Chapter 261

Xu Zengyi's answer was not much different from what Chen Wuji had thought.

Translation: Xu Zengyi's answer was not far from what Chen Wuji had thought.

Check: "not much difference" means not much difference. So "Xu Zengyi's answer was not far from what Chen Wuji had thought." Good.

The terrain in the southern mountains is complex, and the roads are narrow, offering many advantageous spots for ambushes halfway.

Translation: In South Mountain the terrain is complex and the roads narrow, offering many advantageous spots for ambush along the way.

But merely that is not what Chen Wuji wanted.

Translation: But merely that was not what Chen Wuji wanted.

"If we cannot hold the mountains?" he asked.

Translation: "What if we can't hold the mountain?" he asked.

"Then we can only fight them." Xu Zengyi said, "The Qiang are skilled at horse archery, but given the terrain of the Divine Immortal Ridge, even if they bring warhorses, there won't be many."

Translation: "Then we can only fight them." Xu Zengyi said, "The Qiang people are skilled at horseback archery, but given the terrain of the Shenxian Ling Mountain Range, even if they bring warhorses, there won't be many."

"The people relocated from West Mountain Village will later seize opportunities; they will always find a chance. Speaking without exaggeration, what you now hold in your hand should be the finest troops of Yunnan."

Translation: "After relocating the people of Xishan Village, they will wait for an opportunity and always find one. Speaking without exaggeration, what you now hold in your hand should be the finest force in Yunan."

Chen Wuji asked: "Sir, how many troops do you estimate the Qiang will mobilize?"

Translation: Chen Wuji asked, "Sir, how many troops do you estimate the Qiang will mobilize?"

"You really think I'm a god?" Xu Zengyi chuckled, lifted his wine bowl, and leaned back slightly.

Translation: "You really think I'm a god?" Xu Zengyi chuckled, lifted his wine bowl, and leaned back slightly.

Although he said that, he continued his analysis for Chen Wuji: "The Canglang Qiang is a major tribe among the Qiang, with available forces numbering no less than ten thousand. Their current chieftain appears to be a reckless gambler, taking mountain plank roads to directly attack the heart of the six prefectures; the forces they dispatch will surely not be few."

Translation: "Although that's what was said, he still continued his analysis for Chen Wuji: 'The Canlang Qiang is a major tribe among the Qiang peoples, capable of fielding no less than ten thousand troops. Their current chieftain appears to be a bold and reckless gambler; taking the mountain plank roads, he would directly assault the heart of Liu Jun, and the forces he mobilizes will certainly not be few.'"

"But the vanguard forces should not be too many; he employs risky maneuvers, taking an unconventional path, with a very bold tactic. The biggest problem is supply—their cattle and sheep cannot be driven into the Divine Immortal Ridge."

Translation: "But the vanguard forces shouldn't be too many; he employs risky tactics, taking the path of surprise troops, his strategy is very bold. The biggest problem is supply—their cattle and sheep cannot be driven into Shenxian Ling."

"Without supplies, their vanguard forces will certainly not be strong; they will mainly seek to first occupy a place, loot grain and fodder, to open the way for the following troops."

Translation: "Without supplies, their vanguard forces certainly won't be strong; they will mainly seek to first occupy a place, plunder grain and fodder, to open the way for the following troops."

"To counter such tactics, fortifying positions and clearing the fields is most effective, but unfortunately the grain in the fields is about to ripen, so this tactic cannot be used. If time were a little later, we could let their forces starve to death in Yunnan without losing a single soldier, causing them to retreat without battle."

Translation: "To counter such tactics, fortifying and clearing the fields is most effective, but unfortunately the grain in the fields is about to ripen, so this move cannot be used. If only the time were a little later, we could let their forces starve to death in Yunan without spending a single soldier, causing them to retreat without battle."

Chen Wuji asked: "Two or three thousand?"

Translation: Chen Wuji asked, "Two or three thousand?"

"At most three thousand." Xu Zengyi's answer was absolutely certain.

Translation: "At most three thousand." Xu Zengyi's answer was absolutely certain.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly; just moments ago he said he wasn't a god, yet his answer was given with such confidence.

Translation: Chen Wuji gave a light laugh; just moments ago he said he wasn't a god, yet the answer was given with such confidence.

Chen Wuji asked: "I have ordered the blockading of two strategic points in the mountains, placed traps along the necessary routes, and built a fort at West Mountain Village; is this secure?"

Translation: Chen Wuji asked, "I have ordered people to block two strategic points in the mountains, set dense traps along the necessary routes, and built a fort at Xishan Village—is that secure?"

"You thought of this yourself?" Xu Zengyi looked slightly surprised.

