Chapter 1096

Liu Yincai secretly sneered in his heart. Even now he claims he doesn't want to harm harmony—has it already become too late? But from Hu Xiaotian's tone he sensed there might be room for maneuver. Could Hu Xiaotian have the thought of releasing them? A gentleman's revenge need not wait ten years; first preserve his own life, then speak. Liu Yincai said: "What do you want?"

Translate: Liu Yincai secretly sneered in his heart, saying even now that he didn't want to harm harmony—has it already become too late? But from Hu Xiaotian's tone he heard there might be room for maneuver. Could Hu Xiaotian have the thought of releasing them? A gentleman's revenge need not wait ten years; first preserve his own life, then speak. Liu Yincai said: "What do you want?"

Make sure to keep meaning, not add. Let's produce concise translation.

【1】 Liu Yincai secretly sneered in his heart, saying even now that he didn't want to harm harmony—has it already become too late? But from Hu Xiaotian's tone he heard there might be room for maneuver. Could Hu Xiaotian have the thought of releasing them? A gentleman's revenge need not wait ten years; first preserve his own life, then speak. Liu Yincai said: "What do you want?"

Liu Yincai secretly sneered in his heart. Even now he claims he doesn't want to harm harmony—has it already become too late? But from Hu Xiaotian's tone he sensed there might be room for maneuver. Could Hu Xiaotian have the thought of releasing them? A gentleman's revenge need not wait ten years; first preserve his own life, then speak. Liu Yincai said: "What do you want?"

Our translation includes "secretly sneered in his heart". He says even now that he doesn't want to harm harmony—has it already become too late? But from Hu Xiaotian's tone he senses there might be room for maneuver. Could Hu Xiaotian have the thought of releasing them? A gentleman's revenge need not wait ten years; first preserve his own life, then speak. Liu Yincai said: "What do you want?"

Ok.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I have already prepared a light boat to send General Liu back."

Liu Yincai said: "What about the others?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I want two million catties of grain. General Liu, go back and deliver a message: for each person, two hundred catties of grain; for every two hundred catties of grain you send, I will release one captive. When all the grain is delivered, I will release all of your people, with no room for negotiation."

Check numbers: two million catties = two million catties. two hundred catties per person = two hundred catties per person. Good.

Liu Yincai pressed his lips and said: "I cannot decide this matter!" Although two million catties of grain sounds frightening, when truly averaged per person it's not expensive; two hundred catties of grain for a life—this trade is still profitable.

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's why I let you go back to discuss; General Liu is worth at least ten thousand catties of grain, consider it a favor I'm doing you."

Liu Yincai silently cursed, I'm only worth ten thousand catties of grain, you look down on people too much; as long as I can escape, that's enough—why argue over such meaningless things with the other side?

Hu Xiaotian's victory over Tang Bohsi's 30,000 navy with just 3,000 soldiers spread across the world almost overnight; the people of Kangdu City were numb to the news, caring only whether they could eat enough, stay warm, and survive this harsh winter.

The rift between Qiqi and the Laohuangdi grew deeper; since Long Xuan'en last refused to send reinforcements, Qiqi hadn't seen him. When news of Hu Xiaotian's victory arrived, Qiqi locked herself in her room and burst into tears, releasing the pent-up emotions of many days. This was an outcome she had hoped for, yet also one she dared not imagine—Hu Xiaotian indeed had a habit of creating miracles, turning the tide in his favor despite the disadvantage.

Outside came Quan De'an's voice: "Your Highness!"

Qiqi wiped away her tears, composed herself, then looked at the bronze mirror to confirm she looked normal before opening the door.

Quan De'an respectfully said: "The Emperor invites the Princess to the Diligent Governance Hall; he says there is an important matter to discuss."

Qiqi snorted coldly: "It must be about the Bei Jiang situation. Tell him I'm unwell; I don't have time to see him today."

Quan De'an said: "Dongliang Jun is ultimately your fief, Your Highness; you are responsible for Hu Xiaotian's actions there."

Qiqi said: "Eunuch Quan, are you suggesting I make a trip?"

