Chapter 127

"Fifty-sixth Chapter【Field Investigation】(Lower)" - OK.

same.

Contains English only. Check: "Liu Kuohai dragged Jia Liu to the empty space by the roadside; Hu Xiaotian also came to their side, smiling with narrowed eyes as he looked at Jia Liu and said, "Isn't this Jia Liu? What a coincidence—are you following me or spying on me?"" All English.

"We need to translate: "Liu Kuohai dragged Jia Liu to the empty space by the roadside, Hu Xiaotian also came to their side, smiling narrowly looked at Jia Liu and said: 'Isn't this Jia Liu? What a coincidence, are you following me or following me?'" Contains English only.

Thus: "Liu Kuohai dragged Jia Liu to the empty space by the roadside, Hu Xiaotian also came to their side, smiling narrowly looked at Jia Liu and said: 'Isn't this Jia Liu? What a coincidence, are you following me or following me?'"

But need to keep punctuation and quotes. Use English quotes.

"Jia Liu covered his nose, looking extremely embarrassed: "Sir... Sir... wronged..."" OK.

same.

"Liu Kuohai angrily said, "You're talking nonsense—how dare you secretly follow the Sir? Tell me, what exactly is your purpose?"" OK.

Translation: "Liu Kuohai angrily said: 'What nonsense, you dare to secretly follow the Sir, speak, what exactly is your purpose?'"

"Jia Liu said, "I was just hunting, I didn't do anything else." OK.

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'I was just hunting, I didn't do anything else.'"

"Murong Feiyan said nothing; with a flick of her long sword, a hiss! she slit Jia Liu's sleeve, and the single-barrel telescope hidden inside rolled out. Just then, Jia Liu had been hiding in the woods, using the telescope to spy, and the glint of its lens caught Murong Feiyan's eye. Following that clue, she found Jia Liu concealed in the forest." OK.

Translation: "Murong Feiyan said nothing, with a flick of her long sword, a hiss tore Jia Liu's sleeve, and a single-barrel telescope hidden inside rolled out. Just now, when Jia Liu was hiding in the woods spying with the telescope, the glint of the lens caught Murong Feiyan's eye, and following this clue she found him hiding in the forest."

"hiss!" OK.

"Hu Xiaotian picked up the telescope, closed one eye to look into the distance, then slipped it into his pocket—clearly intending to keep it for himself." OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian picked up the telescope, closed one eye and looked into the distance, then directly slipped it into his pocket, obviously intending to keep it for himself."

"Jia Liu said, "Sir, I'm wronged..." OK.

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'Sir, I'm wronged...'"

"Hu Xiaotian said to Liu Kuohai, "Kuohai, I recall there's a cliff behind us that's several dozen zhang high, right?" OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said to Liu Kuohai: 'Kuohai, I remember there's a cliff ahead that's several dozen zhang high, right?'"

"Liu Kuohai nodded, not knowing which cliff Hu Xiaotian meant, since there are many cliffs ahead." OK.

Translation: "Liu Kuohai nodded, not knowing which cliff Hu Xiaotian meant, but there were many cliffs ahead anyway."

"Hu Xiaotian asked, "If someone accidentally fell from the top, wouldn't they be killed?" OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'If someone accidentally falls from above, wouldn't they be killed?'"

"Liu Kuohai understood his meaning, grabbed Jia Liu and hauled him up. Jia Liu trembled with fear—this wasn't how an official should act; he was nothing but a bandit, unafraid to kill and burn. Trembling, he cried out, "Sir, sir, I was wrong—I'll never dare to follow you again!" OK.

Translation: "Liu Kuohai understood his meaning, and in one motion dragged Jia Liu up from the ground. Jia Liu was terrified, his heart pounding, thinking this was no official but a bandit who would dare to kill and set fire, he screamed in fear: 'Sir, sir, I was wrong, I will never dare to follow you again...'"

"Hu Xiaotian gave a soft, cold chuckle. He reached out and lightly slapped Jia Liu's gaunt, withered cheek twice, saying, "Why are you following me? Speak honestly, and I'll let you go." OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe cold chuckle, reached out and lightly slapped Jia Liu's gaunt, thin cheeks twice, saying: 'Why are you following me? Speak honestly, and I'll let you go.'"

"Jia Liu said, "I was just curious... I had no other intention..." OK.

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'I was just curious... nothing else...'"

