom in the north also began to move, waiting for an opportunity to go south.
In 1126, the Jin soldiers captured Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, and captured two emperors, Huizong of Song and Qinzong of Song, known as "the shame of Jingkang". The Northern Song Dynasty went to the abyss of destruction.
Song Gaozong Zhao Gou established the Southern Song Dynasty in the south, but most of the Northern Song Dynasty had fallen into the hands of the Jin people. Although the Southern Song Dynasty occasionally counterattacked, it was unable to return to heaven after all, and could only survive until it was destroyed by the Yuan army in 1279.
The decline and fall of the Northern Song Dynasty has profound historical reasons. The scourge of party strife weakened the ruling foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty, and the might of foreign enemies dealt a fatal blow to the Northern Song Dynasty. And the incompetence of the rulers of the Northern Song Dynasty also hastened the fall of this dynasty.
The party struggle in the Northern Song Dynasty began with Wang Anshi's reform. Wang Anshi introduced new laws in an attempt to strengthen the country's financial and military power through reforms. However, his reforms touched the interests of conservatives and provoked fierce opposition. The struggle between reformers and conservatives ran through the entire history of the Northern Song Dynasty.
This kind of party struggle not only affected the country's political stability, but also weakened the economic and military strength of the Northern Song Dynasty. Under the party struggle, the decision-making of the imperial court was often repeated and the decrees were inconsistent. Moreover, partisanship has also led to the loss of talent and low morale. Many talented officials, unwilling to get involved in party disputes, chose to retire or flee.
In addition to the scourge of party strife, the Northern Song Dynasty also faced the threat of foreign enemies. The Liao Kingdom and Western Xia in the north constantly harassed the borders of the Northern Song Dynasty. In order to defend against these foreign enemies, the Northern Song Dynasty had to maintain a large number of troops in the border areas, which undoubtedly increased the financial burden of the Northern Song Dynasty. Moreover, the protracted war also depleted the military strength of the Northern Song Dynasty, making it difficult for it to deal with greater external threats.
By the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the scourge of party strife and the power of foreign enemies reached its peak. Cai Jing, Tong Guan and other traitorous ministers were in power, the government was corrupt, and the armament was slack. For the sake of their own selfishness, they do not hesitate to provoke party disputes and crack down on dissidents. At the same time, they also ignored the threat of an external enemy and were not prepared for defense.
In 1126, the Jin soldiers captured Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, and captured two emperors, Huizong of Song and Qinzong of Song, known as "the shame of Jingkang". This event marked the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. Although Song Gaozong Zhao Gou established the Southern Song Dynasty in the south, most of the Northern Song Dynasty had fallen into the hands of the Jin people.
Although the Southern Song Dynasty occasionally counterattacked, it was unable to return to heaven after all. Although the rulers of the Southern Song Dynasty also wanted to recover their lost territory, they were more concerned with maintaining their rule. In exchange for the peace of the Jin State, the Southern Song Dynasty even did not hesitate to pay tribute, which undoubtedly further weakened the national strength of the Southern Song Dynasty. In the end, the Southern Song Dynasty was destroyed by the Yuan army in 1279, and the Song Dynasty became history completely.
The decline and fall of the Northern Song Dynasty was a long and complex process. The scourge of party strife, the might of foreign enemies, and the incompetence of the rulers were all reasons for the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. This historical lesson deserves deep consideration for future generations.
Fourth, the significance of "Water Margin".
"Water Margin", a masterpiece that has been passed down through the ages, is not only a simple heroic legend, but also an epic that reflects the times. With the Songjiang Uprising as the background, it shows the social picture of the last years of the Northern Song Dynasty, reveals the decay and decline of feudal rule, and also shows the awakening and resistance of the people.
"Water Margin" reflects the social turmoil in the last years of the Northern Song Dynasty. During this period, the imperial court was corrupt, the officials forced the people to rebel, and the people were not able to make a living. Many people had to walk on the green forest road and become heroes of Liangshan. Some of them are because they can't bear the oppression of the government, some because they can't stand social injustice, and some because they pursue the ideal of freedom.
