Water Margin

Author: Shi Nai'an
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Water Margin is one of the classic works of Chinese fiction. With its thrilling storyline, heroic characters, and epic style, it has captivated Chinese readers. It has also been translated into multiple languages, including Japanese, Korean, English, German, French, and Russian, and is cherished by people around the world as a masterpiece of world literature. Water Margin vividly depicts the rise, development, and ultimate downfall of the peasant uprising led by Song Jiang, exposing the darkness, corruption, and crimes of the ruling class in feudal society. Itly celebrates the rebellious spirit and just actions of the uprising heroes, shaping the heroic images of the heroes of Liangshan. It vividly reveals the objective truth of "official oppression leading to peasant rebellion" in feudal society and the inherent reasons for the failure of the peasant uprising. The versions of Water Margin are considered to be extensive and complex, with two main systems: the complete version and the simplified version. Within these systems, there are various editions, such as the 100-capter version, the 120-capter version, the 70-capter version, the 115-capter version, the 124-capter version, and the version without chapters. This edition is based on the 100-capter version of the Rong Yu Tang from the Ming Dynasty, with reference to the 120-capter version published by Yuan Wu in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the 70-capter version from the Guan Hua Tang of the Qing Dynasty, and various printed versions. By carefully comparing the differences and similarities, it selects the best parts and cautiously incorporates valuable text, forming the version currently seen by readers.