What was China's first novel?

The Water Margin is one of the earliest vernacular novels in the history of China. Jin Shengtan, a famous critic, pointed out that the methods of Water Margin all come from Historical Records, and the beauty of Historical Records lies in the fact that Water Margin already exists. Even the Water Margin has many advantages over historical records. On a par with historical records, no less.

The Water Margin is one of China's four classical novels. After its publication, it had a great influence on the society and became a model of China's novel creation in later generations. The Water Margin is one of the works with epic characteristics in China's language and literature, which has a far-reaching influence on narrative literature in China and even East Asia.

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The title of Water Margin

At first, Shi Naian decided that the name of this book was "Biography of Jianghu Vendors", and later he renamed it "Water Margin". Since Mr. Shi Lao has made such a big change to the title of the book, it must contain profound meaning. The meaning of the word Water Margin is definitely not as simple as "water margin".

The Water Margin is 108 Liangshan hero's "ideal country" and their refuge from Gao Qiu and the "King". Lin Chong, Yang Zhi and Song Wu, Liangshan heroes, all entered their own Water Margin step by step, that is, Liangshan, under the trick of fate. In Liangshan, Lin Chong was no longer bullied by Gao Yanei, Yang Zhi was no longer provoked by Niu Er, and Song Wu was no longer framed by Zhang Dujian. Liangshan, Shui Bo, is 108 hero's Water Margin.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Water Margin