Chapter 105

(Thanks to the reward from Ershi Qingshan, I'm releasing an extra chapter today. Please look forward to it, readers. I originally wanted to thank Brother Qingshan in the extra chapter, but I, Xiao Pujie, couldn't help myself—how moving!)

"Thanks to the reward from Ershi Qingshan, I'm releasing an extra chapter today. Please look forward to it, readers. I originally wanted to thank Brother Qingshan in the extra chapter, but I, Xiao Pujie, couldn't help myself—how moving!" Wait we need to keep the outer double quotes? The original line had double quotes around the whole parentheses content. We'll output: "\"Thanks to the reward from Ershi Qingshan, I'm releasing an extra chapter today. Please look forward to it, readers. I originally wanted to thank Brother Qingshan in the extra chapter, but I, Xiao Pujie, couldn't help myself—how moving! \"" (including the outer double quotes). Let's do that.

Translation: "(Thanks to the reward from Twenty Qing Shan, I'm releasing an extra chapter today; please look forward to it. I originally wanted to thank Brother Qing Shan in the extra chapter, but little Poju couldn't help it—how moving.)"

(Thanks to the reward from Ershi Qingshan, I'm releasing an extra chapter today. Please look forward to it, readers. I originally wanted to thank Brother Qingshan in the extra chapter, but I, Xiao Pujie, couldn't help myself—how moving!)

Thus translation: "(Thanks to the reward from Ershi Qingshan, I'm releasing an extra chapter today; please look forward to it. I originally wanted to thank Brother Qingshan in the extra chapter, but Xiao Pujie couldn't help it—how moving.)"

We need to keep the line as a single output line with 【1】 prefix.

Jinling, the Huainan Military Governor's residence.

Translate: "Jinling, the Huainan Military Governor's Residence."

Check: "Military Governor's Residence" -> Military Governor's Residence. Good.

Yang Xingmi sat in the upper seat, playing with a warm and smooth jade cup in his hand, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

Translate: "Yang Xingmi sat in the upper seat, playing with a warm and smooth jade cup in his hand, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it."

We need to keep the meaning: 'upper seat', 'playing with', 'warm and smooth jade cup', and 'his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it'.

Below the main hall, his civil and military officials stood, the atmosphere oppressively dreadful.

Translate: "Below the main hall, his civil and military officials stood, the atmosphere oppressively terrifying."

Just now, they received two pieces of news.

Translate: "Just now, they received two pieces of news."

One of them concerned the north.

Translate: "One was about the north."

Later Liang Emperor Zhu Wen, while escaping the summer heat at the residence of Prince Bo Zhu Youwen, was attacked by his own son, Prince Ying Zhu Yougui, who led five hundred personal guards into the palace and hacked him to death with random blades.

Translate: "The Later Liang Emperor Zhu Wen, while visiting the residence of Prince Bo Zhu Youwen to escape the heat, was attacked by his own son, Prince Ying Zhu Yougui, who led five hundred personal guards into the palace and hacked him to death with random blades."

Zhu Yougui murdered his father, seized the throne, and proclaimed himself emperor.

Translate: "Zhu Yougui, having murdered his father and seized the throne, ascended and proclaimed himself emperor."

Immediately after, he issued an edict ordering the death of his biggest rival, Zhu Youwen.

Translate: "Immediately, he issued an edict to have his biggest rival, Zhu Youwen, put to death."

This massive upheaval in the Later Liang court left everyone stunned.

Translate: "This massive upheaval in the Later Liang court left everyone stunned."

But Yang Xingmi was more concerned about another piece of news.

Translate: "But Yang Xingmi was more concerned about another piece of news."

One piece of news came from Xuanzhou.

Translate: "One piece of news came from Xuanzhou."

The Wang family had mobilized troops.

Translate: "The Wang Family has mobilized troops."

In just half a month, they had seized all of Xuanzhou and beheaded the military governor Tian Kui in battle.

Translate: "In just half a month, they captured the entirety of Xuanzhou and beheaded the Military Governor Tian Kui in battle."

"Come on, tell me what you think," Yang Xingmi said, setting down his jade cup, his voice hoarse.