"Hu Xiaotian turned away. Understanding his intent, Liu Kuohai lifted Jia Liu like a hawk snatching a chick. Jia Liu struggled desperately, even tearing off his outer garment in a cicada's molt, but Liu Kuohai only grabbed his clothing. Fortunately, Murong Feiyan swooped in from the side, kicked Jia Liu to the ground, and pressed her sword to his throat, demanding, "Where do you think you're going?" OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian turned his back. Liu Kuohai understood his meaning, and hoisted Jia Liu up like a hawk grabbing a chick. Jia Liu struggled desperately, even tearing off his outer shirt in a cicada's molt, but Liu Kuohai only got his clothing; fortunately Murong Feiyan arrived in time to flank him, kicking Jia Liu to the ground. She raised her long sword to his throat: 'Where do you think you're going?'"

"Jia Liu fell to the ground, his outer garment torn away by Liu Kuohai, leaving his upper half bare and revealing a chest tattoo: a fierce tiger's head. Murong Feiyan furrowed her brows in surprise and said, "Are you a guard of the Xizhou Tiger-Head Battalion?" She reached this conclusion based on the tattoo's shape." OK.

Translation: "Jia Liu fell to the ground, his upper body bare after Liu Kuohai tore off his clothes, revealing a tattoo on his chest: a fierce tiger head. Murong Feiyan furrowed her brows, astonished: 'Are you a guard of the Xizhou Tiger Head Battalion?' She made this judgment based on the tattoo's shape."

"Hu Xiaotian snorted derisively, "Anyone could get that done at any tattoo shop!" OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian snorted: 'Anyone can get that done at any tattoo shop!'"

"Liu Kuohai, standing nearby, said, "Sir, you're right—I have one too!" He pulled up his sleeve, and indeed a tiger's head was tattooed on his left arm, though the workmanship was so poor it looked like a preschooler's drawing." OK.

Translation: "Liu Kuohai beside him said: 'You're right, Sir, I have one too!' He pulled up his sleeve; indeed his left arm bore a tiger head tattoo, but the craftsmanship was so poor it looked like a preschooler's work."

"Murong Feiyan examined it closely, certain it was no ordinary imitation, and identified Jia Liu's identity. She pressed her sword forward and threatened, "Tell me—are you a member of the Tiger-Head Battalion?" OK.

Translation: "Murong Feiyan examined it closely, certain the tattoo was no ordinary imitation, and identified Jia Liu's identity, pressing her long sword forward. She threatened: 'Speak, are you a member of the Tiger Head Battalion?'"

"Jia Liu's face fell; knowing his identity was fully exposed, he bit his lip and said, "Since I'm in your hands, do with me what you will—kill or cut, I submit." OK.

Translation: "Jia Liu's expression was grim, knowing his identity had been completely exposed; he bit his lip and said: 'Since I've fallen into your hands, do as you wish with killing or cutting.'"

"Hearing Jia Liu speak so defiantly, Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "If you want to die, I'll oblige. Kuohai, find an uninhabited cliff and throw him off." He was clearly just trying to intimidate." OK.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian heard him speak so defiantly, nodded and said: 'If you want to die, I'll oblige. Kuohai, find an uninhabited cliff and throw him down.' He was clearly just trying to intimidate."

"The bravery Jia Liu had shown earlier was mere bluster; hearing they wanted to kill him to silence him, he was instantly terrified, his voice trembling as he pleaded, "Sir, please spare my life..." OK.

Translation: "Jia Liu's earlier bravery was mere bluster; hearing they wanted to kill him to silence him, he was instantly terrified, his voice trembling: 'Sir, please spare my life...'"

Long paragraph. Need to ensure no Chinese characters. Let's check: "Murong Feiyan said coldly, "The Xizhou Tiger-Head Battalion is the most valiant and formidable unit under the command of the Xichuan Circuit Commander, Sir Li—how could it produce someone like you?" Although Murong Feiyan was far away in the capital, she still had some knowledge of Xichuan: the Xichuan Circuit Commander, Li Tianheng, was a renowned general of Dakang; he had suppressed the Black Miao and defeated the Shajia, establishing great merit for the stability of Dakang's southwestern borders, which earned him the Emperor's trust. He was ennobled as the Xichuan Circuit Commander, Grand Preceptor, Inspector of the Ministry of War, Equal to the Chancellor, Prefect of Xizhou, Duke of the Founding of Xichuan, and enfeoffed with three thousand households. Stationed in the southwest, he became known as the "Southwestern Tiger" in the Dakang army. Moreover, Li Tianheng's personal guard was the Tiger-Head Battalion; on every battlefield they led the charge, one against ten, braver than ordinary troops, akin to modern special forces. Therefore, Murong Feiyan could not believe that a cowardly, fearful wretch like Jia Liu could be a member of the Tiger-Head Battalion."

