Chapter 1087

Xiong Tianba recognizes Tang Bohsi, raises his big hammer, laughs loudly: "Tang Bohsi, damn it! Hurry up and surrender, I want to capture you alive and report merit to my uncle!" As he speaks, he urges his horse forward. This guy has always been a fierce fighter, eager for glory, fearless, and seeing that Tang Bohsi's forces are fewer than his own, he throws caution to the wind.

Xiong Tianba recognized Tang Boxi, he raised the great hammer in his hand and laughed loudly: "Tang Boxi, damn it! Hurry up and surrender, I want to capture you alive and ask my third uncle for merit!" As he spoke, he spurred his steed forward; this fellow had always been a hothead, eager for glory, fearless, and seeing that Tang Boxi's forces were still fewer than his own, he threw caution to the wind.

Check we kept all info: He recognized Tang Boxi, raised hammer, laughed, said line, spurred horse, he's a hothead, eager for glory, fearless, seeing Tang Boxi's troops fewer than his own, he threw caution to the wind. Good.

Liu Yuncai shouts, "General, run quickly!" Two deputy generals rush out, swinging their broadswords at Xiong Tianba, but he doesn't even glance at them. With a split of his double hammers, a clang rings out as he knocks their swords from their hands, then shakes his hammer and smashes each man's face, blowing their heads apart like smashing watermelons. The two horses, bearing the headless corpses, flee in panic.

Translate:

Liu Yuncai shouted, "General, hurry up and leave!" Two deputy generals rushed out, waving their broadswords to meet Xiong Tianba, but Xiong Tianba wouldn't even glance at them; with a split of his twin hammers came a crack! —the hammers knocked their broadswords from their hands, then he shook the great hammer and struck each man's face, smashing their skulls like watermelons, the two mounts dragging the two headless corpses fled in panic.

Check: we captured all: Liu Yuncai says "General, hurry up!" Two deputy generals rush out, wave broadswords to meet Xiong Tianba, Xiong Tianba doesn't regard them, twin hammers split, a crack! knocks their broadswords away, then great hammer shakes and strikes each face, smashing skulls like watermelons, the two mounts drag the two headless corpses fleeing.

Seeing Xiong Tianba's ferocity, Tang Bohsi's eyes widen in shock, even forgetting his earlier thought of suicide. He turns his horse and flees backward, but after just a few steps he spots a rider chasing like the wind—it's Hu Xiaotian on his little gray horse. Liu Yuncai says, "General, go quickly, I'll hold them off!" His voice trembles as he speaks.

Translate:

Seeing this fellow so fierce, Tang Boxi's eyes went blank with fright; he even forgot he had just wanted to kill himself, he turned his horse and fled backward, but after only a few steps he spotted a rider chasing like wind and lightning from afar—it was Hu Xiaotian on Little Gray arriving; Liu Yuncai said, "General, hurry, I'll hold them off——" his voice trembling as he spoke.

Check: includes all: Tang Boxi sees fierce, eyes blank, forgot suicide, turns horse to flee, after a few steps sees rider chasing like wind/electric, it's Hu Xiaotian on Little Gray, Liu Yuncai says "General hurry, I'll hold them off", voice trembling.

Ahead lies an ambush, behind are pursuing troops; to the south rolls the Yong River, to the north lies Liangdong Prefecture. Tang Bohsi feels hopeless, as if heaven has no road and earth no gate. At that moment, a small boat approaches, carrying several soldiers in the uniform of the Da Yong navy, who shout, "General, come quickly! General, come quickly!"

Translate:

Ahead lay an ambush, behind were pursuing troops; to the south roared the Yong River, to the north lay Dongliang Jun. Tang Boxi couldn't help feeling hopeless, with no way to heaven or earth, when a small boat approached; several soldiers on board wore Da Yong Navy uniforms and shouted, "General, come quickly, general, come quickly!"

Check: includes all.

Tang Bohsi never expected to have his own boat appear at such a moment; this small boat is the lifeboat carried on every warship for emergency rescue. At this point, thoughts of suicide vanish from his mind, and faced with life or death, his survival instinct kicks in. He spurs his horse toward the riverbank and manages to climb aboard the boat before Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba arrive.

Translate:

Tang Boxi never expected his own boat to appear at such a moment; this small boat was the lifeboat carried on every warship for emergency rescue. At this point he had completely forgotten his suicidal thoughts—when faced with death, instinct sparks the will to survive—he galloped toward the riverbank and managed to climb aboard before Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba could arrive.

