In the treasure trove of Chinese literature, there are four shining monuments, which are "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", "Water Margin", "Journey to the West" and "Dream of the Red Chamber". These four works are treasures in the history of Chinese literature, and are highly regarded by readers for their outstanding literary standards and artistic achievements, and are known as the four great masterpieces.
The derivative works of Water Margin are rich and colorful, and there are many versions, including ancient versions and modern networks**. There are many members of the Water Margin family, each with its own characteristics.
There are various versions of "Water Margin", which are mainly divided into simplified and traditional versions. Shi Nai'an was the author of the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty, but the ancestors of the Water Margin have been lost. According to the relevant documents of the Water Margin, the original Water Margin is a hundred copies, and the earliest extant complete version is the one hundred editions of Rong and Tang in the Wanli period, with only the expedition to Liao and the expedition to Fangla, and not to conquer Tianhu and Wang Qing.
Although there are 100 other versions, the Yung & Tang version is the most orthodox and popular. In addition, there is also a version of "Water Margin Zhi Chuan Commenting on the Forest" in the Wanli period, which is the earliest and most complete simplified version of the Water Margin, although it has been lost in China, but it is preserved in Japan, and now there are only photocopies.
The "Water Margin Loyalty" in the Chongzhen period is a classic simplified version, which has a total of 115 times. This version added the battles of Zhengtianhu and Wang Qing on the basis of the original, among which the generals in Tianhu's forces were the most outstanding and the strength of Liangshan Xu Ning was also raised to the level of Lu Junyi.
The later "Zheng Sikou" was selected from this simplified version. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Yuan Wuya's publication "The Complete Biography of the Water Margin" appeared. This version not only contains the content of Rong and Tang's 100 editions, but also adds Zhengtian Hu and Wang Qing in the rewritten simplified version, forming a 120-chapter version.
The 120 versions we see now are actually a fusion of multiple versions, but Tian Hu and Wang Qing are partly derived from Yuan Wuyaben.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the talented Jin Sheng sighed and cut "Water Margin", leaving his own unique version of evaluation. This version only retains the first 70 episodes, ending with the great ranking of Liangshan heroes and the nightmare of Lu Junyi being executed, interspersed with a large number of personal comments from Kim Sung-si.
Although there are many versions of "Water Margin", these are the most common, each with its own characteristics and suitable for different readers. However, there is still a big difference in the content of the story between these versions.
The second category of books in "Water Margin" is the related sequel to "Water Margin", which has a wide variety of books. Some readers like the heroes of Liangshan, and the sequel promotes the spirit of loyalty and righteousness of Liangshan and continues the heroic deeds; Some readers, on the other hand, are critical of the heroes of Liangshan and stigmatize them.
Let's talk about the first category first, Chen Chen's "Water Margin Aftermath" of the Qing Dynasty is one of the masterpieces. In the story, after the end of the expedition, Song Jiang, Lu Junyi, and Li Kui were killed, Wu Yong and Hua Rong hanged themselves, and the number of survivors in Liangshan was only twenty-three.
However, these survivors gathered again under the fate of the meeting, and in addition to Wu Song, the thirty-two people plus the four heroes of Taihu, Wang Jin, Luan Tingyu, Wen Huanzhang, Hu Cheng, Hua Fengchun, Hu Yanyu, Xu Sheng, and Song Anping, a total of forty-four people went to Siam to establish themselves as kings and become overseas overlords.
This ending is also the best solution for the heroes of Liangshan, and the classic plots such as Li Jun's rebellion against the Bashan snake and Yan Qing's visit to Song Huizong to offer Qingzi Huangkan have a great influence among the people.
In addition to this, there are several books that also fall into the first category. At the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the owner of the Qinglian Room had "Houshui Margin", in which some of the heroes of Liangshan re-enlived, among which Song Jiang was reincarnated as Yang Mi, gathering heroes from all walks of life in Junshan of Dongting Lake to resist **.
During the ** period, Jiang Hongfei's "Water Margin" and Zhang Hatshui's "Water Margin New Biography" also belong to this category, the former also recruited An and carried out the expedition to Liao, and the latter told the story of helping Song Kangjin.
* Jiayu also has a copy of "The New Biography of the Water Margin", which was written after the interruption of Zhang Hatshui's "The New Biography of the Water Margin", and also adheres to the theme of resisting the invaders.
Mei Jihe's collector's book "Water Margin" belongs to the first category, and its first 70 chapters are no different from the Jin Shengsigh version, and the last 50 chapters are unique. In this collection, Liang Shan was not recruited, but chose to continue the struggle.
Mei Jihe firmly believes that this ** is the original version of "Water Margin", however, some people support this view, and some people disagree, believing that this is a product of the Qing Dynasty** period.
At present, Wang Chinese has created a "Water Margin", which is rich in content and divided into five parts: "Fang Laanti", "Loyal and Righteous Dream", "General Dance", "Hero's Tears", and "Little Water Margin".
