Chapter 215

Forcing a stubborn donkey to lower its head is very dangerous.

Translation: "Forcing a stubborn donkey to lower its head is a dangerous thing."

Forcing a stubborn donkey to lower its head is a dangerous matter.

We need to keep concise but include all info. Let's produce: "Forcing a stubborn donkey to lower its head is a dangerous thing."

Especially, what they are facing now is not just one or two stubborn donkeys, but a whole herd.

Translation: "Especially, what they are facing now is not just one or two stubborn donkeys, but a herd."

We can say: "Especially, they are not facing just one or two stubborn donkeys, but a whole herd."

Chen Bushi hasn't even started yet, but Chen Wuji has already foreseen the countless obstacles lying ahead for him.

Translation: "Chen Bushi hasn't even started yet, but Chen Wuji already foresees how many obstacles lie ahead on his path."

We need to keep meaning: "Chen Bushi hasn't begun, but Chen Wuji already anticipated how many difficulties his way forward would entail."

Let's produce: "Chen Bushi hasn't started yet, but Chen Wuji has already anticipated how many obstacles lie ahead on his path."

It cannot be persuaded.

Translation: "It cannot be persuaded."

Or "It cannot be dissuaded." We'll go: "It cannot be persuaded."

The person standing by his side right now is also a stubborn donkey.

Translation: "The one staying by his side right now is also a stubborn donkey."

The clan's notions are as vast as the heavens in his mind; saying more is just futile.

Translation: "The clan's notions are as huge as heaven in his mind; saying more is just futile."

"Then sharpen your knife a bit more; don't let your venture fail halfway, collapsing midway and breaking in your own hands." Chen Wuji said anxiously.

Translation: "Then sharpen your knife a bit more; don't let your venture fail halfway and collapse midway, broken by your own people's hands." Chen Wuji said worriedly.

We need to keep the quote and attribution. Let's translate: "\"Then sharpen your knife a bit more; don't let your venture fail halfway and collapse midway, broken by your own people's hands. \" Chen Wuji said worriedly."

But we need to keep the Chinese punctuation? We'll just use English quotes.

"We still have a lot to do; the world is vast. If we hit a wall and it's really serious, don't stubbornly keep pushing with that breath to smash into the south wall; step back, no one will laugh at you." Chen Bushi waved his hand casually while drinking, saying, "I know, I'm not as stupid as you think, stop nagging like an old woman. We've always lived days of licking blood from the knife's edge in the cracks; we're long used to it."

"We still have a lot to do; the world is vast. If we hit a wall and it's truly serious, don't stubbornly keep pushing with that breath to smash into the south wall; step back, no one will laugh at you."

Thus line 8 translation: "\"We still have a lot to do; the world is vast. If we hit a wall and it's truly serious, then don't stubbornly persist with that breath to crash into the south wall; retreat, and no one will laugh at you. \""

Chen Bushi waved his hand casually while drinking, saying, "I know, I'm not as stupid as you think; stop nagging like an old woman. We've always lived days of licking blood from the knife's edge in the cracks; we're long used to it."

Translation: Chen Bushi casually waved his hand while drinking, saying, "I know, I'm not as stupid as you think; don't nag like an old woman. We've always lived days of licking blood from the knife's edge in the cracks; we're long used to it."

We need to keep the quote.

Let's produce: "Chen Bushi casually waved his hand while drinking, saying, \"I know, I'm not as stupid as you think; don't nag like an old woman. We've always lived days of licking blood from the knife's edge in the cracks; we're long used to it. \""

Chen Bushi, drinking alcohol, casually waved his hand, "Know this, I'm not as stupid as you think, stop nagging like an old woman. We've always lived, it's a life of licking blood from the Knife's edge in the cracks, we've long been used to it, damn it."

"It's as if you enjoy nagging." Chen Wuji let out a light snort.

Translation: "\"It's as if you enjoy nagging. \" Chen Wuji let out a light snort."

The heartless wretch even complains about his nagging.

Translation: "A heartless thing, even complaining that he's nagging."

