Water Margin: At the Wind and Snow Temple, Why Am I the One to Bear the Blame?

Everyone knows the night Lin Chong hunts down his enemies at the Wind and Snow Temple is the most satisfying moment in Water Margin. Qin Yue, however, begs to differ. He opens his eyes to find himself installed as the new deputy warden of the Cangzhou prison camp. The bad news: the fodder depot that is about to burn down falls under his nominal authority. The worse news: Lu Qian is set to strike that very day. When Lin Chong kills Lu Qian and flees to Liangshan under cover of snow, readers cheer. But Lin Chong is gone, the depot is reduced to ashes, and the Cangzhou authorities need a scapegoat. As luck would have it, Qin Yue is that unfortunate man. The sole silver lining: he quickly discovers that every time he alters the destined fate of a Water Margin character, he grows stronger. Armed with this power, Qin Yue resolves to use the rotting husk of the Great Song as his foundation, building his own means of survival and influence. Lu Zhishen: "What do I care for Song Jiang or the Emperor? I answer only to my brother Qin!" Lin Chong: "Timely Rain? If you ask me, my good brother Qin Yue is the truest hero of all." Song Jiang: "Why must the heavens give us both Qin Yue and me?"