Chapter 233

line: "Wu Bu Yong and his father, the former Brigade Commander of Tianchi Pass, talked for about half an hour, then rushed to see Chen Wuji." No Chinese.

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong and his father, the former Brigade Commander of Tianchi Pass, discussed for about half an hour before hastily coming to see Chen Wuji."

line: "Wu Bu Yong and his father, the former Brigade Commander of Tianchi Pass, discussed for about half an hour, then hastily came to see Chen Wuji." No Chinese.

line: "about half an hour". No Chinese.

Now output: 【1】 Wu Bu Yong and his father, the former Brigade Commander of Tianchi Pass, discussed for about half an hour, then hastily came to see Chen Wuji.

Make sure no extra punctuation beyond what's needed.

line: "At that moment, Chen Wuji and his two companions were being waited on by the mountain's strong youths, and they had just finished tea and snacks." No Chinese.

Translate: "At that time, Chen Wuji and his two companions, under the service of the Young Strongmen on the mountain, had just finished their tea and snacks."

line: "Chen Wuji and his two companions". No Chinese.

line: "under the attendance of the strong youths on the mountain". No Chinese.

line: "just finished tea and snacks". No Chinese.

Thus: 【2】 At that time, Chen Wuji and his two companions, under the service of the Young Strongmen on the mountain, had just finished their tea and snacks.

line: "The tea was pan‑fried by themselves, it still tasted fairly rich and mellow, but it didn't look very nice." Contains hyphen and en dash? The dash is fine. No Chinese.

Translate: "The tea was self‑fried, its flavor fairly rich, though it didn't look very pretty."

line: "The tea was self‑fried, its flavor still fairly rich and mellow, but it just didn't look very fine." Wait we wrote "very nice". Let's ensure: "The tea was self‑fried, its flavor still fairly rich and mellow, but it just didn't look very nice." No Chinese.

Thus: 【3】 The tea was self‑fried, its flavor fairly rich, though it didn't look very pretty.

line: "Still, on this remote mountain where supplies are hard to come by, they've achieved this much, which Chen Wuji sees as quite impressive." No Chinese.

Translate: "However, on such a resource‑scarce isolated mountain, achieving this much already seemed very impressive to Chen Wuji."

line: "On this isolated mountain where supplies are hard to get, they can achieve this point, which Chen Wuji already finds very impressive." No Chinese.

Thus: 【4】 However, on such a resource‑scarce isolated mountain, achieving this much already seemed very impressive to Chen Wuji.

line: ""Brigade Commander Chen, we agree to what you just said." Wu Bu Yong sat down heavily opposite Chen Wuji, not worrying whose tea cup it was, picked it up and took a big gulp." Contains curly quotes; they are not Chinese characters. Should be fine.

Translate: "\"Brigade Commander Chen, we agree to what you just mentioned. \" Wu Bu Yong plopped down opposite Chen Wuji, grabbed whoever's tea cup was nearby and gulped a big mouthful."

line: ""Brigade Commander Chen, we agree to what you just mentioned." Wu Bu Yong plopped down opposite Chen Wuji, not caring whose tea cup it was, picked it up and gulped a big mouthful." No Chinese.

Thus: 【5】 "Brigade Commander Chen, we agree to what you just mentioned." Wu Bu Yong sat down heavily opposite Chen Wuji, not caring whose tea cup it was, picked it up and gulped a big mouthful.

line: "After being lectured by his father for most of the day, his ears were practically getting calluses from listening, and his throat from explaining was about to smoke; this should be the most his father has said in two years." No Chinese.

Translate: "After being lectured by his father for most of the day, his ears were almost calloused from listening and his throat almost hoarse from explaining—this should be the most his father has spoken to him in two years."

line: "He had been scolded by his father for most of the day, his ears were about to develop calluses from listening, his throat from explaining was about to smoke; this should be the most his father has spoken in two years." No Chinese.

Thus: 【6】 After being lectured by his father for most of the day, his ears were almost calloused from listening and his throat almost hoarse from explaining—this should be the most his father has spoken to him in two years.

line: "Wu Bu Yong was quite pleased that the Old Master still had such energy, but he also felt somewhat lost and worried about the future the Old Master spoke of." No Chinese.

