Hu Sanniang

Hu Sanniang is the daughter of Squire Hu, master of the Hu Family Manor (扈家莊), which stands with the Li Family Manor (李家莊) and the Zhu Family Manor (祝家莊) on Lone Dragon Ridge (獨龍崗), believed to be in present-day Dongping County, Shandong. A highly skilled amazon, Hu Sanniang could fight dozens of men at the same time with a pair of sabres. She is also an expert thrower of a lasso, which she uses to catch her foe. She dons an armour over a red robe, a golden helmet and a silk belt when she goes into a battle.

Hu Sanniang is engaged to Zhu Biao, the third son of Zhu Chaofeng, the master of the Zhu Family Village. Hostile to the bandits of Liangshan, the Zhus refuse to release Shi Qian, whom they have captured after he stole a rooster for meal from their inn while on the way to join the stronghold. Song Jiang, then second-in-command of Liangshan, comes to attack the village to settle their longstanding acrimony. After accomplishing nothing in the first offensive, Liangshan launches the second one, which sees the involvement of Hu Sanniang, who comes to the aid of the Zhus.

Hu Sanniang comes charging on horse at Song Jiang's army, wherein is Wang Ying, who has a weakness for pretty women and is excited to see a lady warrior. He eagerly takes on Hu in the belief that she can be easily captured. However, he underestimates the amazon, who senses that the guy has depraved intent. Overwhelming Wang with her sabres, she suddenly leans forward, pulls him off his horse and throws him to the ground. Zhus' men rush forward to tie up Wang.

Hu Sanniang shows no sign of weariness as she battles in succession Ou Peng and Ma Lin. Song Jiang suddenly finds himself being pursued by Hu on horse as his troops retreat in disarray. Hu comes close to seizing him when Lin Chong appears and intercepts her. Easily defeated and seized by Lin, she is sent to Liangshan by Song Jiang, who places her under the watch of his father.

When Hu Sanniang's brother Hu Cheng comes to plead for his sister to be released, Song Jiang agrees on the condition that any Zhu fleeing to him must be given over to Liangshan. When the outlaws finally overrun the Zhu Family Manor aided by the infiltration by Sun Li, Zhu Biao flees to the Hu Family Manor, where Hu Cheng takes him captive with the intention of giving him over to Liangshan. Along the way, they run into Li Kui, who hacks Zhu Biao to death with his axes while Hu Cheng runs away unscathed. Li Kui charges into the Hu Family Manor and slaughters everyone he comes upon. He is later reprimanded by Song Jiang for the unbridled killing.

Back at Liangshan, Song Jiang convinces Hu Sanniang, who has become the god daughter of Song's father while under his care, to join Liangshan. She is also persuaded to marry Wang Ying, whom Song has earlier given the promise to find him a wife. Hu Sanniang makes many contributions to Liangshan, chief of which is the capture of Peng Qi when he is part of the expedition of imperial general Huyan Zhuo to wipe out Liangshan.

Hu Sanniang is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry after the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. She participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.

In the battle of Muzhou (睦州; in present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La, Hu Sanniang and Wang Ying encounter Zheng Biao, one of Fang's generals. Zhang uses his sorcery to disorientate Wang and kill him. Eager to avenge her husband, Hu is killed by Zheng's flying magical gold bricks.

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