Translate: "\"Let's hear your thoughts, how do you see it? \" Yang Xingmi set down the jade cup and asked in a hoarse voice."

"Commander, the Wang family's move shows wolfish ambition and blatant designs!" a bearded general shouted, standing up indignantly, "They intend to swallow all of Jiangnan! We cannot just stand by and do nothing!"

Translate: "\"Commander, the Wang Family's move reveals wolfish ambition and blatant designs! \" a bearded general with a full beard stood up first, indignant, saying, \"They intend to swallow all of Jiangnan! We cannot just stand by and do nothing! \"

This person was Li Shenfu, the bravest general under Yang Xingmi and a staunch advocate of war.

Translate: "This person is Li Shenfu, the bravest general under Yang Xingmi and also a member of the war faction."

"That's right!" another general agreed, saying, "Although the Wang family's troops are elite and well-equipped, their numbers are limited. Our Huainan forces have a hundred thousand armored soldiers! As long as the commander gives the order, I, as a subordinate officer, will volunteer as the vanguard to meet the Wang family's iron pagoda and see whether their armor is thick or my blade is sharp."

Translate: "\"Exactly! \" another general also agreed, saying, \"Although the Wang Family's troops are elite and their equipment fine, their numbers are limited. We of Huainan have a hundred thousand armored troops! As long as the Commander gives the order, I, as a subordinate officer, wish to be the vanguard to meet the Wang Family's Iron Control pagoda and see whose armor is thicker or whose blade is sharper. \"

Inside the main hall, the voices advocating war held the upper hand.

Translate: "Within the main hall, the voices advocating war held the upper hand."

In their view, although the Wang family had taken Xuanzhou, it was merely a fluke, and Tian Kui, a useless fool, was nothing to fear.

Translate: "In their view, although the Wang Family had taken Xuanzhou, it was merely a fluke; Tian Kui was a good-for-nothing, not worth fearing."

It is our Huainan army that truly is a battle-hardened force.

Translate: "It is the Huainan army that is truly a battle-hardened force."

For the Wang family to dare expand right under our noses is nothing short of a provocation.

Translate: "For the Wang Family to expand right under their noses is nothing short of a provocation."

However, Yang Xingmi remained silent.

Translate: "However, Yang Xingmi remained silent."

His gaze fell upon a silent scholar seated below.

Translate: "His gaze fell upon a silent scholar below the hall."

This man was Xu Wen, Yang Xingmi's most trusted advisor.

Translate: "This person was Xu Wen, Yang Xingmi's most trusted strategist."

"Ziren (Xu Wen's courtesy name), what do you think?" Yang Xingmi asked.

Translate: "\"Ziren, what do you think? \" Yang Xingmi asked."

"Ziren (Xu Wen's courtesy name), what do you think?" Yang Xingmi asked.

Xu Wen stepped forward, bowed, and then spoke slowly: "Commander, I believe that at this time we should not go to war with the Wang family."

Translate: "Xu Wen stepped forward, bowed, and then said slowly, \"Commander, I believe that at this time it is not advisable to go to war with the Wang Family. \"

"Oh?" Yang Xingmi raised his eyebrows, asking, "Why?"

Translate: "\"Oh? \" Yang Xingmi raised his eyebrows, \"Why? \""

"There are three reasons." Xu Wen calmly extended three fingers.

Translate: "\"There are three reasons. \" Xu Wen slowly extended three fingers."

"First, the Wang family's strength far exceeds our imagination. At the Battle of Caishi Ji, they defeated Tian Kui's thirty-thousand-strong army with just twenty thousand troops in a single night."

Translate: "\"First, the Wang Family's strength far exceeds our imagination. At the Battle of Caishi Ji, they defeated Tian Kui's thirty-thousand-strong army with just twenty thousand troops in a single night."

Their combat prowess and excellent weapons are evident. Especially their new-style weapons called 'fire arms' explode like thunder, possessing tremendous power—something our army has never seen; rashly engaging them would risk heavy losses.

Translate: "Their combat prowess and excellent weapons are evident. Especially their new-style weapons called 'fire arms', which explode like thunder with tremendous power—something our army has never seen; rashly engaging them would risk heavy losses."

