Water Margin: Illustrated Edition

Author: Shi Nai'an (Ming), Luo Guanzhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: The opening verse reads: "In the secluded corners of the book forest, how many elegant scholars there are. Fickle fame and profit do not concern them. Carving ice and cutting snow, they laugh while looking at the war scimitar. Commenting on the former kings and later emperors, they divide truth from falsehood and occupy the Central Plains. The seven heroes disturb and disturb the Spring and Autumn Annals. The rise and fall are like brittle willows, and life is like a vacant boat. Seeing countless names gain fame, countless images are drawn, and even more escape fame. Suddenly, a new moon rises over a long river, and the rivers and lakes turn into ancient roads. Surprised at seeking fish by climbing trees, as if a destitute monkey chooses trees, afraid of harming the bowman and running into a curved tree. It is better to cover the cup in the palm and listen to the new songs and tunes. The poem goes: "In the midst of the chaos of the Five Dynasties, one day the clouds part and the sky is seen. The grass and trees have been nourished by new rain and dew for a hundred years, and the old mountains and rivers have been connected by chariots and books for ten thousand miles. In the ordinary alleys, fine silks and satins are displayed, and in several towers, the strings are played. People enjoy the days of peace and tranquility, and the orioles and peonies sleep endlessly in the high sun.
This poem was written by a famous scholar in the court of the late Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, named Shao, styled Yaofu, and known as the Daoist master Kangjie. It was composed to lament the endless warfare and chaos of the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties. At that time, the court belonged to the Later Liang in the morning and to the Later Jin in the evening, as the saying goes: "Zhu, Li, Shi, Liu, and Guo, Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou, fifteen emperors in total, fifty years of chaos." Later, moved by the cycle of heaven, a sage was born in the Jia Ma Camp, becoming Emperor Taizu of Song, the Martial Deity Emperor. This sage, with red light filling the sky and a strange fragrance lingering for days, was believed to be the descent of the Thunderbolt Immortal from the upper realm. He was brave, wise, and generous, unmatched by any emperor in history. With a staff as tall as his body, he conquered four hundred military prefectures, making them all bear the surname Zhao. The emperor pacified the world and calmed the Central Plains, establishing the Great Song Dynasty with Bianliang as its capital. He was the head of nine dynasties and the founder of a four-hundred-year reign. Therefore, Master Shao Yaofu praised: "One day the clouds part and the sky is seen," just as the people were able to see the light of day again. Not only this master's praise, but also at that time, Chen Tuan, a recluse from Mount Hua in the west, was a man of high virtue and great wisdom, able to discern the colors of the wind and clouds. One day, riding a donkey down the mountain, he was walking along the Huayin Road when he heard travelers talking: "Now, Emperor Qianzong of the Eastern Capital has abdicated in favor of Zhao Jian, the Imperial Commissioner, to ascend the throne." Upon hearing this, Master Chen Tuan was overjoyed, placing his hands on his forehead and laughing loudly on his donkey. When asked why, he replied: "The world will now be at peace. It is as if heaven, earth, and humanity are in harmony."
From the year Gengshen, he inquired about the abdication and ascended the throne, founding the dynasty and ruling for seventeen years. The world was at peace, and from then on, it was settled. He passed the throne to his younger brother, Emperor Taizong, who ruled for twenty-two years and then passed it to Emperor Zhenzong. Emperor Zhenzong then passed it to Emperor Renzong. This Emperor Renzong was the Red-Footed Immortal from the upper realm. At birth, he cried day and night. The court issued an imperial edict, offering a reward for anyone who could cure the prince. Moved by this, the Jade Emperor sent the White Dragon Jinxian to descend, transforming into an old man to the edict and cure the prince's crying. The officials leading him to the palace introduced him to Emperor Zhenzong. The emperor ordered him to enter the inner courtyard to examine the prince. The old man went to the palace, held the prince, and whispered eight words in his ear, after which the prince stopped crying. The old man did not reveal his name but vanished in a gust of wind. What were the eight words he whispered? They were: "There are Wen Qu and Wu Qu." Indeed, the Jade Emperor had sent two stars from the Purple Forbidden Palace to assist this emperor. Wen Qu was Bao Zheng, the chief of the Southern Ministry and the Lord of the Dragon Chart Pavilion in Kaifeng, while Wu Qu was Di Qing, the Great Marshal of the Western Xia Campaign. These two virtuous ministers came to assist. This emperor, known as Emperor Renzong, ruled for forty-two years, changing nine reign names. From the first year of Tiansheng to the ninth year, the world was at peace, with abundant harvests, prosperous people, and no stolen goods left on the streets or closed doors at night. These nine years were called the "First Ascend." From the first year of Mingdao to the third year of Huanglu, these nine years were also prosperous, called the "Second Ascend." From the fourth year of Huanglu to the second year of Jiaju, these nine years saw a bountiful harvest, called the "Third Ascend." For a total of twenty-seven years, this era was known as the "Three Ascends." At that time, the people enjoyed some happiness. But who knew that joy could lead to sorrow: In the third year of Jiaju, spring arrived, and a plague spread across the land, from Jiangnan to the two capitals, infecting people everywhere. Reports came from all the states and prefectures like snowflakes. In the capital, both soldiers and civilians were greatly affected. Bao Daizhi, the chief of Kaifeng Fu, personally contributed his salary to prepare medicine at the Benevolent and Relief Bureau to treat the people. But the plague only worsened. The civil and military officials gathered in the Dailu Yuan to await the early morning court session, reporting to the emperor and praying to ward off the plague. Not because of this matter, how could it bring the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars down to the mortal world and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends to the human realm, shaking the heavens and earth of the Song Dynasty and stirring the realm of the Zhao family. A poem testifies to this:
The poem goes: "The people thrive under heaven's nurturing, in the era of the Three Ascends, joy is boundless. Who knew that the land of music and rites, with its horns and drums, would turn into a forest of swords and spears. In the Water Margin Village, heroes gather, and in Liangshan Marsh, the brave assemble. To carefully consider the rise and fall of chaos and order, it is all part of the work of yin and yang and creation."