Chapter 116 Chapter 111

  "The Bandits of the Central Plains: A Memoir and Supplement"

  Why am I writing so many thieves? Let's take a look at the historical definition of "thieves also have their own way".

  Thievery has its own principles — Zhuangzi

  From "Zhuangzi - Stealing". Zhi's disciples asked Zhi, "Is there a way of thievery?" Zhi said, "Where is the place that doesn't have a way? If one recklessly enters the room where treasures are stored, it is wisdom; to enter first is bravery; to exit last is righteousness; to know whether something can be done or not is knowledge; to distribute equally is benevolence. Without these five virtues, there has never been anyone in the world who could become a great thief."

  The thief later became a synonym for bandits in ancient books, and the phrase "thieves also have their own way" comes from here. The general idea of this passage is that the bandit asked his leader whether there was any reason or principle in the profession of thievery. The leader replied that how could there not be? In all things under heaven, where would there not be a principle? Not only did the profession of thievery have its own principles, but it also had its own learning! First, one must "guess" - estimate whether a certain place has wealth or treasure; only if the guess is correct can one be considered clever. Second, when stealing, one must be the first to enter and take the first risk, which requires great courage. Third, after the theft, one must be the last to leave and bear the final danger, which is loyalty. Fourth, one must determine whether a place should be robbed or not, what time is best to rob it, know what can be overcome and what cannot, and make judgments correctly in order to avoid danger - this is wisdom. Finally, the stolen goods should be distributed fairly, which is benevolence in thievery. Without these five qualities, one cannot become a great thief.

  This set of teachings, identical to the "Way of the Sages" advocated by the Confucians, satirizes the hypocrisy of the Confucians. It seems that if the "Way of the Sages" is used to educate gentlemen, they can be cultivated into sages; but if it is exploited by bad people, they will become great thieves. However, there are few sages in the world and many great thieves, which shows that the "Way of the Sages" brings little benefit to the world and much disaster. Therefore, Zhuangzi said: "The sage does not die, the great thief does not stop." Only by attacking the hypocritical "Way of the Sages" and letting everything follow the natural order can the world be at peace.

  It is worth noting that the leader of the slave uprising, Zhi, was slandered as "Thief Zhi" by successive rulers because he represented the interests of the oppressed. Zhuangzi had sympathy for Thief Zhi and pointed out multiple times that this society is one where "those who steal a hook are put to death, while those who steal a state become feudal lords." He also said that the "Way of the Sages" teaches people to pursue fame and profit, and that the harm caused by sages actually surpasses that of great thieves. Rather than calling Zhi "Thief Zhi", it would be better to call Confucius (Kong Qiu) "Thief Qiu". The hypocritical "Way of the Sages" is what causes chaos in the world.

  In traditional culture, great thieves have always been revered for their chivalry. The "Biographies of Knights-Errant" in the Records of the Grand Historian tells many stories about these knights-errant, most of whom were actually great thieves. However, because they were not only thieves but also men of honor and integrity, Sima Qian wrote biographies for them, allowing their names to be passed down through history.

  The eighteen great thieves who broke through the three passes of Fire Gate, who else can everyone remember?

  First, Atimu from Turpan - Atimu originally had two nameplates on his body, one was his own and the other was stolen from Jingzhou's Sharp Ears. As a result, Atimu was too greedy and lost to Zheng Zedao, who won one plate and stole another. Later, Atimu stole a red clown nameplate from Naoshibao, but was driven away by Naoshibao's fire attack. Atimu returned, saw no hope of passing the barrier, and flew into a rage, wanting to kill Huoxiao Xie to vent his anger, but was instead killed by Huaniangzi, who took Atimu's red clown nameplate. Atimu held two curved-head scissors, which should have had attack and stealth functions.

  Second, the four seas are home, Ku Deng and Shang - holding Zhao Shuncai's and San Qi Feng's number plates to pass through, letting Huo Xiao Ye win his own number plate. Ku Deng heard what Huo Xiao Ye said and put his own number plate at the entrance of the stone room. Ku Deng was exposed by Jia Ding Yi, he is a monk who specializes in stealing Buddhist scriptures. Temporarily empty-handed, without weapons.

  Third, Su Beizheng Zedao, nicknamed Xiao Buwei - Guo Guan, holds his own and Atim's token to pass the checkpoint. The token of Jian Erduo was originally on him, he gave Jian Erduo's token to Pang Haowei, making Pang Haowei listen to his command wholeheartedly. Temporarily empty-handed, without a weapon.

  Fourth place, Zongwangnuo Jiangdala from Lhasa. —— Lost to Bingpajunzi and gave up, his heart was dead, he withdrew from the competition. Empty-handed, without a weapon.

  Fifth, Wang Xiaoxian from Shanghai, nicknamed "Sick Jar" - passed the test, and fought fairly with Zhuo Wangnujiang to win, holding his own and Zhuo Wangnujiang's signboard to pass the test. Bare-handed, without any weapons.