Chen Wuji stood up, brushed off the little dust on his clothes, and said, "I'm off; dealing with those monsters for two days nearly gave me a cramp in the head—I'm going home to catch up on sleep."

Translation: Chen Wuji stood up, brushed off the little dust on his body, and said, "Let's go; after dealing with those monsters for two days, my head almost cramped from exhaustion; I'm going home to catch up on sleep."

Chen Bushi narrowed his eyes, waved his hand, tilted his head back, and began to bask in the sun with an expression of enjoyment.

Translation: Chen Bushi narrowed his eyes, waved his hand, and tilted his head back, enjoying the sunbath.

Lately, the sun has been so big it makes people's heads feel dizzy.

Translation: Lately, it's been a big sun that makes people's heads dizzy from exposure.

Probably only someone who loves sunlight to the point of madness would enjoy basking in it all the time.

Translation: Probably only someone who loves sunlight to the point of insanity would enjoy basking like this all the time.

Chen Wuji returned home, where the two Yuan Jinshi brothers had somehow obtained some stone slabs and were laying them in the outer courtyard.

Translation: Chen Wuji returned home; Yuan Jinshi and his brother somehow got some stone slabs and were laying them in the outer courtyard.

The two of them, having learned a bit from Chen Li, managed to do a decent job.

Translation: The two of them followed Chen Li and learned a bit; their dry work actually looked decent.

"Brother Wu Ji, the outer courtyard turns into a muddy mess when it rains. I and the scholar haven't had much else to do lately; we're idle, so I told the matriarch, and in our spare time we paved the courtyard with stone slabs. She agreed, and just now I had a look—she said it's okay. Brother Wu Ji, do you think… this works?" Yuan Jinshi blurted out all this at once upon seeing Chen Wuji, the poor fellow still feeling nervous.

Translation: "\"Big Brother Wuji, the outer courtyard turns into mud when it rains. I and the scholar have been idle lately, so I told the Madam, and in our free time we paved the courtyard with stone slabs. The Madam agreed and just now had a look, saying it's okay. Big Brother Wuji, you see... is this alright? \" Yuan Jinshi said all at once upon seeing Chen Wuji, this kid still feeling uneasy."

We need to keep the quote and attribution.

Let's produce: "\"Big Brother Wuji, the outer courtyard turns to mud when it rains. I and the scholar have been idle lately, so I told the Madam, and in our free time we paved the courtyard with stone slabs. The Madam agreed and just now had a look, saying it's okay. Big Brother Wuji, you see... is this alright? \" Yuan Jinshi said all at once upon seeing Chen Wuji, this kid still feeling uneasy."

In Chen Wuji's absence, they went ahead and did this, fearing he would be displeased.

Translation: "When Chen Wuji wasn't around, they went ahead and did this, for fear he would be displeased."

"Not bad, but there's no rush—take your time." Chen Wuji said.

Translation: "\"Not bad, but this work isn't urgent; take your time. \" Chen Wuji said."

Those stone slabs were surely hauled from the riverbed; Chen Wuji worried that the two boys might overwork themselves trying to speed things up.

Translation: "Those stone slabs must have been hauled from the riverbed; Chen Wuji worried that the two boys might overwork themselves to injury while rushing the schedule."

Seeing Chen Wuji not blame them, Yuan Jinshi's face broke into a shy grin; he said, "Brother Wu Ji, our skills aren't great, so we can't work fast, but we should be done in two or three days."

Translation: "Seeing Chen Wuji not blaming them, Yuan Jinshi's face broke into a grin, and he gave a simple-minded smile: \"Big Brother Wuji, our skills aren't great, so we aren't fast, but we should be done in two or three days. \""

"Fine, take it easy."

Translation: "\"Fine, take it easy. \""

Chen Wuji nodded and entered the courtyard.

Translation: Chen Wuji nodded and entered the courtyard.

Huo Sanniang and the two others continued as before, curing and smoking meat in the courtyard. Although they had given plenty of the hunted game to the clan, there was still a lot left at home; the three women worked steadily for over three days, and now they're finally nearing the end.

