The Dark Side Of Water Margin (Part 2): The Optimism Of The Heroes Of Liangshan

Welcome back to Battlecry Chinese History. Continuing our series on the Dark Side of Water Margin. Today, we analyze several iconic figures from the novel. Figures celebrated for their wit, courage, and righteousness. But through the pen of Shurnian, is it really as it seems? The clumsy, transparent schemes of strategist Wu Yong. The liangshan flag of acting for heaven was raised everywhere. Claiming invincible power, conquering Qingzhou, Guozhou, and beyond. Later, the liangshan army served the court, battling the Liao and rebels. Especially crushing Fang La, who threatened the Song Dynasty. To say liangshan tilted the balance of China is no exaggeration. Such a force naturally relied on top-tier commanders. And we must mention the chief strategist, Wu Yong. Wu Yong is hailed as a Zhuge Liang or the wise scholar. But if we look closely, how talented was he really? His first masterpiece was orchestrating Chaogai's raid. The robbery of Liang Zhongshu's birthday gifts, guarded by Yang Ji. Wu Yong calculated their route through the Yellow Mud Ridge. He and Chaogai's gang posed as merchants, using drugged wine. Stealing 10,000 gold bars without firing an arrow or spilling blood. His strategy was clever, but Yang Ji was a subpar opponent. Leading a useless squad. Birthday tributes were robbed yearly. With the culprits never even identified previously. Wu Yong planned the heist but failed the cover-up. Paying by Xing's cut so openly led a mere county clerk to the truth. How could Wu Yong's talent compare to Zhuge Liang's meticulous foresight? And not just once, Wu Yong often miscalculated the endgame. A fatal flaw for a strategist. Wu Yong once recruited the forger Jin Dejian and scholar Xiao Rang to fabricate a seal and letter for Dai Zhong to save Song Jiang. The forgeries were perfect, but the address format was wrong, the plot failed, and Dai Zhong and Song Jiang were sentenced to death. Furthermore, against any formidable general attacking Liangshan, Wu Yong relied solely on the terrain of the marshes and nothing more. His recurring tactic, send an acquaintance to kidnap the general's family and force them to defect. To counter the chained cavalry, he invited Suning to teach the hooksphere tactics. He forced Suning to defect by stealing his heirloom armor through Tang Long's betrayal. At Gao Tang, he was helpless against Gao Lian's sorcery and could only send Dai Zhong and Li Kuei to beg Gong Sunsheng for help. Worst of all, to recruit Qin Ming, he had men pose as him, slaughtering innocent civilians to leave Qin Ming no home to return to. Qin Ming was framed, betrayed his master, and his family was executed in retaliation. This crime by Wu Yong and Song Jiang was both heartless and unjust. Of course, as chief strategist, Wu Yong did have his successes. But nothing extraordinary. Any educated scholar could have done his job. Regarding talent, strategy, and judgment, Wu Yong barely outshines brutes like Li Kuei or Liu Tang. But when it comes to long-term strategic vision, he is a total disaster. First, consider Wu Yong's early days, his long bond with Chao Gai and his devotion to him. Ready to abandon his life as a scholar to join a band of outlaws. Clearly, Wu Yong had grand ambitions, but tragically, they were confined to dusty, archaic textbooks. Perhaps Wu Yong, like Song Jiang, craved prestige or simply wanted to be a gift to the Song dynasty. It was a narrow, mediocre vision, lacking the brilliance of a hero like Zhuge Liang, capable of shifting the tides of history. Chao Gai was inherently heroic, treating subordinates like brothers, hating the decaying northern Song regime. Chao Gai aimed for more than local raids, he sought to fortify Liangshan, gather heroes, and prepare for a large-scale uprising, or at least rule his own domain. Contrast this with Song Jiang, a man burdened by blind loyalty and small ambitions, seeking only official rank rather than self-reliance. This stance aligned Song Jiang with Wu Yong, who used his position as strategist to alienate Chao Gai and elevate Song Jiang's reputation. In every battle, Wu Yong made sure to assist Song Jiang, even when not assigned, he would tail him. Yet when Chao Gai attacked Xingtu city, Wu Yong was nowhere to be found, truly laughable. The strategist clung to Song Jiang in every fight, only to vanish when the chief leader himself took the field. Chao Gai knew Wu Yong favored Song Jiang, so he didn't summon him, taking only his loyal, original followers like Lin Chong or the Huang brothers. Claiming the Liangshan brothers had no future as outlaws is mere sophistry, history shows bandits can indeed have a future. At the end of the Sui dynasty, heroes gathered to rebel, the weak fled to the mountains, waiting for a chance to seize the empire. Founding generals of the Tang, like Qin Shibao, Luo Qing, Qin Yaojin, and Su Maogong, all started as bandits on Wagon Mountain before finding a master to conquer the world and carve their names into history. Thus, the failure here rests solely with leaders like Song Jiang and Wu Yong. At the highest level, one needs a vision that transcends the ordinary to ensure long-term stability. Otherwise, oscillating between rebellion and loyalty only leads the entire organization toward inevitable ruin. The Inherent Mediocrity of Lin Chong's Character Lin Chong, the imperial instructor of 800,000 troops and the sixth leader of Liangshan, is an idol to many readers. His image has been glorified through countless television adaptations, further cementing a grand misconception about who he truly was. In reality, Sher Nian deliberately crafted Lin Chong as a master of martial arts, while giving him a submissive, and at times, spineless personality. If Lin Chong were a true hero, he would never have stood by while his wife was harassed by Gao Yanyi, only to shrink back and fail to teach the scoundrel a lesson. Even Wu Dalong, a man with no martial skill, dared to break down the door to confront Ximen Qin when he found him with his wife. Yet Lin Chong, a martial master, only stood outside shouting while his wife was being molested within. Compared to Wu Dalong, Lin Chong lacks the basic spirit of a man, let alone a hero. The act of divorcing his wife after becoming a convict seems, at