Shuihu Zhuan ??? (otherwise known as The Water Margin, Tales of the Water Margin, or Outlaws of the Marsh) is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, celebrated for its vibrant depiction of rebellion, loyalty, and justice during the Song dynasty (960–1279). Despite its significance, English translations of this monumental work often fail to capture its key themes, cultural context, and linguistic specificity. Existing translations—by Pearl S. Buck, Sidney Shapiro, and Alex and John Dent-Young—are marked by omissions, abridgments, or stylistic alterations that obscure the text's original meaning. This project bridges these gaps by making an attempt at a new translation of Tales of the Water Margin. Conjoining a critical analysis of Tales of the Water Margin’s core themes, historical background, and existing translations with a sample translation of Chapters 7 and 8, this project serves as an initial exploration of the complexities of translating vernacular Chinese fiction into English. Through this process, I aim to equip myself with the foundational skills necessary to embark on the first step of my lifelong project of translating the entire 120 chapters of Tales of the Water Margin.