Let'S Compare Ngoa Cuong Trai With Luong Son Bac On The Scale.

Both are easy to defend, difficult to attack. The imperial forces launched numerous campaigns, yet failed to make a dent in them. Their ranks were remarkably diverse, ranging from nobility to bandits. Both armies rose in turbulent times, amid rampant official corruption. They both fought major battles against the court. Furthermore, both Liangshan and Wagong are based on real historical uprisings, chronicled by authors in the feudal era. However, they differ in many ways, which I will analyze in detail now. Reasons for Rebellion Most Liangshan outlaws joined for personal reasons, whereas Wagong members largely fought for the realm. I will dive into specific figures to highlight these differences. Liangshan Marsh Essentially, their reasons for turning outlaw were varied, but I will categorize them for clarity. Lin Chong was the only one forced into it, framed and stripped of everything, leaving him no path back. Others, like the Xia brothers and Sun Li, were also coerced. As for the other chieftains, they reached Liangshan through various paths. Fleeing after major crimes, like Song Jiang, Wu Song, and Lu Zhixian. Those with prior criminal tendencies, like Li Li and Li Lida. Surrendered government officers like Dong Ping, Zhang Qin, Guan Sheng, and Hu Yanzhua. Vagabonds and drifters like Li Kuei and Shi Yong. Skilled professionals coerced by kidnapping their families, like An Daoquan and Pei Xian. Many were framed not by the court, but by Liangshan itself, like Hu Sanyong, Xu Tong, and Lu Junyi. In summary, they all joined for personal reasons. Wagong Camp In reality, although many in Most of them had no initial intention to rebel against the court. Even before joining Wagong, these heroes had often aided the impoverished. For instance, Qin Yaojin once distributed stolen wealth to the poor. Though this act led to his brothers being discovered, nearly leaving them leaderless. In terms of moral character, they were far superior to the Liangshan outlaws. Actually, most who arrived at Wagong were primarily fleeing from the tyranny of Yang Lin. Yet, they only intended to escape, not to stage an uprising. The moment Qin Qiong and his brothers decided to rebel was when they learned the true nature of Emperor Yang. Seeing his unfitness to rule, they seized Wagong with a firm resolve to pursue a greater cause. Methods of Recruitment Facing a formidable imperial force, recruitment became a top priority. Yet, the recruitment methods of Wagong and Liangshan differ significantly. Naturally, fewest social standing would willingly turn to banditry. From this, we can distinguish which side truly represents righteousness. At Liangshan, besides volunteers, many were forced, not by the court, but by Song Jiang and Wu Yong ruining their lives to coerce them. Lu Junyi, a wealthy gentleman, had his life destroyed by Wu Yong's forged rebellion poem. Qin Ming's fate was worse, when he refused to surrender, Song Jiang's men impersonated him to slaughter innocent villagers. Indeed, these Liangshan heroes murdered civilians, leading the Qinzhou governor to execute Qin Ming's entire family. These are but two examples of honorable men ruined by Song Jiang and Wu Yong. Ironically, countless officials and gentlemen were forced into banditry at Liangshan. Yet Song Jiang, the mastermind, later sought amnesty to become an official, claiming he didn't want his brothers branded as outlaws. If he wanted to spare their reputations, why build Liangshan? Why use such vile tactics to force them into rebellion? Wagong is different, there are virtually no cases of men being framed or sabotaged by Li Ming to join the camp. In fact, many Wagong members were imperial officers, yet most joined Wagong after receiving genuine help or kindness. A prime example is Pei Yuanqing, a former imperial general. Certainly, he initially had no intention of rebelling. However, everything changed because of the threat posed by Yuan Qingdu. Though untalented, he was arrogant and overbearing, and he was the one who treated Pei Yuanqing's lime-blinded eyes. Later, the Wagong camp healed his eyes and even spared his troops. Moved by this kindness, especially since his own sister had joined them, he killed the son of Yuan Huaji and joined the Wagong rebellion. Regarding the leaders. First, we must acknowledge that Song Jiang was talented. An incompetent man could never have gathered such a group of outlaws. Moreover, he valued talent and knew how to assign the right roles. He understood Liangshan's true limits and chose the path of amnesty. Yet, despite his gifts, Song Jiang lacked the vision to conquer the