I. Opening: Transmigrating as an “outsider”
Li Ergou inexplicably transmigrates to the late Northern Song dynasty, finding himself on the streets of Yuncheng just as Lu Zhishen is wanted for beating Zhen Guanxi to death. People everywhere are gossiping about it. At first, Li Ergou is struck by the uncanny overlap between this turbulent age and the world of Water Margin. Drawing on his knowledge of the original story, he decides to meet the heroes from all walks of life and embark on a very different Water Margin adventure.
II. The Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits storyline
1. Song Jiang: Li Ergou heads to Jiangzhou, where Song Jiang has been imprisoned for writing a seditious poem. Using his “transmigration talk,” he persuades Song Jiang to endure his time in prison, promising that Liangshan brothers will soon come to his rescue. He witnesses the beginning of Liangshan’s alliance, and Song Jiang is impressed by this mysterious stranger.
2. Lu Junyi: In Daming Prefecture, Li Ergou sees Lu Junyi trapped in a lawsuit engineered by Wu Yong, with his family fortune at risk. Li Ergou secretly helps the Lu family protect some of their valuables and reveals the long-term outlook for Liangshan’s acceptance of imperial amnesty, giving Lu Junyi a chance to weigh his options. In the end, Lu Junyi joins Liangshan, highlighting the capriciousness of fate.
3. Wu Yong: On Liangshan, Li Ergou chats with Wu Yong about the art of strategy. It happens to be the anniversary of the birthday tribute heist, and they look back on how it was planned. Li Ergou offers a modern perspective, leaving Wu Yong astonished. Wu Yong then invites him to advise the stronghold on important matters.
III. Adventures with the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends
1. Shi Qian: Li Ergou accompanies Shi Qian on a night raid of Zhu Family Village, watching him show off his rooftop-running skills as he steals a chicken. This triggers a pursuit by the villagers and leads to Liangshan’s three attacks on Zhu Family Village. Li Ergou dodges danger one moment and jokes about the original story the next, adding comic relief to the tense battles.
2. Sun Erniang: At the Cross Slope inn, Li Ergou pretends to be an ordinary merchant and matches wits with Sun Erniang. Drawing on his knowledge of her past and habits, he cleverly…
Feeling a mess