Chapter 127: with translation of chapter title
【5】
Translation: However, just as the Azure Dragon Legion was about to secure a decisive victory, an accident occurred.
However, just as the Azure Dragon Legion was about to secure a decisive victory, an accident occurred.
【10】
Translation: The Great Qian Army suddenly dispatched an elite suicide squad; they wielded sharp blades, silently slipped behind the Azure Dragon Legion, and launched a deadly sneak attack.
We need to keep as one line.
This sudden mishap plunged the Azure Dragon Legion into brief chaos.
Translation: This sudden change plunged the Azure Dragon Legion into brief chaos.
【14】
Translation: However, the soldiers of the Azure Dragon Legion did not collapse because of it.
Under the unwavering command of Meng Zhang at the rear, the Azure Dragon Legion quickly adjusted its tactics and organized an effective counterattack.
Translation: Under the steady command of Meng Zhang in the rear, the Azure Dragon Legion quickly adjusted its tactics and organized an effective counterattack.
【19】
Translation: Watching the Azure Dragon Legion steadily advance against the front of the Great Qian Army on the distant battlefield,
Watching the Azure Dragon Legion steadily advance against the front of the Great Qian Army on the distant battlefield,
【22】
Translation: A flicker of heartache flashed in Meng Zhang's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
The Azure Dragon Legion has only a handful of men; any losses must be made up by drafting from the Yellow Turban Army.
Translation: The Azure Dragon Legion has so few men; now that some have died, they can only be replenished from the Yellow Turban Army.
【26】
Translation: However, the quality of the Yellow Turban Army's troops makes retraining them another hassle.
But there's no choice; an army must fight a few tough battles to prove its worth.
Translation: But there's no choice; an army must fight a few hard battles to prove its worth.
【30】
Translation: Meng Zhang holds high expectations for the Azure Dragon Legion.
Therefore, the Azure Dragon Legion must grow quickly.
Translation: Therefore, the Azure Dragon Legion must grow quickly.
【33】
Even if.
【37】
Translation: This growth is driven by heavy casualties.
Meanwhile, while the Great Qian Army and the Yellow Turban Army were locked in fierce battle, Su Ye also finished his idle time with the three princesses.
Translation: Meanwhile, as the Great Qian Army and the Yellow Turban Army were locked in fierce battle, Su Ye also finished his idle time with the three princesses.
【43】
Translation: He began gathering his current advisors and started preparing to find something for the Iron Sons of the northern steppes and those tribes to do.
Although Su Ye cannot now directly send troops to aid the steppe tribes in resisting Temujin,
Translation: Now Su Ye cannot openly send troops to aid the tribes on the steppes in resisting Temujin.
【49】
Translation: But he wants to cause him some trouble.
That would be too simple.
Translation: That would be too easy.
【52】
He began summoning his few advisors and started preparing to find something for the Iron Sons of the northern steppe and those tribes to do.
【54】
But he just wanted to find some trouble for him.
【57】
is a note, not a line to translate? It starts with "So line 16 includes..." but it's still a line with index 【57】. The content is a note, not Chinese to translate. Should we output translation? The instruction: "These lines still contain untranslated Chinese. Translate each FULLY into natural English. Output EXACTLY one line per item as: 【N】
【61】
Also "奉孝" is courtesy name of Guo Jia; we need to include as a named entity? It's a courtesy name, which is a name used for a person. So we include "Feng Xiao"? Actually the pinyin would be "Feng Xiao". But we need to use pinyin for personal names. So we need to romanize "奉孝" as "Feng Xiao". However, the instruction says: Use Hanyu Pinyin ONLY for a person's actual NAME (人名 — including a nickname, childhood name, courtesy name, or epithet HABITUALLY USED as that person's name). So "奉孝" is Guo Jia's courtesy name, habitually used as his name? In the text, they call him "奉孝" as a form of address. So we should treat it as a name and romanize as "Feng Xiao". However, we also have Guo Jia as his actual name. So we need to include both? The glossary list should include every named entity appearing. So we need to include "Feng Xiao" as a separate entry? But the instruction: "Reuse the EXACT English from the glossary above for terms already listed." The glossary above only includes Su Ye, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Cangzhou. So we need to add other named entities not in that list, with their English forms. For personal names, we must use pinyin. So we need to add:
【64】
note about Chen Qun.