Check: includes all.

Xiong Tianba smashes Liu Yuncai's horse's head with a single hammer blow. Liu Yuncai screams as he falls from the saddle, his bones feeling like they might break, unable to rise for a moment. Meanwhile, Xiong Tianba's men rush over, bind his arms behind his back and tie him up tightly.

Translate:

Xiong Tianba smashed Liu Yuncai's horse's head with a hammer; Liu Yuncai screamed as he fell from the saddle. The impact nearly broke his bones, leaving him unable to rise from the ground, while Xiong Tianba's men rushed over, binding his arms behind his back in a tight five‑fold tie.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba meet up, seeing that Tang Bohsi has already boarded the small boat. Xiong Tianba erupts in angry curses, almost urging his horse into the river, but the horse refuses to obey, planting its hooves at the riverbank and ignoring Xiong Tianba's shouts and curses.

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba met up; seeing Tang Boxi already aboard the small boat, Xiong Tianba flew into a rage, shouting curses. He almost charged his horse into the river, but his mount refused to obey, planting its hooves at the water's edge—no matter how Xiong Tianba cursed, it would not move forward.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian, however, bursts into a smile and says, "Look!"

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian, however, laughed and said with a smile, "Look!"

Check: includes all.

Xiong Tianba looks over and sees that the soldiers posing as Da Yong navy on the boat have all jumped overboard, while the boat itself begins to sink. Tang Bohsi stands on the deck, face ashen. Though he is a decent swimmer, his heavy armor hinders any movement in water, and moreover, the swimming ability of those impersonating the navy is rare—one in a hundred. Even with his martial arts, he cannot make use of them in the water.

Translate:

Xiong Tianba looked over and saw the soldiers on the boat—who were supposed to be Da Yong troops—all jump into the water, while the boat itself began to sink. Tang Boxi stood on the deck, face ashen; though he was a decent swimmer, heavy armor prevented him from moving freely, and moreover the men posing as Da Yong sailors on board were all of mediocre water ability—even with his martial skills he could not use them in the water.

Check: includes all.

Xiong Tianba bursts out laughing, "Ha ha! I thought they were Yong troops, but after all this fuss they turned out to be our own men!"

Translate:

Xiong Tianba burst out laughing: "Ha ha! I thought they were Da Yong troops, but it turns out they're our own men!"

Check: includes all.

Not long after, those few men drag the water-soaked Tang Bohsi ashore. The leader clasps his hands toward Hu Xiaotian and says, "Sir Hu, we are all beggar‑gang disciples, sent by Master Yu to capture Tang Bohsi."

Translate:

Soon after, those few dragged the water‑logged Tang Boxi ashore; the leader cupped his fists to Hu Xiaotian and said, "Sir Hu, we are disciples of the Beggar Sect, acting on Mister Yu's orders to capture Tang Boxi."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian smiles and says, "Thank you, brothers."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Thank you, brothers."

Check: includes all.

Xiong Tianba rubs the back of his head and says, "Uncle, Master Yu Tianxing is truly remarkable—does he have foresight? Everything seems to unfold exactly as he calculated."

Translate:

Xiong Tianba scratched the back of his head and said, "Third Uncle, Yu Tianxing is truly formidable—does he have foresight? Everything seems to unfold exactly as he calculated."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian smiles and says, "From now on, when you see Master Yu, show him more respect."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "From now on, when you see Mister Yu, show him more respect."

Check: includes all.

Xiong Tianba nods repeatedly, dismounts, and grabs Tang Bohsi's topknot. After being dragged ashore, Tang Bohsi is immediately bound tightly. He had fallen into the river and swallowed a lot of water, now too weak to struggle, he speaks weakly: "Hu Xiaotian… you dare to oppose my Da Yong? Just wait and die…"

Translate:

Xiong Tianba nodded repeatedly, dismounted, grabbed Tang Boxi's topknot, and after the man was dragged ashore he was immediately bound tightly; Tang Boxi had swallowed a lot of river water when he fell in, now weak and unable to struggle, he gasped, "Hu Xiaotian… you dare oppose my Da Yong, just wait to die……"

Check: includes all.

Xiong Tianba punches him, knocking him unconscious, and snarls, "Even a defeated general dares to be arrogant!"

Translate:

Xiong Tianba punched him unconscious and snarled, "A defeated general dares to be arrogant!"

