Chapter 146

They passed over several low hills, leaving Long Creek City far behind; what met their eyes was a vast plain, with a few solitary, massive oak trees scattered across it, becoming the plain's few adornments.

Translation: They passed several low hills, leaving Long Creek City far behind; before them lay a vast plain, with a few solitary, huge oak trees scattered across it, becoming the plain's sparse decoration.

what met their eyes was a broad plain

We'll produce: They passed several low hills, leaving Long Creek City far behind; what met their eyes was a broad plain, with a few solitary, huge oak trees scattered across it, becoming the plain's sparse decoration.

Make sure it's one line.

"Is this the hay meadow?" Mei asked.

Translation: "Is this Hay Village?" Mei Yi asked.

The grass on the field had been gathered clean and tidy, leaving short stubs of dry, yellowish roots; grayish dirty snow clung to the grass stalks, while a few hares pricked up their ears, watching their warhorses and listening to their movements.

Translation: The grass on the field had been gathered clean, leaving neat stubs of dry yellow roots; grayish dirty snow piled under the grass stalks, while several hares pricked up their ears to watch their warhorses and listen to their movements.

"Not bad, Your Highness, this is one of the many fields of the sweetgrass meadow." Ed pointed to a distant farmstead, where several large storehouses had been built—needless to say, they were for storing fodder. "The entire field's grass has already been harvested and stored; if this grass is eaten up and spring hasn't arrived yet, we'll have to slaughter livestock."

Translation: "Not bad, Your Highness, this is one of the many fields of Licorice Village." Aide pointed to the distant farmstead, where several huge storehouses had been built—needless to say, they were for storing fodder—"All the grass from the whole field has been stored away; if this grass is eaten up and spring hasn't arrived yet, we'll have to slaughter the livestock."

Note: Need to keep quotes. We'll keep as is.

"Lord Ed, we're northerners; we don't need you to explain these things." Rofer Glovolf interrupted him, "Tell us, is this the castle of Viscount Blackland?"

Translation: "Lord Aide, we are northerners; we don't need you to explain these." Luo bu Geluofo interrupted him, "Tell us, is this the castle of Viscount Blackland?"

"A castle? Our castle is nothing like the wooden forts of Deepwood Fort; what you see is merely a hay meadow. The Hay Meadows contain thirty such meadows. Viscount Blackland's castle lies by a stream at the foot of the mountains, perched on a rocky hill not far from here."

Translation: "A castle? Our castle is nothing like the wooden forts of Deep Forest Fort; what you see is merely a hay village. Hay Hall has thirty such villages. Viscount Blackland's castle lies by a stream at the foot of a mountain, perched on a rocky hill not far from here."

"First, enter this hay meadow, round up the warhorses and weapons, and if anyone wishes to join my cavalry, all the better." Mei gazed at the enormous hay meadow.

Translation: "First enter this hay village, round up the warhorses and weapons; if anyone wishes to join my cavalry unit, all the better." Mei Yi gazed at the huge hay village.

The hay meadow consists of a series of massive wooden storehouses scattered across the plain, arranged in a large ring, with wooden fences linking them together to form an external defensive circular fortification.

Translation: The hay village consisted of individual huge wooden storehouses scattered across the plain, arranged in a ring and connected by wooden fences, forming an outward-facing circular fortification.

It might keep out wolves and other dangerous beasts, but it cannot stop people.

Translation: It might keep out wolves and other dangerous animals, but it cannot stop people.

Heaven only knows how much labor it would take to harvest such a vast field or to fill these storehouses with hay, and how many people depend on these hay meadows for their livelihood.

Translation: Heaven knows how much labor it took to harvest such a vast field or to fill these storehouses with hay, and how many people rely on these hay villages for their livelihood.

"Gather warhorses and soldiers, then burn it—I want Long Creek City to see its flames!" She pressed down, reluctant but resolute in giving the order.

Translation: "Gather warhorses and soldiers, then burn it—I want Long Creek City to see its flames!" She suppressed her reluctance and issued the order firmly.

"Burn it? Your Highness, this is the winter fodder for hundreds of warhorses, and hundreds of villagers rely on it for their livelihood."

Translation: "Burn it? Your Highness, this is the winter fodder for hundreds of warhorses, and hundreds of households depend on it for their livelihood."