empire. Especially while the Song dynasty remained so strong. Song Jiang suffered from a profound internal contradiction. This became clear once he took leadership of Liangshan. In some ways, Song Jiang resented being a bandit leader. Yet, he used every scheme to force good men into a life of crime. Then, he desperately sought the trust of the imperial court. Claiming he didn't want his brothers branded as outlaws forever. Ultimately, Song Jiang's scale could never match the power of the Song state. In fact, exhausting his forces against Fang Law was a political blunder. As Liangshan had already lost its value to the emperor. After the Chuhan contention, Han Xiyan was executed by Empress Lu. With Lu Bang's tacit approval. During the Three Kingdoms, Sima Yi let Zhuge Liang live to preserve himself. Song Jiang should have learned from this. Avoiding a suicidal campaign against Fang Law for his own survival. Yet he lacked such vision. And Fang Law's defeat ultimately sealed his own death warrant. Regarding Wagong, we must discuss its two leaders, Qingyao Jin and Li Mi. Qingyao Jin was inferior to Song Jiang in almost every regard. His impulsive actions frequently jeopardized the entire grand cause. His brothers were always left to clean up his messes. However, despite this, Qing remained a man of integrity, driven by loyalty and kindness. Moreover, Wagong's foundation was far superior. So the army survived despite his frequent blunders. His greatest folly was attempting to assassinate Yongguang alone. Only Empress Zhao's intervention saved him from execution. It was this realization that led Qing to eventually relinquish the throne. Ceding power to Li Mi might seem foolish. But Qing knew he wasn't fit to be emperor. In history, who else would voluntarily surrender supreme power? In this, Qing was truly heroic. Next is Li Mi. Though a calculating hypocrite, he was undeniably cunning. Later, his obsession with Empress Zhao drove heroes away. Yet one must admit he was capable. He was decisive enough to abandon his sway post for Wagong, despite the Empress's counsel. After inheriting power, Li Mi transformed Wagong into a mini-state, capable of opposing sway, avoiding Liangshan's fate. Operational Strategy Liangshan Marsh Their military campaigns rarely involved initiatives to aid the poor or provide famine relief. Liangshan's spoils were used solely for themselves. A bandit force can't sustain itself by constantly giving to the poor. Therefore, we must analyze the military strategy of this force more deeply. Battles like the Zhu Family Village or the Jiangzhou Raid were fought for two reasons. First, settling personal vendettas. Second, looting wealth for the mountain stronghold. Fundamentally, Liangshan's forces were more focused on pillaging than seizing territory. Despite their martial strength, they functioned more like a gang of bandits than a regular army. The main reason may be that Song Jiang sought amnesty, so he saw no point in developing the force further. Regarding Wagong Compared to Liangshan, Wagong was more akin to a righteous army. Unlike Liangshan, Wagong had a clear goal, to overthrow the imperial court. Furthermore, they rarely acted cruelly toward enemies unless absolutely necessary. After Limi took power, Wagong evolved into a state, naming itself Wei. It established a government and diplomatic ties with other rebels to influence the realm's fate. Perhaps the biggest difference lies in the chaos of Sui versus the stability of Song. Next, I will analyze the context to explain why the fates of Liangshan and Wagong diverged. Liangshan Marsh It lacked the rival rebel factions found in the Sui-Tang era. It can be said that, while not highly regarded by later generations, the Song dynasty succeeded in developing its economy and building a stable state. During the Song era, trade flourished significantly. Commercial tax revenue became the primary source of income. Surpassing land tax, the mainstay of later dynasties, even those farmers without land, could move to cities to work for merchants and avoid starvation. The civil service exams ignored social status, encouraging education, which kept class tensions relatively low during this era. Moreover, Song officials were the best paid in Chinese history. Perhaps that is why many imperial generals preferred death to surrender. Forcing Song Jiang to resort to malicious ploys. Furthermore, the Song dynasty enforced its legal code strictly. Most of the Liangshan outlaws were actual criminals, unlike the unjustly persecuted Lin Chong. This stability allowed the Song dynasty to endure. Even when losing to Liangshan, the Song state had the resources to recover and