[Water Margin] Hu Sanniang with her delicate hands - Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
The news of the great victory at Dongping Prefecture, as if sprouting wings, quickly spread throughout Shandong and shook the entire Liangshan Marsh. Capturing the Double-Spear General with an inferior force and strategically taking a major city—this feat was enough to temporarily silence any voice that questioned Hu Sanniang.
When Hu Sanniang returned to Liangshan, escorting the dejected Dong Ping and leading her victorious troops, the treatment she received was a world apart from when she had left. The stockade gates were wide open, gongs and drums roared, and many leaders personally came out to greet her, their faces plastered with smiles, genuine or otherwise. Even figures like Wang Ying and Li Kui had to temporarily suppress their jealousy and hatred, lurking behind the crowd, watching the dark-armored, heroic figure with sinister gazes.
Song Jiang personally met her in front of the Hall of Assembly, his face beaming with unprecedented enthusiasm and praise: “Third Mistress is truly a heroine among women, possessing both wisdom and courage! To achieve such a remarkable feat strengthens the reputation of our Liangshan, and I, Song, share in this honor! Quickly, a banquet has been prepared in the hall to welcome and honor the Third Mistress and all the meritorious officers!”
The grand celebration banquet was held in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, surpassing even the scale of the previous alliance with the Liao Kingdom. There was abundant food and wine, cups were raised and clinked, and the atmosphere was fervent. Hu Sanniang, as the guest of honor, was seated in an important position not far from Song Jiang. Her magnificent “Xuanlian” armor gleamed brightly under the lamplight, attracting countless gazes of either admiration or apprehension.
After several rounds of wine, Song Jiang rose, holding his wine bowl high, and faced the crowd: “Brothers! Today we are gathered here to celebrate Third Mistress Hu’s strategic capture of Dongping Prefecture! For the Third Mistress, as a woman, to accomplish such a feat and elevate the prestige of our Liangshan, we must drink deep!”
“A toast to the Third Mistress!”
“Cheers!”
The crowd roared in agreement, raising their cups.
Hu Sanniang rose, holding her wine bowl. Her expression was calm, showing no arrogance from the high praise. She merely said lightly: “I owe it all to Brother Gongming’s strategic planning and the combined efforts of the brothers. I dare not take all the credit.” With that, she drained the wine bowl in one swift, clean motion.
This composed and self-effacing demeanor caused some of the more seasoned leaders to nod their heads in approval.
However, beneath the celebratory feast, the undercurrents never ceased.
The Liao delegation, seated at the guest table, especially Dǎlǐbō, was naturally another focal point. She was still wearing her crimson silk robe, which symbolized her status. She sipped her wine delicately, her light brown eyes occasionally scanning the hall, eventually settling on Hu Sanniang with a subtle, almost indiscernible smile, a mix of appreciation and intrigue.
As the drinking became lively, a slightly sharp voice rang out from the head in charge of finance and provisions, “Divine Calculator” Jiang Jing:
“The Third Mistress achieving this great merit is indeed a blessing to the stockade. However, I heard that in Dongping Prefecture, the Third Mistress distributed a portion of Dong Ping’s privately hoarded funds and provisions to the poor citizens? Although this act appears benevolent, the stockade is currently experiencing tight finances, and various sectors require monetary and provision support. Was this… perhaps a little ill-considered?”
The question sounded like an inquiry, but it carried an undertone of reproach, instantly quieting the bustling banquet. Many eyes once again focused on Hu Sanniang.
Hu Sanniang set down her wine bowl, meeting Jiang Jing’s gaze, and spoke clearly: “Leader Jiang is correct. How could I be unaware of the stockade’s expenses? However, the wealth Dong Ping amassed was ill-gotten, squeezed from the common people. We at Liangshan gather under the banner of ‘Acting on Heaven’s Behalf.’ If we were to completely absorb this wealth stained with bl00d and tears into the stockade, how would we be different from the likes of Dong Ping? Distributing a portion to the populace not only wins public support and displays the righteousness of our Liangshan but also lets the people of Dongping Prefecture know that we are not common bandits who merely plunder. This will aid in long-term operations. This is a strategy of winning hearts. I hope Leader Jiang can understand.”
