Chapter 1005: with translation of chapter title

Eleventh Uncle, what are you two up to? Acting like quail?

Shi Yi Shu, what are you two up to? Acting like quail?

We'll output: 【1】 Shi Yi Shu, what are you two doing? Acting like quail?

But need to keep punctuation? We'll keep as is.

Chen Wujì turned his head and saw Chen Li and Kong Meng—one staring blankly at the air, the other fixed on the ground—he couldn't help but laugh.

Translation: Chen Wuji turned his head, saw Chen Li and Kong Fang each staring at empty air and the ground, dazed, and couldn't help but laugh.

We need to keep meaning: "Chen Wuji turned his head, saw Chen Li and Kong Fang one staring at the air, one staring at the ground, blankly dazed, and couldn't help but laugh."

We'll output: 【2】 Chen Wuji turned his head, saw Chen Li and Kong Fang one staring at the air, one staring at the ground, blankly dazed, and couldn't help but laugh.

Chen Li snapped back, shook his head, and said, "Master, picking someone for this is difficult—I can't think of anyone suitable. The Inspection Bureau oversees military inspection; someone without authority couldn't handle it, but those with authority are all occupied."

Translation: Chen Li came to, shook his head, "Family Head, this candidate is hard to pick, I really can't think of anyone. The Discipline Bureau oversees military inspection; someone without weight can't handle it, but those with weight are all tied up now."

We need to keep meaning exactly. We'll output: 【3】 Chen Li came to, shook his head, "Family Head, this candidate is hard to pick, I really can't think of anyone. The Discipline Bureau oversees military inspection; someone without weight can't handle it, but those with weight are all tied up now."

"I haven't thought of any leads either," Kong Meng said, following right after.

Translation: "I also haven't got a clue." Kong Fang said right after.

We'll output: 【4】 "I also haven't got a clue." Kong Fang said right after.

Chen Wujì sat down, took a sip of tea, and said, "You're overcomplicating things. To inspect the army, we just need someone who can handle cases, is upright, preferably impartial and unbending; they'd report directly to me—what authority do they really need? There's no need to overawe the whole army; we're not making him a general."

Translation: Chen Wuji sat down, took a sip of tea, "You guys, you're overthinking it. Inspecting the whole army, as long as you can investigate cases and be upright, best to be impartial, he reports directly to me, what weight is needed? No need to intimidate the whole army, it's not like making him a general."

We'll output: 【5】 Chen Wuji sat down, took a sip of tea, "You guys, you're overthinking it. Inspecting the whole army, as long as you can investigate cases and be upright, best to be impartial, he reports directly to me, what weight is needed? No need to intimidate the whole army, it's not like making him a general."

Chang Jingxuan!

Translation: "Chang Jingxuan!"

We'll output: 【6】 Chang Jingxuan!

Chang Jingxuan!

Same.

【7】 Chang Jingxuan!

As soon as Chen Wujì finished speaking, Chen Li and Kong Meng shouted the name in unison.

Translation: As soon as Chen Wuji finished speaking, Chen Li and Kong Fang shouted out a name in unison.

We'll output: 【8】 As soon as Chen Wuji finished speaking, Chen Li and Kong Fang shouted out a name in unison.

Chen Wujì paused, then laughed and asked Kong Meng, "Eleventh Uncle, it's no surprise you could nominate Chang Jingxuan, but why do you also think he's suitable? You shouldn't be that familiar with the officials of Nan Commandery."

Translation: Chen Wuji blinked, then turned to Kong Fang and asked with a smile, "Shi Yi Shu suggesting Chang Jingxuan isn't surprising, but why do you also think he's suitable? You shouldn't be that familiar with these people in the Southern County Officialdom, right?"

We'll output: 【9】 Chen Wuji blinked, then turned to Kong Fang and asked with a smile, "Shi Yi Shu suggesting Chang Jingxuan isn't surprising, but why do you also think he's suitable? You shouldn't be that familiar with these people in the Southern County Officialdom, right?"

Kong Meng said, "My lord, I am currently a Military Advisor, and I have always believed that before going to war we must first understand our own people—their temperament, preferences, and strengths."

Translation: Kong Fang said, "My lord, my current position is Council Army affairs, and I've always believed that the first thing in war should be to understand our own people—their temperament, preferences, and strengths, which must be known."

We'll output: 【10】 Kong Fang said, "My lord, my current position is Council Army affairs, and I've always believed that the first thing in war should be to understand our own people—their temperament, preferences, and strengths, which must be known."

