The Water Margin (1973)
The Water Margin
1973 / NRThe 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?""
Seasons & Episode
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.
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.
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.
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 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?""