Scholar Wu said, "I have thought of three men—bold as lions, skilled in arms, ready to walk through fire and water, to live or die together. Unless we win these three, this affair cannot succeed."

Chao Gai asked, "Who are these three? What are their names, and where do they dwell?"

Wu Yong replied, "They are three brothers who live at Stone Tablet Village by the Reed Marshes in Jizhou. By trade they fish for a living, though they have also done some private trading on the lake. Their surname is Ruan—three brothers: Ruan the Second, called the Earth-God; Ruan the Fifth, called the Short-Lived One; and Ruan the Seventh, called the Living Yama. They are own brothers. In former years I lived near them and came to know them well. Though they cannot read a word, they keep faith with their friends and are true men. That is why I befriended them. It has been two years since we last met. If we gain these three, the great matter is done."

Chao Gai said, "I have heard of the Ruan brothers' fame, though we have never met. Stone Tablet Village is barely a hundred li from here—why not send someone to invite them?"

Wu Yong answered, "If we send a servant, would they come? I must go myself and use my tongue to persuade them into our plot."

Chao Gai was delighted. "The scholar's plan is wise. When will you set out?"

"No time like the present," said Wu Yong. "I leave at the third watch tonight and reach the village by noon tomorrow."

"Excellent!" said Chao Gai, and ordered a servant to bring wine and food.

As they ate, Wu Yong mused, "I have traveled from Daming to the Eastern Capital, but I do not know which road the Birthday Convoy will take. Brother Liu, would you be willing to ride out overnight toward Daming and learn when the convoy departs, and by which route it comes?"

Liu Tang said, "I can leave tonight."

"Wait," said Wu Yong. "The birthday falls on the fifteenth of the sixth month. Now it is only the beginning of the fifth—still forty or fifty days away. Let me first visit the Ruan brothers and return; then Brother Liu may go."

Chao Gai agreed. "Liu Tang will wait at my manor."

They drank and ate for a good while, and at the third watch Wu Yong rose, washed, ate some breakfast, tucked silver into his belt, put on straw sandals, and took his leave. Chao Gai and Liu Tang saw him to the gate, and he set off through the night toward Stone Tablet Village.

By noon he reached the village—a place of green peaks folded in mist, mulberry groves like clouds, streams winding past a lonely hamlet, bamboo along the paths, thatched eaves by the ravine, old trees standing in groves. A wine flag hung beyond the hedge; fishing boats lay moored in the willow shade.

Wu Yong knew the way and needed no directions. He went straight to Ruan the Second's house. Before the door, several small fishing boats were tied to a withered stump, and a torn net was spread over the hedge to dry. A dozen thatched rooms leaned against the hill by the water.

"Second Brother, are you home?" he called.

A man came out—broad-faced with slanting brows, a square jaw, a patch of yellow hair on his chest, ribs like boards, arms of tremendous strength, and eyes that shot cold light. He might be a village fisherman, but he looked like the very god of plague. This was Ruan the Second, wearing a tattered headcloth and old clothes, barefoot.

Seeing Wu Yong, he hurried forward with a greeting. "Professor! What wind blows you here?"

"I have some small business and came especially to ask your help."

"Speak freely—what is it?"

"It has been two years since I left this place. Now I serve as tutor in the household of a wealthy man. He is preparing a feast and needs a dozen or so golden carp weighing fourteen or fifteen catties each. That is why I have come to you."

Ruan the Second laughed. "Let me first drink three cups with you, Professor, and then we'll talk."

"That suits me well—I was hoping to share some cups with you anyway."

"There are taverns across the lake. We'll row over." He untied one of the small boats from the stump, helped Wu Yong aboard, took up an oar from under a tree root, and pushed off onto the water.

As they rowed, Ruan the Second waved his hand and called, "Seventh Brother! Have you seen Fifth Brother?"

Wu Yong looked. From among the reeds a boat emerged, rowed by a man with a pockmarked face full of strange flesh, bulging bright eyes, sparse yellow whiskers, black spots mottling his body—as if cast from iron or hammered from bronze. The villagers called him the Living Yama. He wore a broad black rain hat, a checked cloth vest, and a coarse cotton skirt, and he rowed as he answered:

"Second Brother, what do you want with Fifth?"

Wu Yong called out, "Seventh Brother, I've come especially to speak with you all."

"Forgive me, Professor—it's been so long!" said Ruan the Seventh.

"Come along with us and share a cup," said Wu Yong.

"That I will—I've wanted to drink with you for ages."