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong was quite pleased that the Old Master still had such energy, yet he felt somewhat lost and worried about the future the Old Master spoke of."

line: "Wu Bu Yong was quite pleased that the Old Master still had such energy, yet he felt somewhat lost and worried about the future the Old Master spoke of." No Chinese.

line: "I..." No Chinese.

Translate: "\"I…\""

Thus: 【8】 "I…"

line: "Xiong Paozi reached out, but seeing Wu Bu Yong had already set down his tea cup, he just let it go." No Chinese.

Translate: "Xiong Paozi reached out, but seeing Wu Bu Yong already put down his tea cup, he could only let it go silently."

Thus: 【9】 Xiong Paozi reached out, but seeing Wu Bu Yong already put down his tea cup, he could only let it go silently.

line: "Even though it's his turf, he's being awfully rude—why grab someone else's tea cup?" No Chinese.

Translate: "Although it was his territory, this person was too rude—why snatch someone else's tea cup?"

Thus: 【10】 Although it was his territory, this person was too rude—why snatch someone else's tea cup?

line: ""It's been a pleasure doing business with Leader Wu!" Chen Wuji clasped his hands in greeting." No Chinese.

Translate: "\"Talking business with Leader Wu Bu Yong has been pleasant! \" Chen Wuji clasped his fists."

We need to use "Leader" per glossary. So: 【11】 "Talking business with Leader Wu Bu Yong has been pleasant!" Chen Wuji clasped his fists.

line: "Wu Bu Yong laughed heartily, "It's also because you're too generous—giving me so much silver that I really can't refuse."" No Chinese.

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong laughed loudly, \"It's also that you're too generous—giving so much silver, I really can't refuse. \""

Thus: 【12】 Wu Bu Yong laughed loudly, "It's also that you're too generous—giving so much silver, I really can't refuse."

line: "Chen Wuji gave a dry, off‑hand chuckle, hoping you'd learn the true value of the furs later and not cause him trouble." No Chinese.

Translate: "Chen Wuji gave a dry, off‑hand laugh, hoping you'd later learn the true value of the furs and not cause trouble for me."

Thus: 【13】 Chen Wuji gave a dry, off‑hand laugh, hoping you'd later learn the true value of the furs and not cause trouble for me.

line: "Actually, this isn't entirely his fault." No Chinese.

Translate: "Actually, this matter isn't entirely his fault."

Thus: 【14】 Actually, this matter isn't entirely his fault.

line: "Wu Bu Yong didn't even try to negotiate the price, leaving him no wiggle room—he had to accept the one‑thousand‑tael offer. He couldn't possibly raise it; doing so would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot." No Chinese.

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong didn't counter the price at all, leaving him no room to maneuver—he had to go with the one‑thousand‑tael figure. He couldn't possibly raise it himself; that'd be like lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot."

Thus: 【15】 Wu Bu Yong didn't counter the price at all, leaving him no room to maneuver—he had to go with the one‑thousand‑tael figure. He couldn't possibly raise it himself; that'd be like lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

line: ""I don't know how many men Leader Wu can send over?" Chen Wuji asked." No Chinese.

Translate: "\"I don't know how many people Leader Wu Bu Yong can send over, \" Chen Wuji asked."

Thus: 【16】 "I don't know how many people Leader Wu Bu Yong can send over," Chen Wuji asked.

line: ""How many do you need?"" No Chinese.

Translate: "\"How many do you need? \""

Thus: 【17】 "How many do you need?"

line: ""The more, the better."" No Chinese.

Translate: "\"The more, the better. \""

Thus: 【18】 "The more, the better."

line: "Chen Wuji's move is aimed at winning people's hearts, so naturally the more the better." No Chinese.

Translate: "Chen Wuji's move was aimed at winning people's hearts, so naturally the more the better."

Thus: 【19】 Chen Wuji's move was aimed at winning people's hearts, so naturally the more the better.

line: ""You Chen clan really have that many people?" Wu Bu Yong raised an eyebrow, growing suspicious." No Chinese.