The uprising of the heroes of Liangshan is the inevitable result of this social contradiction. They gathered at Liangshanbo and established their own political power to resist the oppression of the government. Under the banner of "doing the right thing for heaven", they punished the evil and promoted the good, robbed the rich and helped the poor, and became heroes in the hearts of the people.
However, the uprising of the heroes of Liangshan did not change the essence of feudal society after all. Although they fought against the government, they could not shake the foundations of feudal rule. In the end, they still chose to surrender and accepted the court's recruitment. This outcome reflected the limitations of the peasant uprising and revealed the stubbornness of feudal rule.
"Water Margin" not only reveals the decay of feudal rule, but also shows the awakening of the people. In this work, we see many images of ordinary people. Although they are at the bottom of society, they have their own dignity and ideals. They support the heroes of Liangshan and sympathize with their plight, which reflects the people's dissatisfaction with reality and their yearning for a better life.
At the same time, "Water Margin" also shows the spirit of resistance of the people. Although the heroes of Liangshan were ultimately defeated, their struggle inspired the masses. Their deeds have become legends in the mouths of the people, inspiring generations to come. This spirit of rebellion has become an important tradition in Chinese history.
The significance of "Water Margin" is also reflected in its influence on later literature. This work created a precedent for heroic legend novels and created a large number of heroic images with distinctive personalities. Song Jiang, Lin Chong, Wu Song, Lu Zhishen and other characters have all become well-known literary images. Their stories have inspired later generations of literary creation and enriched the treasure trove of Chinese literature.
The last years of the Northern Song Dynasty reflected in "Water Margin" were a turbulent era. The scourge of partisanship, the might of foreign enemies, and the incompetence of the rulers have caused social contradictions to intensify. In this context, many people had to walk on the green forest road and become heroes of Yangshan.
The uprising of the heroes of Liangshan is the inevitable result of this social contradiction. They gathered at Liangshanbo and established their own political power to resist the oppression of the government. Under the banner of "doing the right thing for heaven", they punished the evil and promoted the good, robbed the rich and helped the poor, and became heroes in the hearts of the people.
However, the uprising of the heroes of Liangshan did not change the essence of feudal society after all. Although they fought against the government, they could not shake the foundations of feudal rule. This reflects the limitations of the peasant uprising. Although the peasant class had the courage and fighting spirit to resist, it lacked advanced ideological weapons and organizational discipline to form a lasting revolutionary force.
At the same time, the defeat of the heroes of Liangshan also revealed the stubbornness of feudal rule. Although the feudal ruling class was decaying and declining, it had a powerful state apparatus and ideological tools in its hands. They could deal with the peasant uprisings by means of force suppression, division and disintegration. This stubbornness allowed the feudal society to be maintained for hundreds of years.
Despite this, "Water Margin" still shows the awakening of the people. In this work, we see many images of ordinary people. Although they are at the bottom of society, they have their own dignity and ideals. They support the heroes of Liangshan and sympathize with their plight, which reflects the people's dissatisfaction with reality and their yearning for a better life.
"Water Margin" also shows the spirit of resistance of the people. Although the heroes of Liangshan were ultimately defeated, their struggle inspired the masses. Their deeds have become legends in the mouths of the people, inspiring generations to come. This spirit of resistance became an important tradition in Chinese history and influenced many peasant uprisings and revolutionary movements in later generations.
The significance of "Water Margin" is also reflected in its influence on later literature. This work created a precedent for heroic legend novels and created a large number of heroic images with distinctive personalities. These images not only enriched the treasure trove of Chinese literature, but also provided rich materials and inspiration for later generations of literary creation. Many writers of later generations have drawn nourishment from "Water Margin" and created many excellent works.
"Water Margin" is a masterpiece with rich connotations and far-reaching significance. It not only reflects an era, but also influences an era. The social picture, characters and spiritual connotations it presents are all worthy of our in-depth exploration and consideration.