The two boats crossed the lake together until they came to a place ringed by water, where on a high bank stood seven or eight thatched huts. Ruan the Second called out, "Mother! Is Fifth Brother home?"

The old woman's voice came back: "Don't ask! The fish won't be caught, and he's been gambling day after day until he lost every coin. Just now he took my hairpin to pawn for more stakes and went off to town."

Ruan the Second laughed and pushed his boat away. From behind, Ruan the Seventh said, "Brother, I don't understand it—he loses at everything! And me, I'm stripped bare too."

Wu Yong thought privately, "My hook is set."

The two boats made for Stone Tablet market town. After half an hour they saw a man by a single-log bridge, holding two strings of cash and untying a boat. Ruan the Second said, "There's Fifth Brother."

Wu Yong looked. The man had hands like iron rods, eyes like copper bells, a smile on his face but murder in his brows—one who could brew disasters and summon calamities, whose fists would frighten a lion and whose kicks would terrify a serpent. He wore a tattered headcloth set at an angle, a pomegranate flower tucked behind his ear, an old cloth shirt open to reveal a blue leopard tattooed on his chest, trousers rolled up and bound with a checked towel.

"Fifth Brother, did you win?" Wu Yong called.

"It's the Professor! Two years since I saw you! I've been watching for you from this bridge for half a day," said Ruan the Fifth.

Ruan the Second explained, "The Professor and I went to your house. Mother said you'd gone to gamble in town, so we came looking for you here. Come, let's take him to the waterside tavern for three cups."

Ruan the Fifth hurriedly untied his boat and jumped in. The three boats rowed side by side until they reached a tavern built over the water—willows and locusts green as smoke, lotus blossoms reddening the waves, cool pavilions with blue railings and crimson blinds. It might have been an isle of immortals.

They tied up among the lotus blooms and helped Wu Yong ashore, then entered the tavern and chose a table in the waterside pavilion. Ruan the Second said, "Don't mind our rough ways, Professor—please take the seat of honor."

"That would not be proper," said Wu Yong.

Ruan the Seventh said, "Brother, you sit at the head and let the Professor sit as guest; we two will sit below." And so they did.

They called for wine. The waiter set out four large cups, four pairs of chopsticks, four dishes of vegetables, and a bucket of wine.

"What have you to go with it?" asked Ruan the Second.

"We just slaughtered a yellow ox—fine fat meat like cake," said the waiter.

"Cut us ten catties in big chunks," said Ruan the Second.

Ruan the Fifth added, "Don't laugh at our poor fare, Professor."

"On the contrary, I'm troubling you," said Wu Yong.

"Say nothing of it!" said Ruan the Second, urging the waiter to pour wine. The beef came in two platters. The three Ruan brothers ate like wolves and tigers, while Wu Yong managed only a few bites.

At last Ruan the Fifth asked, "Professor, what brings you here?"

Ruan the Second explained: "The Professor is tutor to a wealthy family now, and his master needs golden carp of fourteen or fifteen catties. He came looking for us."

"In the old days we could have supplied thirty or fifty," said Ruan the Seventh, "let alone a dozen—we'd have managed more. But now even one of ten catties is hard to find."

"We'll do our best for you, Professor," said Ruan the Fifth. "We can give you maybe ten fish of five or six catties."

"I have silver enough and will pay your price," said Wu Yong. "But I need them big—fourteen or fifteen catties at least."

"Professor, there's no getting them now," said Ruan the Seventh. "Even what Fifth promised is impossible for several days. But I have a bucket of small live fish in my boat—let me cook those for our wine." He fetched the fish, about five or seven catties, and went to the kitchen himself, returning with three plates.

They drank on as evening fell. Wu Yong thought, "I can't speak plainly here in this tavern. Tonight I'll lodge at their house and talk there."

"It's getting late," said Ruan the Second. "Stay the night at my place, Professor, and we'll settle things tomorrow."

"I came all this way with great difficulty," said Wu Yong, "and now that we're together, I see you won't let me pay for tonight's wine. But if I may lodge at your house, let me buy a jar of wine here and some meat, and find a pair of chickens in the village—we'll have a proper drunk tonight."

"There's no need to spend your money," said Ruan the Second. "We brothers will manage without troubling you."

"I came expressly to treat you three. If you refuse me, I'll take my leave at once."

Ruan the Seventh laughed. "Since the Professor insists, let's accept his kindness and talk later."

"Seventh Brother is always straight and quick!" said Wu Yong.

