The Water Margin is usually evaluated as a novel that positively reflects and praises the peasant uprising. Of course, some of the basic purposes of Liang Shanbo described in the novel are indeed the same as those put forward by the peasant uprising in history, but on the other hand, it should be noted that the characters and stories in Water Margin are basically artistic fiction. It can be said that apart from the name "Song Jiang" and the framework of anti-government armed activities, it has little to do with the Song Jiang Uprising in history. The basis of this novel is mainly the "talk" of street literature and art. In the process of its popularity, it is first restricted by the interest of the citizens. The authors of the novel, Luo Guanzhong and Shi Naian, also lived in Hangzhou, the most prosperous city in the southeast at the end of Yuan Dynasty, and their treatment did not change the original street nature of the Water Margin story. Therefore, Liangshan heroes are composed of "Di Zi's grandson, rich generals and collectors, unscrupulous people, and even Orion fishermen, butchers and executioners", but there are almost no real farmers; The personality of Liangshan heroes more embodies the citizens' yearning for life. First of all, we should pay attention to these basic characteristics.

From the perspective of feudal rulers, Liangshan heroes can only be regarded as "thieves". If the novel wants to publicly praise such "thieves and robbers" and be accepted or even loved by the society, it must first put forward an explanation for their behavior that conforms to the traditional concept of society at least to some extent (even if this explanation is not complete and sufficient), give these heroes a moral quality that is generally recognized by the society, and describe their resistance struggle under this premise. The slogan written on the apricot yellow flag in Liangshan Park and the principle of "loyalty" advertised on the plaque of Liangshan Council Hall are the moral premise established by the author for Liangshan cause.

Under normal circumstances, the supreme will "heaven" above human power is always interpreted as protecting the court; Tao, as the abstract sum of reasonable political principles and moral principles, is also exclusive to the ruling class. On the other hand, China's cultural tradition has always admitted that when there are serious problems in the political situation of an era, the behavior of the regime itself may also be "contrary to heaven". In this case, another force "acts for heaven", at least in theory. The Water Margin reveals a large number of universal dark phenomena in politics at the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, which proves the necessity and rationality of Liangshan hero's "doing justice for heaven".

"Loyalty and righteousness" is the basic moral principle of Liangshan hero's action. As a complete concept, it belongs to the category of traditional morality. In particular, "loyalty" is first manifested as loyalty to the emperor and the court, and even the armed resistance of the Liangshan Rebel Army to attack the city and plunder the land is interpreted as "loyalty"-"All cruel officials and corrupt officials have been killed, and loyalty is returned to the Zhao regime." In fact, there are many people in Liangshan who do not advocate "loyalty". Like Li Kui jy, the black whirlwind, he often shouts "Kill Tokyo and take the bird seat". However, this kind of power has been suppressed by the main "loyal minister" power represented by Song Jiang, which eventually led to the submission of Liangshan army to the imperial court. The moral creed of "loyalty" is not only a boundary that the author can't cross, but also a guarantee for the establishment and spread of this novel in feudal times.

The premise of "doing justice for heaven" and "loyalty" casts a layer of moral justice accepted by society on Water Margin. On this premise, it does contain many things that are consistent with orthodox ideas, including the court's "loyalty" to the emperor, such as demanding political clarity, and the hatred of "adulterers and adulterers." However, the Water Margin has not lost its luster. Its premise is actually quite vague, sometimes true and sometimes false. Under these premises, it also contains many things that are completely inconsistent with orthodoxy. The novel not only profoundly reflects the social reality, but also reflects the people's energetic life ideals, especially in the street society.

This novel, which is based on the society in the late Northern Song Dynasty, reveals the phenomenon of social darkness, which is of universal significance in the feudal autocratic era. The first official figure in the novel is Gao Qiu, a street scoundrel who is deeply loved by the emperor because he is good at playing football. In less than half a year, he rose to the high position of the palace Qiu. From then on, he tried to be brave with his "official's son" and did all kinds of evil. At the beginning of the text of the book, this writing implies "making things from above". Not only that, as a panoramic description of the society, at the top of the political power, there are a number of senior officials such as Gao Qiu, Cai Jing, Tong Guan and Yang Jian who have ruined the country and the people; In the central government, there are a large number of corrupt and tyrannical local officials, such as Cai Jiu, Murong, He Taishou, who are protected by the central government. Under this, there are Zheng Tu, Ximen Qing, Jiang Menshen, squire and other bullies who are bullying and dominating the city. Such extensive exposure of the dark side of society first appeared with the birth of novels.

