[Water Margin] Hu Sanniang with her delicate hands - Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
The military order issued before the mobilization dais, like a ladle of cold water poured into a pot of boiling oil, instantly caused an uproar throughout Liangshan. Astonishment, doubt, mockery, and even a faint expectation intermingled. Everyone could see this was a fatal move—Song Jiang and Wu Yong intended to kill her with a borrowed knife—yet Hu Sanniang had audaciously accepted, adopting a stance of not shrinking from mutual destruction.
Hu Sanniang paid no heed to the talk. Upon receiving the order and returning to her assigned sub-camp, she immediately summoned all her sub-leaders—including her former retainers Hu Cheng and Instructor Chen, as well as the provisional head of the two hundred newly attached soldiers, the former imperial officer Zhao Mang.
The troops set off at dawn on the appointed third day, before the thin mist had lifted. Banners fluttered, and swords and spears reflected the faint morning light, giving off a solemn, tragic aura. Hu Sanniang, clad in her dark armor, her face stern as ice beneath the helmet, rode at the head of the column, her Sun and Moon sabers crossed and strapped to her back. Behind her were a little over a thousand troops, barely integrated and with mixed morale.
The procession moved in silence, only the sound of horses’ hooves and the friction of armor audible. Hu Sanniang could feel the various gazes cast upon her from behind—the worry of her old retainers, the suspicion of the new recruits, and perhaps even the hidden eyes planted by Song Jiang and Wu Yong, waiting to see her fail or gather evidence against her. She gripped the reins tightly, her gaze fixed on the undulating hills ahead, mentally rehearsing the information Dǎlǐbō had revealed and the simple star chart.
Dongping Prefecture, Double-Spear General Dong Ping, lustful nature, friction with his superiors… the star chart pointing towards the west of the city… that seemed to be…
They marched for two consecutive days without encountering any major resistance, only sporadic imperial scouts who observed from afar and quickly retreated. The tension intensified. Everyone knew that a storm was brewing ahead.
On the afternoon of the third day, the tall city walls of Dongping Prefecture finally appeared on the horizon. Banners flew from the ramparts, lined with garrison soldiers. The array of spears and swords glinted coldly in the sunlight. A heavy pressure immediately descended upon them.
Hu Sanniang ordered the camp to be set up in a strategic, defensible position ten li outside the city, establishing deep trenches and high ramparts, adopting the posture of a long-term siege. She personally inspected the defenses and checked the sentries with meticulous care. As night fell, campfires were lit, illuminating the tense and tired faces of the soldiers.
Inside the command tent, Hu Sanniang dismissed her aides and once again took out the jade flask. Moonlight filtered through the tent flap, making the star chart on the flask clearly visible. The winding lines pointed distinctly towards the southwest of the city. She spread out a rough map of the area around Dongping Prefecture, aligning it with the star chart. Her finger finally rested on the edge of a marshy forest marked “Luoyan Marsh” to the west of the city.
This was not a primary direction for attack, nor a vital supply route; it was merely a treacherous area, easy to defend and difficult for a large army to operate in. Why would Dong Ping deploy defenses here? Or could it be… that this place concealed some unknown passage, or perhaps his private villa?
Dǎlǐbō’s hint was certainly not baseless.
“Aide!” Hu Sanniang called out sharply.
Hu Cheng entered the tent.
“Select twenty of the most alert and reliable brothers who are skilled in swimming and forest movement,” Hu Sanniang ordered, her voice low and decisive. “You will personally lead them. Set out tonight, and covertly scout the area around ‘Luoyan Marsh’ west of the city. Pay particular attention to any hidden paths, buildings, or unusual troop movements. Remember, maintain strict stealth, do not alert anyone. You must return and report before the hour of Mao tomorrow morning, whether you find anything or not!”
“Understood!” Hu Cheng, though puzzled, saw the gravity in Hu Sanniang’s expression and took the order without hesitation.
After Hu Cheng left, silence returned to the tent. Hu Sanniang removed the heavy helmet and rubbed her forehead. This was a risky move. If the reconnaissance failed or they were exposed, her already unfavorable situation would worsen. But she had no other choice. A frontal assault with her small force was tantamount to throwing an egg against a stone. Dǎlǐbō’s hint offered the only possible way to break the deadlock.
She grasped the jade flask, feeling its cool touch, as if drawing a sliver of strength from a distant place.
She did not sleep that night.