Translate: "\"You Chen Clan really have that many people? \" Wu Bu Yong raised his eyebrows, growing suspicious again."

Thus: 【20】 "You Chen Clan really have that many people?" Wu Bu Yong raised his eyebrows, growing suspicious again.

line: "Xiong Paozi said proudly, "Leader Wu, the Chen clan has thirty‑six branch lines."" No Chinese.

Translate: "Xiong Paozi said with some pride, \"Leader Wu Bu Yong, our Chen Clan has thirty‑six branch veins. \""

Thus: 【21】 Xiong Paozi said with some pride, "Leader Wu Bu Yong, our Chen Clan has thirty‑six branch veins."

line: ""How many?!" Wu Bu Yong was stunned by that number." No

Translate: "\"How many?! \" Wu Bu Yong was stunned by that number."

Thus: 【22】 "How many?!" Wu Bu Yong was stunned by that number.

Wasn't it said that the court had reduced the Chen clan to almost nothing? How can there still be so many branches?

Translate: "Wasn't it said the Chen Clan had been reduced to few by the Court? How then are there still so many branch veins?"

Thus: 【23】 Wasn't it said the Chen Clan had been reduced to few by the Court? How then are there still so many branch veins?

How huge must this family have been before!

Translate: "How huge must this clan have been before?!"

Thus: 【24】 How huge must this clan have been before?!

"Our Chen clan is now waning, our numbers thin, but if we pool the MainVein and branch lines we can still muster about a thousand people. They're all farmers who've never handled weapons; if Leader Wu sends more people from his side, training will naturally go faster." Chen Wuji said.

Translate: "\"Our Chen Clan is now declining, our population thin, but if we combine the MainVein and branch veins we can barely muster about a thousand people. They're all farmers who've never handled weapons; if Leader Wu Bu Yong provides more people here, training will naturally go faster. \" Chen Wuji said."

The Chen clan is now waning, its numbers thin, but if we pool the MainVein and branch lines we can still muster about a thousand people. They're all farmers who've never handled weapons; if Leader Wu sends more people from his side, training will naturally go faster.

Thus: 【25】 "Our Chen Clan is now declining, our population thin, but if we combine the MainVein and branch veins we can barely muster about a thousand people. They're all farmers who've never handled weapons; if Leader Wu Bu Yong provides more people here, training will naturally go faster." Chen Wuji said.

Wu Bu Yong's mouth twitched slightly.

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong's mouth twitched slightly."

Thus: 【26】 Wu Bu Yong's mouth twitched slightly.

Can the phrases "thin population" and "about a thousand people" really be used together?

Translate: "Can the words \"thin population\" and \"about a thousand people\" really go together?"

Thus: 【27】 Can the words "thin population" and "about a thousand people" really go together?

A clan that can muster a thousand able‑bodied youths is still considered thinly populated, so what should we call their clan, which has only three houses and five households? Isn't it not even a clan?

Translate: "If a clan that can muster about a thousand Young Strongmen is still considered thin‑populated, how should we describe their clan of only three rooms and five households? Is it not even a clan?"

Thus: 【28】 If a clan that can muster about a thousand Young Strongmen is still considered thin‑populated, how should we describe their clan of only three rooms and five households? Is it not even a clan?

"I can at most muster fifty… actually, let's make it eighty. You've given me too much silver—if I were to pinch pennies, it wouldn't be heroic. I'll personally lead the people down the mountain." Wu Bu Yong said.

Translate: "\"I can at most muster fifty…… actually, eighty people. You've given too much silver; if I were stingy, it wouldn't be heroic—I'll personally lead the people down the mountain. \" Wu Bu Yong said."

Thus: 【29】 "I can at most muster fifty…… actually, eighty people. You've given too much silver; if I were stingy, it wouldn't be heroic—I'll personally lead the people down the mountain." Wu Bu Yong said.

"Leader Wu is generous." Chen Wuji clasped his fists, "When I went up the mountain I considered the heavy cold, so I brought some herbs—common recipes for dispelling damp and cold. Leader Wu, see if you can use them?"

