Understanding the Song Dynasty: Looking at the Corners of the Song Dynasty from the Water Margin

Is the Song Dynasty in "Water Margin" the real Song Dynasty? In "Knowing the Song Dynasty", the author combines the descriptions in "Water Margin" and analyzes a large number of literary works and poems by Song people and descendants, vividly reproducing the social outlook of the Song Dynasty and embodying the rigorous research spirit of mutual verification of literature and history. The author explores the origins and meanings of the character prototypes, place names, and nicknames in Water Margin, and goes further from these details to explore the Song Dynasty's official system, military system, administrative division and management, justice and litigation, currency and economic outlook, food culture and fashion, etc., In a slow and fascinating way. In "Knowing the Song Dynasty", "Water Margin" is not only an excellent ancient literary work, but also a mirror reflecting the social outlook of the Northern Song Dynasty.