The Water Margin
The Water Margin is a Japanese television series based on Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The novel details the trials and tribulations of 108 outlaws during the Song Dynasty. This adaptation follows Lin Chung and his clashes with the local government official Kao Chiu. The Water Margin is famous for its, sometimes obscure, but memorable philosophical quotes, such as "Do not despise the snake for having no horns,for who is to say it will not become a dragon?""
The web, spun by Kao Chiu, has trapped Tai Sung, now a prisoner at the mercy of the Chu brothers. Meanwhile, back in the capital city, the Prime Minister accuses Kao of conspiring to steal the imperial taxes. Unfortunately, Chi Ching has underestimated Kao's cunning. Five hundred miles away, at the castle of Lord Chu, Lin Chung and the rebels of Liang Shan Po attempt to rescue Tai Sung. Even though separated by such a distance, each sword-cut, each drop of blood, every death, is Kao Chiu's doing.
The rebels of Liang Shan Po steal a year's worth of taxes from Kuang Chow province. Kao orders Squire Kuang - a man rich enough to have a private army - to attack Liang Shan Po. The Squire sends a spy into the heart of Liang Shan Po: Ju Hai, a corrupt priest. Ju Hai befriends Lu Ta and enters the water margins on the pretext of exorcising the evil spirit behind a plague that seems to have afflicted the rebels. Ju Hai sketches the defences of Liang Shan Po in readiness for an attack - and sends Lu Ta away, for a fateful encounter with his dying mother.
Squire Kuang and his evil brother, surmising that Lin Chung and Hua Yung are sure to visit Hua Yung's old archery teacher, set a trap. Kao Chiu is also due to arrive in Kuang Chow, with a plan to steal the emperor's jade and use Lin Chung as a scapegoat. Lin Chung and Kao Chiu find themselves face-to-face in battle - and with the rebels outnumbered, the people at last may be driven to take a stand against evil.
Evil Kao Chiu, aware that Lin Chung has left the safety of Liang Shan Po, discovers that Duke Chai Huang Chen has been appointed adviser in court etiquette. His nephew Chai Chin is a suspected Liang Shan Po sympathizer, and the Duke's daughter, Li Hua, is well-liked by the Emperor. Kao Chiu acts swiftly to protect his position, plotting the downfall of the Chai family. Chai Chin must kill Lin Chung, already in the capital city. Lin Chung, under the watchful eye of Shih Chin - the 'Tattooed Dragon' - and Hu San-Niang, must face Kao Chiu once more.
Lin Chung heads north with Li Hua, back to Kao-Tang Chow, a province rich in treasure and still largely untouched by Kao Chiu's evil reign. Kao orders two great armies, under the control of the Mongol Kao Lien, to conquer these lands, and capture Lin Chung. While Lin Chung tries to lead the brave farmers of Kao-Tang Chow to Liang Shan Po, Hu San-Niang must find the magus, Kung Sun Sheng, on retreat with his spiritual master - for only Kung Sun Sheng can oppose Kao Lien's Tibetan black magic.
China is under attack. General Huang Lung has been defeated, his army destroyed by the invading Mongol forces. Kao Chiu acts swiftly to appease the Emperor, recalling General Hu from political exile to lead China's forces against the invaders. With a string of successful campaigns the General soon beats back the Mongols; Kao is credited with choosing General Hu to lead such a vital campaign. Wary of General Hu, Kao hatches a further scheme, which sends the son of the General, Hu Yen-I, on a suicide mission against Liang Shan Po, hoping that this will spur General Hu into action. If one man can defeat Lin Chung it is his former commanding officer, General Hu.
Kao Chiu has invited an expert in gunpowder to the capital city, knowing that the secret of explosives and cannons will give him the crucial edge in his battle against Lin Chung and the honourable rebels. Unfortunately for Kao, the man and his son are attacked by bandits, and seek refuge at Liang Shan Po. Lin Chung and the rebel knights must persuade the man to stay and teach them the secret of gunpowder, for it is unthinkable that such weapons should fall into the wrong hands.
The army of the Tsengs has fought their way from Mongolia into China. Tseng Lung and his five brutal sons arrive in Chao Kai's village of Tung-Chi. Promised great rewards by Kao Chiu if they destroy Liang Shan Po, the Tsengs hold the women and children of the village hostage. They will be released, in return for Lin Chung. Chao Kai must return to his village - and discover his destiny.