Sir

Let's translate paragraph by paragraph.

First sentence: "Murong Feiyan coldly said: 'The Xizhou Tiger Head Battalion is the most brave and fierce unit under the command of the Xichuan Circuit Commander Sir Li Tianheng; how could it produce someone like you?'"

Second: "Although Murong Feiyan was far away in the capital, she still had some understanding of Xichuan's situation. The Xichuan Circuit Commander Li Tianheng was a famous general of Dakang, who in the past suppressed the Black Miao and defeated the Shajia, establishing great merit for the stability of Dakang's southwestern borders, thus earning the Emperor's trust, being ennobled as the Southern Xichuan Circuit Commander, Grand Preceptor, Inspector of the Ministry of War, Equal to the Council of State, Prefect of Xizhou, Duke of Xichuan Founding, with an enfeoffment of three thousand households."

Third: "He held the southwest, and in the Dakang army he was known as the 'Southwest Tiger'. Under Li Tianheng's command there was a guard force called the Tiger Head Battalion, which always led the charge on the battlefield, facing ten enemies with one, braver than ordinary, equivalent to modern special forces; therefore Murong Feiyan did not believe that a cowardly, fearful wretch like Jia Liu could be a member of the Tiger Head Battalion."

We need to keep the content exactly, no omission.

Let's produce a single line translation.

Jia Liu sighed and said, "In the Tiger-Head Battalion I was originally a clerk; I was admitted because I'm skilled in the dialects of the southwestern tribes."

Translation: "Jia Liu sighed: 'In the Tiger Head Battalion I was originally a clerk; I was admitted because I am skilled in the dialects of the various southwestern tribes.'"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, signaling Murong Feiyan to lower her sword, and said softly, "Is Jia Dewang also one of yours?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded, signaling Murong Feiyan to move her sword aside, and said softly: 'Is Jia Dewang also one of your people?'"

Jia Liu, having his secret exposed by Hu Xiaotian, couldn't help but look frightened.

Translation: "Jia Liu, having his secret exposed by Hu Xiaotian, could not help but look panicked."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "It's not exactly a top-secret matter; the two of you are terrible actors—you might fool a clueless official, but did you really think you could fool me?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'It's not exactly a top-secret matter; you two's acting is truly terrible, you could fool a clueless official, but did you think you could fool me?'"

Jia Liu said, "Sir, I bear you no ill will."

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'Sir, I harbor no ill will toward you.'"

Hu Xiaotian said, "As guards of the Xizhou Tiger-Head Battalion, why are you here instead of serving in Xizhou?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'As guards of the Xizhou Tiger Head Battalion, why are you here instead of serving in Xizhou?'"

Jia Liu bit his lip and said, "Sir, to be frank, four months ago we came with the army to suppress bandits in Qingyun, but we were ambushed on Tianlang Mountain, suffering heavy casualties; only a few of us escaped. Fearing military punishment if we returned, we have been wandering ever since." He sighed gloomily and added, "Today I've fallen into your hands—do with me as you see fit."

Translation: "Jia Liu bit his lip and said: 'Sir, to be frank, four months ago we followed the army to Qingyun to suppress bandits, but we unfortunately walked into an ambush on Tianlang Mountain, suffering heavy casualties; in the end only a few of us escaped. If we returned we feared military punishment, so we have been drifting until today.' He sighed gloomily: 'Today I have fallen into your hands, Sir; dispose of me as you see fit.'"

From Jia Liu's expression, Hu Xiaotian guessed that most of what he said was true, though there was certainly some concealment. He did not press further, gesturing for Jia Liu to stand and pointing to the remnants of a dam in the river behind him, asking, "How much do you know about what's happened here?"

Translation: "From Jia Liu's expression Hu Xiaotian inferred that most of what he said was true, though there was certainly some concealment; Hu Xiaotian did not press further, gesturing for him to stand and pointing to the remaining dam in the river behind him, he asked: 'How much do you know about the situation here?'"

Jia Liu replied, "The bandits on Tianlang Mountain once built a dam here to store water."

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'The bandits on Tianlang Mountain once built a dam here to store water.'"

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows and asked, "What were they planning to do?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows: 'What were they trying to do?'"

Jia Liu said, "They wanted to release the water to destroy Qingyun Bridge, but failing that, they resorted to blowing up the bridge with explosives to make it look like a flood had washed it away. Consequently, the common folk of Qingyun County—and even these officials—were almost all kept in the dark." Upon saying this, he suddenly remembered that Hu Xiaotian was also an official, and his face showed fear.

