History and Literature

Heroes on Mount Liangshan

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The idiom comes from the 42nd chapter of Outlaws of the Marsh-"the robber posing as Li Kui mugging lone travelers and the real Li Kui killing the four thugs". Nicknamed "black whirlwind", Li Kui is one of the heroes on Mount Liangshan. And Li Gui is a robber who robs passers-by in the name of Li Kui.
On his way home to visit his mother, Li Kui met Li Gui posing as him robbing passer-bys. Li Kui defeated Li Gui with a broad axe after a brawl. Li Gui begged to be spared and lied that he had an elderly mother to feed and had no choice but to rob. Later, Li Gui tricked Li Kui into his home and plotted with his wife to kill Li Kui, but Li Kui saw through the plot and killed Li Gui. Therefore, people use "Li Gui" to refer to wicked persons trying to obtain profits for themselves under other's name.

Outlaws of the Marsh

Outlaws of the Marsh, written more than 600 years ago, is the first vernacular novel with Chapter Style (a type of traditional Chinese novel with each chapter headed by a couplet giving the gist of its content) in the history of Chinese novel.

Heroes on Mount Liangshan

Heroes on Mount Liangshan

The heroes on Mount Liangshan are characters described in the Ming Dynasty novel Outlaws of the Marsh.
Bi Shang Liang Shan (meaning "be forced to join the Mount Liangshan rebels")

Bi Shang Liang Shan (meaning "be forced to join the Mount Liangshan rebels")

The idiom refers to rising in rebellion or being compelled to take certain actions.