Xiao Rang

Xiao Rang (萧让) is a character in the "Water Margin".

Xiao Rang was a scholar from Jizhou and a good friend of Wu Yong. He excelled in calligraphy and could imitate the handwriting of Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian, Mi Yuanzhang and Cai Jing. Thus he was nicknamed the 'Scholar with the sacred hand' (圣手书生). Besides being a scholar, Xiao excelled in martial arts as well.

Once, Song Jiang was jailed for writing a poem which promoted anti-government ideas, Dai Zong came to Jizhou to find Xiao Rang under Wu Yong's instruction for help. Also, Wu Yong invited Jin Da-jian for help. Xiao Rang forged a letter by Cai Jing, while Jin Da-jian made a fake seal on the letter. In the letter, Cai Jiu was told to sent Song Jiang to the capital.

Initially, everything went according to plan, and even Cai Jiu could not tell apart his father's handwring from Xiao Rang's forged handwriting. However, Huang Wenbing managed to discover that the seal used was a wrong one. Cai Jiu then ordered Song Jiang and Dai Zong to be executed. Wu Yong had discovered that there was a mistake earlier and so he had already made preparations. The Liangshan heroes stormed the execution ground and rescued Song and Dai.

Xiao Rang became the chief secretary of the Liangshan band, and was in charge of writing the orders of deploying troops. After the Liangshan heroes had defeated the imperial forces led by Gao Qiu and captured Gao, Song Jiang released Gao and allowed him to return to the emperor. Song Jiang also sent Xiao Rang and Yue He, as envoys to the emperor, to follow Gao, so that the Liangshan heroes can obtain amnesty from the emperor easier. Gao Qiu broke his promise and had both men locked up, but Dai Zong and Yan Qing rescued them.

After the heroes had obtained amnesty from the emperor, they went on their campaigns against the Liao Tartars and southern rebels. Xiao Rang followed the heroes on all their campaigns, making great contributions. During the Wang Qing campaign, Xiao Rang, Jin Da-jian and Pei Xuan were caught by Liang Yong. Despite facing torture from the enemy, the three heroes refused to surrender. Later, Liang's surbordinate killed him and released the heroes.

After the Wang Qing campaign, the Liangshan heroes were sent to subdue Fang La. On the eve of the campaign, Xiao Rang was summoned back and he did not participate in the campaign. Xiao Rang stayed in the capital and served as Cai Jing's private secretary.