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This post was last edited by liuquan1100 on 2018-6-21 at 14:37. I was so busy that I missed writing the text. Now that I’ve finally found some free time, I don’t know what to write. It has been raining heavily these past few days; clothes don’t dry when washed, and it seems like people too have absorbed some moisture, feeling a bit listless. Perhaps, I’m a bit tired. The fatigue from work, and the stress of dealing with personnel matters. People often say: In the world, one has no control over their own fate. Indeed, one still has to deal with unnecessary paperwork! Upon reflection, I realize that these troubles are actually caused by my own actions. You can’t make a sound with just one hand; there are indeed some things that don’t need to be taken too seriously. Putting too much effort into everything is exhausting. Yesterday, I watched the TV drama \"Water Margin.\" The plot reached the point where Song Jiang released the Grand Marshal, and Lin Chong, filled with anger, vomited blood on the spot. When the sounds of celebration over the amnesty filled entire Liangshan, Lin Chong left with resentment. Song Jiang was satisfied, but he ultimately caused Lin Chong’s death. Song Jiang was not a heartless man; it was simply that, after weighing the options, he preferred to sacrifice brotherly bonds in order to fulfill what he considered to be Liangshan’s long-held aspirations. He knelt in front of Lin Chong’s bed and wept bitterly, perhaps feeling guilty toward his brother as well. With things having come to this, what else can he do? In life, one is always faced with difficult choices. In \"Water Margin,\" I’ve never liked Song Jiang. His sincere dedication to serving his country is indeed praiseworthy. However, was surrendering really what everyone on Liangshan wanted? I know that Lu Zhishen, the Tattooed Monk, wasn’t willing to do it, nor was Wu Song. Is it merely a body of water that separates the imperial court from the world of outlaws? As Lu Zhishen said: Does becoming part of the imperial court really mean one can truly see what goes on there? Song Jiang tried to understand the thoughts of the people in Liangshan based on his own feelings, but this approach inevitably led to misunderstandings; yet his intentions were good. It is only right that he wish to remove the reputation of bandits from everyone, and to enable them to enjoy a good name for all time. Alas, with corrupt officials in power, a chaotic administrative system, and an incompetent emperor, what achievements could they possibly make? The campaign against Fang La was what Gao Qiu described as \"using bandits to fight other bandits\" – so what achievement was that? The campaign against the Liao Dynasty was indeed a real accomplishment, but sadly, it ended with him dying from poisoned wine for the rest of his life! Among the heroes of Liangshan, starting with Lin Chong, one after another died; how many of them had a good ending? If surrendering to the authorities truly meant a smooth path forward, then everyone should have had a good outcome. Alas, things did not go as planned! Seeing those brave men die or get injured was truly heartbreaking! As the leader, Song Jiang naturally bore an indelible responsibility! Take Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind, for example – he was utterly loyal to Song Jiang; in modern terms, he was his die-hard fan. In the end, fearing that Li Kui would ruin his reputation for life, Song Jiang gave him a cup of poisoned wine. People have the right to choose their own life or death, but not the right to decide for others. What crime did Li Kui commit to deserve such a death? Everyone has a selfish side, and Song Jiang, as the leader of Liangshan, was unable to set aside his own self-interests. If he weren’t the leader of Liangshan, he could do as he pleased. However, he is. So, should he listen to everyone’s opinions? If some people are unwilling to submit, then why not let them be as they please? What was once the prosperous Liangshan has now become nothing but ruins. Those heroic men who used to shout in defense of justice when they saw injustice have either died, been injured, or become monks. Should Song Jiang take responsibility? Under such circumstances, how can those with genuine characters and true heroes endure for long? If it were me, I likely wouldn’t do any better than Song Jiang. It’s the timing, the circumstances, fate – what can be done? In the end, I realize that I can’t easily blame Song Jiang! Because perhaps we all do the same things; we’re selfish, full of contradictions, and suffer. In the end, we’re forced to yield to reality, to compromise, and become the very people we despise the most. Flowers fall on their own, and water flows of its own; life is the same. There’s no need for so much worry – those concerns that appear on one’s mind soon disappear again!