Quan De'an said: "If you don't go, how will you know the Emperor's reaction?"

Qiqi yawned: "Then help me relay a message—I'm bathing now; I'll be there shortly. Please have the Emperor be more patient."

"Yes!"

Long Xuan'en waited a full two hours before Qiqi finally arrived late; the young lady wore a set of red palace robes, looking especially festive, with rouge specially applied to her cheeks, her eyes full of joy.

After not seeing each other for a while, Qiqi suddenly noticed some changes in Long Xuan'en: his formerly pale hair had turned grayish-white, the temples clearly beginning to darken; perhaps due to being content and well-fed, he had grown a bit stouter than before, and his facial wrinkles had lessened, making him seem noticeably younger.

Long Xuan'en coldly said: "I thought you weren't coming."

Qiqi laughed: "The Emperor summoned me; how could I dare not come? I just don't know why the Emperor urgently summoned me."

Long Xuan'en looked at Qiqi and said: "Don't you understand this in your heart?"

Qiqi turned her clear, bright eyes and said: "If the Emperor doesn't say, how could I understand?"

Long Xuan'en sighed: "When did we become so estranged? In my heart, the person closest to me has always been you!"

Qiqi said: "Between ruler and subject, I hold only respect for the Emperor; I dare not harbor any other thoughts."

Long Xuan'en said: "Hu Xiaotian held Dongliang Jun, not only defeating the 30,000-strong navy of the Southern Sun Water Fortress of the Yong army, but also capturing their commander, Tang Bohsi."

Qiqi said: "Good news, but the Emperor doesn't seem happy about it."

Long Xuan'en's face darkened: "Commander Zhao Dengyun of the Yong Jiang navy in Wuxing Jun is dead!" After saying that, he added: "This happened right after Hu Xiaotian reached Wuxing Jun."

Qiqi said: "I've heard about this; reportedly Zhao Dengyun colluded with Da Yong, intending to betray Wuxing Jun and sell out the country for glory."

"Is there any evidence?"

Qiqi said: "Hu Xiaotian had already reported this to me earlier; I instructed him, after arriving at Dongliang Jun, to investigate thoroughly, and if the evidence proved true, to act first and report later."

Long Xuan'en roared angrily: "Who gave you such authority? Who gave you such authority!" He sprang up from the Dragon Throne, his eyes wide open, almost breathing fire.

Qiqi was not frightened by his thunderous anger; she calmly looked at Long Xuan'en and said: "Zhao Dengyun commands the Yong Jiang navy, responsible for guarding Dakang's northern gate. Once he defects and betrays the country, it's as if Dakang has flung its gates wide open—soon Da Yong's troops could march straight in. I am doing this for the Emperor's realm."

Long Xuan'en said: "You really go to great lengths."

Qiqi said: "The Emperor entrusted me with an important duty; if I don't fulfill it faithfully, how can I live up to his trust?"

Long Xuan'en said: "Do you know why I'm unhappy?"

Qiqi shook her head; she had actually understood all along.

Long Xuan'en said: "Dongliang Jun was originally forced upon us by Da Yong; it's tasteless to keep, a pity to discard—what use is it? Da Yong wants it back, that's all; the key is holding the Yong Jiang defense line. Hu Xiaotian's heavy blow to the Yong army looks like a great victory on the surface, but in fact it has ignited the war between the two nations. Do you think Da Yong will just swallow this insult? Because of a single city, triggering a full-scale war between the two countries is simply unforgivable."

Qiqi said calmly: "Only now do I realize that the fief the Emperor gave me is merely a chicken-rib city; since the Emperor has long stopped trusting me, why bother letting me oversee state affairs? He originally exiled me to Dongliang Jun for that very reason."

Long Xuan'en said: "Don't you know how I feel about you? Although I granted Dongliang Jun to you, I never let you leave the capital; the Hu clan are all ambitious wolves, I admit, sending Hu Xiaotian to Dongliang Jun was meant to let him fend for himself; I couldn't marry you to such a person, yet I couldn't bear to hurt you, so I compromised by letting him leave the capital—if it weren't for your sake, do you think he'd have the life to leave?"