He produced a tael of silver and gave it to Ruan the Seventh, who bought a jar of wine, twenty catties of cooked beef, and a pair of fine chickens. "My bill is settled too," said Ruan the Second to the tavern keeper.

"Done! Done!" said the man.

They left the tavern, loaded the food and drink into the boat, untied, and rowed back to Ruan the Second's house. They carried everything ashore and went around to the back, where they lit lamps. Of the three brothers, only Ruan the Second had a wife; the Fifth and Seventh were unmarried. All four sat in the waterside pavilion behind the house. Ruan the Seventh killed the chickens and gave them to his sister-in-law and the servant boy to cook. By the first watch the wine and meat were spread on the table.

Wu Yong urged them to drink several cups, then brought up the matter of buying fish again. "This is a big place you have here—how can there be no large fish?"

"To tell you the truth, Professor," said Ruan the Second, "the only such fish are in the Reed Marshes. Our Stone Tablet Lake is too small to hold them."

"But the Reed Marshes are just over there—the waters connect! Why don't you go fish there?"

Ruan the Second sighed deeply. "Say no more!"

"Why do you sigh, Brother?" asked Wu Yong.

Ruan the Fifth took up the tale: "You don't know, Professor. In the old days the Reed Marshes were our rice bowl. Now we dare not go near them."

"Surely the authorities haven't forbidden fishing in such a big place?"

"What authorities would dare forbid us to fish!" said Ruan the Fifth. "Even the King of Hell couldn't stop us!"

"Then why don't you go?"

"You don't know the story, Professor. Let me tell you."

Ruan the Seventh broke in: "The Reed Marshes—it's hard to speak of it. A band of outlaws has taken over the lake and won't let anyone fish."

"I hadn't heard a word of this," said Wu Yong.

"Their leader is a failed scholar called Wang Lun, the White-Clad Scholar," said Ruan the Second. "Second in command is Du Qian, called Touches the Sky; third is Song Wan, the Cloud-Riding Vajra. Below them is Zhu Gui, the Dry-Land Crocodile, who keeps a tavern at Li Family Ford to spy on travelers—he's nothing much. But recently they've gained a new man: Lin Chong, known as Panther Head, once an instructor of the imperial guard in the Eastern Capital. A very skilled fighter. These scoundrels have gathered five or six hundred men and rob travelers along the roads. We haven't dared fish there for over a year—they've seized the lake and cut off our livelihood. That's why I sigh."

"I truly knew nothing of this," said Wu Yong. "Why don't the authorities arrest them?"

"Those officials!" spat Ruan the Fifth. "Whenever they stir themselves, it's to plague the common folk. When they come down to a village, they eat up all the pigs, sheep, chickens, and geese belonging to honest families, then demand traveling money before they leave. Now these outlaws give them a taste of their own medicine! The constables dare not set foot in the countryside—whenever their superiors send them on a raid, they're so scared they piss themselves and wouldn't dare look those bandits in the eye."

Ruan the Second added, "Even if I don't catch big fish anymore, at least I'm free of taxes and levies."

"So those fellows live well!" said Wu Yong.

"Live well?" cried Ruan the Fifth. "They fear neither heaven nor earth nor the law. They weigh out gold and silver by the scale, wear the finest silks, drink wine from whole jars, eat meat in great chunks—how could they not be happy? We three brothers have skill to spare, but how can we ever live like them?"

Wu Yong was secretly delighted. "The hook is set."

Ruan the Seventh said, "A man's life is one generation; grass lives one autumn. If all we do is fish for a living, wouldn't it be something to live even one day as they do!"

"Why would you imitate such men?" asked Wu Yong. "What they do is no small crime—punishable by more than a few strokes of the cane. They throw away their tiger-like strength. And if the authorities catch them, they've only themselves to blame."

Ruan the Second said, "The courts nowadays are blind and muddled! Those who commit monstrous crimes go free. We brothers can't enjoy ourselves—if anyone would take us along, we'd go!"

"I often think the same," said Ruan the Fifth. "Our three brothers' skills are no worse than any man's! But who recognizes us?"

Wu Yong said, "Suppose someone did recognize your worth—would you really be willing to go?"

"If someone recognized us," cried Ruan the Seventh, "we'd follow him into water or fire! If we could enjoy ourselves for even one day, we'd die with our eyes open and smiling."

Wu Yong rejoiced inwardly. "All three are ripe. Now I'll draw them in slowly." He urged them to drink two more rounds.

A verse says:

Because the wicked bent true talents low, Heaven sent its baleful stars to dwell below. See how the Ruan brothers join the fray— To seize the Birthday riches on their way.