  Jia Ding Yi is the sixth to pass - passing with his own and Huo Xiao Xie's tokens, Jia Ding Yi gave San Qi Feng and Zhao Shun Cai's tokens to Ku Deng and Shang. Jia Ding Yi can wield a black whip, he also has a thin knife on him.

  Seventh, the Red Little Clown at the intersection of Guizhou and Yunnan - died miserably in a cave, with no number plate on his body. The Red Little Clown attempted to ambush Xiao Bao but failed, and was instead set on fire by Xiao Bao, who took the Red Little Clown's number plate and left. The Red Little Clown refused to give up, hiding at the intersection to wait for another chance to ambush someone, but was killed by an unknown person, which remains a mystery that will be slowly revealed later. The Red Little Clown used sharp blade-like weapons, able to quickly cut open people's clothes at close range, which is related to his fondness for stealing women's hair.

  Eighth, Fujian San Qifeng - assassinated Jingzhou Jiantou, but at this time Jiantou's number plate had been stolen by Atimud. San Qifeng and Zhuo Wangnujiang were competing when they were killed by Jiadingyu. Died very early, without revealing their weapons.

  Ninth place, Kaifeng Liang Ba - Pass, holding his own and Guī Lóng's plaques to pass, but hiding in the cave until Zheng Ze Dao and Jiǎ Dīng Yǐ came out of the cave, then went out with Bìng Guàn Zǐ. There is a metal Feng Shui plate in the backpack that can kill people.

  Tenth place, Jingzhou Jian Er Duo - as soon as he entered the cave, his number plate was stolen by Atimud, and later he was killed by San Qi Feng. He died very early and did not show off his weapon.

  The eleventh, Huo Xiao Xie - passed the test, Yan Chong sent Huo Xiao Xie Hong Xiao Jester and Nao Xiao Bao's number plate, Huo Xiao Xie found the number plate of Yao Zi Gou from the four-sided clock, including taking the number plate of Ku Shi and Shang from the Stone Room, a total of holding four number plates to pass the test. Empty-handed, without weapons.

  The twelfth, Shanxi Guilong - lost to Liang Yibei in a game of guessing the object on his back, but harbored a desire for revenge and attempted to kill Liang Yibei, only to be killed by Liang's Wind Water Disk. He was empty-handed, without any weapons.

  Thirteenth, Sichuan Pao Hao Wei - Pass, holding his own and pointed ear's number plate to pass. Holding a bright yellow shovel and a black iron pot, saying it's a weapon, not to mention it's a cooking utensil at any time.

  Fourteenth, Harbin Li Liao Zhuo, alias Smoke Worm - Passing the barrier, in the cave he chased after Huā Niáng Zǐ for three days and three nights, ruining many of her good deeds. After Huā Niáng Zǐ took away Xiao Bao's token, Smoke Worm used his sour-smelling seal to block all the roads, taking back the token from Huā Niáng Zǐ. In the end, Huā Niáng Zǐ was defeated by Smoke Worm. Smoke Worm gave two tokens to Huǒ Xiǎo Xié, passing the barrier with his own and Huā Niáng Zǐ's tokens. Empty-handed, without a weapon, but never leaving his pipe, he has a certain air about him.

  Fifteenth, Hunan Guo Baobao, nicknamed Little Ruckus - Little Ruckus originally won the Red Clown, but was stolen by Atimud's number plate. When chasing Atimud, he was poisoned by Huaniangzi's spring poison, and his own number plate was taken away by Huaniangzi. Empty-handed, but can ignite fire, throwing out fireballs.

  Sixteenth place, Nanjing Zhang Jian, nicknamed Yaozi Gou - withdrew midway, dropped the number plate back into the cave, and was finally picked up by Huo Xiao Xie. Ran away midway, unarmed.

  Seventeenth place, Zhao Shuncai from Beiping - his number plate was stolen by Jia Dingyu long ago and he was killed by Jia Dingyu. He died early on without a weapon.

  Eighteenth place, Hangzhou Yu Juaner, alias Huā Niáng Zǐ (Flower Maiden) — Flower Maiden was troubled by being chased by the Smoking Worm and couldn't display her skills. She had obtained Xiao Bao's number plate, but the Smoking Worm blocked the exit, and the Spring Poison on Flower Maiden's body couldn't harm the Smoking Worm's smoke acid, so when she couldn't get out, the Smoking Worm took away one of her blocks. Flower Maiden was unwilling to give up, and at the last moment killed A Ti Mu, taking away A Ti Mu's number plate, which saved Huo Xiao Xie's life. Originally, Flower Maiden had two more blocks, but the Smoking Worm chased after her, using its smoke technique to make the Spring Poison backfire on Flower Maiden, and all of her number plates were taken away by the Smoking Worm. On Flower Maiden's hair was a silver needle with a small claw at one end, used for stealing tiny things up close, while the other end was sharp enough to kill people.