Ruan Xiaoer
Encyclopedia
Ruan Xiaoer, also known as Ruan the Second, is a fictional character in the Water Margin
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
of Chinese literature
. He ranks 27th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Tai Sui
Who Stands His Ground".
and Ruan Xiaoqi
. They live in Shijie Village, Shandong
, and earn their living by fishing and trading illegally on the river.
, Wu Yong
, Gongsun Sheng
and Liu Tang
in robbing the convoy of birthday gifts for the Imperial Tutor, Cai Jing
. The seven men become wanted criminals after the robbery and they flee to Liangshan Marsh
for refuge after defeating soldiers sent to arrest them.
Wang Lun, the incomptent and selfish leader of the outlaw band on Liangshan, refuses to accept the seven men and try to send them away with gifts. However, Wu Yong instigates Lin Chong
into killing Wang Lun, and Chao Gai is elected as the new chief of Liangshan. Ruan Xiaoer is ranked sixth among all the heroes present then.
Ruan Xiaoer becomes an active member of the Liangshan naval force and participates in several of the battles against the enemies of Liangshan. He makes a major contribution during the first imperial assault. The Ruan brothers sabotage enemy cannons and lure Ling Zhen
into a trap on the river. They capsize his boat and capture him later. Ling Zhen is persuaded by Song Jiang
to join the Liangshan cause.
invaders and other rebel forces.
During the Fang La
campaign, Ruan Xiaoer is assigned to lead the attack on the enemy's naval base at Black Dragon Ridge. The enemy bombards Ruan's ship heavily with cannon fire. Ruan Xiaoer is trapped in a sea of fire and he attempts to escape by diving into the water. Enemy soldiers use hooks to grab hold of him. Ruan Xiaoer is afraid of being captured by the enemy and suffer humiliation, thus he draws his sword and commits suicide.
Water Margin
Water Margin , also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, All Men Are Brothers, Men of the Marshes, or The Marshes of Mount Liang, is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.Attributed to Shi Nai'an and written in vernacular Chinese, the story, set in the Song Dynasty,...
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
Four Great Classical Novels
The Four Great Classical Novels, or the Four Major Classical Novels of Chinese literature, are the four novels commonly regarded by scholars to be the greatest and most influential of pre-modern Chinese fiction. Dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, they are well known to most Chinese readers...
of Chinese literature
Chinese literature
Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
. He ranks 27th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Tai Sui
Tai sui
Tai Sui refers to stars directly opposite to Jupiter. They influence the Chinese zodiac, and are also a theory in religious Taoism and Feng Shui....
Who Stands His Ground".
Background
The Water Margin describes Ruan Xiaoer as a muscular man with a sharp face, a wide mouth, a cold gleam in his eyes and some yellow hair on his chest. Ruan Xiaoer is the older brother of Ruan XiaowuRuan Xiaowu
Ruan Xiaowu, also known as Ruan the Fifth, is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature...
and Ruan Xiaoqi
Ruan Xiaoqi
Ruan Xiaoqi, also known as Ruan the Seventh, is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 31st of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Living King Yama".-Background:The Water Margin describes...
. They live in Shijie Village, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, and earn their living by fishing and trading illegally on the river.
Becoming an outlaw
The Ruan brothers join Chao GaiChao Gai
Chao Gai is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He is widely considered as the founding father of the Liangshan outlaws' cause to serve the nation and deliver justice on behalf of Heaven...
, Wu Yong
Wu Yong
Wu Yong is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 3rd of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Resourceful Star".-Background:...
, Gongsun Sheng
Gongsun Sheng
Gongsun Sheng is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 4th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Dragon in the Clouds".-Background:...
and Liu Tang
Liu Tang
Liu Tang is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 21st of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Red Haired Devil".-Background:...
in robbing the convoy of birthday gifts for the Imperial Tutor, Cai Jing
Cai Jing
Cai Jing , style name Yuanchang , was a government official and calligrapher who lived during the Northern Song Dynasty. Cai Jing is also featured as one of the antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan heroes in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese...
. The seven men become wanted criminals after the robbery and they flee to Liangshan Marsh
Mount Liang
Mount Liang is a mountain in Liangshan County, Shandong province, China which rises to 197.9 m above sea level. It is well known as the stronghold of the 108 legendary Song Dynasty heroes of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin...
for refuge after defeating soldiers sent to arrest them.
Wang Lun, the incomptent and selfish leader of the outlaw band on Liangshan, refuses to accept the seven men and try to send them away with gifts. However, Wu Yong instigates Lin Chong
Lin Chong
Lin Chong is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 6th of the 36 Heavenly Spirits of the 108 Liangshan heroes and is nicknamed "Panther Head"...
into killing Wang Lun, and Chao Gai is elected as the new chief of Liangshan. Ruan Xiaoer is ranked sixth among all the heroes present then.
Ruan Xiaoer becomes an active member of the Liangshan naval force and participates in several of the battles against the enemies of Liangshan. He makes a major contribution during the first imperial assault. The Ruan brothers sabotage enemy cannons and lure Ling Zhen
Ling Zhen
Ling Zhen is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 52nd of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 16th of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Heaven Shaking Thunder".-Background:...
into a trap on the river. They capsize his boat and capture him later. Ling Zhen is persuaded by Song Jiang
Song Jiang
Song Jiang was the leader of a group of outlaws who lived during the Song Dynasty. The outlaws were active in the present-day provinces of Shandong and Henan before their eventual surrender to the government. Song Jiang is also featured as a character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great...
to join the Liangshan cause.
Campaigns and death
Ruan Xiaoer becomes one of the leaders of the Liangshan navy after the Grand Assembly. After the outlaws are granted amnesty by the emperor, Ruan Xiaoer follows them on their campaigns against the LiaoLiao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
invaders and other rebel forces.
During the Fang La
Fang La
Fang La was a rebel leader who lived during the Song Dynasty. He is also featured as one of the antagonists and nemesis of the 108 Liangshan heroes in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.-Biography:...
campaign, Ruan Xiaoer is assigned to lead the attack on the enemy's naval base at Black Dragon Ridge. The enemy bombards Ruan's ship heavily with cannon fire. Ruan Xiaoer is trapped in a sea of fire and he attempts to escape by diving into the water. Enemy soldiers use hooks to grab hold of him. Ruan Xiaoer is afraid of being captured by the enemy and suffer humiliation, thus he draws his sword and commits suicide.