In "Water Margin", Chao Gai's image is clear and profound, as the second leader of Liang Shanbo, he has won the admiration of everyone with his extraordinary martial arts and deep chivalrous heart. However, Chao Gai's life was also full of dramatic turns, especially when he was dying, the choice of the new leader of Liangshanbo that he expected in his heart aroused the conjecture of countless readers.
Chao Gai's life is closely linked to Liang Shanbo's fate. He robbed the birth gang, and then was elected by everyone as the owner of the village in Liangshanbo, this series of events showed his bravery and wisdom. But with the addition of Song Jiang, the balance of power within Liangshanbo began to change. Song Jiang's ambitions and tactics made Chao Gai feel threatened like never before.
After Chao Gai sat on the first position in Liangshan, his ideological line was very clear and clear, and he vowed to be an opponent of the Great Song Emperor. However, after Song Jiang went up the mountain, although he was ostensibly consistent with Chao Gai's performance, he was opposed to Chao Gai's "exaltation of righteousness". This is reflected in Chao Gai's seating arrangement, with Song Jiang bringing people accounting for the majority, while Chao Gai's descendants are relatively few.
Chao Gai's last words on his deathbed revealed his worries about Liang Shanbo's future fate. He did not directly designate Song Jiang as his heir, but left his last words "If the one who catches and shoots me to death, he will teach him to be the lord of Liangshan". This is not only a distrust of Song Jiang, but also an expectation for the future of Liang Shanbo.
In Chao Gai's eyes, although Lin Chong was qualified to become the owner of the village, his refusal showed his indifference to power. And Chai Jin, a chivalrous man from the royal family and personable, has become the ideal choice of the village master in Chao Gai's heart with his character of squandering money and liking to make friends with heroes from all over the world. Chai Jin not only has a noble bloodline, but also has an admirable personality, and his addition undoubtedly brings new hope to Liang Shanbo.
However, the wheels of history do not always turn according to people's wishes. Chao Gai's wish was ultimately unfulfilled, and Song Jiang became the new leader of Liangshanbo. Although Chai Jin has an important position in Liangshanbo, he has not been able to become the leader that Chao Gai expects. Song Jiang's ascension to the throne marked a major change in the internal power structure of Liangshanbo, and also foreshadowed the uncertainty of Liangshanbo's future fate.
Chao Gai's life is an indelible stroke in the history of Liangshanbo. His chivalrous spirit, his expectations for Liang Shanbo, and his last words on his deathbed all deeply influenced Liang Shanbo's fate. Although his wish was not realized, his spirit and philosophy will always inspire every hero in Liangshanbo. Chao Gai's story allows us to see the brilliance and tragedy of a hero, and also makes us think about the complex interweaving of power, ideals and human nature.
Text/Compendium