话说当时吴学究道：“我寻思起来，有三个人，义胆包身，武艺出众，敢赴汤蹈火，同死同生，义气最重。
“I have in mind three men,” said Wu Yong, “gallant, unusually skilled with weapons, men who'd dare to go through fire and water, who'd stand together to live or die.
只除非得这三个人，方才完得这件事。”
We must get them if our venture is to succeed.”
晁盖道：“这三个却是甚么样人？
“What do these three do?” asked Chao Gai.
姓甚名谁？
1“What are their names,
何处居住？”
and where do they live?”
吴用道：“这三个人是弟兄三个，在济州梁山泊边石碣村住，日常只打鱼为生，亦曾在泊子里做私商勾当。
“They are brothers, and they live in the village of Stone Tablet near Liangshan Marsh in Jizhou Prefecture.
They are fishermen, though they've also done a bit of smuggling in the marsh.
本身姓阮，弟兄三人：一个唤做立地太岁阮小二，一个唤做短命二郎阮小五，一个唤做活阎罗阮小七。
Their family name is Ruan.
Second Brother is known as Ferocious Giant.
Fifth Brother is called Recklessly Rash.
Seventh Brother is nicknamed the Devil Incarnate.
小生旧日在那里住了数年，与他相交时，他虽是个不通文墨的人，为见他人结交，真有义气，是个好男子，因此和他来往。
I once lived in their village a number of years and I got to know them.
Although they haven't had any education, they're very loyal to their friends, and are good bold fellows, so we became quite close.
今已二三年有余，不曾相见。
I haven't seen them in over two years.
晁盖道：“我也曾闻这阮家三弟兄的名字，只不曾相会。
“I've heard of the three Ruan brothers, but we've never met.
石碣村离这里只有百十里以下路程，何不使人请他们来商议？”
Why not send someone to invite them for a talk?”
吴用道：“着人去请，他们如何肯来。
“They'd never come.
小生必须自去那里，凭三寸不烂之舌，说他们入伙。”
I'd better go myself and use this slick tongue of mine to persuade them to join us. ”
吴用答道：“事不宜迟，只今夜三更便去，明日晌午可到那里。”
“There's on time to waste.
If I leave tonight at the third watch I'll get there tomorrow before noon. ”
吴用道：“北京到东京也曾行到，只不知生辰纲从那条路来？
“I've been from the Northern Capital to the Eastern Capital, but I don't know which route the birthday convoy will follow,” said Wu Yong.
再烦刘兄休辞生受，连夜去北京路上探听起程的日期，端的从那条路上来？”
“Could we trouble brother Liu to go to the Northern Capital soon and find out exactly when it will set forth and along what roads it will travel?”
他生辰是六月十五日，如今却是五月初头，尚有四五十日。
“The birthday is on the fifteenth of the sixth lunar month.
Today is only the beginning of the fifth.
We've still got forty or fifty days.
等小生先去说了三阮弟兄回来，那时却叫刘兄去。”
Wait till I come back from the Ruans'.
Then brother Liu can go.”
刘兄弟只在我庄上等候。”
“Brother Liu can stay here in my manor.”
当日吃了半晌酒食，至三更时分，吴用起来洗漱罢，吃了些早饮，讨了些银两藏在身边，穿上草鞋。
They drank for some time.
At the third watch Wu Yong rose, washed, rinsed his mouth, had an early breakfast, concealed some silver on his person and put on his straw sandals.
晁盖、刘唐送出庄门。
Chao Gai and Liu Tang saw him to the manor gate.
吴学究自来认得，不用问人，来到石碣村中，迳投阮小二家来。
Since he knew the place, he didn't have to ask, but went directly to the home of Second Brother.
倚山傍水，约有十数间草房。
Between the bank and the hill slope stood ten or so thatched cottages.
吴用叫一声道：“二哥在家么？”
Wu Yong approached and called: “Is Second Brother at home?”