continue its military campaigns. The two main forces resisting the Song in water margin were Song Jiang's Liangshan and Fang Yelei's army. However, the vast geographical distance between them prevented any effective coordination. Fang Yelei's forces, while threatening, never gained full control of Jiangnan. The Song emperor, adept at political maneuvering, used Liangshan to crush Fang La. Thus, the court neutralized the rebels without losing a single soldier. Once Liangshan was weakened, the court wiped them out entirely. Song Jiang tried to resist, but he no longer had the means to do so. Wagon Camp Militarily, the Sui had a powerful army and the unity of the realm remained intact. If managed properly, Emperor Yang could have easily quelled the domestic rebellions. His flaw was exhausting national strength through massive projects and relentless wars. Failing to realize the people needed rest after years of conflict. Not to mention, a million Sui troops were once decimated by Goguryeo. In reality, while Song officials oppressed the people, it was somewhat tolerable. Conversely, Yang's policies, though progressive, made life so unbearable that people were forced to revolt. While the Song only faced Fang La, the Sui faced uprisings from every direction. This is excluding the military forces nominally under the emperor's command, who were disloyal, such as the Li and Luo factions. Politically, Emperor Yang was a fox when seizing the throne. But once in power, he became incredibly naive or rather, complacent. He was an emperor who remained oblivious to the clandestine dealings of Li Mi and others. Ultimately, the Sui emperor did not fall to his enemies but to Yuan Huaji, a man who was his own loyal subject. In conclusion, on the surface, Wagon and Liangshan share many similarities. Yet the two are fundamentally different. The most crucial factor lies in the leaders of Wagon, who knew themselves, their enemies, and understood the tides of history. Conversely, the Liangshan outlaws understood only themselves, not their enemies or the times. Thus, both factions became legendary tales of heroism. Water Margin and Sui Tangyanyi are two iconic classics of ancient Chinese literature. Though set later, Water Margin was written before Sui Tangyanyi. In both works, Liangshan Marsh and Wagon are remarkably similar. As both groups stood as rebels against the imperial court. So why did Wagon succeed in establishing a centuries-long legacy? While Liangshan saw its grand ambitions shattered. Ending in a tragic downfall? Let's explore this with Bartok Rai in today's video. Welcome to Bartok Rai's Chinese History. Similarities Another key point is that their base is of operation. Were both easily defended and difficult to conquer. Imperial forces launched many campaigns, but couldn't subdue them. Their ranks were diverse, ranging from nobility to common bandits. Both emerged in chaotic times, rife with corrupt officials. They both fought major battles against the imperial armies. Furthermore, both Liangshan and Wagon are based on real historical rebellions. Both authors wrote these tales during the feudal era. Yet they differ significantly, as I will analyze below. Reasons for becoming outlaws Most Liangshan heroes joined for purely personal reasons. In contrast, Wagon members largely fought for the greater good. I will analyze each group to pinpoint their fundamental differences. Liangshan Marsh Basically, the motives for Liangshan outlaws were quite diverse. To make it clearer, I will categorize them. Lin Chong was the only one forced to go, having lost everything to treachery and leaving him no other way out. Others like the Xia brothers were framed, while the rest chose their paths as follows. Those who fled after causing trouble, like Song Jiang, Wu Song, and Lu Zhishan, or tavern keepers like Xu Gui and Li Li. Imperial officials who surrendered, such as Dong Ping, Zhong Qing, Guan Sheng, and Hu Yanzhua. Vagabonds and ruffians like Li Kuei and Shi Yong. Others with specialized skills were coerced, with their families held captive, like An Daoquan and Pei Xian. Many were framed, not by the court, but by Liangshan itself. Like Hu Sanyong, Xu Tong, and Lu Junyi. In summary, they all acted out of personal necessity. Wagon Camp In reality, though many were genuine outlaws, most initially had no intention of opposing the court. Before joining Wagon, these heroes had frequently helped the poor. For instance, Qin Yaojin once gave stolen wealth to the needy, leading to consequences under the Sui regime. In terms of morality, they far surpassed the Liangshan outlaws. In reality, many were driven to Wagon Camp to escape the oppression of