Chapter 782: with translation of chapter title

A few days later, on the coast.

Translation: "A few days later, at the seaside."

Thousands of warships of Lie Country had masts like a forest and sails like clouds.

Translation: "Several thousand Blazing Kingdom warships had masts like a forest and sails like clouds."

The decks were filled with fully equipped soldiers, and the red battle flags fluttered loudly in the sea wind.

Translation: "The decks were filled with fully equipped soldiers ready to depart, and the red battle flags snapped in the sea wind."

Beside them were several Goryeo warships, their prows painted with hibiscus flowers, lined up alongside the Lie Country ships.

Translation: "Besides them, several High Beauty warships, their prows painted with hibiscus, stood side by side with the Blazing Kingdom warships."

King Jingzhao led the Goryeo officials to see them off.

Translation: "Wang Jingzhao led the High Beauty officials to see them off."

Princess Jingning followed closely beside her brother, clutching the hem of her skirt, her eyes already red.

Translation: "Wang Jingning followed closely beside her brother, her fingers gripping the hem of her skirt, her eye sockets already red."

Xiao Yuanheng stood on the shore with the generals of Lie Country.

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang stood with the Blazing Kingdom generals at the shore."

Chu Yuan held Tuan Tuan's little hand, standing beside the crowd, while Xiao Feifei wagged its fluffy big tail at her feet.

Translation: "Chu Yuan held Tuan Tuan's little hand, standing beside the crowd, while Xiao Feifei wagged her fluffy big tail at her feet."

King Jingzhao stepped forward and gave Xiao Yuanheng a proper salute.

Translation: "Wang Jingzhao stepped forward and gave Xiao Yuanhang a proper salute."

He straightened up, glanced at the neatly arrayed Goryeo warships, his expression solemn: 'Your Highness Prince Ning, though Goryeo has just suffered a great calamity and its strength has not yet recovered, the turmoil in the Eastern Sea prevents me from resting easy in the palace.'

Translation: "He straightened up, glanced at the neatly arrayed High Beauty warships, his expression solemn: 'Your Highness Prince Ning, though High Beauty has just suffered a great disaster and its strength has not yet recovered, the Eastern Sea is unsettled—how could I remain idle in the palace?'"

Note: Need to keep quotes. Use double quotes? We'll keep as in Chinese: use English quotes.

He looked at Zheng Wucheng: 'General Zheng, from today onward you will lead ten thousand naval troops into the Lie Country navy, serving as Deputy Commander under Commander Zhao, and obey the orders of Prince Ning.'

Translation: "He looked at Zheng Wucheng: 'General Zheng, from today onward, you will lead ten thousand naval troops into the Blazing Kingdom navy, serving as Deputy Commander to Commander Zhao, and obey the orders of Your Highness Prince Ning.'"

'You are skilled in naval warfare; this time, accompanying the Lie Country's heavenly troops on campaign, you must assist Commander Zhao well. I await your victorious report in the capital.'

Translation: "'You are skilled in naval warfare; this time, joining the Blazing Kingdom's heavenly troops on campaign, you must assist Commander Zhao well. I await your victorious report in the Royal City.'"

Zheng Wucheng dropped to one knee, his voice like a great bell: 'I will obey your command! I will not fail the king's heavy trust!'

Translation: "Zheng Wucheng knelt on one knee, his voice like a great bell: 'I, your humble subordinate, obey! I will surely not fail the King's heavy trust!'"

Xiao Yuanheng bent down to help Zheng Wucheng up: 'General Zheng, you know the terrain and excel at naval combat; you will perfectly make up for the shortcomings of our Lie Country navy.'

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang bent down and helped Zheng Wucheng up: 'General Zheng knows the terrain and excels at naval warfare; he is just what we need to shore up the Blazing Kingdom navy's weakness.'"

'With you leading the Goryeo navy to assist us, this battle will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.'

Translation: "'With you leading the High Beauty navy to assist, this battle will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.'"

Commander Zhao Tieshan stepped forward, clasped his fist and smiled at Zheng Wucheng: 'General Zheng, from now on we are brothers on the same ship!'

Translation: "Zhao Tieshan stepped forward, clasped his fist at Zheng Wucheng, and laughed: 'General Zheng, from now on you and I are brothers on the same boat!'"

'I, Old Zhao, am a rough man; I will still have to rely heavily on General Zheng for naval matters!'