Translate: "\"Leader Wu Bu Yong is generous. \" Chen Wuji clasped his fists, \"When I went up the mountain I considered the heavy chill, so I brought some medicinal herbs—common recipes for dispelling damp and cold. Leader Wu Bu Yong, see if they can be of use. \""

Thus: 【30】 "Leader Wu Bu Yong is generous." Chen Wuji clasped his fists, "When I went up the mountain I considered the heavy chill, so I brought some medicinal herbs—common recipes for dispelling damp and cold. Leader Wu Bu Yong, see if they can be of use."

"Yes, yes, yes—more than enough! Other things on the mountain are fine, but the medicinal herbs are hard to come by. There are a few brothers who know a bit of medicine, but what they know is really limited. Every year quite a few people die for lack of medicine; the elders don't mind as much, but it's mainly the children." Wu Bu Yong's eyes lit up fiercely, his emotions suddenly hard to control.

Translate: "\"Yes, yes, yes—more than enough. Other things on the mountain are fine, but medicinal materials are hard to come by. The mountain also has a few brothers who know a bit of medicine, but what they know is truly limited; each year many people die for lack of medicine, the elders don't mind as much, mainly it's the children. \" Wu Bu Yong's eyes lit up fiercely, his emotions suddenly hard to control."

Thus: 【31】 "Yes, yes, yes—more than enough. Other things on the mountain are fine, but medicinal materials are hard to come by. The mountain also has a few brothers who know a bit of medicine, but what they know is truly limited; each year many people die for lack of medicine, the elders don't mind as much, mainly it's the children." Wu Bu Yong's eyes lit up fiercely, his emotions suddenly hard to control.

Chen Wuji brought the medicinal herbs, and he was genuinely excited.

Translate: "Chen Wuji brought the medicinal materials; he was truly excited."

Thus: 【32】 Chen Wuji brought the medicinal materials; he was truly excited.

Medicine has been his lingering worry all these years.

Translate: "Medicine has been his heart‑ache all these years."

Thus: 【33】 Medicine has been his heart‑ache all these years.

If it weren't for the lack of medicine, his father wouldn't have ended up like that…

Translate: "If it weren't for the lack of medicine, his father wouldn't have become like that……"

Thus: 【34】 If it weren't for the lack of medicine, his father wouldn't have become like that……

Chen Wuji gave a slight smile; this fellow's earlier pretense was actually quite decent.

Translate: "Chen Wuji smiled slightly; this brother's pretense was actually quite convincing."

Thus: 【35】 Chen Wuji smiled slightly; this brother's pretense was actually quite convincing.

But his city‑savvy isn't deep, so after just a brief chat his true nature already showed through.

Translate: "However, his shallow scheming meant that after only a brief chat, his true nature showed through."

Thus: 【36】 However, his shallow scheming meant that after only a brief chat, his true nature showed through.

"As long as it can be used, I'm just afraid my little gesture won't be of any use." Chen Wuji laughed.

Translate: "\"As long as it can be used, I was afraid my little gesture would go to waste. \" Chen Wuji laughed."

Thus: 【37】 "As long as it can be used, I was afraid my little gesture would go to waste." Chen Wuji laughed.

"The medicine packets are labeled with which herbs treat which symptoms; Leader Wu can use them as needed. When I have time, I'll bring more herbs up the mountain again to treat a few of the brothers."

Translate: "\"The medicine packets are labeled with which herbs treat which symptoms; Leader Wu Bu Yong can use them as needed. When I have time later, I'll prepare more medicinal materials and come up the mountain again to treat the brothers there. \""

Thus: 【38】 "The medicine packets are labeled with which herbs treat which symptoms; Leader Wu Bu Yong can use them as needed. When I have time later, I'll prepare more medicinal materials and come up the mountain again to treat the brothers there."

Wu Bu Yong's eyes lit up like two big bulbs, "Hey, do you still know medicine?"

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong's eyes shone like two big bulbs—\"Hey, you still know medicine? \""

Thus: 【39】 Wu Bu Yong's eyes shone like two big bulbs—"Hey, you still know medicine?"

