Chapter 946

Long Xuan'en's kill order left Zhou Ruiyuan feeling heavy-hearted; he walked out of the palace chambers, and outside the rain continued to patter. Zhou Ruiyuan's heart felt as if it were filled with water, heavy and making it hard to breathe. Wen Chenguan passed by his side, stopped, and said, "This rain came so suddenly."

Translation: Long Xuan'en's kill order made Zhou Ruizhen feel heavy-hearted; he walked out of the palace chambers, outside the rain continued to patter, Zhou Ruizhen's inner feeling was as if filled with rainwater, heavy and suffocating. Wen Chenghuan, passing by his side, stopped and said: "This rain came rather suddenly."

Check: the term describes a pattering rain, and "could hardly breathe" means he could barely breathe.

We'll produce: Long Xuan'en's kill order left Zhou Ruizhen feeling heavy-hearted; he walked out of the palace chambers, outside the rain continued to patter, Zhou Ruizhen's inner feeling was as if filled with rainwater, heavy and suffocating. Wen Chenghuan, passing by his side, stopped and said: "This rain came rather suddenly."

Make sure it's one line.

Zhou Ruiyuan glanced at Wen Chenguan, understood his implication, nodded and said, "Summer rains are always like this— they come quickly and go just as fast."

Translation: Zhou Ruizhen glanced at Wen Chenghuan, heard the implication, nodded and said: "Summer rains are like this— they come quickly and go quickly."

Wen Chenguan said, "This rain doesn't seem to be ending soon—not just in the capital, but rainfall across Dakang this year has been abundant; this rain should slow the rebels' escape. I believe Su Yuqi will soon catch up with them."

Translation: Wen Chenghuan said: "This rain doesn't seem to be ending soon; not just the capital, rainfall across Dakang this year has been abundant, this rain should slow the rebels' escape. I believe Su Yuchi will soon catch up to them."

Zhou Ruiyuan asked, "And what if we catch up to them?"

Translation: Zhou Ruizhen said: "What difference does catching them make?"

Wen Chenguan replied, "Your Majesty just issued a kill order to slaughter all fifty thousand rebels, leaving none alive."

Translation: Wen Chenghuan said: "His Majesty has just issued a kill order, demanding that all fifty thousand rebels be slaughtered, none spared."

Zhou Ruiyuan sighed, "Fifty thousand rebels—how many families do they have? Killing them would make enemies of fifty thousand households; we could end up with hundreds of thousands, even millions of foes."

Translation: Zhou Ruizhen sighed: "Fifty thousand rebels— how many families do they have? Killing them is equivalent to making enemies of fifty thousand households; we may end up with hundreds of thousands, even millions more enemies."

Wen Chenguan asked, "Chancellor Zhou, why didn't you just tell the Emperor your thoughts earlier?"

Translation: Wen Chenghuan said: "Why didn't Chancellor Zhou speak his mind to His Majesty just now?"

Zhou Ruiyuan replied, "The Grand Tutor should understand this as well." He meant, "Why didn't you say anything? Isn't it just because you're afraid of angering the emperor?"

Translation: Zhou Ruizhen said: "The Grand Tutor should also understand this principle." His meaning: why aren't you speaking up? It's nothing but fear of offending the furious emperor.

Wen Chenguan shook his head: "Actually, the Emperor can only listen to two people now." One is naturally Hong Beimo, the other is Princess Yongyang Qiqi; she handles all major and minor court affairs. If it weren't for the imperial mausoleum being burned today, the former emperor wouldn't have personally gathered these officials to discuss countermeasures.

Translation: Wen Chenghuan shook his head: "Actually, His Majesty now only listens to two people." One is naturally Hong Beimo, the other is Yongyang Princess Qiqi; nowadays all major and minor court affairs are handled by her. If it weren't for the imperial mausoleum being burned today, the old emperor wouldn't have personally gathered these ministers to discuss countermeasures.

As the two were talking, they saw three people approaching, with Princess Yongyang Qiqi in the middle. They hurriedly stopped speaking, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, the Princess!"