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian orders Xiong Tianba to take him back first, and has someone spread the news of Tang Bohsi's capture immediately.

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian had Xiong Tianba take him away first, and ordered someone to spread the news of Tang Boxi's capture immediately.

Check: includes all.

The Da Yong navy was already on the verge of collapse, with only a few putting up a last‑ditch resistance. Upon hearing that the commander‑in‑chief had been captured, everyone lost the will to resist at once.

Translate:

The Da Yong Navy was already on the verge of collapse, only a few still putting up a desperate resistance; upon hearing that the commander‑in‑chief had been captured, everyone lost the will to fight.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian returns to Xia Sha Harbor, where the battlefield is now fully under their control. Li Yongfu, leading the Kang army, also arrives to join forces, and the number of captured Da Yong soldiers on the scene reaches ten thousand. Li Yongfu cannot contain his excitement; seeing Hu Xiaotian stride forward, he rushes over, clasps his fists, and bows deeply: "This subordinate pays his respects, General Hu!" As the saying goes, the strong are honored. Though he had once doubted Hu Xiaotian's ability, today he witnessed Hu Xiaotian leading three thousand soldiers and two thousand beggars to defeat thirty thousand Da Yong navy troops, and he is now wholeheartedly convinced. This battle can be described as the most splendid victory Dakang has won in the past ten years. For a long time, Dakang's navy has lived in the shadow of Da Yong's navy, but today they can finally hold their heads high.

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian returned to Xia Sha Gang; the battlefield was now fully under their control, Li Yongfu leading the Dakang army also arrived to meet them, and the number of captured Da Yong soldiers on site reached ten thousand. Li Yongfu could not restrain his excitement; seeing Hu Xiaotian approach in quick strides, he came forward, clasped his fists and bowed deeply: "Subordinate pays respects to Sir Hu!" The strong are respected—if before he had doubted Hu Xiaotian's ability, today he witnessed Hu Xiaotian commanding three thousand soldiers and two thousand beggars to defeat thirty thousand Da Yong navy troops, and he is now wholeheartedly convinced; this battle can be said to be the most splendid victory Dakang has won in the past ten years, for long the Dakang navy has lived in the shadow of the Da Yong navy, but today at last they can raise their heads.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian laughs heartily, grabs Li Yongfu's arm, helps him stand, and declares loudly, "Thank you, General Li, for coming to our aid in our time of need and helping us crush the Yong invasion."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, grabbed Li Yongfu's arm, helped him stand, and shouted loudly, "Thank you, General Li, for sending help in the snow—you helped me crush the Da Yong invasion!"

Check: includes all.

Li Yongfu replies, "I dare not claim credit; at most we were the icing on the cake, not the salvation in the snow." He still harbors some regret, thinking that if he had joined the war from the start, what glory that would have been.

Translate:

Li Yongfu said, "I dare not claim credit; at most we added a flourish, we cannot say we sent help in the snow." He still harbored some regret: if he had joined the war from the start, what glory that would have been.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian asks Li Yongfu, "General Li, there's something I'm not sure whether I should say or not."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian said to Li Yongfu, "General Li, there's something I'm not sure whether I should say or not."

Check: includes all.

Li Yongfu says, "Just speak, sir."

Translate:

Li Yongfu replied, "Sir, just say it."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian calls him aside and whispers, "General Li, you really shouldn't have come to Xia Sha Harbor to fight directly today!"

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian called him aside and whispered, "General Li, you shouldn't have come to Xia Sha Gang to fight directly today!"

Check: includes all.

Li Yongfu responds, "Sir Hu, I believe in personal responsibility; as a Dakang soldier, how could I stand by and watch the Yong invade Liangdong Prefecture without acting? Even if I am punished by Marshal Zhao upon my return, I would have a clear conscience."

Translate:

Li Yongfu answered, "Sir Hu, I take responsibility for my own actions; as a Dakang soldier, how could I stand by and watch the Da Yong invade Dongliang Jun without lifting a finger? Even if I am punished by General Zhao upon my return, I would have a clear conscience."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian says, "General Li, your noble integrity and loyalty to the nation are a true blessing for Dakang, but I know Zhao Dengyun well, and I fear your return may bring you considerable trouble."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Li, your lofty integrity and loyalty to the state are indeed Dakang's fortune, but I know Zhao Dengyun well—you're likely to stir up serious trouble when you go back."

Check: includes all.