"Second, the Wang family acts with a righteous cause. Now that the world is in chaos with no true unifier, the common people still regard the Tang as legitimate, and these self-appointed military governors also acknowledge the offices conferred by the Tang court. Thus they are acting under the Tang court's edict of Pacification Envoy to 'punish' the disobedient Tian Kui. If we were to send troops, we would openly defy righteousness, lack proper justification, and be contrary to reason, actually giving the Wang family a pretext to attack us."

Translate: "\"Second, the Wang Family acts with a righteous cause. Now that the world is in great chaos and there is no true unifier, the common people still regard the Tang Dynasty as legitimate, and these self-appointed military governors also acknowledge the offices conferred by the Tang court. Thus they are acting under the Tang court's edict of Pacification Envoy to 'punish' the disobedient Tian Kui. If we were to send troops, we would openly defy righteousness, lack proper justification, and contrary to reason, we would actually give the Wang Family a pretext to attack us. \"

"Third, and most importantly," a glint appeared in Xu Wen's eyes, "the northern Zhu Yougui has just murdered his father and seized the throne, and the court situation is unstable."

Translate: "\"Third, and most importantly, \" a glint flashed in Xu Wen's eyes, \"the northern Zhu Yougui has just murdered his father and seized the throne, and the court situation is unstable. \"

Zhu Wen's fourth son, Zhu Youzhen, holds heavy troops in Luoyang and is reportedly secretly allied with Li Cunxu, son of Li Keyong, likely preparing to rise up against Zhu Yougui; the north is about to plunge into another great war.

Translate: "Zhu Wen's fourth son, Zhu Youzhen, holds heavy troops in Luoyang; it is heard that he has secretly allied with Li Keyong's son Li Cunxu, likely preparing to rise up against Zhu Yougui; the north is about to plunge into another great war."

"This is exactly our opportunity!"

Translate: "\"This is exactly our opportunity! \"

"When the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman benefits. Why not sit on the hill and watch the tigers fight? Let the Wang family lock horns with the Jiangnan gentry and petty tyrants, drawing the court's attention, while we take advantage of the northern chaos to seize Jingxiang to the west and capture the prosperous lands of Zhedong to the east."

Translate: "\"When the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman profits. Why not sit on the hill and watch the tigers fight? Let the Wang Family lock horns with those Jiangnan tyrants and petty gentry, drawing the court's attention, while we take advantage of the northern chaos: to the west, seize Jingxiang; to the east, capture the prosperous lands of Zhedong. \"

"Once we digest these territories and our strength grows greatly, by then neither the northern victor nor the Wang family of Jiangnan will be a match for us!"

Translate: "\"Once we digest these territories and our strength grows greatly, by then, whether it be the victor of the north or the Wang Family of Jiangnan, they will likely no longer be our match. \"

Xu Wen's argument was logical and thorough.

Translate: "Xu Wen's words were logical and penetrating."

Inside the main hall, the generals who had been clamoring for war also calmed down and had to admit that Xu Wen made sense.

Translate: "Within the main hall, those who had been clamoring for war also calmed down, unable to deny that Xu Wen made sense."

After hearing this, Yang Xingmi's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a look of approval appeared on his face.

Translate: "After hearing this, Yang Xingmi's tightly knit brows gradually relaxed, and a look of approval appeared on his face."

"Excellent! Excellent! When the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman benefits!" Yang Xingmi clapped his hands and laughed, "Ziren, you are truly my Zhang Liang!"

Translate: "\"Good! Good, when the snipe and clam grapple, the fisherman profits! \" Yang Xingmi clapped and laughed loudly, \"Ziren, you are truly my Zhang Liang! \"

He immediately approved: "Just as you say!"

Translate: "He immediately approved: \"Just as you said! \"

"Issue my orders: the army shall be on alert but not provoke the Wang family. At the same time, send a gift to Yangzhou, congratulating the Wang family on pacifying Xuanzhou, and say that I, Yang Xingmi, wish to form an eternal alliance with them and jointly safeguard the peace of Jiangnan."

Translate: "\"Issue my orders: the entire army shall be on alert, but not provoke the Wang Family. At the same time, send someone to Yangzhou to present a generous gift to the Wang Family, congratulating them on pacifying Xuanzhou, and say that I, Yang Xingmi, wish to form an eternal alliance with the Wang Family and jointly safeguard the peace of Jiangnan. \"

"Furthermore, let Li Shenfu lead thirty thousand troops westward immediately, targeting Ezhou!"