"That might not be comprehensive; let me give an example: in the Lingshouzhou battle, if I were in charge, I would dispatch Qin Yu's Kangxu Camp and Geng Jiang's Shixu Camp to work together."

Note: There appears to be a typo; the term might be intended as "Jiao Xiu Ying" but we retain the original spelling. Since the glossary does not list this term, we treat it as a proper name, likely "Kangxu Camp", analogous to "Shixu Camp" for "Shi Xiu Ying".

Thus translation: "That might not be comprehensive; let me give an example: in the Lingshouzhou battle, if I were in charge, I would send Qin Yu Training Officer's Kangxu Camp and Geng Jiang Training Officer's Shixu Camp to cooperate."

We'll output: 【11】 That might not be comprehensive; let me give an example: in the Lingshouzhou battle, if I were in charge, I would send Qin Yu Training Officer's Kangxu Camp and Geng Jiang Training Officer's Shixu Camp to cooperate.

"Our forces in Lingshouzhou face two opponents: Yang Ji and a band of rebels. Yang Ji is known for running a strict army with clear rewards and punishments, yet he has a fiery temper and is unpredictable. As for the rebels, they are adept at scheming and deceit; the rest is merely a rabble."

Translation: "Our forces in Lingshouzhou have two opponents: one is Yang Ji, the other a band of bandits. Yang Ji is heard to run a strict army with clear rewards and punishments, yet he has a fiery temper and is unpredictable. As for those bandits, they play intrigue and deceit to perfection; the rest is just a rabble."

We'll output: 【12】 Our forces in Lingshouzhou have two opponents: one is Yang Ji, the other a band of bandits. Yang Ji is heard to run a strict army with clear rewards and punishments, yet he has a fiery temper and is unpredictable. As for those bandits, they play intrigue and deceit to perfection; the rest is just a rabble.

"Against such opponents, sending a general like Chen Wuyi, who is upright and benevolent, would not be easy to win; we should instead let someone who acts without scruples—Qin Training Officer, who favors unorthodox swordplay, and Geng Jiang Training Officer, who prefers underhanded tactics—work together."

Translation: "Against such opponents, sending a general like Chen Wuyi, who is upright and benevolent, would not be easy to win; instead, we should let someone who acts without scruples, Qin Training Officer who prefers unorthodox swordplay, and Geng Jiang Training Officer who favors underhanded tactics, work together."

Against such opponents, sending a general like Chen Wuyi, who is upright and benevolent, would not be easy to win; instead, we should let someone who acts without scruples, Qin Training Officer who prefers unorthodox swordplay, and Geng Jiang Training Officer who favors underhanded tactics, work together.

In order to better ease my lord's worries, I've racked my brains these past days to learn everything we need to know about our own people; the name of Chief Strategist Chang is like thunder in my ears.

Translation: "In order to better relieve my lord's worries, I have racked my brains these past days to learn everything we need to know about our own people; the great name of Chang Jingxuan is like thunder in my ears."

We'll output: 【14】 In order to better relieve my lord's worries, I have racked my brains these past days to learn everything we need to know about our own people; the great name of Chang Jingxuan is like thunder in my ears.

Chen Wujì and Chen Li exchanged a glance; both looked somewhat dazed.

Translation: Chen Wuji and Chen Li exchanged a glance, both of their expressions somewhat dazed.

We'll output: 【15】 Chen Wuji and Chen Li exchanged a glance, both of their expressions somewhat dazed.

"You really... went around in a big circle," Chen Wujì said.

Translation: "You really... went around in a big circle." Chen Wuji said.

We'll output: 【16】 "You really... went around in a big circle." Chen Wuji said.

"You still have plenty of tricks, going in circles here to give me eye drops, right? You resent that I used troops in Lingshouzhou without consulting your opinion? Fine, then let's see how the battle in Lingshouzhou goes; if it truly matches your judgment, you will henceforth, under the order of the Brave Martial Training Officer, take charge of logistics and supplies."

Translation: "You still have plenty of tricks, going in circles here to give me eye drops, right? You resent that I used troops in Lingshouzhou without consulting your opinion? Fine, then let's see how the battle in Lingshouzhou goes; if it truly matches your judgment, you will henceforth, under the order of the Brave Martial Training Officer, take charge of logistics and supplies."

From now on, you will, under the command of the Brave Martial Training Officer, handle logistics and supplies.

Kong Meng heard this, was overjoyed, quickly bowed and said, "I will not fail my lord's great trust."