"These are the assets of traitors; leave them be, for they will only be used to fund the House of Lysander." Kikikonton said to Ed arrogantly, "Don't forget, you now stand with the Starks."

Translation: "These are the assets of traitors; leave them be, for they will only be used to fund the Lyswiel family." Kongqi Kongdun arrogantly reminded Aide, "Don't forget, you now stand on the Stark side."

Mei reached out to stop his words.

Translation: Mei Yi reached out to stop his words.

"This is a strategic necessity. If we take the hay meadow, I will compensate them; if they want gold, I can pay that too!" Mei spurred his warhorse toward the hay meadow.

Translation: "This is a strategic necessity. If we take the hay village, I will compensate them; if they want gold, I can pay as well!" Mei Yi spurred her warhorse toward the hay village.

At that moment, a horn's warning sounded from within the hay meadow. Kikikonton led the cavalry, drew their bows, and shot the guards who were raising the alarm.

Translation: At that moment, a conch alarm sounded from within the hay village. Kongqi Kongdun led the cavalry, drew their bows, and shot dead the guards who raised the alarm.

The seizure of the hay meadow was simple and easy; they gathered thirty warhorses, a small number of swords, some basic shields, the only difficulty being setting the hay meadow ablaze.

Translation: Occupying the hay village was simple and easy; they gathered thirty warhorses, a few swords, some simple shields from within, the only difficulty being to burn the hay village.

Mei led the cavalry into the hay meadow, taking their horses before their eyes without a word; when he took their weapons, they merely watched in silence; when Mei ordered torches raised, they showed fear; when the torches were thrown onto the hay piles, they wept bitterly.

Translation: Mei Yi led the cavalry into the hay village, taking their horses before their eyes without a word; when they took the weapons, they merely watched silently; when Mei Yi ordered torches raised, they showed terror; when the torches were thrown into the haystacks, they wept bitterly.

The cavalry withdrew amidst the roaring flames, leaving behind desperate herdsmen.

Translation: The cavalry withdrew amid the roaring flames, leaving the desperate herdsmen behind.

But if they act quickly enough to isolate the fire, the loss will be only a single storehouse.

Translation: But if they acted quickly enough to isolate the fire, the loss would be only a single storehouse.

"We should kill them all," Kikikonton told Mei. "Your Highness, did you see their angry eyes? If we don't extinguish the fire in their gaze, sooner or later we'll have to put out the flames they ignite in their hands."

Translation: "We should kill them all." Kongqi Kongdun said to Mei Yi, "Your Highness, have you seen their angry eyes? We do not extinguish the fire in their eyes; sooner or later we will have to put out the fire they kindle in their hands."

"I've seen many such eyes, and I never worry about any of them—do you know why, Lord Kikikonton?" Mei didn't wait for him to reply, "Because prey that dares to resist gathers more companions, and more companions mean more wealth. A dull voyage needs a bit of opposition to stay exciting, and the same holds for land." But maintaining this view when the prey is innocent requires extra willpower.

Translation: "I have seen many such eyes, and I never worry about any of them—you know why, Lord Kongqi?" Mei Yi did not let him interject, "Because prey that dares to resist gathers more companions, and more companions mean more wealth. Boring sea voyages need a rival to stay exciting; land is the same." But maintaining this view when the prey is innocent requires extra willpower.

As the cavalry rushed toward Viscount Blackland's castle, sunlight broke through the clouds and struck the viscount's stone keep, turning its originally gray-white walls golden.

Translation: As the cavalry rushed toward Viscount Blackland's castle, sunlight broke through the clouds and struck the viscount's stone battlements, turning the originally gray-white walls gold.

"Who wants this castle?" Mei shouted at the soldiers behind him.

Translation: "Who wants this castle?" Mei Yi shouted at the soldiers behind her.

Behind them, as expected, a cheer went up.

Translation: Behind them rose the expected cheers.

"The bravest soldiers will earn the right to claim it!" Mei led the way, riding his warhorse to the base of the rocky cliff where the castle stands.

Translation: "The bravest soldiers will be eligible to claim it!" Mei Yi spurred her warhorse forward, first to set foot at the base of the cliff where the castle stood.

Looking around, the stone keep faces only the road's entrance; every other direction is blocked by deep gullies, leaving no other way into the castle.

Translation: Looking around, the stone fort faced only the entrance overlooking the main road; every other direction was a deep gorge, with no other way in.