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'They wanted to release the water to wash away Qingyun Bridge, but they failed to achieve that; in the end they had to use explosives to blow up the bridge, creating the false appearance that Qingyun Bridge had been destroyed by a mountain flood. The common folk of Qingyun County, and even these officials, were almost all kept in the dark...' Upon saying this, he suddenly remembered that Hu Xiaotian was also an official, and a look of fear crossed his face."

Hu Xiaotian said, "You needn't worry—I'm not like those people."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'You needn't worry; I'm not like those people.'"

Jia Liu said, "Sir, that's all I know."

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'Sir, that's all I know.'"

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe laugh, his expression especially sinister; hearing it, Jia Liu felt a chill run down his spine and lowered his head.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe chuckle, his laugh especially sinister; hearing it, Jia Liu couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine, and he lowered his head."

After laughing, Hu Xiaotian added, "If you don't dare go back, why stay in Qingyun instead of leaving? This county is still part of Xichuan—aren't you afraid that someday you'll be discovered and still unable to escape military punishment?"

Translation: "After finishing his laugh, Hu Xiaotian added: 'Since you don't dare to go back, why do you stay in Qingyun instead of leaving? Qingyun County is still within Xichuan territory; aren't you worried that one day you'll be discovered and still unable to escape military punishment?'"

Jia Liu said, "May I speak frankly, Sir? My hometown is right here in Qingyun—one cannot bear to leave one's native soil."

Translation: "Jia Liu said: 'Sir, my hometown is right here in Qingyun; one cannot bear to leave one's native soil.'"

"'What a fine saying—'native soil is hard to leave,' but I suspect you have other plans,' Hu Xiaotian said, his sharp gaze fixed on Jia Liu, whose eyes darted about, avoiding his stare. Though young, Hu Xiaotian was no ordinary man; his gaze seemed able to see straight into one's heart."

Translation: "'What a fine saying "native soil is hard to leave"; I suspect you have other plans.' Hu Xiaotian's sharp gaze fixed on Jia Liu, whose eyes darted about, avoiding his stare. One felt that although this man was young, he was extraordinary; his gaze seemed able to see straight into one's heart."

Hu Xiaotian said, "As an official, I have no interest in your petty affairs, but since Qingyun County is under my jurisdiction, I'll pretend I never saw you. You had better behave yourself and not cause me any trouble—be off!"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said: 'As an official I have no interest in your petty affairs, but since Qingyun County is under my jurisdiction, I'll pretend I never saw you; you had better behave yourself honestly and not cause me any trouble—be off!'"

Jia Liu nodded repeatedly, never expecting Hu Xiaotian to let him off so easily. After thanking him, he headed down the mountain, but after two steps he remembered his telescope. Looking back, he saw Hu Xiaotian admiring the distant scenery with it—clearly he had appropriated it. Jia Liu cursed silently, but a wise man does not suffer present loss; making it out intact was already no small feat.

Translation: "Jia Liu nodded repeatedly; he hadn't expected Hu Xiaotian to let him go so easily, so after thanking him he hurried down the mountain. After two steps he remembered his telescope, turned back, and saw Hu Xiaotian holding his telescope, admiring the distant scenery—apparently he had appropriated it for himself. Jia Liu cursed silently, but a brave man does not suffer present loss; escaping unharmed was already no small feat."

Just as Jia Liu walked away, Murong Feiyan whispered to Hu Xiaotian, "May I go with him to have a look?"

Translation: "Just as Jia Liu left, Murong Feiyan quietly asked Hu Xiaotian: 'May I go with him to have a look?'"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and he and Liu Kuohai rose to head back.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded, and he and Liu Kuohai also rose to head back."

Returning to the city at dusk, as they passed through the gate they saw Chief Clerk Guo Shouguang descending from the city wall, accompanied by none other than Yunxian County Magistrate Liu Baoju—both were senior officials of Qingyun County; a county magistrate is akin to a modern public security bureau chief and still a person of real authority in Qingyun. Liu Baoju and Hu Xiaotian were meeting for the first time; this man was a smiling Buddha, greeting everyone with a grin. From afar he called out, "Officer Hu! I pay my respects!"