Li Yongfu says, "Sir Hu, there's no need to worry about me. Having decided to bring my troops here, I can bear this responsibility. Since the situation here is settled, I will head back first."

Translate:

Li Yongfu said, "Sir, there's no need to worry about me; since I decided to bring my troops here, I can bear this responsibility, Sir Hu—now that the situation here is settled, I'll head back first."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian says, "General Li, please wait a moment; I will return with you to Wuxing Prefecture to explain this matter, hoping to persuade Marshal Zhao to show you leniency."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian said, "General Li, please wait a moment; I'll return with you to Wuxing Jun to explain this, hoping to persuade Zhao Dengyun to show you leniency."

Check: includes all.

Li Yongfu says, "Sir Hu, you needn't go to such trouble; this was entirely my own initiative, so why should you stick your neck out for me?" Yet inside he is deeply moved, for Hu Xiaotian truly is a man of benevolence and righteousness, anticipating that his return would bring trouble, he decided to personally go to Wuxing Prefecture to explain things for him. However, Li Yongfu also knows that Zhao Dengyun and Hu Xiaotian harbor deep grudges; this defeat of Tang Bohsi by Hu Xiaotian might spark a war between the two states, and if Hu Xiaotian accompanies him back, serious trouble could ensue.

Translate:

Li Yongfu said, "Sir Hu, you needn't go to such trouble; this matter is entirely my own initiative, why should you stick your neck out for me?" Yet in his heart he was deeply moved—Hu Xiaotian truly is a man of benevolence and righteousness, anticipating that his return would bring trouble, he therefore decided to go personally to Wuxing Jun to explain things for him; however Li Yongfu also knows that Zhao Dengyun and Hu Xiaotian bear a deep grudge, and this defeat of Tang Boxi by Hu Xiaotian might spark a war between the two states—if Hu Xiaotian accompanies him back, great trouble could ensue.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian says, "I will return with you to Wuxing Prefecture not only to explain this matter but also to discuss important issues with Commander Zhao. The Yong army, having suffered such a crushing defeat, will not resign itself to it; they may well try to stage a comeback and avenge their shame. Although we defeated Tang Bohsi this time, it was only because he was overconfident and careless, violating military taboos; next time we may not be so fortunate."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian said, "Going back with you to Wuxing Jun isn't just to explain this; I also have important matters to discuss with Commander Zhao. The Da Yong army, after this crushing defeat, will not resign itself—it may well strike back soon to avenge the shame. Although we defeated Tang Boxi this time, it was because he was overconfident and careless, violating taboos; next time we may not be so lucky."

Check: includes all.

Li Yongfu acknowledges that Hu Xiaotian's words are true, nods, and says, "Sir, you are absolutely right; I hope the commander will assess the situation and join forces with you to resist the Yong invasion."

Translate:

Li Yongfu knew Hu Xiaotian's words were true, nodded and said, "Sir, you are absolutely right; I hope the commander‑in‑chief can see the situation and join forces with you to resist the Da Yong invasion."

Check: includes all.

After the war, Hu Xiaotian, without bothering to clean up the battlefield, takes Xiong Tianba and twenty men, escorts Tang Bohsi aboard Li Yongfu's warship, and together with these reinforcements sets off for Wuxing Prefecture.

Translate:

After the battle, Hu Xiaotian had no time to tidy the field; he took Xiong Tianba, leading twenty men, escorted Tang Boxi aboard Li Yongfu's warship, and together with these reinforcements set off for Wuxing Jun.

Check: includes all.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian personally heading to Wuxing Prefecture, Master Yu Tianxing naturally advises him not to go and risk danger. Hu Xiaotian smiles and says, "This trip to Wuxing Prefecture isn't about fighting; even if Zhao Dengyun had the gall, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on me openly."

Translate:

Yu Tianxing saw Hu Xiaotian personally heading to Wuxing Jun and naturally advised him not to risk himself; Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "This trip to Wuxing Jun isn't about fighting—even if Zhao Dengyun had the gall, he wouldn't dare lay a hand on me openly."

Check: includes all.

Yu Tianxing says, "Zhao Dengyun previously refused to send troops, his stance is very firm; this time he might use the pretext of provoking war to deal with the city lord."

Translate:

Yu Tianxing said, "Zhao Dengyun has already refused to send troops before; his stance is firm, and this time he might use the pretext of provoking war to deal with the castellan."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian gazes at the opposite bank and murmurs, "I must go on this trip."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian gazed at the opposite bank and murmured, "I must go this time."