With Lin Chung held by the Tsengs, and the rebels mourning the death of one of their leaders, Kao Chiu travels to Tung-Chi to gloat on his victory. The knights of Liang Shan Po begin to infiltrate the occupied village, disguised as entertainers, fortune tellers and tradesmen. Hu San-Niang uses her beauty to set two of the Tseng brothers against each other. As they fight for her affections, the heroes try to free Lin Chung. With Kao so close, the rebel knights will not have long.
Kao Chiu continues to corrupt the boy Emperor, ensuring that he is surrounded only with the weak and self-indulgent. The emperor is, however, becoming more independent, and soon falls for the affections of a courtesan called Li Chih. Kao is pleased with the diversion, but, fearing the Emperor may grow tired of, the concubine, he plans to bring Feng Hsien, the daughter of one of China's wealthiest nobles, to the city as a candidate for marriage. Unfortunately, her journey will take her close to the water margins of Liang Shan Po. Lu Ta and Shih Chin travel to the capital, hoping to persuade Li Chih to tell the Emperor of the evil of Kao.
Kao Chiu's brother-in-law Liang Chung Shu is the governor of Peking, also the home of the wealthy Lu Chin-I and his daughter Feng Hsien. Liang Ch Shu and the wife of Lu Chin-I are lovers, and conspire together to steal Lu Chin-I's fortune - a fortune equally important to the future of Liang Po. After returning from a meeting with Lin Chung. Lu Chin-I is accused of treason, and captured. As the rebels seek to rescue Lu Chin-I, only his daughter Feng Hsien knows that Kao has arranged a trap for them.
The spirit of revolt grips China, with the Mongols back at the borders. Kao Chiu has, without the Emperor's seal, declared martial law in the capital city. He recalls General Kuang Sheng from the north, where he has been defending the Great Wall against the Hun. Kao blames the rebels of Liang Shan Po for the death of Lin Chung's wife, and promises a great reward if Lin Chung himself is brought to justice - knowing full well that Kuang Sheng, a former friend of Lin Chung, is the only man in China who can now defeat Liang Shan Po.
The prophecy is now complete: the nine dozen heroes of the water margins of Liang Shan Po gather like storm clouds to the south of the capital city. Kao Chiu, like a caged tiger, plots to kill the Emperor, now a prisoner in his own palace. The dynasty of Kao will replace a hundred and fifty years of rule by the Sungs. Lin Chung speeds to the capital in an attempt to save the Emperor from the coming battle. Meanwhile, thousands of peasants join the rebel knights of Liang Shan Po as they march on the capital city. Lin Chung must save the life of the Emperor-and confront Kao Chiu for the last time.
The Emperor dispatches his favourite, wicked Kao Chiu, to the sacred mountain to exorcise the evil behind the terrible plague that grips China. Kao Chiu discovers an ancient temple, its doors sealed shut on the orders of a previous emperor. Within is a pit believed to contain the souls of nine dozen rebellious knights. The souls are scattered over China, now reborn as heroes who will take a stand against the corruption that has gripped the empire. One such hero might be Lin Chung, an honourable officer in the imperial army. However, Kao Chiu hatches a plot to have Lin Chung discharged from the army in disgrace.
Lin Chung accepts his punishment, continuing his journey to Tsang Chou jail. On the way he encounters a band of rebel outlaws who try to persuade him to join them. Lin Chung refuses. fearing for the safety of his wife, Hsiao Lan, still in the capital city - and under the lustful gaze of Kao Chiu. Once imprisoned, Lin Chung earns the respect of head guard Lu Ta. However, Kao Chiu still plots against Lin Chung from a distance - and his evil desire for Hsiao Lan grows all the time.
Yang Chih - known as 'Blue Face' - is one of the few honourable men in government. Kao Chiu has banished him to a distant province - with orders to capture and kill Lin Chung. Lin Chung, searching for his wife Hsiao Lan, is offered refuge by Wang Lun, leader of the rebel warriors of Liang Shan Po. However, Yang Chih has captured Lin Chung's wife: Lin Chung must face Yang Chih in a duel that will decide the fate of them all.
With Lin Chung now at Liang Shan Po, the union of the rebel knights has begun. Hearing the news, 'Tiger Hunter' Wu Sung heads for the water margins. Shih Chin - 'Tattooed Dragon' - has already joined the mountain bandits led by Chu Wu, but in pursuit of his true love he is captured and faces certain death. Now Lin Chung must unite with Wu Sung and Chu Wu to execute the daring rescue of Shih Chin.
