In the Water Margin
Xiao Rang is a scholar from Jizhou whose command of calligraphy lets him imitate celebrated hands. When Song Jiang faces death in Jiangzhou, Wu Yong recruits him to write a forged letter from Cai Jing, with Jin Dajian carving the seal. The craftsmanship is convincing, but an error in the form of address exposes the scheme.
The letter fails and the band must resort to a rescue at the execution ground. Xiao Rang remains at Liangshan as the keeper of official correspondence and proclamations, seated forty-sixth under the Diwen star. His story gives writing the power to redirect events even when no weapon is drawn.