Translation: Kong Fang heard this, overjoyed, quickly bowed and said, "I will not disappoint my lord's heavy trust."

We'll output: 【18】 Kong Fang heard this, overjoyed, quickly bowed and said, "I will not disappoint my lord's heavy trust."

"Don't get too happy too soon; the battle in Lingshouzhou hasn't even started yet!"

Translation: "Don't get too excited too soon, the battle in Lingshouzhou hasn't even started yet!"

We'll output: 【19】 "Don't get too excited too soon, the battle in Lingshouzhou hasn't even started yet!"

Kong Meng chuckled and said, "My lord, I should be sure to win this battle."

Translation: Kong Fang gave a hehe laugh, "My lord, this battle... I should be sure to win."

We'll output: 【20】 Kong Fang gave a hehe laugh, "My lord, this battle... I should be sure to win."

"Wow, you're so confident—fine, I'll wait and see!"

Translation: "Yo, that's confident, alright, then I'll wait and see!"

We'll output: 【21】 "Yo, that's confident, alright, then I'll wait and see!"

Chen Wujì pondered briefly, then said, "Since you both recommend Chang Jingxuan, let's draft the military order: let Chang Jingxuan choose the mainstay of the Inspection Bureau, and let him handle the rest of the personnel as he sees fit."

Translation: Chen Wuji pondered a moment, "Since you both recommend Chang Jingxuan, let's draft a military order: let Chang Jingxuan pick the main pillar of the Discipline Bureau, and let him handle the rest of the personnel as he sees fit."

We'll output: 【22】 Chen Wuji pondered a moment, "Since you both recommend Chang Jingxuan, let's draft a military order: let Chang Jingxuan pick the main pillar of the Discipline Bureau, and let him handle the rest of the personnel as he sees fit."

Yes!

Translation: "Yes!"

We'll output: 【23】 Yes!

"Don't let him rush into office; first send him to An Sai Zhou for a trip. The verification of Meng Qingshen's brigade's military merits will serve as the Inspection Bureau's first assignment."

Translation: "Don't let him rush into office; first send him to An Sai Zhou for a trip. The confirmation of Meng Qingchen's brigade's military merit will count as the Discipline Bureau's first assignment."

We'll output: 【24】 Don't let him rush into office; first send him to An Sai Zhou for a trip. The confirmation of Meng Qingchen's brigade's military merit will count as the Discipline Bureau's first assignment.

Yes!

Translation: "Yes!"

We'll output: 【25】 Yes!

Alright, go attend to your business; I'll take a nap.

Translation: "Alright, you go attend to your business, I'll take a nap."

We'll output: 【26】 Alright, you go attend to your business, I'll take a nap.

Kong Meng whispered, "My lord, I just looked at the map; behind Luoying Camp there seems to be a wild river, and the terrain suggests there should be big fish."

Translation: Kong Fang whispered, "My lord, I just looked at the map; behind Luoying Camp there seems to be a wild river, judging by the terrain, there should be big fish."

We'll output: 【27】 Kong Fang whispered, "My lord, I just looked at the map; behind Luoying Camp there seems to be a wild river, judging by the terrain, there should be big fish."

"Huh? It's already dark—why are you telling me this?"

Translation: "Huh? It's already dark, you're telling me this?"

We'll output: 【28】 "Huh? It's already dark, you're telling me this?"

"What I mean is, I can go check for you, my lord; if I manage to catch a few fish, I can add them as a side dish for your drink."

Translation: "What I mean is, I can go check for you; if I manage to catch a few fish, I can add a side dish for your lord."

We'll output: 【29】 "What I mean is, I can go check for you; if I manage to catch a few fish, I can add a side dish for your lord."

Chen Wujì looked at the outside sky, hesitated a moment; indeed it was getting late.

Translation: Chen Wuji looked at the outside sky and hesitated a moment; indeed it was getting late.

We'll output: 【30】 Chen Wuji looked at the outside sky and hesitated a moment; indeed it was getting late.

But...

Translation: "But……"

We'll output: 【31】 But……

He felt a little restless, eager to go.

Translation: "He felt a little restless."

We'll output: 【32】 He felt a little restless.

Come on, let's go take a look!

Translation: "Come on, let's go take a look!"

We'll output: 【33】 Come on, let's go take a look!

Chen Wujì decided to go have a look; besides, it's not far.

Translation: Chen Wuji decided to go check it out; besides, it's not far.