【67】
note about Iron Sons.
【71】
note about Mongol tribe.
【75】
note about Feng Xiao.
Also we might need to include "Cangzhou" already in glossary.
Also "Su Ye", "Xun Yu", "Guo Jia" already in glossary.
Also "Chen Qun" we add.
Also "Meng Zhang".
Also "Tiemuzhen".
Also "Iron Sons".
Also "Northern Steppe".
Also "Mongol tribe".
Also "Net".
Also "Feng Xiao".
【99】
note about Great Qian army.
【107】
Also maybe "Northern Grassland's Iron Sons" we already have Iron Sons.
Also "Southern"? Not needed.
note about Three princesses (not a named entity).
【132】
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons and those tribes" we have Iron Sons.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons" we have.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons and those tribes" we have Iron Sons.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons" we have.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons" we have.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons" we have.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons" we have.
Also "Northern grassland's Iron Sons" we have.
Ok.
Now we need to translate each line.
Let's go line by line.
Su Ye sat on a tall, carved sandalwood chair, his expression solemn, his eyes blazing.
Translation: Su Ye sat on a tall carved sandalwood chair, his expression solemn, his eyes like torches.
【136】
Translation: Behind him hung a huge map of the territories, which Zhao Gao had his Net infiltrate the steppes to draw.
It was painstakingly drawn back after great effort.
Translation: It had been painstakingly drawn and brought back.
【140】
Translation: "Gentlemen, what are your thoughts on the current situation on the steppes?"
Su Ye sat at the head, looking down at Xun Yu and the others, and spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful.
Translation: Su Ye sat at the head, looking down at Xun Yu and the others, and spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful.
【145】
Translation: "My lord, the ambitions of Temujin, who has united the Xiongnu, are wolfish."
"My lord, the ambitions of Temujin, who has united the Xiongnu, are wolfish."
【148】
Translation: "From the intelligence gathered so far, this person is a heroic lord with outstanding military talent and firm resolve."
"Now that he has united the Xiongnu tribes, he surely won't be so easily satisfied."
Translation: "Having united the Xiongnu tribes, he surely will not be easily satisfied."
【152】
Translation: "Once he finishes his preparations, he will surely raise arms again against the remaining tribes."
Xun Yu, seated in the first seat to the lower side, clasped his hands and spoke to Su Ye.
Translation: Sitting in the first seat below, Xun Yu slightly cupped his fists and analyzed to Su Ye:
【156】
Translation: "Therefore, we must find a way to suppress the rise of Temujin."
"At the very least, before Cangzhou's wings are fully grown, we must not let it grow."
Translation: "At the very least, before our Cangzhou grows strong, we must absolutely not let him grow."
【160】
Translation: "Otherwise, with Temujin's wolf-like nature, he will surely march south to seize the passes!"
Xun Yu paused, then spoke in a deep voice.
Translation: Xun Yu paused, then spoke in a deep voice:
【164】
Translation: "Although Temujin's rise has been brief so far,"
But among those present, aside from Su Ye, none have an intelligence of 95 or lower—in other words, none are at the level of a godlike strategist or below.
Translation: "but among those present, aside from Su Ye, none have an intellect of 95 or below, i. e., at the level of a Divine General Strategist."
We need to keep the numbers exactly: 95.
【170】
Translation: "From the few pieces of intelligence we currently have about Temujin,"
Through mutual cross-checking, we can infer Temujin's true character and ambitions.
Translation: "by filling in each other's gaps, we can infer his true character and ambitions."
【174】
Translation: "Not bad, my lord; for now, our Cangzhou cannot directly send troops."
"But war is not the only solution."
Translation: "But war is not the only solution."
【178】
Translation: "Although the steppe tribes are in internal turmoil, their combat strength remains intact; if we rashly attack, we risk getting stuck in a protracted war, wasting our strength for nothing."
"Moreover, the steppe's vast terrain makes deep penetration difficult, with supply lines strained and risks extremely high."
Translation: "Moreover, the vastness of the steppe makes deep penetration difficult, with supply lines hard to maintain and great risk."
【182】
Translation: As Xun Yu's words fell, Chen Qun immediately followed up.
Su Ye listened, his face unchanged, knowing that Chen Qun's words were not false.
