Chapter 172

It was late at night, and Gongsun Hong had only just fallen asleep.

Translation: "It was late at night when Gongsun Hong had just fallen asleep not long ago."

It was late at night, and Gongsun Hong had only just fallen asleep.

Make sure to keep meaning.

"Fire! Fire! Hurry and put out the fire——!"

Translation: "\"Water's on fire! Water's on fire! Hurry and put out the fire——! \""

Fire!

Countless cries shattered the silence of the deep night!

Translation: "Countless cries shattered the silent night!"

Gongsun Hong jumped up with a start from his couch; outside, the sky glowed red, thick smoke poured wildly through door and window cracks, and a scorching wave of heat hit him in the face.

Translation: "Gongsun Hong jolted awake from the couch, and outside the window red light filled the sky, thick smoke poured wildly through door and window cracks, and a scorching heat wave hit his face!"

a start

Let's craft: "Gongsun Hong jumped up with a start from the couch, and outside the window red light filled the sky, thick smoke poured wildly through door and window cracks, and a scorching heat wave hit his face!"

"Your Highness, hurry!" Jiang Cheng kicked open the door and rushed in, braving the thick smoke.

Translation: "\"Your Highness, hurry! \" Jiang Cheng kicked the door open and rushed in, braving the thick smoke."

Your Highness

The fire, fueled by the wind, crackled loudly as beams and columns collapsed one after another.

Translation: "The fire, fueled by the wind, crackled and popped, with the sound of beams and columns collapsing incessantly."

The entire old office instantly fell into chaos.

Translation: "The entire old official residence instantly fell into chaos."

The members of the Great Xia embassy rushed out of their rooms and ran into the street.

Translation: "The members of the Da Xia envoy rushed out of their rooms one after another and ran onto the street."

In the cold night wind, they each wore only thin sleeping clothes, their faces smeared black with smoke, their bodies covered in soot, shivering.

Translation: "In the cold night wind, they each wore only thin nightclothes, their faces smeared black with soot, their bodies covered in dust and smoke, shivering."

The flames quickly devoured their lodgings.

Translation: "The flames quickly devoured their lodgings."

All the Great Xia people were filled with panic and dismay.

Translation: "All the Da Xia people looked panicked and at a loss."

Gongsun Hong was shielded by Jiang Cheng and a few guards in the center, wearing only his sleeping clothes, hair disheveled, having long lost the bearing of an heir apparent.

Translation: "Gongsun Hong was shielded in the middle by Jiang Cheng and several guards, likewise wearing only nightclothes, hair disheveled, having long lost the bearing of an heir apparent."

His face flushed with anger, he shouted loudly: "What's going on? How did the fire start?"

Translation: "His face filled with anger, he bellowed: \"What's going on? How did the fire start? \""

"Oh dear! Indeed, how did the fire start? Tsk tsk tsk, really bad luck!"

Translation: "\"Oh dear! Indeed! How did it start? Tsk tsk tsk, really bad luck! \"" We need to keep the interjections. We'll translate: "\"Oh dear! Indeed! How did it start? Tsk tsk tsk, really bad luck! \"".

Gongsun Hong glared toward the source of the sound.

Translation: "Gongsun Hong glared toward the source of the voice."

Lord Jifeng was standing across the street at some point.

Translation: "Jifeng had at some point taken a stand across the street."

Better: "Jifeng was standing across the street at some point."

He wore a thick wolf‑skin cloak, held a wineskin, leisurely leaned against the wall, watching the towering flames while taking a hearty swig of wine.

Translation: "He wore a thick wolf-skin cloak, held a wineskin, leisurely leaned against the wall, watching the soaring flames while happily taking a swig of wine."

His gaze swept over the soot‑covered, disheveled Great Xia entourage, and he curled the corner of his mouth.

Translation: "His gaze swept over the soot-covered, disheveled Da Xia crowd, and the corners of his mouth turned up:"

"How strange! In this capital everything is peaceful, not a single leaf has burned, yet it's only the Great Xia delegation's quarters that suddenly burst into such a huge fire!"

Translation: "\"How strange! Everything in Jingcheng is peaceful, not a single leaf burned, yet your Da Xia lodgings suddenly caught fire in a huge blaze! \""

He paused, took another sip of wine, and then, as if suddenly enlightened, said:

Translation: "He paused, took another sip of wine, and then said as if suddenly realizing:"

"Could it be that you've done something shameful that you dare not show?"

Translation: "\"Could it be that you've done some shameful deed? \""

"It's only late at night—have you met with retribution and caught fire?"

Translation: "\"It's only late at night, and you've met with retribution, caught fire, right? \""

"Cough cough cough!" Gongsun Hong's chest heaved violently; a gulp of night air choked his throat, making him cough until his face flushed red. He pointed at Jifeng but couldn't utter a word.

