[Water Margin] Hu Sanniang with her delicate hands - Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
The aftermath of the late-night counsel was like a submerged reef: invisible on the surface, yet making Hu Sanniang’s position in Liangshan increasingly precarious. Although Song Jiang did not overtly punish her, the subtle distance and scrutiny were more suffocating than outright anger. Li Kui no longer bothered to hide the murderous intent in his eyes when he saw her, and would likely have acted if not for Song Jiang’s authority. Wang Ying lurked in the shadows, his venomous gaze like a maggot on a wound.
However, Hu Sanniang’s spirit, after the setback of that night and Dǎlǐbō’s silent protection, had strangely settled. Fear and confusion still existed, but a cool determination, like one who has burned their bridges, began to take the lead. She no longer waited passively but began to observe more closely and think more meticulously.
This day, the war drums sounded again before the Hall of Assembly. It was neither for celebration nor feasting, but for Song Jiang and Wu Yong to summon and dispatch troops to deal with the increasingly urgent imperial encirclement. At the same time, they seemed intent on capitalizing on the new alliance to launch an offensive and expand their territory.
In front of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, banners fluttered, and the leaders stood in order, the atmosphere somber and tense. Song Jiang sat in the commander’s seat, with Wu Yong standing beside him, holding the command flag. The Liao delegation was also invited to observe. Dǎlǐbō still wore her crimson silk robe, seated among the guests, her expression calm. Only when her gaze swept over Hu Sanniang below the dais did it linger slightly, carrying an almost imperceptible query.
Hu Sanniang, unexpectedly, wore the “Xuanlian” armor today.
The dark chainmail was lined with the deep-blue riding attire. The lotus-petal-shaped plates shimmered with a cold, dark luster in the morning light. The phoenix-crested doumou helmet concealed part of her face, revealing only a pair of calm, water-like eyes and tightly pressed lips. The black obsidian heart protector was like a profound eye, indifferently reflecting everything around it. She stood tall and straight with her hand on her sabers. In this line-up of burly men, she did not look out of place; instead, she possessed a solitary hauteur and a formidable killing aura that made her stand out from the crowd.
The first formal appearance of this armor drew all eyes. Admiration, envy, scrutiny, greed… various gazes converged upon her.
The assignment of duties began. Song Jiang allocated tasks one by one, deploying men. Attacking prefectures, raiding supply routes, holding strategic passes… all were for Liangshan’s expansion and survival. When it came time to assign Hu Sanniang, Song Jiang pondered briefly, exchanging a look with Wu Yong.
Wu Yong stepped forward, gently shaking his feather fan, and announced clearly: “Hu Sanniang, heed the order!”
“Here,” Hu Sanniang cupped her fist. Her voice, filtered through the helmet, carried a metallic resonance.
“You are commanded to lead your former Hu Family Manor troops, supplemented with two hundred newly attached soldiers, as the vanguard of the army. Three days hence, you shall march on Dongping Prefecture! There must be no delay!”
Vanguard! And for attacking a major city like Dongping Prefecture!
The order shocked the assembly! The vanguard position was extremely dangerous, a near-certain death sentence. More crucially, while Hu Sanniang commanded her old retainers, they were largely defeated troops with low morale. Mixing them with two hundred unfamiliar, newly attached soldiers would hamper command effectiveness. This was clearly a scheme to eliminate her through a borrowed knife! Even if she miraculously survived, it would be easy to find fault and severely punish her!
Many leaders showed surprise, but no one spoke up. Wang Ying curled his lips into a cold, sinister smile. Li Kui openly grinned, as if he already saw the tragic sight of Hu Sanniang’s defeat and death.
On the high dais, Dǎlǐbō’s brow imperceptibly furrowed. Her light brown eyes looked toward Hu Sanniang with a trace of concern.
Everyone waited for Hu Sanniang’s reaction. Would she refuse in panic? Would she accuse them in grief and indignation? Or would she suppress her anger and accept?
Hu Sanniang remained silent. Her expression was hidden beneath the helmet, but the knuckles of the jade hand resting on the saber hilt were slightly white from the pressure. She could feel the palpable pressure from all sides and the gaze of concern from the high dais.
Time seemed to freeze.
After a moment, she raised her head. Her gaze pierced the shadow of the helmet, directly meeting Song Jiang and Wu Yong on the dais. Her voice was clear and steady, betraying no sign of turmoil:
“Hu Sanniang accepts the order.”
No question, no fear, just three simple words.
This reaction was completely unexpected by everyone! Even Song Jiang and Wu Yong were slightly taken aback.
However, it was not over.
Hu Sanniang took a step forward. The leaves of her dark armor rubbed together, producing a faint, cold sound. Her gaze swept over the leaders below the dais, pausing for a moment on Wang Ying and Li Kui. Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a clear, metallic resonance like clashing steel:
“As vanguard, I must have the authority of a vanguard! Under my command, whether former retainers or newly attached soldiers, all must strictly obey orders, with clear rewards and punishments! Should anyone be found shrinking from battle, disobeying commands, harassing civilians, or committing indiscriminate killings—”
CLANG! She drew the Sun and Moon double sabers from her waist! The gleaming blades cut two dazzling cold arcs in the morning light, crossing before her chest, reflecting the dark luster of her armor and her ice-cold eyes:
“—regardless of their seniority or status, these sabers shall bear witness, and they shall be dealt with by military law, executed without fail!”
As her words fell, the entire assembly was utterly silent!
The sunlight shone on the dark armor and the double sabers, reflecting a frightening glare. Her tall figure, cold tone, and her undisguised, desperate resolve created a powerful aura that made even many battle-hardened leaders feel a chill in their hearts!
This was no longer just accepting an order; it was a public assertion of authority! It was a challenge to some of Liangshan’s unwritten rules! She was telling everyone that even if she was the vanguard, even if she was heading into a death trap, Hu Sanniang was absolutely not a soft persimmon to be easily manipulated!
The smile on Wang Ying’s face froze, and Li Kui’s sneer also solidified, replaced by a look of surprise and uncertainty. They had never seen Hu Sanniang like this before, as if the “Xuanlian” armor had truly endowed her with some kind of profound, transformative power.
Wu Yong stopped shaking his fan, his eyes flickering with contemplation.
Song Jiang’s expression was calm, his gaze deep as he looked at the dark-armored, resolute figure standing below the dais with her sabers. He remained silent for a long time.
On the high dais, Dǎlǐbō’s tightly furrowed brow slowly smoothed out. The corner of her mouth curved into an almost imperceptible, faint smile of appreciation and understanding. She looked at Hu Sanniang, at her straight spine in desperation, at the sharpness she displayed under pressure. The light flowed in her light brown eyes.
Hu Sanniang sheathed her sabers with a crisp CLING, and cupped her fist toward Song Jiang again: “If there is nothing further, I shall take my leave and immediately prepare the troops for battle!”
With that, she did not look at anyone else. She turned and walked with steady, determined steps through the silent crowd. Her dark-armored back cast a solitary and striking shadow in the sunlight.
The commotion before the dais concluded for the time being in a way no one had predicted.
Dark armor, red dress, and intimidating double sabers.
Hu Sanniang had declared to all of Liangshan in her own way—
Even as a pawn in a death trap, she would carve her own most tragic mark on the chessboard.
And where would this mark ultimately lead?
No one knew.
Only the wind from the north seemed to carry a hint of a sigh, and anticipation.