Her response was logical and well-reasoned. It invoked the greater cause of “Acting on Heaven’s Behalf” while explaining the practical benefits, smoothly deflecting Jiang Jing’s reproach.
Jiang Jing opened his mouth, momentarily speechless.
“The Third Mistress is insightful!” Wu Yong spoke up at the opportune moment, shaking his fan and smiling. “Winning the hearts of the people is sometimes more important than seizing provisions. This is a long-term plan, Brother Jiang Jing. Even though you manage the finances, you must have this foresight.”
Jiang Jing could only sit down awkwardly.
It was at this point that Dǎlǐbō suddenly put down her cup and spoke in her uniquely modulated Han Chinese. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears:
“Leader Song, Strategist Wu. I observe that General Hu is not only peerless in martial arts and a master of troop deployment but also, and more rarely, possesses a profound strategy and a compassionate heart. Such a talent, even in my Great Liao, would be capable of commanding forces independently, and being granted the title of Marquis or General would be no difficult matter.”
When she spoke these words, the entire hall fell silent!
While her words sounded like praise, the underlying meaning was like dropping a massive stone into a tranquil lake! She was openly showing favor to Hu Sanniang, even subtly hinting at recruitment! And she did this at the celebration banquet, right in front of all the Liangshan leaders!
Song Jiang’s smile slightly froze, and Wu Yong paused the hand that was shaking his fan.
Hu Sanniang’s heart also gave a sudden leap as she looked towards Dǎlǐbō. The other woman was looking back at her, a faint, almost provocative smile playing on her lips, a mix of scrutiny and expectation.
What was Dǎlǐbō trying to do? Was she trying to put her on the spot?
Wang Ying, Li Kui, and others showed expressions of anger, yet dared not express their fury toward the Liao Princess.
Song Jiang, after all, was Song Jiang. He instantly regained his composure and laughed heartily: “The Princess is too kind! The Third Mistress is a pillar of our Liangshan, naturally she is extraordinary. Though our Liangshan cannot compare to the vast territories of Great Liao, our brothers are united in heart, and we shall still achieve great things. Third Mistress, wouldn’t you agree?”
He tossed the question back to Hu Sanniang.
All eyes focused on Hu Sanniang, awaiting her reply. This was no longer just about responding to Jiang Jing’s reproach; it was about stating her allegiance between Liangshan and the Liao Kingdom!
Hu Sanniang felt the intensity of the gazes, especially Dǎlǐbō’s eyes, which held scrutiny and anticipation. She slowly stood up, first cupping her fist toward Song Jiang: “Brother Gongming’s praise is undeserved. I am humbled. Liangshan is where I stand, and I shall naturally serve the stockade.”
Then, she turned to Dǎlǐbō, meeting her gaze calmly, her tone neither humble nor arrogant: “I am deeply grateful for the Princess’s favor. However, though Great Liao may be fine, it is ultimately a foreign land. My roots are in the Central Plains, and my ambition lies with Liangshan. Only here can I live up to what I have learned, and live up to… my original aspirations.”
Her words clearly rejected Dǎlǐbō’s implied recruitment, reaffirmed her allegiance to Liangshan, but also left the meaningful words “original aspirations” hanging in the air.
Listening to her response, Dǎlǐbō’s smile did not diminish; instead, it deepened. The light shimmered in her light brown eyes, as if Hu Sanniang’s answer was exactly what she had expected, or perhaps even more to her liking.
“A fine ‘live up to my original aspirations’,” Dǎlǐbō lightly clapped her hands. “General Hu’s integrity is admirable. This King merely appreciates talent and spoke offhand. Leader Song and General Hu need not take offense.” She lightly dismissed the previous moment of tension.
The atmosphere of the banquet livened up again, but something had fundamentally changed.
Following this conversation, which was subtly charged with conflict, Hu Sanniang’s status within Liangshan was implicitly elevated once more. At the same time, her subtle relationship with the Liao Kingdom, especially with Dǎlǐbō, was brought into the open.
Before the jade steps, two extraordinary women engaged in their first contest.
On one side was a heroic woman, a rising star of Liangshan, establishing her foundation.
On the other was a Northern Princess, representing the powerful Liao, whose intentions remained unclear.
The future turmoil was now foreseeable.