Journey Through World Classics -- Water Margin

Author: Qin Wenjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The decline and corruption of the Song imperial family. Emperor Huizong of Song was indulgent in luxury, appointed the evil Cai Jing as prime minister, lived extravagantly, imposed heavy taxes on the people, and caused widespread suffering and banditry. Many were forced to take desperate measures. The Water Margin reflects the peasant uprising of that time. The rebel forces who were driven to Liangshan Marsh gathered there, waving the banner of "Serving Heaven and Relieving the People, Robbing the Rich to Help the Poor," recruiting many heroes, even some minor officials and merchants joined this large group. The deeds of these Liangshan heroes became the talk of the world, inspiring plays and stories. Later, the Yuan Dynasty author Shi Nai'an compiled and re-created them into a long novel The Water Margin.