How on earth did Zhang Wenyuan manage to interfere in the relationship between Song Jiang and Yan Poxi?

The stories in *Water Margin* always make people can't help but think deeply. Take the relationship between Song Jiang and Yan Poxi as an example. At first, they were as affectionate as honey blended with oil. But how on earth did Zhang Wenyuan manage to take advantage of the situation later? There are quite a few twists and turns in this, and let's talk about it in detail.

Yan Poxi's family originally made a living by singing folk songs. They traveled all over the place and finally came to Yuncheng County. Unexpectedly, her father fell seriously ill, and they couldn't even afford the money for a coffin. Fortunately, Song Jiang came to their rescue. He not only provided a coffin but also gave them silver. It was ten taels of silver. In those days, it could buy three hundred jin of beef and twenty chickens, which was enough for an ordinary family to live a good life for a whole year. When Yan Po saw this, she thought that since this benefactor was nearly thirty years old and still unmarried, it would be better to marry her daughter to him as a way to repay his kindness. Although Song Jiang was a minor official and Yan Poxi was of low birth and couldn't be married in a proper and formal way, he still bought a house outside for them, and the two became a couple. In the beginning, Song Jiang went to Yan Poxi's place every day and they stayed together day and night, being very affectionate.

However, a man's heart can change easily. Although Song Jiang was always intimate with Yan Poxi at first, he soon lost interest in her. The book says that he "only loved using spears and cudgels and didn't care much about women". But don't be fooled by these words. Later, when he met Li Shishi, he showed great eagerness, and Li Kui publicly poked fun at his "fondness for women" several times, which all showed that he was still attracted to beautiful women. Then why did he become indifferent to Yan Poxi? Firstly, the novelty wore off. Secondly, as an official, he had to maintain the image of a "hero" and couldn't be addicted to women. In addition, Yan Poxi was young, beautiful and charming. After a long time, Song Jiang's body couldn't take it either, so he came less and less often.

Yan Poxi was only eighteen or nineteen years old, at an age when she loved excitement. As Song Jiang came less and less often, how could she not feel lonely in her heart? At this time, Zhang Wenyuan appeared. Zhang Wenyuan was Song Jiang's subordinate. He was handsome and had a sweet tongue, always able to please others. Compared with Song Jiang's coldness, it was like the difference between ice and fire. Song Jiang, either intentionally or unintentionally, actually brought Zhang Wenyuan home for a meal and deliberately left the two of them alone. After coming and going like this, the two took a fancy to each other and exchanged glances. Before long, they got together, and even the neighbors on the left and right knew about it. Song Jiang also heard about it, but surprisingly, he didn't care at all. He said, "She's not my wife married in a proper way. If she has no intention of being faithful to me, I won't bother getting angry about it." So he simply stopped going to her place.

Yan Poxi thought she had found true love, but apart from being able to please others, Zhang Wenyuan didn't have the wealth that Song Jiang had at all. She forgot that all her and her mother's food, clothing, and daily expenses were provided by Song Jiang, and Zhang Wenyuan couldn't support them at all. Yan Po was anxious and went to the yamen several times to intercept Song Jiang, begging him to go home. But Song Jiang had made up his mind and refused to go. Until one time, Yan Po forcibly dragged him home. Yan Poxi not only didn't show a friendly expression but also threatened him with the secret letter from Chao Gai. This really angered Song Jiang, and in a fit of rage, he killed Yan Poxi.

Looking at Zhang Wenyuan again, hooking up with his superior's woman, in the case of other heroes, he would have lost his life long ago, but he actually got away with it. Ximen Qing, Pei Ruha, and others who hooked up with married women all ended up badly. Why could Zhang Wenyuan be an exception? Maybe Song Jiang had long wanted to get rid of Yan Poxi and deliberately let Zhang Wenyuan take over. After all, she wasn't a wife married in a proper way, and even if there was a commotion, it wouldn't have much impact. So he simply turned a blind eye and let Zhang Wenyuan be the one to take on this burden.

This matter, to put it bluntly, is a game of power and interests. Song Jiang had money and power, and Yan Poxi and her mother depended on him to survive. There was no equality at all. The kindness at the beginning gradually turned into charity. Yan Poxi wanted to seize her youth and love but chose the wrong person. Zhang Wenyuan was just a pawn. Song Jiang used him to get rid of Yan Poxi without having to bear the reputation of being heartless. Poor Yan Poxi thought she had found someone to rely on but ended up with a tragic death.

What do you think? In a relationship, is it more important to have interests or true feelings? In that era, women had no status and could only rely on men to live. Yan Poxi's tragedy was actually already doomed. Now that we read this story, we should also think that in a relationship, we can't just seek momentary happiness. We have to see if the other person is sincere and reliable.

What do you think is more crucial in a relationship in modern society, interests or true feelings? Share your thoughts in the comments section and let's have a discussion!