Scholar Wu Persuades the Three Ruan Brothers to Join the Venture; Gongsun Sheng Answers the Seven Stars’ Righteous Gathering

A poem says: Heroes meet without any fixed day; By the marsh they wait for orders. To seize the many treasures of the birthday convoy, They specially invite the three Ruan brothers to plan the clever scheme. For a time these heroes dare defy the government; The light of the seven stars startles the heavenly palace. Together they hold Liangshan and gather in righteousness, And countless gold and silver treasures are all seized back. Now Wu Yong said, “I have been thinking. There are three men full of courage, highly skilled in martial arts, willing to brave boiling water and fire, able to live and die together, and valuing loyalty above all. Only if we get these three can this great matter be accomplished.” Chao Gai asked, “What sort of men are these three? What are their names, and where do they live?” Wu Yong said, “They are three brothers, living in Stone Tablet Village by Liangshan Marsh in Jizhou. They make their living by fishing, and they have also done smuggling on the lake. Their surname is Ruan. The eldest is Ruan the Second, the Standing Earthly Titan. The......