Translation: "'I, Old Zhao, am a rough fellow; I will still have to rely heavily on General Zheng for naval matters!'"

Zheng Wucheng quickly returned the salute, solemnly saying: 'Commander Zhao, you flatter me! I will certainly devote my utmost effort!'

Translation: "Zheng Wucheng hastily returned the salute, solemnly saying: 'Commander Zhao, you overpraise me! I will surely do my utmost!'"

King Jingzhao took a scroll from his bosom, holding it with both hands before Xiao Yuanheng: 'Your Highness, this is a sea chart drawn by our Goryeo navy based on many years of observation.'

Translation: "Wang Jingzhao took out a scroll from his bosom, held it with both hands before Xiao Yuanhang, and said: 'Your Highness, this is a sea chart drawn by the High Beauty navy based on many years of observation.'"

'It marks where there are hidden reefs and where there are rapids.'

Translation: "'It marks where hidden reefs lie and where rapids flow.'"

'I have ordered copies to be made and will present them to all of you.'

Translation: "'I have ordered copies made and will present them to all of you.'"

Xiao Yuanheng received it with both hands, respectfully saying: 'Thank you, Your Majesty.'

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang received it with both hands and said solemnly: 'Thank you, King.'"

Tuan Tuan ran up to Princess Jingning, picked up Xiao Feifei just as she had when they first met, and placed it in her arms:

Translation: "Tuan Tuan ran to Wang Jingning, picked up Xiao Feifei, just as when they first met, and placed Xiao Feifei in Wang Jingning's arms:"

'Jingning, go ahead and pet it; next time, you'll only be able to hold it after I return!'

Translation: "'Jingning, hurry up and feel it—next time, you'll only be able to hold it after I come back!'"

Xiao Feifei swept its big tail across Princess Jingning's little face.

Translation: "Xiao Feifei swept her big tail across Wang Jingning's little face."

Princess Jingning held Xiao Feifei, stroked its soft little body, and tears fell down.

Translation: "Wang Jingning held Xiao Feifei, felt her soft little body, and tears dropped with a patter."

She rubbed her cheek against Xiao Feifei, then gave it back to Tuan Tuan, lowered her head, took out an oil-paper packet from her purse, and slipped it into Tuan Tuan's hand.

Translation: "She rubbed her little cheek against Xiao Feifei, gave Xiao Feifei back to Tuan Tuan, lowered her head, fished out an oil-paper packet from her sachet, and slipped it into Tuan Tuan's hand."

'Tuan Tuan, this is the candy you shared with me; I couldn't bring myself to finish it, so take it with you.'

Translation: "'Tuan Tuan, this is the candy you shared with me; I couldn't bear to finish it—take it with you.'"

Tuan Tuan lowered her head to look at the half‑packet of candy in her hand, then lifted her gaze to Princess Jingning's reddened eyes, her mouth twisted, and tears also fell.

Translation: "Tuan Tuan lowered her head to look at the half‑packet of candy in her hand, then lifted her gaze to Wang Jingning's red‑rimmed eyes, pouted her little mouth, and tears fell as well."

She put Xiao Feifei on the ground, then slipped the oil‑paper packet back into Princess Jingning's embrace: 'Keep it to eat; later, when my mother makes candy, I'll have someone send it to you.'

Translation: "She put Xiao Feifei on the ground, slipped the oil‑paper packet back into Wang Jingning's embrace, and said: 'You keep it to eat; later, when my mother makes candy, I'll have someone send it to you.'"

'Don't cry, Jingning; I said before, what's mine is yours, and I won't let you go without candy.'

Translation: "'Don't cry, Jingning—I've said before, what's mine is yours; I won't let you go without candy.'"

Princess Jingning could no longer hold back; she enfolded Tuan Tuan in a tight hug, and tears streamed down.

Translation: "Wang Jingning could hold back no longer, she enfolded Tuan Tuan in a hug, and tears streamed down."

Xiao Yuanheng glanced at the sky, tucked the sea chart into his bosom, and bowed to King Jingzhao: 'Your Majesty, we part here.'

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang glanced at the sky, put the sea chart into his bosom, bowed to the King, and said: 'Your Majesty, we part here.'"

'Once the Eastern Sea is pacified, I will return to share a drink with Your Majesty.'