Translation: "\"Cough cough cough! \" Gongsun Hong's chest heaved violently, a gulp of night wind choked his throat, making him cough until his face flushed red; he pointed at Jifeng but couldn't utter a word."

Jifeng's smile grew even brighter; he raised his wineskin, gave a toast in Gongsun Hong's direction, hummed an off‑key steppe tune, and swaggered away.

Translation: "Jifeng's smile grew brighter; he raised his wineskin, gave a toast in Gongsun Hong's direction, hummed an off-key grassland tune, and swaggered away."

Gongsun Hong gritted his teeth: "What a damned Xilu! What a damned Jifeng!"

Translation: "Gongsun Hong gritted his teeth: \"What a Xilu! What a Jifeng! \""

The next day, Xiao Jieyun heard the report: the Great Xia embassy's lodging had suddenly caught fire the previous night. Though no one was injured or killed, all their belongings were burned to ashes.

Translation: "The next day, Xiao Jieyun received the report that the Da Xia envoy's lodgings had suddenly caught fire the previous night; though no one was injured, all their belongings were completely burned."

Xiao Jieyun nonchalantly grunted "Hmm," without even lifting his eyelids: "Since there were no casualties, just settle them. This is a trivial matter; no need to report it further."

Translation: "Xiao Jieyun gave a noncommittal \"hmm\" without lifting his eyelids: \"Since no one was hurt, just settle them. Such a minor matter need not be reported again. \""

"Yes!" Chief Eunuch Cheng, understanding the hint, arranged a more dilapidated place for the Great Xia embassy and moved them there.

Translation: "\"Yes! \" Eunuch Cheng understood, arranging an older place for the Da Xia envoy and moving them in."

Xiao Yuanheng received the news, smiled knowingly: "This Jifeng is truly a man of character."

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang received the news and smiled knowingly: \"This Jifeng is truly a man of character. \""

"To repay a grudge on the spot—truly couldn't wait even a night. Hehe."

Translation: "\"To repay a grudge on the spot—really can't wait even a night. Hehe. \""

A few days later, at the Ning Prince's pavilion.

Translation: "A few days later, in the Flower Hall of the Ning Prince's Mansion."

Xiao Yuanheng was happily holding Tuan Tuan, listening to her childish chatter.

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang was holding Tuan Tuan, listening to her childish chatter and laughing happily."

Xiao Ningyuan walked in holding a document, his face full of disbelief: "Father, this matter is truly extraordinary!"

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan walked in holding a document, his face full of disbelief: \"Father, this matter is truly strange! \""

Tuan Tuan happily shouted: "Big brother!"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan happily shouted: \"Big brother! \""

Xiao Ningyuan quickly replied: "Hey! Little Tuan Tuan, you're here too."

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan hurriedly replied: \"Hey! Little Tuan Tuan, you're here too. \""

Xiao Yuanheng raised his eyebrows and asked: "What's the matter?"

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang raised his eyes and asked: \"What is it? \""

"Opening mutual trade with Xilu."

Translation: "\"The matter of opening mutual trade with Xilu. \""

Xiao Ningyuan handed the document to his father: "You also know that the Xilu people have previously opposed this idea strongly; negotiations have repeatedly reached an impasse."

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan handed the document to his father: \"You know, the Xilu people had previously been extremely opposed to this, and negotiations repeatedly reached an impasse. \""

"But in recent days, the Xilu delegation's attitude has greatly eased; they not only agreed to open trade, but also proposed a set of very clear regulations."

Translation: "\"But these past few days, the Xilu envoy's attitude has greatly softened; they not only agreed to open trade, but also proposed a very clear set of regulations. \""

He pointed to the clauses in the document: "They suggest that the main goods used for trade between our two countries—such as our tea, cloth, porcelain, and their livestock, horses, and cheese—should first have a mutually acceptable price established."

Translation: "He pointed to the clause in the document: \"They suggest that the main goods used for trade between our two countries—such as our dynasty's tea, cloth, porcelain, and their Xilu's cattle, horses, cheese, etc. —first have a mutually agreed price established. \""

"When trading, they would use that price as a basis for direct barter, each taking what they need, and they even proposed abolishing all intermediary taxes and levies."

Translation: "\"When trading, using this price as a basis, they would directly barter goods, each taking what they need, and even proposed abolishing all intermediary taxes and levies! \""

Xiao Yuanheng could not help but be astonished.

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang was also surprised."

Xiao Ningyuan continued: "This method looks simple, yet it cleverly resolves the Xilu people's reluctance to fix prices in silver or gold, turning complexity into simplicity—truly brilliant."

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan continued: \"This method seems simple, yet it ingeniously resolves the Xilu people's reluctance to set prices in silver and gold, simplifying the complex; it can be called superb. \""

Xiao Yuanheng asked: "Do you know why they have changed so much?"