Translation: As the two were talking, they saw three people approaching from ahead, the middle one was none other than Yongyang Princess Qiqi; the two hastily stopped speaking, stepped forward and bowed, saying: "Your Highness, the Princess!"

Qiqi stopped, glanced at their faces, and softly asked, "Is the Emperor angry?"

Translation: Qiqi stopped, glanced at their faces with her eyes, and softly asked: "Is His Majesty angry?"

Wen Chenguan said, "The Emperor's fury is aroused; we are terrified and anxious."

Translation: Wen Chenghuan replied: "His Majesty's dragon countenance is furious; we are terrified and trembling."

Qiqi said, "Chancellor Zhou, stay; I need to speak with you later."

Translation: Qiqi said: "Chancellor Zhou, stay; I will turn back to find you later to discuss something."

Zhou Ruiyuan bowed his head and replied, "Yes!"

Translation: Zhou Ruizhen lowered his head and said: "Yes!"

Wen Chenguan silently sighed, thinking that in Princess Yongyang's heart, she clearly trusts Zhou Ruiyuan more.

Translation: Wen Chenghuan silently sighed; it seemed that in the Yongyang Princess's heart, she trusted Zhou Ruizhen more.

Qiqi said to Quan De'an, "Eunuch Quan, please have Chancellor Zhou take a brief rest in the Linglong Studio; I'll go see if the Emperor will return shortly."

Translation: Qiqi said to Quan De'an: "Eunuch Quan, please first take Chancellor Zhou to Linglong Zhai to rest; I will go see if His Majesty returns shortly."

After everyone had left, Long Xuan'en's anger vanished completely. Upon hearing that Qiqi had arrived, he dismissed the attendants.

Translation: After everyone had left, Long Xuan'en's anger vanished from his face. Hearing that Qiqi had arrived, he dismissed the attendants.

Qiqi entered the palace, came before Long Xuan'en, and softly said, "Qiqi pays her respects to Your Majesty."

Translation: Qiqi entered the palace, came before Long Xuan'en, and softly said: "Qiqi pays her respects to Your Majesty!"

Long Xuan'en whispered, "It seems you've also heard the news."

Translation: Long Xuan'en whispered: "It seems you have also heard the news."

Qiqi nodded, lifted her eyes to Long Xuan'en, and said, "Your Majesty once said that water can carry a boat but also capsize it, and that the people are the foundation of the state. So why, now, would you offend all the people for the sake of the imperial mausoleum?"

Translation: Qiqi nodded, lifted her gaze to Long Xuan'en, and said: "Your Majesty once said, 'Water can carry a boat, yet also capsize it,' and also said, 'The people are the foundation of the state.' Yet now, why do you sacrifice everything for the imperial mausoleum, heedless of offending the whole populace?"

Long Xuan'en showed no anger, speaking gently: "Do you think I have mishandled this matter?"

Translation: Long Xuan'en was not angry, and with a pleasant expression said: "Do you think I have handled this matter improperly?"

Qiqi said, "If the fifty thousand laborers weren't driven to desperation, why would they rise in revolt? Your Majesty, haven't you considered the true cause of this turmoil?" The Emperor's handling of this situation has been inappropriate; ordering indiscriminate slaughter will only provoke stronger resistance from those rioters.

Translation: Qiqi said: "If the fifty thousand laborers weren't driven to desperation, how could they have risen in revolt? Your Majesty, haven't you considered the true cause of this turmoil?" The Emperor's handling of this affair is inappropriate; issuing a kill order without discrimination will likely provoke even fiercer resistance from those rioters.

Long Xuan'en said, "Qiqi, these days I have been reflecting on the past. If it weren't for my former foolishness, Dakang would not have come to this state. Although I have reclaimed the throne, spilled water cannot be gathered back. The people's hearts and trust I have lost can never be regained, which is why I wish to entrust you with this authority—to let you bear such a heavy responsibility."