Translation: "You came up with that yourself?" Xu Zengyi's expression showed slight surprise.

Chen Wuji nodded: "No one objected, no one offered suggestions; I could only guess on my own."

Translation: Chen Wuji nodded, "No one objected, no one offered suggestions, so I could only think it up myself."

Upon learning that the Qiang were about to invade, Chen Wuji devised in his mind a layered harassing tactic to obstruct the enemy; lacking sufficient troops and strength, he could only rely on the military wisdom honed by his ancestors.

Translation: Upon learning that the Qiang were about to invade, Chen Wuji had already settled in his mind on a layered harassing tactic to block the enemy; his forces were insufficient and his strength weak, so he could only rely on the military wisdom painstakingly honed by his ancestors.

Regarding this tactic, Chen Luozi and others gave no opinions; they simply followed it.

Translation: For this tactic, Chen Luozi and the others offered no opinions, merely carrying it out.

"You're asking me unnecessarily." Xu Zengyi shook his head.

Translation: "You're asking me unnecessarily." Xu Zengyi shook his head and said.

Chen Wuji sincerely said: "But I still feel uneasy; I would like to ask you to choose a day to go into the mountains with me to examine the terrain."

Translation: Chen Wuji sincerely said, "But I still feel uneasy; I would like to ask you to pick a day and go into the mountains with me to examine the terrain."

"Your idea is also unnecessary; I understand, I'll come find you in a couple of days. However, the next two or three days won't work—Magistrate Qin has been wielding his butcher's knife extremely fiercely lately, I have big business every day, I need to finish these deals first." Xu Zengyi did not reject Chen Wuji's invitation and readily agreed in an easygoing manner.

Translation: "Your idea is also unnecessary; I understand, I'll come find you in a couple of days. However, the next two or three days won't work—the Qin County magistrate has been wielding his butcher's knife with extreme cruelty lately, I have big business every day, I need to finish these deals first." Xu Zengyi did not refuse Chen Wuji's invitation and readily agreed.

After saying that, he cut a piece of mutton and handed it to Chen Wuji, smiling: "Why do I feel you lack confidence in your Chen family's foundation? Relax, just go ahead and do it."

Translation: Having said that, he cut a piece of mutton and handed it to Chen Wuji, smiling, "I feel you lack confidence in the Chen clan's foundation; relax and just go ahead."

"Since I learned you took command of the Heavenly Pool Garrison troops, I have honestly started doing business; why are you yourself unusually anxious? This shouldn't be."

Translation: "Since I learned you took command of the Tianchi Pass Provincial Troops, I've been steadily doing business; why are you instead unusually anxious? This shouldn't be."

Chen Wuji gave a wry smile: "Mr. Xu, half a month ago I was still a hunter, and even now I still occasionally do hunter's work, going up the mountain from time to time to improve the meals for the elders."

Translation: Chen Wuji gave a wry smile, "Mr. Xu, until half a month ago I was still a hunter, and even now I still hold the hunter's duties on the side, occasionally going up the mountain to improve everyone's meals."

Xu Zengyi shook his head with a light laugh: "After fighting two or three battles, you won't think that way."

Translation: Xu Zengyi shook his head with a light laugh, "After fighting a couple of battles, you won't think that way."

"As long as the Chen clan holds military power, many people in this city will live peacefully, doing what they should and then sleeping soundly. Though saying 'a person's name, a tree's shadow' may be an exaggeration, the eyes of these people in the city are indeed sharp."

Translation: "As long as the Chen clan holds the military forces, many people in this city will live peacefully, doing what they should and then sleeping soundly. To say 'a person's name, a tree's shadow' is perhaps an exaggeration, but the eyes of these people in the city are all excellent."

Chen Wuji knew he was referring to those living in the city like himself.

Translation: Chen Wuji knew he was referring to those living in the city who are like him.

Yunnan City may be small, but it is filled with gods and demons.

Translation: Yunan City may be small, but it is filled with gods and demons.

"Thank you for your kind words, sir." Chen Wuji shook his head with a wry smile: "But I myself have not seen where this 'name and shadow' lies; this uncertainty weighs heavily on me, for every word and deed I bear the lives of a group of people—how could I dare to be careless?"

Translation: "I thank you for your kind words, sir." Chen Wuji shook his head with a wry smile, "But I myself have not seen where the 'name and shadow' lie; this lack of confidence is truly serious, for every word and deed I bear the lives of a group of people—I dare not treat it lightly."

"Let's have one." Xu Zengyi raised his wine bowl and clinked it with Chen Wuji's.

Translation: "Let's have one." Xu Zengyi raised his wine bowl and clinked it against Chen Wuji's.