Translate: "\"Furthermore, let Li Shenfu lead thirty thousand troops westward immediately, targeting Ezhou! \"

"Yes

Translate: "\"Yes! Commander! \"

A war that might have broken out between the two hegemons of Jiangnan was thus defused by Xu Wen's words, disappearing without a trace.

Translate: "A war that might have broken out between the two hegemons of Jiangnan was thus defused by Xu Wen's words."

…… (ellipsis). We need to output the ellipsis as is? Probably just three dots. We'll output "……". Keep as is.

Yangzhou, Wang family fort.

Translate: "Yangzhou, Wang Family Fort."

Wang Po (Wang Xiu) quickly received the generous gifts sent by Yang Xingmi, along with his humble letter expressing the wish to "form an eternal alliance".

Translate: "Wang Po (Wang Xiu) quickly received the generous gift sent by Yang Xingmi's emissaries, along with that humble letter expressing the wish to \"form an eternal alliance\"."

We need to keep the quotes around the phrase "form an eternal alliance". We'll keep it as "form an eternal alliance". The source had the Chinese phrase "form an eternal alliance". We'll translate it as "\"form an eternal alliance\"". So: "... expressing the wish to \"form an eternal alliance\"".

"This Yang Xingmi is actually a clever person," Wang Po (Wang Xiu) said, handing the letter to the nearby Wang Tian, adding, "He must have a wise advisor beside him."

Translate: "\"This Yang Xingmi is quite a clever person. \" Wang Po (Wang Xiu) passed the letter to the nearby Wang Tian, saying, \"He must have a mastermind advising him. \"

Wang Tian took the letter, glanced at it, and laughed, saying, "Master, Yang Xingmi wants us to draw fire in the front while he reaps the benefits like a fisherman from behind."

Translate: "Wang Tian took the letter, glanced at it, and laughed, \"Head of Family, Yang Xingmi wants us to draw fire in the front while he reaps the benefits from behind like a fisherman. \"

"His abacus calculations are not bad," Wang Po (Wang Xiu) snorted, "but does he think he can become a fisherman just because he wishes to?"

Translate: "\"His abacus calculation is not bad. \" Wang Po (Wang Xiu) snorted coldly, \"But does he think he can become a fisherman just because he wishes to? \"

Wang Xiu's mind clearly conjured up the history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.

Translate: "In Wang Xiu's mind, the history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms rose clearly."

He knew that although Yang Xingmi was the founder of Southern Wu, after his death his sons fought endlessly for power; ultimately, authority slipped away and fell into the hands of his two most trusted aides, Xu Wen and Zhang Hao.

Translate: "He knew that although Yang Xingmi was the founder of Southern Wu, after his death his sons fought endlessly for power; ultimately, authority slipped away, falling into the hands of his two most trusted aides, Xu Wen and Zhang Hao."

And this Xu Wen before us is an even tougher figure. He will eventually sideline the Yang clan, become the true power holder of Southern Wu; his adopted son Xu Zhigao will outright usurp the throne and establish Southern Tang.

Translate: "This Xu Wen before him is an even more ruthless figure; he will eventually sideline the Yang clan, become the true power holder of Southern Wu, and his adopted son Xu Zhigao will outright usurp the throne and establish Southern Tang."

"Even a servant wants to be a fisherman?" Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s eyes flashed with contempt.

Translate: "\"Even a household slave wants to be a fisherman? \" Wang Po (Wang Xiu)'s eyes flashed with contempt."

Yang Xingmi not moving against him now plays right into his plans.

Translate: "Yang Xingmi not moving against him now is exactly what he wanted."

What he needs most right now is time.

Translate: "What he needs most now is time."

He needs time to digest the recently captured Xuan Prefecture and to integrate all of Jiangnan's resources.

Translate: "He needs time to digest the recently captured Xuanzhou and to integrate the resources of all Jiangnan."

He needs time, to turn the technology in the Wang Family Fort that surpasses current technology into genuine military power capable of crushing everything.