a glance, like an act of consideration. But in truth, he was only worried about his own safety. He told his father-in-law, instructor Zhang, that his wife was young and he feared for what might happen to her while he was away. Yet, if the great imperial instructor couldn't protect his wife, what chance would she have against Gao Yanyi once they were divorced? Lin Chong cutting ties was merely to avoid future trouble for himself, not for his wife's happiness. His opportunistic nature was evident when he went to Chai Jin's estate to beg for travel money, only to use it as a bribe for prison guards to avoid a beating. But his peak performance was killing Wang Luan, his benefactor, to side with the rising Chaobai faction. At a glance, it seems Lin Chong was goaded by Wu Yong, but he had already planned the coup. Shurnian writes that Lin Chong initiated the visit the next morning, showing his clear intent. He met with Chaogai and Wu Yong merely to test them and coordinate the strike. The proof lies in his own words during their negotiation. I feared you might lose heart, so I came early to offer my support. If he treats you well and shows no dissent, we will let it be. But if he says a single word to offend you, leave the rest to me. Lin Chong plotted the murder and carried it out himself. Chaogai and Wu Yong thought they were using Lin Chong as a pawn. But he was the mastermind, using their power to eliminate his obstacle. Killing his benefactor, Wang Luan, to join the stronger faction is a dark stain on his reputation. Turning Coats as Fast as Qin Ming the Thunderbolt Qin Ming the Thunderbolt, To most, he's just hot-headed, simple, and brave, always charging into battle first. However, if we analyze chapters 33, 34, and 35 deeply, during his introduction and the major events that follow, the true character of Qin Ming is far from simple. While fighting Song Jiang and Hua Rong, he boldly challenged Hua Rong. You are an officer of the Song dynasty, a supposed man of honor. As an officer of the Song, tasked to hold the post and serve the throne, duty is paramount. How could you dare to collude with these rebels and betray the imperial court? Surrender now, face justice, and spare yourself the shame of a forced capture. When Song Jiang and Hua Rong were finally cornered, how did Qin Ming truly react? Qin Ming asked Hua Rong, who is that hero sitting there? Pray, tell me. Hua Rong replied, that is my brother, Song Jiang, the former clerk from Yunqing. Upon hearing this, Qin Ming knelt, I have long heard of your name, meeting you is my greatest wish. How did he first respond when Song Jiang and his gang invited him to turn traitor? Qin Ming stepped down and declared, I live as a servant of Song, and I shall die as its loyal ghost. The court granted me high rank, why would I betray them to join your rebel cause? If you seek to kill me, then end my life now. Yet when he returned, he found his family slaughtered by the governor's men as a cruel trap. Realizing Song Jiang orchestrated this tragedy, the author captures a poignant moment. Heartbroken and incensed, Qin Ming stood ready to fight Song Jiang and his men. But trapped by their sophistry and lack of options, his defiance rang hollow. Forced to swallow his rage, Qin Ming could only mutter, you claim your intentions were to keep me here, acting for my own good. But my family is dead, is this not a cold-blooded, wretched way to win me over? Clearly, a massive psychological shift occurred in Qin Ming after these few events. From initially seeing Hua Rong as a traitor, his loyalties were rapidly dismantled. Next is Qin Ming, who initially acted as if he would rather die than surrender. Then, once he found himself alone, he agreed to stay. Then he lamented that his family was dead, leaving him with no interest in life. But once Song Jiang promised him Hua Rong's sister, Qin Ming saw their sincerity. He gave in, forgetting his grievances, what kind of hero flips his loyalties faster than a pancake? Afterward, Qin Ming helped Song Jiang capture Huang Aixian. When they discussed joining Liangshan, Thunderbolt Qin revealed his true colors again in this exchange. Qin Ming said, if they welcome me, that would be ideal, but who will introduce me? Upon hearing this, he rejoiced, urging them to leave quickly for Liangshan to avoid any delay. Good grief, in mere days, Qin Ming went from a loyal official to a bandit eager to join Liangshan. He turns with the wind, as long as he benefits, that is the true face of the Thunderbolt. Next is Dong Ping, the opportunist. The double-spear general, handsome and talented, anyone who reads knows who this is. It is indeed Dong Ping, formerly a military inspector at Dongping Prefecture. After being captured, he surrendered to Song Jiang and betrayed his own side to help them take the city. For this merit, Dong Ping ranked 15th, becoming one of Liangshan's five tiger generals. Dong Ping had a dashing appearance, skilled in art, music, and his peerless double spears. Yet, his character was far from as refined as his looks. Dong Ping was an opportunist, ready to commit immoral and unjust acts for personal gain. The text states as follows. As for Prefect Qin, he had a daughter, graceful and gentle. Dong Ping had repeatedly sought her hand, but Qin refused. Thus, their mutual animosity had long been festering. During the siege, Dong Ping sought to exploit the chaos, sending envoys to demand the prefect's daughter once more. He leveraged the crisis to elevate his own status, pressuring his opponent to serve his personal agenda. This serves as the first proof of Dong Ping's opportunism. Later, when captured by Song Jiang, he was urged to surrender, sensing a chance to further his own schemes. He immediately defected, stating, Qin is but a mediocre tutor who stole his office, he deserves his fate. If you spare me, I shall open the city gates and surrender the supplies. This second instance further reveals his opportunistic nature. He then led Liangshan troops inside, slaughtered Qin's entire family, and seized his daughter. Such opportunism, treachery, and cruelty are beyond defense. These are the critical perspectives on iconic water margin figures. What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments below. In your view, which other characters harbor such dark sides?