Wu Yong asked, "Would you three dare go up to the Reed Marshes and capture those bandits?"

Ruan the Seventh laughed. "Even if we caught them, where would we claim a reward? The heroes of the rivers would laugh at us!"

"Forgive my short-sightedness," said Wu Yong. "But since you're bitter about not fishing, why not go there and join their ranks yourselves?"

"You don't know, Professor," said Ruan the Second. "We've discussed joining them many times. But Wang Lun's men say he has a narrow heart and can't abide anyone of worth. When Lin Chong came from the capital, Wang Lun made his life miserable. He won't take in good men at random. When we heard that, our hearts went cold."

"If only they were as generous as you, Professor," said Ruan the Seventh, "and valued us brothers!"

"Had Wang Lun treated men as you do, Professor," said Ruan the Fifth, "we'd have joined long ago and not waited till today! We three would die for such a man willingly."

"What am I?" said Wu Yong modestly. "There are countless heroes in Shandong and Hebei!"

"There are plenty of brave men about," said Ruan the Second. "But we brothers have never met one."

"Speaking of which—do you know Chao Gai, the ward chief of East Brook Village in Yuncheng County?"

"Isn't he called the Pagoda-Lifter?" asked Ruan the Fifth.

"The very man," said Wu Yong.

"We're barely a hundred li from him," said Ruan the Seventh, "but fate has been unkind—we know his name but have never met."

"Such a generous and righteous man—why haven't you sought him out?"

"We've had no business in those parts," said Ruan the Second, "so we never made his acquaintance."

Wu Yong said, "For several years I've taught school near Chao Gai's manor. Now I've learned he has a certain fortune within reach, and I came specially to discuss it with you three. What if we waylay it on the road and take it?"

"That won't do," said Ruan the Fifth. "If he's truly a generous, righteous man, we shouldn't ruin his enterprise—the heroes of the rivers would laugh at us."

"I thought perhaps your hearts were not firm," said Wu Yong, "but I see you truly honor friendship and righteousness. Then let me tell you plainly: if you truly wish to help, I'll reveal the matter. I am staying at Chao Gai's manor now. He heard of your three reputations and sent me specially to invite you."

Ruan the Second rose. "We three brothers speak no lies—not a hair of falsehood in us! If Chao Gai has some great enterprise and wants us with him, we swear by this wine: if we grudge our lives or fail him, may disaster strike us all, may foul disease take us, may we die unnatural deaths!"

Ruan the Fifth and Ruan the Seventh slapped their necks. "This hot blood is for sale—and now a man who knows its worth has come to buy!"

"Listen, you three," said Wu Yong gravely. "I'm not here with crooked schemes to lure you. This affair is no small thing! The Grand Tutor Cai in the Eastern Capital celebrates his birthday on the fifteenth of the sixth month. His son-in-law, Governor Liang of Daming, is sending a convoy of a hundred thousand strings' worth of gold and jewels as a birthday gift. A brave man named Liu Tang came to report this. We want you to join us—a few good men gathering in some remote mountain hollow to seize this ill-gotten wealth and live well for the rest of our lives. That's why I came pretending to buy fish. What say you?"

Ruan the Fifth slapped his thigh. "Done! Done!" He turned to Ruan the Seventh. "What did I tell you?"

Ruan the Seventh jumped up. "All my life's hope, granted today! You've scratched where I itch! When do we go?"

"Right away," said Wu Yong. "Tomorrow at dawn we'll all go together to Chao Gai's manor."

The three Ruan brothers were overjoyed.

That night they slept, and in the morning ate breakfast, gave instructions to their household, and set out with Wu Yong toward East Brook Village. They walked all day until they saw the Chao manor ahead. Under a green locust tree stood Chao Gai himself with Liu Tang, waiting. When they saw Wu Yong leading the three Ruan brothers, they came forward to greet them.

Chao Gai was delighted. "The Three Ruan Heroes are famous indeed! Come into the manor and let us talk."

They entered and sat in the rear hall. Wu Yong recounted everything, and Chao Gai was overjoyed. He ordered servants to slaughter pigs and sheep and prepare offerings for a solemn oath. The three Ruan brothers saw how imposing Chao Gai was and how freely he spoke.

"We've always loved making friends with heroes," they said, "and here we find one at last! Without Professor Wu's introduction, we'd never have met you!" They were happier than words could tell. That evening they ate together and talked half the night.