tyrants. Yet, their initial intent was merely to flee, not to rebel. It was only when they realized the true nature of Emperor Yang that they questioned his right to rule. Once they seized Wagon Camp, they were finally resolved to aim for the empire. Their Recruitment Methods Facing a formidable imperial army, recruiting talented individuals was essential. However, the approaches of Wagon and Liangshan differed significantly. Naturally, few people of status would willingly become outlaws. This reveals which side truly embodied righteousness. Unlike Liangshan, where Song Jiang and Wu Yong systematically destroyed lives to coerce heroes into joining. Lu Junyi was a wealthy landowner until Wu Yong tricked him into committing treason, ruining his life. Qin Ming's fate was worse, when he refused to defect, Song Jiang had his men slaughter civilians in his name. Indeed, these heroes killed commoners, resulting in the brutal execution of Qin Ming's entire family. These are but two examples of how Song Jiang and Wu Yong victimized upright men. Tragically, many officials and gentlemen were forcibly pushed into banditry. Yet Song Jiang, the mastermind, later sought amnesty to become an official, claiming it was to clear his brother's names. If he cared for their reputation, why build Liangshan and resort to such underhanded coercion? Wagon was different, no one was forced into their ranks through such malicious schemes. Many Wagon rebels were former imperial soldiers who joined out of genuine loyalty and gratitude. Take Pei Yuanqing, a Chongqing general who never intended to rebel. However, everything changed due to the threat from Yuan Qingdu. Though incompetent, he was arrogant and blinded Pei Yuanqing with lime. The Wagon rebels healed his eyes and spared his soldiers, moved by their kindness, and seeing his kin treated with honor. He killed Yuan Huaji's son and joined the Wagon cause. As for the leaders, we must first acknowledge that Song Jiang was talented. An incompetent man could not have rallied such outlaws. He valued talent and knew how to assign the right people. Aware of Liangshan's limitations, he sought imperial amnesty. Yet for all his skill, Song Jiang lacked the vision to conquer an empire. Especially while the Song dynasty remained stable. There was a profound contradiction in Song Jiang. This became evident once he took command of Liangshan. In some ways, Song Jiang detested being a bandit leader. Yet he used every underhanded tactic to force decent men into banditry. Then, he desperately sought the imperial court's favor. Claiming it was to clear his brother's names. Later, as an official, it was clear Song Jiang was no match for the Song bureaucracy. In fact, forcing the entire army to fight Fang Law was a political miscalculation. As Liangshan had already outlived its usefulness to the Song dynasty. During the Chuhan contention, Han Exian destroyed Xiang Yu, only to be purged by Empress Lu with the emperor's tacit approval. In the Three Kingdoms era, Sima Yi knew to let Zhuge Liang live to preserve his own standing. Song Jiang should have drawn from such history to preserve his strength, not risk everything against Fang Law. Yet he failed to see that by destroying Fang Law, he was sealing his own fate. As for Wagong, we must look at its two leaders, Qingyao Jin and Li Mi. Qingyao Jin, in many respects, was far inferior to Song Jiang. He often let impulsive actions jeopardize the greater cause. Forcing his brothers to constantly clean up his mess. Yet despite this, Qing remained a man of integrity, deeply loyal to his fellows. Furthermore, the Wagong foundation was superior to Liangshan's, sparing them even through Qing's blunders. One of his greatest blunders was attempting to assassinate Emperor Yang, were it not for Li Mi, he would have been executed long ago. It was this realization that led Qing to renounce the throne. Ceding power to Li Mi might seem foolish, but it showed Qing knew his own limitations as a ruler. Throughout history, who else would voluntarily surrender supreme power? In this, Qing is truly a hero to be respected. Next, let us discuss Li Mi, though a cunning hypocrite with ruthless tactics. And despite driving heroes away for his obsession with Empress Xiao, we must admit he was a man of talent. He showed great resolve in abandoning his sway post for Wagong, despite Empress Xiao's warnings. Upon receiving the throne from Qing, Li implemented strategies to turn Wagong into a state capable of challenging the sway. To avoid repeating the mistakes of Liangshan and Water Margin. Operational Methods Liangshan Marsh Even after successful military campaigns, they rarely provided