Evil Kao Chiu, not content with being Viceroy and head of the army, plots with his brother-in-law to become Prime Minister as well. Yang Chih -'Blue Face' - is given a chance to redeem himself after his earlier failure: he must guard the tax collections destined for Kao Chiu. The good rebels of Liang Shan Po soon learn that a huge fortune of jade and gold is on the move - as does the respected nobleman Chao Kai. With Chao Kai ride Hu San-Niang and Lu Ta, the former head guard of Tsang Chou jail. Lin Chung is on a collision course with Chao Kai - and Yang Chih.
Kao Chiu, desperate to retrieve the stolen treasure, dispatches his forces to all corners of the empire. He discovers that Lin Chung has joined the bandits of Liang Shan Po, and that Chao Kai was involved in the theft. Wang Lun, the leader of the rebels, hears that Chao Kai has been arrested, and sends Lin Chung to rescue both the fortune and the nobleman. Kao Chiu lures Wang Lun into a trap which will deliver the defences of Liang Shan Po, the outlaws, and the treasure, into his hands.
Kao Chiu is sent the head of Wang Lun. Furious, and suspicious of the good judge Sung Chiang, Kao Chiu orders him to investigate Yen Po-Hsi, Wang Lung's former lover. Working for Kao Chiu, Yen Po-Hsi seduces Sung Chiang. stealing vital information regarding Liang Shan Po. The judge is forced to kill the girl, then flees, seeking refuge with Lord Chai Chin and his mighty servant, Li Kwei, the Black Whirl-wind'. However, only Lin Chung's intervention at the battle of the Shallow River of the Dead can now save the judge.
Sung Chiang, not yet ready to join the bandits of Liang Shan Po, seeks the counsel of his friend Hua Yung, prefect of Ching Feng. Knowing of Hua Yung's fairness, Kao Chiu has appointed an additional, corrupt prefect. The new prefect's wife, Hsiu Lan, has been captured by bandits. Shih Chin - 'Tattooed Dragon' - has joined the group of outlaws, who also capture Sung Chiang. Shih Chin persuades the bandits to release their captives. However, Hsiu Lan tells her husband that Sung Chiang and Shih Chin were her captors, Lin Chung must now rescue them both, bringing them to the justice and honour of Liang Shan Po.
Kao Chiu fumes, seemingly unable to destroy his enemy, Lin Chung. However, Kao Chiu's arm is long, and his cunning boundless. Newly appointed and ambitious, Huang Wen-Ping has a plan of his own. He will capture the good judge Sung Chiang and thus lure Lin Chung from the safety of the water margins of Liang Shan Po. Sentenced to Chiang Chow jail, Sung Chiang must now keep his wits about him.
Tortured and beaten, Sung Chiang faces execution at the hands of evil Huang Wen-Ping. As Tai Sung hurries to Liang Shan Po with the news, Wu Sung - the 'Tiger Hunter' - arrives at Chiang Chow jail, intent on freeing Sung Chiang himself. However, Wu Sung is captured, and Liang Shan Po's plan for rescue is intrinsically flawed. As Lin Chung and the other rebels approach the jail, Kao Chiu is waiting for them.
Kao Chiu's evil reign has spread far and wide, driving the ruthless to yet more corruption. Chin Mao Hu is such a man. He and his cruel bandits have spread hunger and death across the province. Chin Mao Hu goes to Kao Chiu, seeking an officer's commission in the imperial guard. In return, Chin Mao Hu promises to deliver Liang Shan Po into his hands. Lu Ta, the 'Flower Priest', encounters Yang Chih - 'Blue Face' - who is roaming the area in disgrace. Lu Ta's heart hangs heavy for the 'songbird' held captive by the bandits. Once enemies, Lu Ta and the honourable 'Blue Face' plan to overthrow the bandits of Two Dragon Mountain.
Kao Chiu's obsession with the destruction of Lin Chung and the outlaws of Liang Shan Po continues to grow. An investigation into the supporters of the rebels reveals Hua Yung as a major conspirator. In hiding at a water circus, Hua Yung is travelling to the safety of Liang Shan Po. Kao Chiu questions Hua Yung's brother-in-law: if he does not hand over Hua Yung, his entire family will be killed.
Kao Chiu, consumed by greed, is now plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Chi Ching. Kao accuses the Prime Minister of being lax in collecting taxes, and allies himself with Lord Chu and his three warrior sons. Together they raid several of the tax collections en route to the capital, ensuring that they leave Liang Shan Po's flag. With the good rebels of the water margin implicated, Lin Chung must investigate - and Kao's minions will be waiting.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Language | Japanese |
| Release | 1973-10-02 |
| Producer | Nippon Television Network Corporation |