For the attackers, sealing this main approach is enough to besiege the castle; the defenders cannot break out through any other route. Although this is the defenders' greatest weakness, it is also their greatest strength—the attackers cannot exert pressure from any other direction and need only guard one side.

Translation: For the attackers, as long as they seal this main approach, they can encircle the castle; the defenders inside cannot break out via any other route. Although this is the defenders' greatest weakness, it is also their greatest strength—the attackers cannot exert pressure from other directions, needing to guard only one side.

Blackland can accept this coexistence of weakness and strength, but Mei cannot.

Translation: Blackland can accept this coexistence of weakness and strength, but Mei Yi cannot.

Mei had no intention of garrisoning the castle long‑term; if the soldiers of Long Creek City blocked him here, breaking out would be difficult.

Translation: Mei Yi had no intention of garrisoning the castle long-term; if the soldiers of Long Creek City blocked her here, breaking out would be difficult.

As expected, the troops stationed in the castle consisted only of a few elderly soldiers and children wielding spears longer than their own height; there were no normal guards to be seen.

Translation: As initially expected, the soldiers stationed on the city walls were nothing but a few old troops and children wielding spears longer than their height; no normal guards remained.

"Shout at them, tell them to surrender the city." Mei felt that wasting a single life on such a castle would be disgraceful.

Translation: "Shout at them, urging them to surrender the city." Mei Yi felt that wasting a single life on such a castle was disgraceful.

The castle remained silent; Kikikonton shouted again twice, but still there was no reply.

Translation: The castle remained silent; Kongqi Kongdun shouted again twice, still with no reply.

When Mei dismounted, drew his sword, and prepared to storm the castle with ladders, the main gate was slowly opened by a few elderly soldiers.

Translation: When Mei Yi dismounted, drew her precious sword, and prepared to assault with ladders, the castle's main gate was slowly opened by a few elderly soldiers.

"Your Highness Stark! The Sweetgrass Hall welcomes your arrival." A middle‑aged man resembling a steward hurried out from inside, bowing respectfully to Mei. He wore a fur coat, his hair greasy, and his smile was harder to endure than his clothes or hair.

Translation: "Your Highness Stark! Hay Hall welcomes your arrival." A middle-aged man resembling a steward hurried out from within the city, respectfully bowing to Mei Yi. He wore a fur coat, his hair greasy, and his smile was harder to tolerate than his clothes and hair.

"Where is your viscount?" Mei asked the steward after taking the seat of honor in Sweetgrass Hall.

Translation: "Where is your viscount?" Mei Yi asked the steward after taking the main seat in Hay Hall.

"Your Highness, Viscount Hunt led the territory's soldiers in response to the count's summons to Long Creek City."

Translation: "Your Highness, Viscount Hunter led the territory's soldiers in response to the earl's summons to Long Creek City."

"And his lady and children?"

Translation: "What about his lady and children?"

"Your Highness, Viscount Hunt took his son and daughter to Long Creek City; I believe he wished to introduce Miss Eli to the young lord of House Roussel‑Lysander. The viscountess died years ago in a difficult childbirth."

Translation: "Your Highness, Viscount Hunter took his son and daughter to Long Creek City as well; I think he wished to introduce Miss Ely to the young master of Lyswiel. The viscountess had died years ago in difficult childbirth."

"Then who is in charge of the castle?" She didn't care about marital matters.

Translation: "Then who is in charge of this castle?" She cared nothing about marriage.

"Your Highness, I am the one responsible for the castle."

Translation: "Your Highness, I am the one responsible for the castle."

"Sir, what is your name?"

Translation: "Sir, what is your name?"

"Meis, Meis Mararet."

Translation: "Mei Si, Mei Si Ma Rui Te."

"Mr. Meis Mararet, Viscount Hunt Blackland has aided the tyrant, participated in House Lysander's rebellion against the Starks, and is utterly unforgivable; therefore I hereby formally announce the stripping of his title as Viscount of the Hay Meadow. Moreover, for your service in surrendering the castle, I, in the name of the North's guardianship, appoint you as the new Viscount of the Hay Meadow."

Translation: "Mr. Mei Si Ma Rui Te, Hunter Blackland aids the wicked, participating in the Lyswiel family's rebellion against the Stark, his crimes are unforgivable; therefore I hereby announce the stripping of his title as Viscount of Hay Village. Moreover, for your merit in surrendering the city, I, in the name of the Northern Border Guardian, appoint you as the new Viscount of Hay Village."