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "Qiqi, these days I have been reflecting on the past. If it weren't for my former foolishness, Dakang would not have come to this state; although I have reascended the throne, spilled water cannot be gathered back. The lost popular support and trust cannot be regained no matter what; that is why I wish to entrust power to you, to let you bear this great responsibility."

Long Xuan'en slowly rose, took a trembling step, and said, "These officials may have lifted me up, but each has his own agenda; they are not loyal to me personally. Rather, they support me because only I can represent their interests, and only while I sit on the dragon throne are their interests protected. Though I am old, I am not senile."

Translation: Long Xuan'en slowly rose, tottering a step: "These ministers may have lifted me up, but each has his own agenda; it is not because they are loyal to me. Rather, it is because I can represent their interests; only when I sit on this dragon throne can their interests be safeguarded. Though I am old, I am not foolish."

Qiqi bit her cherry lip, seeming to understand his painstaking intentions.

Translation: Qiqi bit her cherry lip, seeming to understand his painstaking effort.

Long Xuan'en said, "I am old and my strength wanes each day, while you are young and a woman. Dakang has no precedent for a woman assisting in governance. While I live I can be your backing, but if I die, how will these ministers ever submit to you?"

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "I am already old, my strength wanes day by day, yet you are still young and a girl; Dakang has never had a precedent of a woman assisting in governance. While I live I can be your backing, but if I die, what then? These ministers would hardly submit to you."

Qiqi said, "I harbor no ambition to control the state; I only wish to preserve this ancestral legacy and the Dragon clan's realm."

Translation: Qiqi said: "I harbor no ambition to control the state; I only wish to preserve this ancestral foundation, to keep the Long clan's realm."

Long Xuan'en said, "These days I see your hard work. The mausoleum affairs have always been handled by Hong Beimo; who knows what secret schemes he is running. I repeatedly call for longevity and urge the mausoleum's construction merely to confuse him and prevent him from becoming suspicious."

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "These days I see your hard work; the imperial mausoleum affairs have always been handled by Hong Beimo, and I do not know what secrets he has been operating. I constantly clamor for longevity and urge the construction of the mausoleum merely to deceive him, to prevent him from growing suspicious."

Qiqi whispered, "Your Majesty, have you already sensed his ambition?"

Translation: Qiqi whispered: "Your Majesty, have you already sensed his ambition?"

Long Xuan'en sighed, "We know something is poisonous, yet to prolong our lives we must swallow it. If he realizes I suspect him, not only my safety but yours too will be endangered. Everyone thinks I'm senile, believing in immortality and eternal reign, but a human life is like a season—birth, aging, sickness, death, renewal—an unchanging law. I am merely a mortal; how could I defy Heaven's mandate? When others think they have you under control, you'd best play the fool, and only when he grows complacent and lowers his guard can you strike a fatal blow."

Translation: Long Xuan'en sighed: "Some things are clearly poisonous, yet to prolong life we must swallow them; if he notices that I have begun to suspect him, not only I but also your safety will be endangered. The world thinks I am senile, believing in immortality and eternal permanence; a person lives one lifetime, grass and trees have one autumn, birth, aging, sickness, death, and the replacement of old with new is an unchanging law. I am merely a mortal, how could I oppose Heaven's mandate? When others think they have you under control, you had best feign foolishness; only when they are careless and completely lower their guard against you can you deliver a fatal blow."

Qiqi nodded, "Your Majesty means well, suffering for Dakang."

Translation: Qiqi nodded: "Your Majesty means well, suffering injustice for Dakang."

Long Xuan'en shook his head, "I don't feel wronged; everything that happened today is my doing. The laborers' revolt at the mausoleum exceeded my expectations—I never imagined their living conditions were so dreadful, nor that someone would exploit and extort them in this affair."

Translation: Long Xuan'en shook his head: "I do not feel wronged; everything today is of my own making, the rebel uprising of the mausoleum laborers exceeded my expectations; I never imagined their living conditions could be so harsh, nor did I think anyone would exploit and extort them in this matter."

Qiqi asked, "Your Majesty, do you truly intend to exterminate them completely?"