Qiqi said: "I can't fathom the Emperor's thoughts, nor dare I guess; whether Hu Xiaotian is loyal or treacherous no longer matters to me—orders given outside are not obeyed, and what I say now he may not heed; perhaps the Emperor's words might still reach him." She tactfully turned the tables on the Laohuangdi: "You are the one who let him go; now regretting it is too late. Since Hu Xiaotian dared to kill Zhao Dengyun, it shows he doesn't care about your attitude, Laohuangdi—high mountains, distant emperor—but I fear you are now beyond reach."

Long Xuan'en snorted coldly: "You think I can't handle him?"

Qiqi said: "Actually, there's no need for the Emperor to act personally; Da Yong hates him even more than you do."

Long Xuan'en snapped: "You!"

Qiqi said: "If I were the Emperor, I would never punish him at such a time; penalizing him now would be tantamount to pushing him into the enemy's camp—just after killing a traitor who colluded with foreigners, Zhao Dengyun, do you still want the Emperor to have Hu Xiaotian cede the Yong Jiang natural barrier to the Yong people? Which is more important, the Emperor should see more clearly than I do."

Long Xuan'en was left speechless.

Qiqi did not want to continue chatting; she respectfully said: "It's getting late; I take my leave, not to disturb the Emperor's rest." After speaking, she performed a salute and withdrew from the Diligent Governance Hall, not even glancing at Long Xuan'en's face.

Long Xuan'en, furious, drew his waist sword and fiercely struck the incense burner beside him, cleaving it in two; ashes scattered across the floor.

A group of palace maids and eunuchs, frightened, hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Emperor, quell your anger! Emperor, quell your anger!"

Senior Eunuch Wang Qian rushed in from outside, seeing the scene he was also startled, bowed and said: "Your Majesty! Lord Zhou and Grand Preceptor Wen have arrived."

Long Xuan'en took a deep breath, handed his sword to a nearby eunuch, narrowed his eyes, and said: "Let them in!"

Zhou Shenyan and Wen Chenghuan had also learned the news of Dongliang Jun; although their feelings differed after hearing it, there was no doubt both were shocked—though they knew Hu Xiaotian had some talent, they never imagined he could be this formidable.

Long Xuan'en's anger had already subsided; he took the fragrant tea Wang Qian handed him, took a sip, and said, "You all know about the situation in Dongliang Jun, right?"

The two nodded at the same time and said, "Understood!"

Long Xuan'en said, "What opinions do you have? Speak up so I can hear."

Wen Chenghuan stepped forward first and said: "Your Majesty, the matter has been several days past; Hu Xiaotian's engaging in battle was originally not blameworthy, but after defeating Tang Bohsi's army, he immediately went to Wuxing Jun, on a fabricated charge killed Zhao Dengyun, Commander of the Yongjiang Naval Forces, and together with a group of rebel generals took control of the Yongjiang Naval Forces, his wolfish ambitions clearly revealed. I have received a secret report from the Wuxing Jun side that can prove Zhao Dengyun's innocence; Zhao Sir is loyal and devoted, with absolutely no collusion with Da Yong."

Long Xuan'en nodded and said: "Let the Yongjiang Naval Forces stand by and watch; not sending reinforcements is also my intention. Zhao Dengyun has always been loyal to me; I certainly know that."

Wen Chenghuan said: "Your Majesty, Hu Xiaotian is recklessly bold, disregarding your imperial authority; by occupying Wuxing Jun and controlling the Yongjiang Naval Forces, he merely seeks a greater bargaining chip to make the Emperor wary of him. Such a villain's arrogance is intolerable; Your Majesty cannot tolerate him, otherwise how can you win the hearts of the court officials?"

Long Xuan'en hummed, then his gaze fell on the ever-silent Zhou Ruizhen's face: "Zhou Aiqing, what do you think?"

Zhou Ruiyuan said: "I agree with Grand Tutor Wen's opinion, but I do not agree with Grand Tutor Wen's proposal." (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome you to come)