The 2026 middle school edition of the Water Margin, also known as "Outlaws of the Marsh," typically contains around 300 pages. This concise and abridged version is designed for students in middle school, focusing on the most essential elements of the original novel while maintaining its historical and cultural significance.

The Water Margin, originally written by Shi Nai'an in the 14th century, is a classic Chinese novel that tells the story of 108 outlaws who join forces to fight against corrupt officials and tyrannical regimes. The middle school edition is a simplified and abridged version of the original text, which can be upwards of 1,000 pages in its complete form. The abridged version aims to make the story more accessible to younger readers, focusing on key themes and characters while omitting some of the more complex and lengthy passages.

The decision to abridge the novel is based on educational considerations. Middle school students are still developing their reading comprehension skills, and a longer, more complex text may be overwhelming. By providing a more concise version, educators can help students grasp the core themes and historical context of the Water Margin without being bogged down by excessive detail. Additionally, the abridged version is often accompanied by footnotes and supplementary materials that provide historical context and explanations of cultural references, further aiding students in understanding the novel.

Data supporting the page count of the middle school edition can be found in various educational resources and publications. For instance, the "Water Margin: A Middle School Edition" published by Beijing Normal University Press is a widely used textbook in Chinese middle schools. This edition typically runs around 300 pages, reflecting the standard length for abridged versions of the Water Margin tailored for middle school students.