Ruan Xiaowu

Ruan Xiaowu, also known as Ruan the Fifth, is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Short-lived Second Brother", he ranks 29th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

Background

The novel describes Ruan Xiaowu as a man with eyes resembling bells, arms like iron staffs, and a leopard tattoo on his chest. Although he always wears a smile on his face, he has a "murderous" look in his eyes. His nickname "Short-lived Second Brother" does not imply that he is short-lived; it actually means that his enemies are short-lived when they meet him and his smile.

Ruan Xiaowu is the middle of the three Ruan brothers (Ruan Xiaoer, himself and Ruan Xiaoqi). The brothers live in Shijie Village (石碣村; in present-day Liangshan County, Shandong), where they earn a living by fishing in the waters around the nearby Liangshan Marsh. All the three brothers are very skilful in swimming and underwater combat.

Becoming an outlaw

Wu Yong recommends the brothers to Chao Gai and they join Chao Gai's team to rob the convoy of birthday gifts for Cai Jing. The authorities send soldiers to arrest them when their cover is blown. However, they manage to defeat the soldiers in battle and take shelter at the outlaw stronghold at Liangshan Marsh.

At Liangshan, Wang Lun, the selfish leader of the outlaw band, refuses to accept the seven newcomers and tries to send them away with excuses and precious gifts. Wu Yong, sensing that Lin Chong is already unhappy with Wang Lun, uses the opportunity to instigate Lin Chong to kill Wang Lun. Chao Gai then becomes the new chief of Liangshan.

During his time in Liangshan, Ruan Xiaowu makes several contributions in the battles between the outlaws and their enemies such as government forces and other hostile private militias. He also becomes one of the leaders of the Liangshan flotilla after the Grand Assembly of the 108 Stars of Destiny.

Campaigns and death

After the Liangshan outlaws received amnesty from Emperor Huizong, Ruan Xiaowu follows them on their campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces on Song territory. During the campaign against Fang La's rebel forces, Ruan Xiaowu and Li Jun pretend to defect to Fang La's side, where they serve as spies for Liangshan. The spies make a major achievement by setting Qingxi County (清溪縣; present-day Chun'an County, Zhejiang) on fire and opening the gates for the heroes to enter and defeat Fang La's forces. However, Fang La's premier Lou Minzhong uncovers Ruan Xiaowu's true identity during the battle and kills him.

References

• Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
• Ichisada, Miyazaki (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
• Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 59. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
• Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
• Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei, p. 95
• Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.