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?""

All 13 episodes from the first series of the 1970s TV show about a gang of outlaw heroes dedicated to fighting tyranny in feudal China.

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

All 13 episodes from the second series of the 1970s TV show about a gang of outlaw heroes dedicated to fighting tyranny in feudal China.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…
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