In the Water Margin
Ruan Xiao'er is the eldest of the three Ruan brothers of Shijie Village, fishermen who live by the marshes near Liangshan and are known as Earth-Shaking Demon. Wu Yong, who once lived in the village, seeks him out first, and Ruan Xiao'er rows him across the water to find Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaoqi. Over wine the brothers complain that the outlaws on Liangshan have closed the fishing waters and that officials prey on the villages, and Wu Yong wins all three for Chao Gai's plan.
The brothers take part in seizing Liang Zhongshu's birthday gifts on Yellow Mud Ridge, and when the authorities come for Chao Gai they fight on their own waters and follow him to Liangshan. Ruan Xiao'er becomes one of the mountain's water chiefs and takes seat twenty-seven beneath the Tianjian star. In the campaign against Fang La his boats are trapped in a river battle below Wulong Ridge, and rather than be taken alive he cuts his own throat.