Meis Mararet seemed to have misheard Mei's words.

Translation: Mei Si Ma Rui Te seemed to have misheard Mei Yi's words.

"What are you standing there for? Accept it quickly, then swear fealty to Your Highness! So many of our soldiers have failed to win this title—humph!" Kikikonton urged the steward.

Translation: "What are you staring at? Hurry up and accept, then swear fealty to Your Highness! None of our many soldiers have managed to snag this title. Humph!" Kongqi Kongdun urged the steward.

"This, Your Highness, this…"

Translation: "This, Your Highness, this……"

"Please speak, Viscount Meis." Mei did not like him, but it seemed he could help Mei resolve part of the difficulty.

Translation: "Speak, Viscount Mei Si." Mei Yi did not like him, but it seemed he could solve part of her dilemma.

"I am grateful for Your Highness's favor, but I cannot hold the castle, and if you depart, Viscount Hunt will surely have me hanged."

Translation: "I am grateful for Your Highness's favor, but I cannot hold the castle, and if Your Highness departs, Viscount Hunter will surely have me hanged."

Before being hanged, it's enough to feed the cavalry and their warhorses.

Translation: Feeding the cavalry and warhorses full before the hanging would suffice.

"I've heard the hay meadow has many southerners; you could conscript them to serve you and hold the castle. If you hadn't opened the gate and surrendered, I wouldn't know how to take it!"

Translation: "I've heard Hay Village has many Southern Borderers; you could conscript them to serve you and hold the castle. If you hadn't opened the gates and surrendered, I wouldn't know how to take it."

"Your Highness, please don't joke…"

Translation: "Your Highness, please don't joke……"

"If you keep hesitating, don't blame me for throwing you from the castle; I have plenty of men who want this stronghold."

Translation: "If you keep hesitating, don't blame me for throwing you out of the castle. I have plenty of subordinates who want this castle."

He trembled as he knelt down.

Translation: He trembled as he knelt down.

"Your Highness, I am concerned only for the lives, great and small, within the castle—not for Sweetgrass Hall itself."

Translation: "Your Highness, I am only concerned for the great and small lives within the castle, not for Hay Hall itself."

"So you're this noble, and I'm the villain?" Mei rose to his feet. "You just said you couldn't hold the castle, now you say it's for the lives within—so why exactly did you surrender the castle?"

Translation: "So you're this noble, and I'm the villain?" Mei Yi rose, "You just said you couldn't hold the castle, now you say it's for the lives within—so why did you surrender the city?"

"Your Highness, your reputation precedes you; I worry—indeed, I worry for their lives, and for my own. I have no desire to become a viscount, but if you insist on foisting a castle upon me, I would gladly accept… however, Sweetgrass Hall, Your Highness, I lack any military talent; if you were to leave, I would surely be slaughtered by Viscount Hunt."

Translation: "Your Highness, your fame spreads abroad; I worry, I truly worry for their lives, er, and my own; I have no intention of becoming a viscount, but if you insist on foisting a castle on me, I would certainly agree… yet Hay Hall, Your Highness, I lack military talent; if you depart, I will surely be massacred by Viscount Hunter."

"How could a commoner hope to become a noble without taking risks?"

Translation: "A commoner wanting to become nobility—how could that happen without risk?"

"Your Highness, I can serve you at saddle and stirrup, but you cannot leave me in the hay meadow. I can ride a horse and perhaps wield a weapon to kill, though I have never done so."

Translation: "Your Highness, I can serve you at saddle and horse, but you cannot leave me in Hay Hall. I can ride as well, perhaps wield a weapon to kill, though I have never done so."

"In Streamflow Land, which man can't ride a horse?" Aide Laisi Weir said contemptuously.

Who are you? I feel like I've seen you before…

I have many attendants; you're not one of them. If you're unwilling, just be a good steward and feed my knights and warhorses.

This…

"Either accept it or get lost!" Kong Qikongdun shouted angrily.

"Your Highness, what if I offer some information in exchange?"

"What information? And what would you exchange for it?"

"Of course, it's to exchange for the chance to attend to you, and, and if the war ends, you agree to make me a viscount of Dry Grassland." He revealed an ugly smile, "The information, the information is that I am willing to provide you with clues about your father Lord Ed's remains."