Translation: Qiqi said: "Your Majesty, do you truly intend to exterminate them completely?"

Long Xuan'en gazed at Qiqi's lovely face and said softly, "Since everyone already sees me as a foolish and tyrannical ruler, I have no choice but to play that role. I've come this far; even if I wanted to change, I cannot. Once the officials lose trust in me, regaining it is nearly impossible, and the people's affection for me is likewise gone. But you can correct my mistakes and thereby earn the people's respect and confidence—only then can the kingdom be stabilized. Although Dakang's realm is riddled with wounds, what is most lacking is not money or grain, but the people's faith in you. Only by restoring that faith can we unite the populace and lead Dakang out of the mire."

Translation: Long Xuan'en gazed at Qiqi's lovely face and whispered: "Since everyone regards me as a dim-witted tyrant, I have no choice but to play that role; having come this far, even if I wished to change, I could not. Once the ministers' trust in me is lost, it is nearly impossible to regain, and the people's affection for me likewise. Yet you can correct my mistakes and thereby earn the people's respect and confidence; only thus can the realm be stabilized. Although Dakang's realm is riddled with wounds, what is most lacking is not money or grain, but the people's confidence in you; only by restoring that confidence can we unite the Dakang populace and lead them out of the mire."

Qiqi felt a sourness in her nose, barely holding back tears. She had previously harbored deep doubts and misunderstandings about Long Xuan'en, but today she finally grasped his painstaking intentions—he was helping himself and Dakang in another way.

Translation: Qiqi's nose tingled; she barely held back the urge to cry. Previously she had harbored deep doubts and misunderstandings toward Long Xuan'en, but only now did she comprehend his painstaking effort— he was aiding himself and Dakang in another way.

Long Xuan'en said, "Fortunately, Hong Beimo isn't overly interested in state affairs, unlike Ji Feihua who craves power. Qiqi, I believe you can certainly lead Dakang out of its predicament."

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "Fortunately, Hong Beimo is not overly interested in state affairs, unlike Ji Feihua who is avid for power. Qiqi, I believe you can certainly lead Dakang out of its predicament."

Qiqi said, "Your Majesty, I heard the Xu family of Jinling refused your request to borrow grain."

Translation: Qiqi said: "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Xu family of Jinling refused your request to borrow grain."

Upon hearing this, Long Xuan'en's white eyebrows knitted together, and his deep eyes flashed with two cold glints of killing intent: "Does the old matriarch Xu really think I dare not move against her? She actually ignored my demand; this time I will certainly give her a taste of her own medicine."

Translation: Upon hearing this, Long Xuan'en's two white eyebrows knit together, and from his deep eyes shot two chilling glints of killing intent: "Old Lady Xu truly thinks I dare not move against her; she actually disregarded my request— this time I will certainly give her a taste of her own medicine."

Qiqi said, "But I have heard another reason: the Xu family of Jinling refused your request because they fear offending other nations; if they openly agreed, they might invite retaliation, and since their businesses spread across the world, they could suffer a deadly blow."

Translation: Qiqi said: "But I have also heard another matter: the Xu family of Jinling refused your request precisely because they dare not offend other countries thereby; if they openly agreed, they would likely invite retaliation, their businesses spread across the world, possibly suffering a fatal blow."

Long Xuan'en coldly replied, "The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every commoner; the Xu family are also Dakang's citizens. In a national crisis, to still think only of private gain—what use is such a clan?"

Translation: Long Xuan'en coldly said: "The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every commoner; the Xu family are also Dakang's subjects, yet in the face of national crisis they still think only of private gain— what use is there in keeping such a clan?"

Qiqi said, "Actually, their public refusal is merely a show for the world; behind the scenes they have already indicated a route."

Translation: Qiqi said: "Actually, their open refusal is merely a performance for the world; behind the scenes they have already pointed out a road."

Long Xuan'en blinked slightly: "You mean they intend to secretly assist us?"

Translation: Long Xuan'en blinked slightly: "You mean they intend to aid us secretly?"