We'll output: 【34】 Chen Wuji decided to go check it out; besides, it's not far.

Soon the sky will be dark enough that you can't see your hand in front of your face; even if he wanted to fish, he couldn't; he just wants to see, to check whether Kong Meng is blowing hot air—that's about it.

Translation: "Right now the sky is about to go completely dark, you can't see your hand in front of your face; even if he wanted to fish, he couldn't, just go see, investigate whether Kong Fang is blowing hot air, that's about it."

We'll output: 【35】 Right now the sky is about to go completely dark, you can't see your hand in front of your face; even if he wanted to fish, he couldn't, just go see, investigate whether Kong Fang is blowing hot air, that's about it.

Leaving the big tent, Chen Wujì glanced left and right, then suddenly asked, "Where did Wushuang go?"

Translation: Having left the Big Tent, Chen Wuji glanced left and right, then suddenly asked, "Where did Wushuang go?"

We'll output: 【36】 Having left the Big Tent, Chen Wuji glanced left and right, then suddenly asked, "Where did Wushuang go?"

Chen Li frowned sharply and said, "He was ordered to go to Luoying Camp to scout; how could he not be back by now?"

Translation: Chen Li furrowed his brows sharply, "He was ordered to go scout Luoying Camp; how could he not be back by now?"

We'll output: 【37】 Chen Li furrowed his brows sharply, "He was ordered to go scout Luoying Camp; how could he not be back by now?"

Chen Wujì also suddenly realized it was he who had ordered Chen Wushuang to go look; "Something must have happened; let Lord Lu San take some men and go check!"

Translation: Chen Wuji also suddenly recalled, it was he who had ordered Wushuang to go check, "Something must have happened; let Lu San Ye take a group to go check!"

We'll output: 【38】 Chen Wuji also suddenly recalled, it was he who had ordered Wushuang to go check, "Something must have happened; let Lu San Ye take a group to go check!"

They were busy discussing the signal numbers and the Inspection Bureau affairs, completely forgetting this; otherwise, given how much time has passed, they would have surely noticed earlier.

Translation: They were busy discussing the Designation Number and Discipline Bureau affairs, completely forgetting this; otherwise, with so much time passed, they would surely have noticed earlier.

We'll output: 【39】 They were busy discussing the Designation Number and Discipline Bureau affairs, completely forgetting this; otherwise, with so much time passed, they would surely have noticed earlier.

Hope nothing went wrong.

Translation: "Hope nothing went wrong."

We'll output: 【40】 Hope nothing went wrong.

Chen Li hadn't yet had time to send someone to find Lord Lu San; Lord Lu San, with a long pipe in his mouth, had already walked out from the side, accompanied by several young swordsmen of the Lu clan and Wen Lao Liu.

Translation: Chen Li hadn't yet had time to send someone to find Lu San Ye, when Lu San Ye, with a long pipe clenched in his mouth, walked out from one side, accompanied by several young Lu clan Sword Knights and Yuan Lao Liu.

We'll output: 【41】 Chen Li hadn't yet had time to send someone to find Lu San Ye, when Lu San Ye, with a long pipe clenched in his mouth, walked out from one side, accompanied by several young Lu clan Sword Knights and Yuan Lao Liu.

"Lord Marquis, I've just heard about the matter; I'm heading over now!" Lord Lu San said.

Translation: "Marquis, I just heard the matter, I'm heading over now!" Lu San Ye said.

We'll output: 【42】 "Marquis, I just heard the matter, I'm heading over now!" Lu San Ye said.

"Thank you for your effort; stay safe, and if anything happens, send word immediately!"

Translation: "Hard work, stay safe; if anything happens, send word immediately!"

We'll output: 【43】 Hard work, stay safe; if anything happens, send word immediately!

Lord Lu San responded with a sound, hands behind his back, quickened his steps outward; once outside the central tent's range, he leapt like a nimble swallow, darting dozens of feet into the air.

Translation: Lu San Ye answered with a sound, hands behind his back, quickened his steps outward; once he left the Zhongjun Camp's perimeter, he leapt up, like a nimble swallow darting out dozens of zhang, soaring through the air.

We'll output: 【44】 Lu San Ye answered with a sound, hands behind his back, quickened his steps outward; once he left the Zhongjun Camp's perimeter, he leapt up, like a nimble swallow darting out dozens of zhang, soaring through the air.

Even though such a sight is already commonplace, Chen Wujì still envied it.

Translation: Even though such a sight was already commonplace, Chen Wuji still felt envious.