The next morning, before dawn, Hu Cheng returned to the camp, covered in dew and fatigue, but with barely suppressed excitement on his face.
“Third Mistress! We found something indeed!” Hu Cheng whispered, speaking rapidly. “On the edge of the Luoyan Marsh, there is an extremely concealed manor. It has hidden sentries on the periphery and is heavily guarded; it is not a common dwelling. The brothers observed secretly. In the second half of the night, a carriage quietly drove in. The guards were in plain clothes, but their movements clearly indicated they were skilled military men! Furthermore… we captured a hidden sentry who came out to relieve himself. Under interrogation, he confessed that the manor was privately purchased by Dong Ping, and he often… often takes captured women there for his pleasure!”
Just as suspected! Dǎlǐbō’s information was spot-on! Dong Ping’s weakness lay there!
A sharp glint flashed in Hu Sanniang’s eyes. A daring plan instantly formed in her mind.
“Excellent!” She took a deep breath. “Have the brothers rest immediately. Today, we proceed according to plan!”
Shortly after the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the sun rose and the mist dispersed. Hu Sanniang led five hundred troops, displaying their banner boldly, and formed a battle array outside the East Gate of Dongping Prefecture, beating the drums for a challenge!
On the city wall, a tall general appeared, eight feet in height, with a face like polished jade and eyes like bright stars. He held a pair of spears; it was none other than the Double-Spear General, Dong Ping. Seeing that the Liangshan army below numbered only a few hundred, and the leader was a woman general—though clad in dark armor and possessing an imposing aura—he was filled with contempt. He haughtily shouted:
“You wench! Does Liangshan have no men left? To send a woman to her death! Quickly retreat, and summon Song Jiang to speak with me!”
Hu Sanniang reined in her horse at the front of the formation, her clear voice carrying through her helmet: “Dong Ping! You aid the wicked and oppress the people! Today, I, Hu Sanniang, have come specifically to take your head and atone to the world!”
“Arrogance!” Dong Ping was furious. Confident in his martial skill, he had never been so slighted, especially by a woman. “Since you seek death, this general will oblige you!”
With that, he disregarded his second-in-command’s warning, personally brandished his double spears, and led several hundred elite cavalry out of the gate to fight!
The two forces met. Dong Ping spurred his horse directly at Hu Sanniang. His double spears danced like scattered pear blossoms, aiming at the vital points all over Hu Sanniang’s body! He was indeed a master of martial arts, his spear technique swift, fierce, and powerfully executed.
Hu Sanniang was prepared and knew better than to confront him head-on. She employed light, agile footwork, her Sun and Moon sabers transforming into two streaks of silver light. She did not clash with Dong Ping directly but simply countered and maneuvered. Saber light and spear shadows intertwined, the sounds of collision constant. Relying on the protection of her dark armor and her exquisite saber technique, she actually fought Dong Ping for over twenty bouts without being defeated!
Up on the city wall and down below, both armies watched in astonishment! No one expected this woman general to possess such skill, capable of holding her own against the Double-Spear General, Dong Ping!
Dong Ping grew increasingly impatient and angry at the stalemate. His spear technique became even more ruthless; he yearned to impale Hu Sanniang immediately.
However, Hu Sanniang’s goal was not victory. While sparring with Dong Ping, she secretly observed the battlefield situation. Seeing that Dong Ping’s cavalry was mixed with her own troops, and the attention of the city garrison was fully drawn, she knew the time was right!
She feigned a move, forcing Dong Ping back half a step, then wheeled her horse and retreated, shouting: “Dong Ping is formidable! We retreat for now!”
The Liangshan troops followed orders, fighting and retreating toward their camp.
Dong Ping, consumed by the excitement of battle, would not allow her to escape! Seeing the enemy retreating and their formation scattered, he felt victory was certain. He laughed aloud: “Where do you think you’re going!” and led his cavalry in relentless pursuit!
He was completely unaware that as he and Hu Sanniang were locked in fierce combat at the East Gate, another small, elite squad of just one hundred men, led by Instructor Chen, marched with muffled footsteps and hoofs wrapped in cloth. Concealed by the early morning mist and the noise of the battle, they moved like phantoms along the secret path Hu Cheng had discovered, making a direct dash for the manor at Luoyan Marsh on the west side of the city!
The star chart pointed the way, an open feint concealing a covert action.
The true decisive move was not on the frontal battlefield at the East Gate, but at the quiet manor where Dong Ping’s secret and weakness lay hidden.