"I know a little."

Translate: "\"A little. \""

Thus: 【40】 "A little."

He really does know a little—he can treat common ailments and has stored some folk remedies, but if faced with a complex illness he's helpless.

Translate: "He really does know a little—he can treat common minor ailments and has stored some folk remedies, but when faced with a complex illness he's powerless."

Thus: 【41】 He really does know a little—he can treat common minor ailments and has stored some folk remedies, but when faced with a complex illness he's powerless.

"Like this, like this—brothers, don't go down the mountain today; let me give you a proper hospitality." Wu Bu Yong said happily, "Although the mountain is a bit poor, we have wine and meat—I'll make sure you're well entertained."

Translate: "\"Like this, like this, brothers, don't go down the mountain today—let me give you a proper welcome! \" Wu Bu Yong said happily, \"Although the mountain is somewhat poor, we have wine and meat; I'll make sure you're well entertained. \""

Thus: 【42】 "Like this, like this, brothers, don't go down the mountain today—let me give you a proper welcome!" Wu Bu Yong said happily, "Although the mountain is somewhat poor, we have wine and meat; I'll make sure you're well entertained."

"Leader Wu, the hospitality can wait—just now scouts of the Qiang were spotted on South Mountain, and the village feels tense; we must hurry back to hold the fort." Chen Wuji politely declined Wu Bu Yong's offer.

Translate: "\"Leader Wu Bu Yong, the hospitality can wait—just now the South Mountain discovered Qiang scouts, and the village feels tense; we must hurry back to hold the fort. \" Chen Wuji politely declined Wu Bu Yong's offer."

Thus: 【43】 "Leader Wu Bu Yong, the hospitality can wait—just now the South Mountain discovered Qiang scouts, and the village feels tense; we must hurry back to hold the fort." Chen Wuji politely declined Wu Bu Yong's offer.

For him, time is now extremely precious, and he can't afford to waste it on drinking and eating meat.

Translate: "For him, time is now quite precious, and he has no leisure to waste on drinking and eating meat."

Thus: 【44】 For him, time is now quite precious, and he has no leisure to waste on drinking and eating meat.

No one knows when the Qiang's swords will suddenly emerge from South Mountain; preparing a day earlier brings peace of mind.

Translate: "No one knows when the Qiang forces will suddenly surge out of South Mountain; preparing a day earlier brings peace of mind."

Thus: 【45】 No one knows when the Qiang forces will suddenly surge out of South Mountain; preparing a day earlier brings peace of mind.

Seeing this, Wu Bu Yong could only resign himself, "If that's the case, I won't press further. I'll have my men deliver the furs to your home; after a couple of days, once I've picked suitable people, I'll go to West Mountain Village to find you."

Translate: "Seeing this, Wu Bu Yong could only resign himself, \"If that's the case, I won't insist. I'll have people deliver the furs to your home, wait a couple days, pick suitable hands, then go to Xishan Village to find you. \""

Thus: 【46】 Seeing this, Wu Bu Yong could only resign himself, "If that's the case, I won't insist. I'll have people deliver the furs to your home, wait a couple days, pick suitable hands, then go to Xishan Village to find you."

Good!

Translate: "\"Good! \""

Thus: 【47】 "Good!"

Wu Bu Yong mustered forty‑ or fifty‑odd able‑bodied men in the stronghold, and using shoulder‑carry and hand‑carry, he sent the whole houseful of furs to West Mountain Village.

Translate: "Wu Bu Yong mustered about forty‑fifty Young Strongmen in the stronghold, shouldering and carrying the whole house of furs to Xishan Village."

Thus: 【48】 Wu Bu Yong mustered about forty‑fifty Young Strongmen in the stronghold, shouldering and carrying the whole house of furs to Xishan Village.

Chen Wuji also handed over the promised thousand taels of silver to Wu Bu Yong, completing the trade.

Translate: "Chen Wuji also handed over the agreed‑upon one thousand taels of silver to Wu Bu Yong, completing the transaction."

Thus: 【49】 Chen Wuji also handed over the agreed‑upon one thousand taels of silver to Wu Bu Yong, completing the transaction.

