公孫勝
Wu Yong recommends involving the three Ruan brothers when Chao Gai, headman of Dongxi village in Yuncheng County, seeks his advice on whether to hijack valuables in transportation to the Grand Tutor Cai Jing in the imperial capital Dongjing. Visiting the Ruans in Shijie Village, Wu claims that he has come to buy some fish before proceeding to find out whether they are receptive to the proposal. Ruan Xiaoer, being the oldest and most astute, senses Wu is up to something else. The other two are straightforward and quickly reveal resentment of their poverty and oppression by officials. Although less forthcoming, when Wu Yong comes to his point, Ruan Xiao-er accepts the invitation like his brothers. The robbers, numbering seven including Liu Tang and Gongsun Sheng and with the help of Bai Sheng, who poses as a wine seller, succeed in seizing the valuables at the Yellow Mud Ridge by drugging the escorts of the gifts led by Yang Zhi.