We'll output: 【45】 Even though such a sight was already commonplace, Chen Wuji still felt envious.

Damn it, why can't he ever reach that level?

Translation: "Damn it, why can't he ever reach that level?"

We'll output: 【46】 Damn it, why can't he ever reach that level?

There are many experts around him, his internal and external martial arts are not lacking, he himself is not lazy; no matter how busy, he always trains diligently each morning for an hour; he makes progress, but breaking through to a higher realm is impossible.

Translation: "There are many experts around, his internal and external skills are not lacking, he himself isn't lazy; no matter how busy, he trains diligently every morning for an hour, making progress, but breaking through is nonexistent."

We'll output: 【47】 There are many experts around, his internal and external skills are not lacking, he himself isn't lazy; no matter how busy, he trains diligently every morning for an hour, making progress, but breaking through is nonexistent.

"Wushuang's ability is not lacking, and the troops he brought are all elite from the Guard Battalion; how could something happen right under our noses?" Chen Li frowned, pacing irritably in place twice.

Translation: "Wushuang's ability is not bad, and the people he brought are all elite of the Jīnwèi yíng; how could something happen right under our noses?" Chen Li frowned, irritated, turning in circles on the spot.

We'll output: 【48】 Wushuang's ability is not bad, and the people he brought are all elite of the Jīnwèi yíng; how could something happen right under our noses? Chen Li frowned, irritated, turning in circles on the spot.

Wushuang and Wuyi are Chen Li's actual nephews, but Chen Li has always treated them like his sons, caring for them in life down to the finest detail.

Wushuang and Wuyi are Chen Li's actual nephews, but Chen Li has always treated them like his sons, caring for them in life down to the finest detail.

We'll output: 【49】 Wushuang and Wuyi are Chen Li's actual nephews, but Chen Li has always treated them like his sons, caring for them in life down to the finest detail.

Chen Wujì soothed, "Eleventh Uncle, don't let your imagination run wild; maybe something just detained him, it's not necessarily an accident—don't scare yourself."

Translation: Chen Wuji soothed, "Shi Yi Shu, don't let your imagination run wild; maybe they're just held up by something, it's not necessarily an accident, don't scare yourself."

We'll output: 【50】 Chen Wuji soothed, "Shi Yi Shu, don't let your imagination run wild; maybe they're just held up by something, it's not necessarily an accident, don't scare yourself."

"But it's already..." Chen Li wanted to say more but stopped, letting out a heavy sigh.

Translation: "But it's already..." Chen Li wanted to say more but stopped, letting out a heavy sigh.

We'll output: 【51】 "But it's already..." Chen Li wanted to say more but stopped, letting out a heavy sigh.

A desolate, ruined settlement; over ten elite soldiers went in and haven't come out after so long—even if he were optimistic, he couldn't think of a good outcome.

Translation: "A desolate, ruined settlement, over ten elite soldiers have gone in for so long and haven't come out; even if he were optimistic, he couldn't think of a good outcome."

We'll output: 【52】 A desolate, ruined settlement, over ten elite soldiers have gone in for so long and haven't come out; even if he were optimistic, he couldn't think of a good outcome.

Wen Lao Liu didn't follow Lord Lu San; instead, he stood guard on the right side of the central tent, fully alert. He even drew another sword hidden in his sleeve, clenched his face, and hid his protruding, jagged upper teeth.

Translation: Yuan Lao Liu didn't follow Lu San Ye, but instead stood guard with a wary expression on the right side of the Zhongjun Camp; he even drew another sword hidden in his sleeve, clenched his face, and tucked away his jagged, protruding upper teeth.

We'll output: 【53】 Yuan Lao Liu didn't follow Lu San Ye, but instead stood guard with a wary expression on the right side of the Zhongjun Camp; he even drew another sword hidden in his sleeve, clenched his face, and tucked away his jagged, protruding upper teeth.

Chen Wujì glanced and saw that he had never seen Wen Lao Liu so solemn before.

Translation: Chen Wuji glanced over, he had never seen Yuan Lao Liu so solemn before.

We'll output: 【54】 Chen Wuji glanced over, he had never seen Yuan Lao Liu so solemn before.

Even when killing before, his distinctive teeth were always on display.

Translation: "Even when killing before, his distinctive teeth were always on guard outside."

We'll output: 【55】 Even when killing before, his distinctive teeth were always on guard outside.

"Everyone relax, we didn't fall into a dragon's pool and tiger's den; don't get all jumpy." Chen Wuji said.