Translation: "Huo Sanniang and the others continued as before, curing and smoking meat in the courtyard. Even though they had given plenty of the hunted game to the clanspeople, there was still a lot left at home; the three women worked steadily for over three days, and now it's finally nearing completion."

Upon entering, Chen Wuji casually took over the task from Huo Sanniang's hands and began slicing the meat.

Translation: Chen Wuji entered the door, casually took over Huo Sanniang's task, and began slicing meat.

Over the course of thousands of years of tradition, people have long since devised a very mature method for preserving meat.

Translation: "In the long inheritance of thousands of years, people have already worked out a very mature method for storing meat."

Huo Sanniang and her companions originally made smoked and air‑dried meat, but when the meat was being divided, a woman from the clan offered another method—jar‑cured meat—saying it turns out delicious as well.

Translation: "Huo Sanniang and her group originally made smoked and air-dried meat; when dividing the meat earlier, a woman from the clan offered another method, called pickled jar meat, saying it also tastes great when done this way."

Huo Sanniang immediately gave the go‑ahead and decided to try it.

Translation: Huo Sanniang immediately gave the go-ahead, deciding to try it.

Thus, many jars appeared in the family courtyard.

Translation: Thus, many more jars appeared in the household courtyard.

What they are making today is jar‑cured meat.

Translation: What they are making today is pickled jar meat.

This curing method is relatively simpler than smoking, but it uses a lot of ingredients.

Translation: "This pickling method is relatively simpler than smoking, but it consumes a lot of ingredients."

That is, the Chen Wuji household now has some means; previously they would have been reluctant to try such a method.

Translation: "That is, the Chen Wuji household now has some means; in the past they would have been reluctant to try such a method."

When hearing about all those ingredients, nobody doubted that the jar‑cured meat would be tasty—so much seasoning goes in that even a rag soaked for two days would come out flavorful.

Translation: "When hearing about all those ingredients, nobody doubted whether pickled jar meat would be tasty; with so much seasoning thrown in, even if you tossed a rag in to soak for two days, it would still be flavorful."

"Are the affairs at the ancestral hall finished?" Huo Sanniang entered the room, brewed a cup of tea for Chen Wuji, handed it to him, and then took the knife he was using to slice the meat, saying, "Rest now; we three will handle this bit of work."

Translation: "\"Are the affairs at the ancestral hall finished? \" Huo Sanniang went inside, brewed a cup of tea for Chen Wuji, handed it to him, and also took the knife he was using to slice meat, saying, \"Go rest; this little task we three will handle. \""

Chen Wuji didn't refuse, smiled, picked up his tea bowl and sat at the stone table, saying, "The important matters are mostly settled; the remaining trifles don't need my attention—Third Uncle and the others will see to them."

Translation: Chen Wuji didn't refuse, smiled, and sat at the stone table with his tea cup, saying, "The important matters are mostly settled; the remaining trifles don't need my worry—Third Uncle and the others will see to them."

"Wu Ji, you are now the head of the family—if you don't manage affairs, will the clan have objections?" Huo Sanniang asked after a moment's hesitation.

Translation: "\"Wuji, you are now the family head, not handling affairs... will the clanspeople have objections? \" Huo Sanniang asked after a moment's hesitation."

In fact, she still feels a bit dazed about this.

Translation: "Actually, she still feels somewhat dazed about this matter to this day."

She never imagined that this foolish boy would be the last descendant of the Chen lineage as family head, and moreover have earned the clan's approval.

Translation: "She never even imagined that this foolish boy would be the last descendant of the Chen clan main line, and moreover had gained the clanspeople's approval."

Although everyone has certainly seen some of Chen Wuji's abilities by now, Huo Sanniang deeply understands how difficult it is for someone who was once utterly clueless—needing to be fed even to eat—to win the respect of a large family.

Translation: "Although everyone has surely seen some of Chen Wuji's abilities by now, Huo Sanniang deeply knows that in a huge family, getting a once clueless person who needed to be fed to earn everyone's respect is extremely difficult."

"It's fine; there really isn't much to do." Chen Wuji said.