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang asked: \"Do you know why they have changed so dramatically? \""

Xiao Ningyuan looked puzzled: "I don't know. The Xilu delegation even gave this newly established market a name: the Jitu Tong Market."

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan looked puzzled: \"I don't know, son. The Xilu envoy also gave this newly established market a name, calling it the Ji-Tuan Market. \""

Xiao Yuanheng frowned slightly: "The Jitu Tong Market?"

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang blinked: \"Ji-Tuan Market? \""

Tuan Tuan raised her little face, thought for a moment, and said: "Jitu? Is that Uncle Ji… and me?"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan lifted her little face, thought for a moment, and said: \"Ji-Tuan? Is it Uncle Ji… and me? \""

"Uncle Ji? Is that the Xilu envoy Lord Jifeng?" Xiao Ningyuan glanced at his father, puzzled.

Translation: "\"Uncle Ji? You mean Jifeng of the Xilu envoy? \" Xiao Ningyuan looked doubtfully at his father."

Xiao Yuanheng looked at his daughter and instantly understood everything.

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang looked at his daughter, and in an instant understood everything."

He lowered his gaze to his daughter and said: "Tuan Tuan, was this idea yours, suggested to Lord Jifeng?"

Translation: "He lowered his gaze to his daughter: \"Tuan Tuan, was this idea yours, suggested to Jifeng? \""

Tuan Tuan proudly nodded: "Yes! It was me!"

Translation: "Tuan Tuan nodded proudly: \"Yes! It was me! \""

Xiao Ningyuan gaped, looked at the document in his hand labeled "Jitu Tong Market," and laughed helplessly: "Ah, I see! Haha! So that's what 'Jitu' means!"

Translation: "Xiao Ningyuan gaped, looked down at the scroll in his hand bearing the words \"Ji-Tuan Market, \" and laughed helplessly: \"Ah, I see! Hahaha! So that's what Ji-Tuan means! \""

He burst out laughing, swept Tuan Tuan up in his arms and spun her around: "Good sister! You are truly the blessing of our Lie State—without a sound, you have achieved a feat that props up the heavens!"

Translation: "He laughed loudly, scooped up Tuan Tuan and spun her around: \"Good sister! You truly are a blessing to our Lieguo, silently achieving a great feat that props up the heavens! \""

Tuan Tuan giggled as she was spun around.

Translation: "Tuan Tuan giggled as she was spun."

Holding Tuan Tuan, Xiao Ningyuan remarked: "Father, Lord Jifeng is repaying kindness with kindness by giving this name, commemorating our bond."

"Father, Lord Jifeng is returning the favor with this name, commemorating this connection!"

Xiao Yuanheng looked at Tuan Tuan, his eyes full of pride and affection.

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang looked at Tuan Tuan, his eyes full of pride and affection."

He gave a slight nod: "It seems that, thanks to this unexpected encounter, our Lie State and Xilu have found a unique path forward."

Translation: "He gave a slight nod: \"It seems that between our Lieguo and Xilu, this unexpected encounter has led us down a unique path. \""

Although Tuan Tuan didn't fully understand, seeing her father and older brother praise her made her beam, her dimples deepening and her eyebrows dancing with joy.

Translation: "Although Tuan Tuan didn't quite understand, seeing her father and older brother praise her, she instantly beamed, dimples deep, eyebrows dancing."

After a few days, the world‑wide trade conclave concluded smoothly, and envoys from all nations set off for home.

Translation: "Several days later, the grand international trade conference concluded successfully, and envoys from all nations set off for home."

Early this morning, a person dressed in Da Xia attire arrived at Ning Prince's Mansion.

He did not request to see anyone, but left a letter: "This letter is personally written by our country's National Preceptor, please give it to your country's Immortal Envoy." After saying so, he turned and left.

The servant, bewildered, took the letter and walked into the Flower Hall.

The whole family was present, with laughter and chatter, surrounding Tuan Tuan, competing to see who could lift her higher.

"Daddy lifts me the highest!" Tuan Tuan happily hugged Xiao Yuanhang's neck.

The servant reported the letter's origin and handed the letter to Xiao Yuanhang.

"From the Da Xia National Preceptor to Tuan Tuan?"

Xiao Yuanhang took it, did not open it, carefully flipped it over and said: "This National Preceptor is very shady, Tuan Tuan, first check whether there is anything harmful; if there is, just burn it."

Tuan Tuan, holding her father's hand, looked: "Nothing, it's just paper."

Xiao Yuanhang only then opened it, unfolded it, and saw that on the ordinary paper there was only a single line of text.

He read aloud: "Want to know your origin? Come to Da Xia, and I'll tell you."