Translation: After hearing this, Su Ye's face showed no expression; he knew Chen Qun's words were not false.
【186】
Translation: Even without reminders, Cangzhou currently lacks the strength to raise another large army capable of expedition to the steppes.
Even if there were, Su Ye could not possibly go.
Translation: Even if we could, Su Ye could not possibly go himself.
【190】
Translation: He's not out of his mind.
He has always been the one taking advantage of others; how could he let those other steppe tribes take advantage of him?
Translation: He has always been the one to take advantage of others; how could he let those other steppe tribes take advantage of him?
【194】
Translation: "Then, according to your opinions, what should we do?"
Su Ye pondered for a moment, then asked the few people seated to the lower side.
Translation: Su Ye pondered for a moment, then asked the few people seated below.
【198】
Translation: "Your Highness, Jia has a plan that can let our army gain the benefits of the steppes without spending a single soldier."
Guo Jia, reeking of alcohol and seated to the lower side, heard Su Ye's inquiry and perhaps felt a bit embarrassed about always loafing around.
Translation: The Guo Jia reeking of alcohol seated below, upon hearing Su Ye's inquiry, perhaps felt a bit embarrassed about always loafing around.
【202】
Translation: After all, Xun Yu, Chen Qun, and others can still help handle government affairs.
But Guo Jia is different; for someone of his licentious nature...
Translation: But Guo Jia is different; for someone of his roguish nature,
【206】
Translation: staying in one place to handle government affairs is, for him, practically the ultimate torture in the world.
Therefore, during this time he does nothing but spend his days visiting brothels and listening to music.
Translation: Therefore, during this time he has done nothing, spending his days in brothels listening to music.
【210】
Translation: "Oh? Feng Xiao, what's your idea? Let's hear it."
Seeing this lazybones finally wanting to work, Su Ye immediately became interested.
Translation: Seeing this lazybones finally wanting to work, Su Ye immediately became interested.
【214】
Translation: "On the steppes, when wolf packs fight, the smartest foxes hide in the distance to observe."
"Cangzhou can secretly make contact with those weak tribes on the steppe, exchanging weapons and armor for their warhorses."
Translation: "Our Cangzhou can secretly contact those weak tribes on the steppes, exchanging weapons and armor for their warhorses."
Especially those foreign tribes near the present-day Mongols.
I suppose they are now quite willing to trade with us.
Guo Jia chuckled, lifted the wine gourd that never left his hand, took a sip, and slowly revealed his plan.
The grassland tribes live off horses, regard horses as their lives; their warhorses are strong and vigorous, far surpassing ours.
And Cangzhou, being close to the north, is in great need of a large number of warhorses to boost our cavalry's combat strength.
Through trade, our army can both obtain the needed warhorses and weaken the strength of the grassland tribes—this is a strategy that kills two birds with one stone.
Guo Jia lifted the wine gourd that never left his hand, took a sip, and continued.
Su Ye listened, then lowered his head in thought for a moment, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
Since ancient times, weapons and armor have been the lifeblood of an army; how could they be lightly given away?
But Guo Jia's following words forced him to reconsider.
My lord, though the grassland tribes are skilled in battle, they are not adept at manufacturing weapons and armor; what they need is precisely what we have in surplus.
We can exchange our old or surplus weapons and armor for their warhorses.
This way, we can not only strengthen our military might but also avoid unnecessary war, and even establish friendly trade relations with those weak and powerless grassland tribes—truly a threefold gain.
Su Ye's gaze shifted back and forth between the map and Guo Jia.
He rose to his feet, paced around the council hall, weighing the pros and cons of the plan in his mind.
Those present, including Xun Yu, also understood implicitly; this move could both avoid the risk of war and achieve the goal of weakening the enemy.
For Cangzhou as it stands now, this is indeed a viable method.
It could also greatly reduce the number of warhorses on the grasslands, thereby reinforcing the Cangzhou Army.
Although Cang and Yun prefectures have also established several large horse farms.
But in ancient times, who would ever complain about having too many warhorses?
Just as you said, send emissaries to contact the weak grassland tribes and discuss trade matters.
At the same time, order the border troops to strengthen their guard, lest the grassland tribes seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack.
After some deliberation, Su Ye finally made up his mind.
Today, returning home, two sheets
(End of chapter)
End of Chapter