Translation: "\"It's fine; there really wasn't much to begin with. \" Chen Wuji said."

"There aren't many things in the clan that I can actually intervene in; things were like this before, and going forward… at least for the short term they'll stay the same."

Translation: "\"There aren't many things in the clan that I can truly intervene in; as before, and going forward... at least for the short term, things will surely stay the same. \""

Huo Sanniang nodded, but couldn't help adding: "Wu Ji, managing a big clan is different from running our small household; people's hearts are complex, and a slight misstep can spark conflict. I don't know how to say much else, but in everything we must uphold fairness."

Translation: Huo Sanniang nodded, but couldn't help adding, "\"Wuji, managing a big clan is different from our small household; people's hearts are complex, a little carelessness will cause disputes; I don't know how to say anything else, but in everything we must uphold fairness. \""

"Exactly, it's not scarcity we fear but inequality, my lord." Shen Xiao Wei said with a grin.

Translation: "\"Exactly, it's not scarcity we fear but inequality, husband. \" Shen Youwei said with a giggle."

"Our family used to be in constant uproar over this—those uncles and aunts always trying to grab more benefits, even though they were already wealthy, they'd cling to a couple of mu of land or a tiny plot, nearly making my father pull his hair out; afterwards…"

Translation: "\"Our family used to constantly fuss over this, with those uncles and aunts in the clan always trying to grab more benefits; even though they were already rich, they'd cling to a mu or two of land or a bit of soil, my father nearly pulled his hair out from stress, and then... \""

"Afterward the whole clan was implicated, and suddenly we were thrust back into the days of starvation and hunger—everything fell silent at once."

Translation: "\"Afterward, the whole clan was implicated, instantly reverting to the days of starvation they once endured, and everything immediately quieted down. \""

Chen Wuji: ……

Translation: Chen Wuji: "……"

"When your father ran into trouble, were the clansmen also stripped of everything?" He didn't know how collective punishment worked in the Dayu dynasty and was curious.

Translation: "\"When your father ran into trouble, were the clanspeople also stripped bare? \" He didn't know how the collective punishment of the Dayu Dynasty worked, feeling curious."

"Exactly, only their lives were left." Shen Xiao Wei said.

Translation: "\"Exactly, only their lives were left. \" Shen Youwei said."

"After my father entered the court, he helped the clan a lot; they relied on his influence and became something of a prominent family locally. When my father fell, the clan's homes were all confiscated—seemed to be ill‑gotten gains or something; I've forgotten the details, but in short, they lost everything at once."

Translation: "\"After my father entered the court, he helped the clanspeople a lot; they relied on his prestige and locally were considered a major family. After my father met misfortune, the clanspeople's homes were all confiscated; it seemed to be ill-gotten gains or something, I forgot, but in short, everything was gone all at once. \""

"If it weren't for my father, they wouldn't have had those good days—each one clueless about contentment, stirring up trouble everywhere, needing my father to clean up their messes. Whenever they heard of some profit to be had, they swarmed in like fish drawn to a bloody scent. Later, when my father had trouble, they even cursed him, blaming him for dragging them into it."

Translation: "\"If it weren't for my father, they wouldn't have those good days; each one doesn't know contentment, stirring up trouble everywhere, and needing my father to clean their mess. Whenever they heard of some profit to be had, they swarmed in like fish smelling blood. After my father met misfortune, they even cursed him, thinking he was the one who implicated them. \""

"When the clan came up, Shen Xiao Wei burst with resentment, her tongue loosened, and she gave a long string of vivid examples, laying out the big family's ugliness to Chen Wuji point by point."

Translation: "Bringing up the clanspeople, Shen Youwei's grievances poured out; she opened her floodgate of talk, citing many vivid examples, and laid out the ugliness of the big clan before Chen Wuji item by item."

"Needless to say, Chen Wuji truly broadened his horizons."

Translation: "Let alone, Chen Wuji truly broadened his horizons."

"After hearing that, he also thought deeply about many things."

Translation: "After listening, he also thought deeply about many things."

Chen clan MainVein is now very united, also very simple and honest, just don't know what it will be like after they have money.