During the late Tang Dynasty, a man named Yue Yanzhen from Weizhou earned a promotion to the post of prefect of Chanzhou after distinguishing himself in battle against Zhuge Shuang.
Le Yan Zhen had a wayward son named Le Cong Xun, who from childhood ignored his parents' teachings and delighted in mischief. As he grew, he caroused with a pack of disreputable friends, drinking and causing trouble. Le Yan Zhen was heartbroken over his worthless son but utterly powerless to change him.
When Yue Congxun heard that Commander-in-Chief Wang Duo was being transferred to Cangzhou and would pass through Weizhou, his greed was stirred by Wang Duo's legendary wealth. Seeing this as a heaven-sent opportunity, he thought, "How could I let this chance slip away?"
Le Congxun lured Wang Duo's singing girls with lavish bribes, tricking them into revealing their travel route and schedule. He then gathered a gang of idle ruffians and set an ambush along the path. As Wang Duo's party entered the trap, the thugs swarmed in, hacking and slashing wildly. Caught off guard, Wang Duo's men scattered in panic, and Wang Duo himself was struck down on the spot. Le Congxun snatched Wang Duo's gold, silver, and treasures, grabbed the singing girls, and fled without a trace.
Wang Duo was a man of great renown in the Weizhou region, and Yue Congxun's heinous act drew widespread condemnation from the locals. Yet, with the central court in decline and regional powers acting independently, the authorities above were powerless to rein in the likes of Yue Congxun.
Yue Congxun had tasted success and grew bolder, gathering over 500 desperadoes he called "Zijiang," with himself as the commander. This gang ran amok, flaunting their power, causing chaos and unrest all around.
Yue Congxun's actions stirred up talk throughout the prefecture, with everyone calling for his punishment. Catching wind of this, Yue Congxun fled that very night.
At this time, Yue Yanzhen was appointed Commander of the Six Prefectures and Prefect of Xiangzhou. After taking office, his son Yue Congxun exploited his father's name to hoard weapons, extort money and goods, and kill innocent people. The prefectural authorities suspected Yue Yanzhen of plotting rebellion, dismissed him, and promoted General Zhao Wen to lead the military and civil affairs. Furious and humiliated, Yue Yanzhen died of illness shortly after.
Le Congxun marched over thirty thousand troops to the city walls, his presence menacing. Zhao Wen, timid and fearful, kept his forces idle. Suspecting Zhao Wen of colluding with Le Congxun, the people dismissed him, and Luo Hongxin stepped forward to volunteer as the new military governor.
Luo Hongxin led his troops to victory, forcing Yue Congxun and his remaining forces to flee and camp at Huanshui. Luo then dispatched Cheng Gongzuo to pursue, annihilating Yue's army completely and finally ridding the region of this scourge.
Later, the idiom "outlaw desperado" came to refer to someone who risks their life to commit evil deeds.
Source: *Old Book of Tang*, "Biography of Yue Yanzhen"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "亡命之徒" came to describe how someone risks their life to commit evil deeds.