Translation: "Returning to the city, the sky was already dusk. As they entered the gate, they saw Chief Clerk Guo Shouguo descending from the top of the city wall; beside him was Liu Baoju, the Magistrate of Qingyun County. Both were senior officials of Qingyun County—the magistrate being equivalent to a modern county public security bureau chief, and still a figure of real power in Qingyun County. Liu Baoju and Hu Xiaotian were meeting for the first time; this man was a smiling Buddha, grinning at everyone, and from afar he called out: 'Magistrate Hu! I pay my respects!'"

Hu Xiaotian hadn't even heard Guo Shouguang's introduction before realizing he didn't know the man; he thought to himself, "Do I really know you that well?" He gave a slight nod as a greeting. After Guo Shouguang introduced Liu Baoju, he added, "Officer Hu, tonight Officer Xu is holding a banquet in the rear garden of the county office to welcome you and wash away the dust of travel—he has specifically ordered me to await you here."

Translation: "Before Guo Shouguo introduced him, Hu Xiaotian really didn't know him, thinking to himself, 'Do I know you well?' He gave a slight nod as a greeting. After Guo Shouguo introduced Liu Baoju, he added: 'Magistrate Hu, tonight Magistrate Xu is holding a banquet in the rear garden of the county office to welcome you and wash away the dust; he has specially ordered me to await you here.'"

Hu Xiaotian thought, "Officer Xu finally seems a bit human—I've been here two days, and you avoided me yesterday, planning to torment me tonight just to pay your respects, then sending me off today, and now you want to welcome me? Damn! It's too late—I won't accept your favor."

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian thought: 'Magistrate Xu finally shows a bit of human feeling; I've been here two days, you avoided me yesterday, preparing to toss me about tonight just to pay your respects, then today you sent me off, and now you think of giving me a welcome feast? Damn! Too late—I won't accept your favor.'"

Not accepting the favor doesn't mean we can skip the courtesy; Hu Xiaotian said, "I'm exhausted after a day's work, covered in sweat—uh, I'll first return to the inn, wash up and change, then be right over."

Translation: "Not accepting the favor still meant he had to give face; Hu Xiaotian said: 'I'm exhausted after a day, covered in sweat—well, I'll first return to the inn, take a bath and change clothes, then I'll be right over.'"

Guo Shouguang nodded; Hu Xiaotian's request was quite reasonable, and he cupped his hands in salute, saying, "Then let's meet in half an hour."

Translation: "Guo Shouguo nodded; Hu Xiaotian's request was very reasonable, he clasped his hands and said: 'Then let's meet in half an hour.'"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Certainly!"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'Certainly!'"

Before parting, Guo Shouguang couldn't help but glance at Liu Kuohai a few extra times; Hu Xiaotian, worried that Guo Shouguang would bear a grudge against Liu Kuohai, volunteered, "Kuohai is my cousin."

Translation: "Before parting, Guo Shouguo couldn't help but glance at Liu Kuohai a few more times; Hu Xiaotian, worried he might seek trouble for Liu Kuohai, voluntarily said: 'Kuohai is my cousin.'"

Guo Shouguang looked at Liu Kuohai doubtfully, finding it hard to believe Hu Xiaotian's claim; however, since he had spoken to that extent, it was clear he was protecting Liu Kuohai. Moreover, the Wan family had already voluntarily withdrawn their lawsuit, so Guo Shouguang saw no reason to meddle in such trivialities—there was no need to fall out with a commoner over the new county magistrate.

Translation: "Guo Shouguo looked at Liu Kuohai doubtfully, finding it hard to believe Hu Xiaotian's words were true; but since he had spoken to that extent, it was clear he was protecting Liu Kuohai, and the Wan family had already voluntarily withdrawn their lawsuit, so Guo Shouguo couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters—there was no need to fall out with a commoner over the newly appointed county magistrate."

On their way back to the Fu Lai Inn, Hu Xiaotian and Liu Kuohai, Liu Kuohai grinned and said, "Officer Hu, you really are my older cousin?"

Translation: "On the way back to the Fulai Inn, Hu Xiaotian and Liu Kuohai, Liu Kuohai grinned and said: 'Magistrate Hu, you really are my cousin?'"

Hu Xiaotian glared at him angrily and said, "You're nineteen, I'm sixteen—what do you think?"

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian gave him an annoyed glare: 'You're nineteen, I'm sixteen—what do you think?'"

"Then am I your younger cousin?"

Translation: "'Then you're my cousin?'"

"We have no relation at all!"

Translation: "'We have no relation!'"

It's Monday again, knowing everyone's Monthly Tickets are running low, I hereby ask for Recommendation Tickets, earnestly requesting everyone to cast their Recommendation Tickets for Medical Union, so that Medical Union can stay on the Recommendation list next week.