disaster relief. Nor did they implement policies to assist the poor. The spoils seized by Liangshan heroes were used solely for their own needs. Admittedly, a rebel force that constantly gives away its wealth would lack the funds to operate. Therefore, we must analyze their conduct of warfare more deeply. Battles like those at Zhu Family Village or Jiangzhou were fought for two reasons. First, to settle personal vendettas, second, to plunder wealth for their mountain stronghold. Fundamentally, the Liangshan force focused more on looting than on capturing territory. Despite their strength, they resembled a band of bandits more than a formal military force. This was likely because Song Jiang sought amnesty, so he saw no need to develop a professional army. Regarding Wagong Compared to Liangshan, Wagong acted more like a righteous army. Unlike Liangshan, Wagong had a clear goal, to overthrow the imperial court. Furthermore, they rarely acted cruelly toward their enemies, unless absolutely necessary. Under Li Mi, Wagong evolved into the state of Wei, with its own organized civil administration. This force established diplomatic ties with other rebel groups to facilitate their operations. The State of the World Perhaps the biggest difference between Wagong and Liangshan lies in the chaos of Sui and the stability of the Song dynasty. Next, I will analyze the landscape more deeply to understand why the fates of the heroes in Liangshan and Wagong diverged so drastically. Liangshan Marsh lacked the anti-imperial uprisings seen in the Sui era of the Sui-Tang Yeni. It must be said, though not favored by later critics, the Song dynasty succeeded in developing its economy and building a stable nation. During the Song, commerce flourished significantly, with trade taxes becoming the primary revenue, surpassing agricultural taxes of previous eras. The landless could flock to cities, working for merchants to avoid starvation. The civil service exam ignored lineage, encouraging study and minimizing class conflict. Furthermore, official salaries under the Song were the highest in Chinese history. Perhaps that is why Song Jiang had to use devious plots to force soldiers to surrender. Moreover, when examining the laws, the Song were quite rigorous. Many within Liangshan were actual criminals, not victims of injustice. Almost only Lin Chong suffered a truly profound grievance. These factors allowed the Song dynasty to endure for so long. Even if the Song repeatedly lost to Liangshan, their national resources remained vast, allowing them to replenish and continue further military campaigns. The two primary forces opposing the Song in water margin were Song Jiang's Liangshan and Fang Yali's army. However, the vast geographical distance between them prevented any effective mutual support. Though deemed a threat, Fang Yali's forces never gained total control over the Jiangnan region. The Song emperor understood political maneuvering, using Liangshan to dismantle Fang Law. This way, the court neutralized rebel threats without sacrificing its own strength. Later, once Liangshan weakened, the court crushed them entirely. Though they wished to resist, the outlaws lacked the capacity to do so. Regarding the Sui, they possessed a powerful army capable of unifying the heartland. Had he managed it properly, Emperor Yang easily could have quelled domestic uprisings. His failure lay in exhausting the nation with massive projects and wars, ignoring the people's need for peace. Not to mention the million-strong Sui army decimated by the Goguryeo campaign. In reality, while Song officials oppressed the people, it was within a degree they could endure. Conversely, despite his progressive policies, Emperor Yang's tyranny made life so unbearable that the people revolted. If the Song only faced Fang Law, the Sui faced countless insurgencies across the realm. Many nominal Sui generals, like the Li and Luo clans, harbored secret agendas against the throne. Politically, Emperor Yang was a cunning fox when seizing the throne. But once enthroned, he became foolish or rather, dangerously complacent. He failed to notice the collusion between his officials, even within his own court. Ultimately, the Sui emperor did not fall to his enemies. But was killed by his own subordinate, Yuan Huaji. In conclusion, Wugong and Liangshan may seem similar on the surface. Yet they are fundamentally different. The key difference is that Wugong's heroes understood their rivals and the changing times. Conversely, the Liangshan outlaws knew themselves but failed to grasp the world around them. Thus, one side founded a dynasty, while the other accepted amnesty and met a tragic end.