Translation: "'Once the Eastern Sea is pacified, I will return to share a drink with the King.'"

King Jingzhao returned the salute properly, his voice slightly hoarse: 'Take care, Your Highness.'

Translation: "Wang Jingzhao returned a proper salute, his voice hoarse: 'Take care, Your Highness.'"

Xiao Yuanheng turned, gently patted his daughter's shoulder: 'Tuan Tuan, it's time we went.'

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang turned, gently patted his daughter's shoulder, and said: 'Tuan Tuan, it's time we went.'"

Princess Jingning released her hold, wiped the tears from her face: 'Tuan Tuan, I'll be waiting for you to come back and play with me.'

Translation: "Wang Jingning let go, wiped the tears from her face, and said: 'Tuan Tuan, I'll be waiting for you to come back and play.'"

Tuan Tuan nodded, turned, and opened her little arms toward her father.

Translation: "Tuan Tuan nodded, turned, and opened her little arms toward her father."

Xiao Yuanheng lifted his daughter and strode onto the gangway.

Translation: "Xiao Yuanhang lifted his daughter, strode onto the gangway."

Tuan Tuan shouted to Xiao Er: 'Uncle Two, please hold Xiao Feifei for me so it doesn't fall into the sea!'

Translation: "Tuan Tuan shouted toward Xiao Er: 'Uncle Er, please hold Xiao Feifei for me—don't let her fall into the sea!'"

Xiao Er laughed, picked up Xiao Feifei and followed; Lu Qi walked behind, reaching up to flick Xiao Feifei's forehead.

Translation: "Xiao Er laughed, picked up Xiao Feifei, and followed; Lu Qi walked behind, reaching out to flick Xiao Feifei's forehead."

Tuan Tuan lay on her father's shoulder, waving vigorously at Princess Jingning.

Translation: "Tuan Tuan lay on her father's shoulder, waving vigorously at Wang Jingning."

After the Lie Country generals and the Goryeo people bade each other farewell, they all proceeded onto the warships.

Translation: "After the Blazing Kingdom generals and the High Beauty people bade each other farewell, they all proceeded onto the warships."

Commander Zhao Tieshan stood at the bow, drew his waist‑long sword, blade pointing forward, and roared like thunder: 'Weigh anchor! Set sail!'

Translation: "Zhao Tieshan stood at the bow, drew his waist‑worn long blade, point aimed forward, and roared like thunder: 'Weigh anchor! Set sail!'"

Thousands of warships slowly pulled away from the shore, the Goryeo hibiscus flag and the Lie Country's red battle flag fluttering side by side in the sea wind as they headed into the deep ocean.

Translation: "Several thousand warships slowly pulled away from shore; the High Beauty hibiscus flag and the Blazing Kingdom red battle flag fluttered side by side in the sea wind as they headed into the deep ocean."

Not long after setting out, the sea opened up.

Translation: "Not long after setting out, the sea surface opened up."

On the deck, Commander Zhao Tieshan bellowed: 'Pass the order! Every new recruit shall receive a slice of ginger, cut thin, to hold under the tongue!'

Translation: "On deck, Zhao Tieshan raised his voice and shouted: 'Pass the order! Every newcomer, take a slice of ginger, cut thin, and hold it under your tongue!'"

Soon, each ship had distributed the ginger slices.

Translation: "Soon, each ship had received and distributed the ginger slices."

A few new recruits leaned over the rail, vomiting until their faces turned pale; a nearby veteran chuckled and handed them a few ginger slices: 'Hold it, hold it—Commander Zhao's method really works!'

Translation: "Several new soldiers, leaning on the rail and vomiting until their faces turned pale, were handed a few ginger slices by a nearby veteran who chuckled: 'Hold it, hold it—Commander Zhao's method really works!'"

Zheng Wucheng heard the commotion, lifted his head, and watched the new soldiers whose lives had been saved by the ginger, his face full of curiosity: 'Commander Zhao, where did you learn this trick?'

Translation: "Zheng Wucheng heard the commotion, lifted his head, and looked at the new soldiers whose lives had been saved by the ginger slices, full of wonder: 'Where did Commander Zhao learn this trick?'"

'I've been fighting at sea for half my life and have never heard of such a cure for seasickness.'

Translation: "'I, your humble subordinate, have fought at sea for half a lifetime and have never heard of such a cure for seasickness.'"