Qiqi nodded: "Your Majesty, this must be carried out in secret; we must not let too many people know, otherwise not only will the Xu clan suffer retaliation, but this route may also be cut off in advance by hostile states." She then recounted everything Hu Xiaotian had told her, even though Hu Xiaotian had specifically instructed her not to tell the Emperor about this, but seeing the current situation, she felt compelled to reveal it to appease the Emperor.

Translation: Qiqi nodded: "Your Majesty, this must be carried out in secret; we must not let too many know, otherwise not only will the Xu clan suffer retaliation, but this route may also be severed in advance by hostile states." She then quietly recounted to him everything Hu Xiaotian had told her; although Hu Xiaotian had specifically instructed her not to mention this to the emperor, seeing the current situation she felt compelled to speak in order to calm His Majesty's anger.

Long Xuan'en nodded: "He wants to go to Luo Song himself? Aren't you afraid he'll take the chance to flee and never return?" Long Xuan'en's thought was also Qiqi's greatest concern; Hu Xiaotian is no law-abiding fellow—if we let our guard down, who knows what mischief he might get up to.

Translation: Long Xuan'en nodded: "He wants to go to Luosong himself? Aren't you afraid he might take the opportunity to leave and never return?" What Long Xuan'en thought was also Qiqi's greatest concern; Hu Xiaotian is certainly no law-abiding simpleton— if he lets his guard down, who knows what mischief this boy might get up to.

Qiqi said, "I share that concern, but since this trade route is offered by the Xu family, if we don't let the Hu family go, the Xu family may suspect us and refuse to cooperate."

Translation: Qiqi said: "I have considered that as well, but since this trade route is provided by the Xu family, if we do not allow Hu family members to go, the Xu family may suspect us and perhaps refuse to cooperate."

Long Xuan'en said, "Then let Hu Buwei go, leaving his wife and son in Kangdu; I doubt he'd dare cause trouble."

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "Then let Hu Buwei go, leaving his wife and son in Kangdu; I expect he wouldn't dare cause trouble."

Qiqi said, "This matter shouldn't cause too much commotion. I've considered drawing a few ships from each of the major navies, gathering them at a designated point, and outwardly claiming they are going to sea to suppress pirates and quell unrest; only upon reaching the destination would we announce their true purpose. If exposed too early, hostile nations might sabotage it."

Translation: Qiqi said: "This matter should not cause too great a disturbance; I have already considered that we should draw some ships from each of the major navies, gather them at a designated point, outwardly claim we are going to sea to suppress pirates and quell chaos, and only upon reaching the destination announce the true purpose of this voyage. If exposed too early, we risk sabotage by hostile states."

Long Xuan'en said, "Go ahead and handle this; I will do everything possible to remove obstacles for you."

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "Go ahead and handle this; I will do everything possible to remove obstacles for you."

Qiqi said, "As for the fifty thousand laborers fleeing to Xingzhou, I think it would be better to let them enter Xingzhou, which suffers constant natural disasters; even Li Guangbi himself faces a grain shortage and could never support fifty thousand people. If he took them in, Xingzhou would likely erupt in internal strife. We need only send troops to block their eastward and southward routes; for survival they would have to go west or north—one side belongs to Da Yong, the other is under Xichuan's actual control. Dakang has no grain to seize, so they would have to seek livelihood there."

Translation: Qiqi said: "As for those fifty thousand laborers fleeing to Xingzhou, I think it would be better to let them enter Xingzhou; Xingzhou suffers continual natural disasters, and Li Guangbi himself faces a grain shortage, utterly unable to bear fifty thousand people; if he took them in, Xingzhou would likely erupt in internal strife. We need only send troops to block their eastward and southward routes; for survival they would have to go west or north— one side belongs to Da Yong, the other lies within Xichuan's actual control. Dakang has no grain to seize, so they would have no choice but to seek livelihood in those two places."

Long Xuan'en said, "Tell Su Yuqi your intentions and have him follow your orders."

Translation: Long Xuan'en said: "Tell Su Yuchi your intentions, and have him follow your orders."

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