Speaking of "Water Margin", everyone may think of the heroic heroism of Liangshan, but there are still unknown secrets and twists and turns hidden behind this ancient novel? The traditional version of "Water Margin" that we are familiar with has actually undergone drastic modifications and reductions. If the original "Water Margin" had not been revised, what kind of plot would it be? What would have been the ending of the two tough guys, Luan Tingyu and Hu Cheng? Today, let's explore the other side of "Water Margin" and uncover the secrets hidden in this ancient book. What do you think about whether the story will be more exciting because of this?
As one of China's four great masterpieces, "Water Margin" has been widely circulated since the Southern Song Dynasty, but what you may not know is that this work has experienced a lot of turmoil in the long river of history. The original version of "Water Margin" is said to have 120 chapters, but most of the versions that have been handed down to this day are 70 chapters after the official revision of the Ming Dynasty. What is the reason behind this?
What we need to know is that the original version of "Water Margin" is very important in terms of literary value and historical records. But why were there later cuts and changes? It had to do with the political environment at the time. The original "Water Margin" is very sharp in its depiction of officialdom and has a profound exposure of corruption, which is naturally not loved by those in power. Later versions were drastically revised, and much of the original content and characters disappeared and were replaced with something more in line with official tastes.
One of the most striking is the fate of the two characters, Luan Tingyu and Hu Cheng. In the popular version, these two tough guy characters seem to have died without a problem, and there is no follow-up. But in the so-called "Guben Water Margin", they are very different. Luan Tingyu is described as a strong martial artist, not the kind of character who will fall easily. And in some legends, Luan Tingyu did not even die, but escaped the siege of Liangshan in the chaos, which is more consistent with his ability and status.
It is said that in the version, they are not as obscure as the popular version, but have more active and crucial roles. They not only came to seek revenge, but also showed their wisdom and bravery, which brought a lot of challenges to the heroes of Liangshan. Especially when Liangshan fought against foreign enemies, Luan Tingyu and Hu Cheng's military talents were fully brought into play, and their existence greatly enriched the level of "Water Margin".
As for whether the heroes of Liangshan accepted Zhao'an, there are also differences in the ancient books. In the popular version, Song Jiang and others finally chose to accept the court's recruitment, but in "Guben Water Margin", this scene was completely rewritten. According to this version, Song Jiang and his subordinates did not easily succumb to the pressure of the imperial court, but instead launched a more fierce struggle. This description is obviously closer to the original intention of the heroes of Liangshan to resist injustice, and it is also more in line with the reader's expectations for the image of the hero.
Moreover, in the "Ancient Water Margin", Song Jiang's attitude towards the imperial court is also more complex and contradictory. On the one hand, he was well aware of the grim reality of being an enemy of the imperial court, and on the other hand, he was unwilling to turn his back on his beliefs and his brothers. This kind of inner tug-of-war makes Song Jiang's characters more three-dimensional and real, and also makes the whole story more fascinating.
Not only that, but there are also many other details in "Guben Water Margin" that are worth playing. For example, there are more detailed and realistic descriptions of how the heroes of Liangshan dealt with their captives and their relationship with local forces. These contents not only enrich the background of the story, but also reflect the social conditions of the era more realistically.
Now, let's go back to the original question: If "The Water Margin" had not been revised, what kind of work would it be? Judging from the description of "The Ancient Book of the Water Margin", this book is not only a novel about heroes and heroes, but also a historical masterpiece that profoundly reflects the social contradictions and the complexity of human nature at that time. It not only allows us to see the heroism of the characters, but also makes us feel their struggle and helplessness.
Such a "Water Margin" is undoubtedly richer and more thought-provoking. It is not only a legend of heroes, but also a way for ordinary people to survive in difficult situations. Through these stories, we can better understand the people of that era, their lives, and their struggles.
Today, by exploring the content of "Ancient Water Margin", we can find that this classic work presents a completely different style in different versions. From the different fates of Luan Tingyu and Hu Cheng, to the complex relationship between Song Jiang and the imperial court, to the more realistic description of the social background, every detail gives us a deeper understanding of this ancient novel. "Water Margin" is not only a heroic epic, but also a social mirror image, reflecting the life of the ancients and their persistent pursuit of justice. Such a "Water Margin", is it more shocking and thinking?