The Origin of Water Margin
The Water Margin is China's earliest vernacular novel, which tells the story of an official forcing the people to revolt. Gao Qiu, an uneducated rascal, was made a high official by the emperor because he played the ball well. He relied on his power to oppress and persecute the people and aroused their resistance. The most wonderful thing about Water Margin is the characterization. The book focuses on 108 Liangshan heroes. Although the emphasis is different, each character has flesh and blood and a different temper. Even Jin Shengtan, a great critic, praised the Water Margin as a hundred and eight people.