The medicinal herbs and salt he brought up the mountain weren't counted in that amount.

Translate: "The medicinal herbs and salt he brought up the mountain were not counted in that amount."

Thus: 【50】 The medicinal herbs and salt he brought up the mountain were not counted in that amount.

If we give them a little extra, when Wu Bu Yong discovers the true value of the furs his anger might ease—after all, the difference is about two thousand taels, and the profit is indeed excessively harsh.

Translate: "He gave them a little extra, hoping that when Wu Bu Yong discovers the true value of the furs, his anger might lessen—after all, the difference is around two thousand taels, and the profit is indeed excessively harsh."

Thus: 【51】 He gave them a little extra, hoping that when Wu Bu Yong discovers the true value of the furs, his anger might lessen—after all, the difference is around two thousand taels, and the profit is indeed excessively harsh.

After Wu Bu Yong left with his men, Chen Lyozi crossed his arms, puzzled, and asked, "Wuji, does Wu Bu Yong seem a bit simple‑minded? I can't figure out how he's managed to hold out against the Yunnan magistrate's office for so long."

Translate: "After Wu Bu Yong led his people away, Chen Luozi crossed his arms, somewhat puzzled, and asked, \"Wuji, does Wu Bu Yong look a bit foolish? I can't figure how he's managed to hold out against the Yunan Office for so long. \""

Thus: 【52】 After Wu Bu Yong led his people away, Chen Luozi crossed his arms, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Wuji, does Wu Bu Yong look a bit foolish? I can't figure how he's managed to hold out against the Yunan Office for so long."

"He's clearly only been in charge a short while; there must be someone else behind him." Chen Wuji said, "But our affair is already more than half done; this start is good, and the rest will be simple."

Translate: "\"He apparently hasn't been in charge long; there must be someone else behind him. \" Chen Wuji said, \"But our affair is already mostly settled—this start is good, the rest will be simple. \""

Thus: 【53】 "He apparently hasn't been in charge long; there must be someone else behind him." Chen Wuji said, "But our affair is already mostly settled—this start is good, the rest will be simple."

"I never noticed you were so sly, kid!" Chen Lyozi teased.

Translate: "\"I never noticed you were this sly, kid! \" Chen Luozi teased."

Thus: 【54】 "I never noticed you were this sly, kid!" Chen Luozi teased.

Chen Wuji snorted, "I've been doing things openly—where's the slyness? Don't go spreading dirty rumors about me, or I'll sue you for slander. Anyway, round up some helpers and find a few more wagons so we can head into town."

Translate: "Chen Wuji smirked, \"I've been doing things openly—where's the slyness? Don't go splashing dirty water on me, or I'll sue you for slander. Anyway, round up some hands, find a few more carts, and we'll head into the city. \""

Thus: 【55】 Chen Wuji smirked, "I've been doing things openly—where's the slyness? Don't go splashing dirty water on me, or I'll sue you for slander. Anyway, round up some hands, find a few more carts, and we'll head into the city."

All right!

Translate: "\"Okay! \""

Thus: 【56】 "Okay!"

Chen Wuji brought a full six wagons, pulling the furs that had just been carried down the mountain, into Yunnan City.

Translate: "Chen Wuji brought a full six wagons, pulling the furs freshly carried down from the mountain into Yunan City."

Thus: 【57】 Chen Wuji brought a full six wagons, pulling the furs freshly carried down from the mountain into Yunan City.

Their first stop was Jian Shan.

Translate: "Their first stop was See Mountain."

Thus: 【58】 Their first stop was See Mountain.

As a proper partner, with such a big deal, Chen Wuji certainly ought to look after things.

Translate: "As proper partners, with such a big deal, Chen Wuji certainly ought to look after things."

Thus: 【59】 As proper partners, with such a big deal, Chen Wuji certainly ought to look after things.

Xiao Yuji saw the vehicles appearing at the doorway, her small mouth hung open for a long time without closing, "Where did you get so many fine furs?"

"I've got it!"

Xiao Yuji: ……

She also often walks the streets and alleys; how come she's never seen so much fur?