At dawn the next day, before the rear hall, they laid out spirit money, paper horses, incense, flowers, lamps, and candles, with the boiled pigs and sheep as offerings. Everyone saw how sincere Chao Gai was and rejoiced. Each man swore:

"Governor Liang oppresses the people of Daming and squeezes their wealth to celebrate his father-in-law's birthday. This is ill-gotten treasure. If any of us six harbors selfish thoughts, may heaven and earth destroy him and the gods bear witness!"

After the oaths they burned the spirit money.

The six heroes were drinking together in the rear hall when a servant announced: "A Taoist priest at the gate wants to see the ward chief for alms."

Chao Gai said crossly, "Can't you manage anything? You see me entertaining guests! Give him three or five pints of rice and be done with it—why come bothering me?"

"I offered him rice, but he refused. He insists on seeing you in person."

"He must think it too little! Give him two or three pecks more. Tell him the ward chief is feasting guests today and has no time to see him."

The servant went, but after a long while returned: "I gave him three pecks of rice, but he still won't leave. He calls himself the Pure Taoist and says he came not for money or grain but only to meet you once."

"You fool, can't you answer properly? Tell him plainly I have no time today—he may come another day for tea."

"That's what I said! But he answered: 'I care nothing for alms. I've heard the ward chief is a righteous man and came specially to see him.'"

"Stop pestering me!" snapped Chao Gai. "If he wants more, give him four or five pecks—there's no need to keep reporting back! If I weren't drinking with my guests, I'd go out and meet him—what harm would it do? Go settle him and don't bother me again!"

Before half an hour passed, a servant came running: "The priest has lost his temper and knocked down a dozen of the servants!"

Chao Gai started up in alarm. "Forgive me, brothers—I'll go see what this is about." He hurried out to the gate.

There stood a man eight feet tall with a striking face, strange and imposing, beating the servants under the green locust tree. His hair was gathered in two loose topknots; he wore a short brown robe, a rainbow-colored sash, an ancient bronze sword on his back, hemp sandals on bare feet, and carried a tortoiseshell fan. He had slanted brows, apricot-shaped eyes, a square mouth, and a full beard.

As he struck the servants he shouted, "You don't know a good man when you see one!"

Chao Gai called out, "Sir, calm your anger! You came seeking Chao the ward chief for alms—he gave you rice. Why are you so enraged?"

The priest laughed loudly. "I care nothing for food or money! A hundred thousand strings mean nothing to me. I came specially to see the ward chief on important business. But these clods insulted me, and my temper got the better of me."

"Do you know Chao Gai?" asked the ward chief.

"I know his name only—we've never met."

"I am he. What do you wish to say?"

The priest looked at him and bowed. "Forgive me, ward chief. I salute you."

"Please, sir, come into the manor for tea," said Chao Gai.

With pleasure."

They entered together. Wu Yong, seeing the priest, drew back with Liu Tang and the three Ruan brothers to another room.

Chao Gai led the priest to the rear hall for tea. When they had drunk, the priest said, "This is no place for words. Is there some quieter spot?"

Chao Gai took him to a small pavilion apart, where they sat as host and guest.

"May I ask your name and native place?" said Chao Gai.

The priest answered, "My surname is Gongsun, my given name Sheng, my religious name the Pure One. I am from Jizhou. As a youth I loved spear and staff, and mastered many martial arts, so people called me Gongsun Sheng the Elder. Because I also studied the Taoist arts—summoning wind and rain, riding mist and clouds—the rivers and lakes know me as the Cloud-Riding Dragon. I have long heard of Chao Gai, ward chief of East Brook Village in Yuncheng County, but fate never brought us together. Now I bring a hundred thousand strings' worth of gold and jewels as a gift to you—my token of respect. Will you accept it?"

Chao Gai laughed heartily. "Sir, are you speaking of the Birthday Convoy from the north?"

The priest started. "How does the ward chief know?"

"I guessed wildly. Does my guess match your meaning?" said Chao Gai.

"This fortune must not be missed," said Gongsun Sheng. "The ancients said: 'If you don't take what should be taken, you'll regret it too late.' What does the ward chief think?"

At that moment a man burst in from outside and seized Gongsun Sheng by the chest.

"Excellent!" he cried. "There is law above and gods who see all! How dare you plot such a thing? I've heard everything!"

Gongsun Sheng's face turned ashen.

Truly:

The scheme was not yet laid, When ears outside betrayed. The plan had barely started, When ruin from within darted.

Who was this man who seized Gongsun Sheng? Hear it in the next chapter.