In the Water Margin
Ruan Xiaowu and his brothers Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaoqi fish around Shijie Village and know the waterways of Liangshan Marsh. A leopard is tattooed on his chest, and his fierce manner suits the name Short-Lived Second Son. Wu Yong visits under the pretence of buying fish and soon learns how readily the brothers would exchange hardship for adventure.
Ruan Xiaowu takes part in the birthday-gift robbery and fights the pursuing officials from the boats and reed channels he knows so well. At Liangshan he becomes a naval chief, seated twenty-ninth under the Tianzui star. His story remains closely tied to his brothers and the working life of their fishing village.
