Chinese Name: Ruan Xiao’er

Japanese Name: Ritchitaisai Genshōji

Rank: 27th of the 108 Stars of Destiny 

Nickname: Heavenly King Who Stands His Ground

Ruan Xiao’er lived in the village of Shijie which was located near Liangshan Marsh. He was the eldest of three brothers—the middle being Ruan Xiaowu (plates 20; 95) and the youngest Ruan Xiaoqi (plate 21). The three brothers worked as fishermen in the waters around Liangshan Marsh. They were all excellent swimmers and were very good at fighting under water. 

Wu Yong and Chao Gai (see plate 14) planned to rob a very valuable convoy of birthday gifts that were to be sent to the Prime Minister. Wu Yong suggested recruiting the Ruan brothers because of their fearlessness and loyalty. Upon being asked to join in the venture, the three brothers unanimously agreed, knowing this would be a way out of their impoverished state. 

The robbery was a success, but when one of their men was captured, he confessed under torture. Chao Gai received word the authorities were searching for him and his team of thieves—including the Ruan brothers—so they fled to Liangshan Marsh to seek refuge at the bandit stronghold there.

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As the saga of the Liangshan bandits continued, Song Jiang and his legions were granted amnesty by the Emperor. To prove their merit they were sent to battle the rebel leader Fang La; he had amassed his own large bandit army and taken control of several prefectures, appointing himself king of the region. 

Song Jiang sent Ruan Xiao’er to lead a naval army of 1000 soldiers to attack one of Fang La’s naval bases along Black Dragon Ridge. Fang La’s men knew of the impending attack however, and set fire to fifty boats, sending them down the river to block Ruan Xiao’er’s advancing fleet. Fang La’s own armada of large boats came up from behind Ruan Xiao’er’s fleet blocking their retreat downriver, and began ensnaring them with grappling hooks and killing them with spears. Ruan Xiao’er was caught and entangled by the enemy hooks and ropes, and, unable to break free and escape into the water, he cut his own throat, preferring death to being captured. Meng Kang (plate 42) had gone with Ruan Xiao’er to assist in the attack, and in the ensuing battle, was hit in the head by a cannon shot and killed instantly. 

Ruan Xiao’er is shown here trying to break free from the snares thrown by Fang La’s men. 

Kuniyoshi recreation