Commander Zhao Tieshan grinned: 'This is something the fishermen of Jiangnan taught me when I first arrived there.'

Translation: "Zhao Tieshan grinned: 'This is what the fishermen taught me when I first arrived in Jiangnan.'"

Zheng Wucheng nodded: 'Indeed, everyone has their own clever tricks; I admire it.'

Translation: "Zheng Wucheng nodded: 'Indeed, everyone has their own clever tricks—I admire them.'"

Commander Zhao Tieshan chuckled.

Translation: "Zhao Tieshan chuckled."

He lowered his gaze to Tuan Tuan, who was squatting beside the wooden tub: 'Princess, the fish is fresh today; how about I stew you a pot of fish soup?'

Translation: "He lowered his gaze to Tuan Tuan, who was squatting by the wooden tub, and said: 'Princess, the fish is fresh today—how about I stew you a pot of fish soup?'"

Tuan Tuan gripped the tub's edge with both little hands, eyes fixed on the fish inside: 'Great! Uncle Zhao, look—Xiao Feifei likes it too!'

Translation: "Tuan Tuan's two little hands gripped the tub's rim, her eyes fixed on the fish inside, and she said: 'Great! Uncle Zhao, look—Xiao Feifei likes it too!'"

Xiao Feifei stood upright, its two little front paws resting on the tub's rim, eyes locked on the several plump fish in the water, excitedly chirping 'yeh yeh yeh'.

Translation: "Xiao Feifei stood upright, her two small forepaws resting on the tub's rim, her eyes fixed on the several plump fish in the water, and she cried out excitedly with a 'heng heng heng'."

'You want some too?' Tuan Tuan patted its head, 'Don't rush; I'll feed you after it's cooked.'

Translation: "'You want to eat too?' Tuan Tuan stroked its head, 'Don't rush—I'll feed you after it's cooked.'"

Xiao Feifei still stared at the fish in the tub, its tail wagging wildly, clearly unable to wait.

Translation: "Xiao Feifei still stared at the fish in the tub, her tail wagging wildly—she could hardly wait."

Tuan Tuan looked at its little form and couldn't help but laugh, hee‑hee‑hee.

Xiao Er curled his lips: "Miss, this little thing now eats whatever you eat."

"It naturally eats anything!" Tuan Tuan declared righteously, "In the secret room it even ate bear paws! Right, Xiao Feifei?"

Xiao Feifei let out a "heng" sound, as if expressing agreement.

Lu Qi curled his lips: "Xiao Feifei recognizes people; as long as Miss feeds it, it will eat; if someone else does, it won't give them face."

Tuan Tuan gave him a sweet smile.

That evening, a bowl of milky-white fish soup was brought up, steaming with aroma.

Tuan Tuan held the bowl, blew on it, took a small sip, scalded making him stick out his tongue, nodded vigorously: "So fresh!"

She lifted her head: "Dad! Hurry up and eat, it's so fragrant!"

Everyone smiled and nodded.

Xiao Ningxun said: "Drink slowly, don't scald yourself."

Tuan Tuan tore off a small piece of meat from the fish belly, blew on it, and brought it to Xiao Feifei, who was lying on his leg: "Eat, Mother said this meat is the most tender and soft."

Xiao Feifei snatched it in one bite, swallowed it, then lifted its head to stare at her bowl, letting out two "heng" calls.

Person and fox, you bite I bite, eating with incomparable sweetness.

After finishing the meal, Xiao Feifei lay sprawled on Tuan Tuan's lap, tail motionless, utterly satisfied.

Tuan Tuan rubbed its round belly: "Xiao Feifei, after we finish the war and return home, I'll take you to the grasslands, to the Western Regions, to eat lots and lots of even more delicious things, okay."

Xiao Feifei's ears perked up from the rubbing, its big tail lightly swayed.

Next morning, all the generals came to Xiao Yuanhang's cabin.

Xiao Yuanhang pointed at a strait on the map and asked: "General Zheng, what place is this, so narrow?"

Zheng Wucheng stepped forward and took a look: "Prince, this is the Japan Strait, the maritime gateway of Japan."

"The narrowest point is only over a hundred li, the Japan navy stations heavy troops here year-round."

"In that case, if our army passes through here, it would be easy to fall into an ambush," Xiao Ningxun frowned slightly, "Can we detour?"