Check: includes all.

Yu Tianxing sighs and says, "I also know this trip is unavoidable; if we fail to win the support of Wuxing Prefecture, the next battle will be tough." He understands that the Yong side will certainly not accept this defeat; once news of Tang Bohsi's loss spreads, the commanders of the surrounding cities will not remain indifferent, nor will the Nanyang water stronghold. They may even launch a multi‑sided encirclement against Liangdong Prefecture, making victory difficult.

Translate:

Yu Tianxing sighed and said, "I also know this trip is unavoidable; if we fail to win Wuxing Jun's support, the next battle will be hard." He understood that the Da Yong side would certainly not accept this loss; after news of Tang Boxi's defeat spread, the commanders of the surrounding cities would not remain indifferent, nor would the Nanyang water stronghold. It cannot be ruled out that they will launch a multi‑sided encirclement of Dongliang Jun, making victory difficult.

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian pats Yu Tianxing on the shoulder and says, "Tianxing, I'll leave the affairs here to you; the key is to calm the populace's emotions—under no circumstances should internal strife break out at a time like this."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian patted Yu Tianxing's shoulder and said, "Tianxing, I leave the affairs here to you; the key is to calm the populace's emotions—at times like this we must never let internal strife erupt."

Check: includes all.

Yu Tianxing respectfully replies, "Tianxing will not fail the mission."

Translate:

Yu Tianxing respectfully replied, "Tianxing will not fail the mission."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian says, "I will be in Wuxing Prefecture for at most two days; I can return as soon as the matter is settled."

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian said, "I will stay in Wuxing Jun for at most two days; once the matter is settled I will return immediately."

Check: includes all.

At that moment, a carriage approaches from the distance, driven by Liang Da Zhuang, with Weisa seated inside. Hu Xiaotian specifically had someone summon Weisa; for this trip to Wuxing Prefecture, others may stay behind, but Weisa must come, as she could very well play a decisive role.

Translate:

At that moment a carriage approached from afar, driven by Liang Da Zhuang, with Wei Sa seated inside; Hu Xiaotian had specially summoned Wei Sa, for while others need not accompany him to Wuxing Jun, Wei Sa must come—she could very well play the decisive role.

Check: includes all.

Yu Tianxing sees Weisa arriving and feels puzzled, not understanding why Hu Xiaotian would bring a beautiful woman on official business to Wuxing Prefecture, though he does not suspect Hu Xiaotian of seeking pleasure; although they won a battle, Liangdong Prefecture remains in crisis, and Hu Xiaotian should not let his guard down.

Translate:

Yu Tianxing also saw Wei Sa's arrival and felt puzzled, not understanding why Hu Xiaotian would bring a beauty along on official business to Wuxing Jun; he did not suspect Hu Xiaotian of seeking pleasure, however—although they had won a battle, Dongliang Jun had not yet escaped danger, and Hu Xiaotian should not let his guard down.

Check: includes all.

Although Weisa wears men's clothing, anyone can tell at a glance that she is a woman; she approaches Hu Xiaotian's side and softly says, "Master!"

Translate:

Wei Sa wore men's clothing, yet anyone could tell at a glance she was a woman; she came to Hu Xiaotian's side and whispered softly, "Master!"

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian smiles, nods, and says, "Let's go!"

Translate:

Hu Xiaotian smiled, nodded, and said, "Let's go!"

Check: includes all.

The two board the warship, and Weisa quietly slips a letter to Hu Xiaotian, whispering, "Mr. Zhu asked me to give this to you."

Translate:

The two boarded the warship; Wei Sa quietly slipped a letter to Hu Xiaotian and murmured, "Mister Zhu asked me to give this to you."

Check: includes all.

Hu Xiaotian tore open the envelope, pulled out the letter paper, only to see a line of elegant, flowing large characters written there——When to cut, cut! Hu Xiaotian's lips curled into a faint smile, he rolled the letter into a ball and then threw it into the Yong River; Zhu Guanqi obviously had already guessed what his next move would be, even before the great battle, Zhu Guanqi had already foreseen his predicament after the war; winning this battle does not mean he can hold onto Dongliang Jun; perhaps this victory will stir the sensitive nerves of the Da Yong court from top to bottom, bruising the pride of the entire Da Yong nation; perhaps before long, Da Yong will make a comeback with a large army pressing at the border. (To be continued~^~)