Under the banner of "doing justice for heaven", the author enthusiastically affirmed and praised the resistance and revenge of the oppressed. Liangshan heroes do not "do justice for heaven" simply for the sake of justice. Most of them are victims of "no way" in society. Song Wu wanted to avenge his brother, but he sued him, so he took revenge. After being framed by Zhang Dujian, his blood spilled on the mandarin duck building. Lin Chong forbeared and despaired again and again in his predicament. He finally got revenge in the mountain temple and went to Liangshan on a snowy night. Jie Zhen and Gerber were sent to death row by the bully Mao Taigong in order to get back a tiger they shot, which triggered people in Gu Dasao to escape from Dengzhou. Although Li Kui jy was constantly reprimanded by his "brother" Song Jiang, the author made him repeatedly send out the roar of completely overthrowing the imperial court. It can be said that the people's right of resistance and revenge has never been forcibly extended as in Water Margin.

The full name of Water Margin is Loyalty Water Margin, and the other name is Legend of Heroes (engraved with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms). For ordinary readers, it is the heroic temperament in the novel that attracts them most. After all, everyday life is mediocre. In the face of powerful evil forces, it is the choice of ordinary people to submit to humiliation and avoid the heavy. But people don't want this. Liangshan hero is another kind of figure, an idealized figure in legend. They are brave, resourceful or powerful, open-minded, aboveboard and aggressive, which is their characteristic. Like Lu, "Zen sticks open dangerous roads, and Buddhist monks kill all unjust people"; Song Wu declared: "I've always wanted to fight tough guys who don't understand morality. If I see that the road is rugged, it is really a knife and a gun, not afraid of death! " It was really heroic and exciting. It is a plot that has nothing to do with social contradictions, such as the black whirlwind fighting white stripes in the waves, the flower monk pulling the weeping willow, and the Song Wu Jingyang gang killing the tiger. Similarly, due to the unrestrained personality, strength and emotion of the protagonist, it gives people a feeling of vitality and relaxation. In the filthy real world, these legendary heroes give readers great psychological satisfaction.

While flaunting loyalty, Water Margin affirmed the power of money, praised an ideal of free life based on full material enjoyment, and showed a strong market consciousness. Classical, Song Jiang, Lu Junyi and Chai Jin, such cohesive and appealing figures in novels mainly rely on their wealth and their ability to "help others". In the traditional Confucian creed of "respecting righteousness and benefit", "righteousness" and "benefit" are often regarded as opposites; In Liangshan, "righteousness" is realized through "wealth". Without wealth, the cohesion of Song Jiang and others in the group cannot exist. Behind the "righteousness", the author wrote the power of matter intentionally or unintentionally. The motivation of many heroes to go to Liangshan is also related to material enjoyment. For example, in order to "make everyone happy all their lives", Wu Yong advised the Ruan family to join the rebellion. "Eating meat in a big bowl and drinking in a big bowl, and distributing gold and silver in a big bowl" is almost the mantra of Liangshan heroes. Of course, this can not only be understood as the satisfaction of appetite, but the author undoubtedly realizes that a free and happy life is first directly manifested in the full possession of material.

The description of Liangshan, a fictional small society, in Water Margin also reveals obvious civic consciousness. Liangshan Juyi seating, the author enthusiastically praised:

Eight directions * * * domain, different surnames. Heaven and earth show the essence of evil, and the humanistic environment blends with the beauty of Ling Jie. Meet each other in the morning and evening, and one inch of heart can be the same. Appearance and language, north and south are different; There is no difference between sincerity and loyalty. His people include Di Zi's grandson, rich generals and officials, unscrupulous people, hunters and fishermen, as well as Toure and executioners, all of whom are brothers regardless of rank; And there are brothers and sisters, couples, uncles and uncles, and masters and servants, all of whom have the same feast and joy, regardless of relatives and friends. Or elves, or rough brine, or country parks, or romantic, why not, really understand sexual cohabitation; Or a pen, or a Mercedes-Benz, or an affair, each has his own strengths, and there are really a lot of talents.

This utopian social picture is obviously different from the social ideal of farmers and the political organization of peasant uprising. The composition of people here is complex, and their occupations are varied. Even cheating can be used as a skill to make a living. Society is open and full of vitality. There is no distinction between old and young, no distinction between honor and inferiority, no patriarchal consciousness in agricultural society, and no hierarchy that cannot exist in actual peasant uprising organizations. Although this society itself is fictional, behind it, there are changes in the concept of equality and moral consciousness formed in the commercial economy. From the urban scenes, business activities and respect for businessmen described in the novel, we can see that the author's ideal has its realistic foundation.

It is also worth paying attention to: the novel repeatedly shows the hatred of the "big headscarf"-a narrow and hypocritical Confucian. This is not only related to the author's talented person's Jianghu experience, but also reflects the antipathy of civil society to the traditional morality that inhibits human desires and distorts human nature. The "big headscarf" became the general name of hypocrisy in the Ming Dynasty, and the main reason why progressive literati like Li Zhi attacked such figures was that they were narrow-minded and did not match their words and deeds.