In "Shaoshui Margin", Wang Dingliu became the leader of the new generation of Liangshan, with the title of anti-Jin and anti-Song capital lord, leading the remaining Liangshan and the descendants of Liangshan, gathering seventy-two heroes, and once again raising the banner of rebellion against the Jin Dynasty and the Song Dynasty.
This is Wang Dingliu's most outstanding performance, he has successfully promoted from a small role in the Water Margin to a leader.
The second type of Water Margin sequel is represented by "Dangkou Zhi", and the author is Yu Wanchun. This ** starts from the seventy episodes of "Water Margin", telling the struggle between the imperial court officials and troops led by Zhang Shuye, Zhang Bofen, Zhang Zhongxiong and his son and Liangshan.
*The characters in it include eighteen thunder generals such as Chen Liqing, Chen Xizhen, and Yun Tianbiao, as well as eighteen scattered immortals. This ** viciously scandalized Liang Shan, and had the evil act of colluding with Cai Jing.
Despite this, "The Legend of the Wanderer" is not the only sequel of this kind, there are other similar **, but it is not as vicious as "The Legend of the Wanderer". **Cheng Shanzhi's "Remnant Water Margin" is also a continuation from the seventy episodes**, mainly telling the story of the people in Liangshan who went to ** due to contradictions, and was finally captured by the seed master.
This ** also solves many doubts in the Water Margin, and it is a sequel worth reading.
"Continuing the Water Margin" depicts the story of Song Jiang, Wu Yong and others refusing to recruit An, destroying the Zhao'an plan, and even assassinating Lin Chong and others, bringing heavy disasters to the people. This version of "Water Margin" is in line with the historical trend.
In the late Qing Dynasty, there are two special books of "New Water Margin", one is Lu Shimo's version, which depicts the establishment of banks, railways, newspapers and other undertakings by heroes in Liangshan; The second is the Xiling Holly version, which describes the establishment of the Republic of Liangshan, the formulation of the Constitution, the Industrial Revolution, etc., which is a "Water Margin" that spans the era, and the heroes of Liangshan carry out their careers according to their own specialties, which is very interesting.
In addition, there is also a "New Water Margin" in the Guangxu period, the author is the owner of Huanjinglu, but only twice.
The story of the Water Margin is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and its influence is not limited to the field of literature. In addition to "Water Margin" itself, there are also many third categories related to it**. These ** or borrow the characters in the Water Margin, or depict the stories of the descendants of Liangshan, with the Water Margin as the theme, exerting infinite imagination.
Among them, the most famous is "Golden Bottle Plum", which is an extension of Wu Song's killing of his sister-in-law in "Water Margin", and it is also one of the most outstanding world**. At that time, its influence was far-reaching, and it was known as the first of the "Four Wonder Books".
At the same time, it has had a profound impact on the creation of "Dream of Red Mansions", and can be said to be the originator of "Dream of Red Mansions". In addition, there are many ** characters who borrowed the Water Margin, such as in Qian Cai's "The Complete Biography of Yue" in the Qing Dynasty, Liangshan heroes Hu Yanzhuo, An Daoquan and others appeared; There is also Liu Shengya's "Water Margin", which tells the story of Xiao Guiying and Hua Fengchun and other descendants of Liangshan.
There is also "The Legend of Zhou Dong with an Iron Arm Golden Knife", Lu Junyi, Lin Chong, Wu Song, Shi Wengong and others appear in their **, and even some of the fathers of Liangshan people also appear in these **.
Even Jin Yong's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" borrowed the character of Guo Sheng, who was the ancestor of Guo Jing. These third categories** show a rich World of Water Margin in their own unique ways, enrich the story of Water Margin, and also allow readers to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of Water Margin.
Third, I would like to recommend a commentary on "Water Margin". "Water Margin" is Shan Tianfang's commentary, which is interspersed with his "White Eyebrows", but the changes are large, and the heroes of Liangshan are described as mediocre.
In contrast, Yuan Kuocheng's "Shuibo Liangshan" is even better. His "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is a classic, and his commentary skills are perfect, "Shuibo Liangshan" is particularly fascinating, and the havoc in China is even more wonderful.
In addition, in the early days, there were also commentaries such as "The Legend of the Long Car Heavenly Crossbow", "Water Margin", and "Ten Heroes of Wind and Dust", which basically had paper versions. Fourth, modern writer Chu Tongqing's "Water Margin" is a rewrite of "Water Margin".
The book describes many of the characters who are not fully represented in "Water Margin", who are divided into two factions and have a fierce struggle on the issue of recruitment. In the end, Wu Yong, Lin Chong and others who opposed Zhao'an unfortunately died, Mu Hong, Duan Jingzhu and others went to Taihang Mountain, Li Jun, Li Li, Tao Zongwang, Xiang Chong and others went to sea and settled in Siam, while Song Jiang led the Zhao'an faction to submit to the imperial court.