After sharing that roasted lamb leg with Xu Zengyi, Chen Wuji patted his round belly, then went to the Ciji Monastery to see Elder Zhang, chatted with him for a while, examined a few patients, and only returned to the Ji Yunxuan when it was completely dark.

Translation: After sharing that roasted leg of lamb with Xu Zengyi, Chen Wuji patted his round belly, then went to the Ciji Zhai to see Zhang Lao, chatted with him for a while, examined a few patients, and only when it grew completely dark did he return to Ji Yunxuan.

There were far fewer clerks at the county office; only a few remained at the gate, their demeanor rather casual.

Translation: At the Xianya there were far fewer bailiffs; only a few remained at the gate, their demeanor also rather casual.

They set up a small table at the gate, were drinking alcohol, and beside them were two women accompanying them; judging by their attire, they were likely the maidens from the Ji Yunxuan.

Translation: They had set up a small table at the gate, were drinking wine, and beside them sat two women; judging by their attire, they were likely the ladies from Ji Yunxuan.

Chen Wuji furrowed his brow.

Translation: Chen Wuji furrowed his brow.

"Has the Commander Chen returned? The superior has asked twice already; please, Commander Chen, go see the superior first." A clerk rose and cupped his hands.

Translation: "Has the Brigade Commander Chen returned? The superior has asked twice already; please, Brigade Commander Chen, go see the superior first." A bailiff rose and cupped his hands in saying.

Okay.

Translation: "Good."

Chen Wuji entered the door, hadn't even steadied himself, when he heard Qin Feng's voice from upstairs: "You scoundrel, don't you want the silver?"

Translation: Chen Wuji entered the door, hadn't even steadied himself, when he heard Qin Feng's voice from upstairs: "You scoundrel, don't you want the silver?"

"Of course I want it; the madam hasn't finished tidying up yet, has the superior already finished?" Chen Wuji joked.

Translation: "Of course I want it; the madam hasn't finished tidying up yet, has the superior already finished?" Chen Wuji joked.

The swordsman superior looks a bit low on energy; it's only been a short while and he's already slipped from the inner chambers to the outside.

Translation: "The Sword Knight Superior looks a bit low on energy; it's only been a short while and he's already slipped from the inner chambers out here."

This initial grooming and dressing, according to brothel rules, takes two days.

Translation: "This opening of the private chambers and grooming, according to the rules of the brothel, takes two days."

Although the fee for grooming is exorbitant, the brothel is still fairly decent; patrons who pay for the grooming of a red‑light girl can usually stay two days. During these two days they may indulge as they please, and sometimes the brothel will send a maid in to help out.

Translation: "Although the fee for grooming is outrageously high, the brothel is still fairly decent; patrons who pay for a courtesan's grooming can usually stay two days. During those two days they may carouse freely, and sometimes the brothel will send a maid in to help keep things lively."

As for a pure‑hearted girl, they usually start at one month, and only when the patron runs out of money or is outbid by someone else will they be replaced.

Translation: "As for a pure courtesan, it's generally a month to start, until later the patron runs out of money or is outbid by someone offering a higher price, only then will they be replaced."

"I, the official, am still early; I came out especially to wait for you, the silver is in the hall, have someone guard it." Qin Feng said.

Translation: "The official is still early; I came out especially to wait for you, the silver is in the hall, have someone guard it." Qin Feng said.

"Right, miss, I've already arranged everything for you; this place is empty of people, you may do as you wish, no one will inform your wives or concubines. We came hand in hand, you scoundrel, don't let me be the sole patron of the Ji Yunxuan on its last day."

Translation: "Also, miss, I've already arranged things for you—this place is empty of people, you may do as you please; no one will inform on your wives or concubines. We came hand in hand, you scoundrel, don't let me be the sole patron of Ji Yunxuan on its last day."

Chen Wuji:...

Translation: Chen Wuji: ……

There's nowhere that forces others to join in such matters.

Translation: There's nowhere that forces others to join in such things.

He smiled, did not answer Qin Feng's words, but turned his gaze toward the several large chests not far away.

Translation: He smiled, did not answer Qin Feng's words, but turned his gaze toward the several large chests not far away.

This should be the madam's entire belongings.

Translation: This should be the madam's entire private property.

Chen Wuji casually opened one and took a glance; his eyes almost went blind from the glare—a sea of shining silver.

Translation: Chen Wuji casually opened one and took a glance; his eyes almost went blind from the glare—a dazzling expanse of silver.

He felt his blood surge uncontrollably.

Translation: He, being useless, suddenly felt his qi and blood surge.

Eleven thousand taels, enough for him to do many things.

Translation: Eleven hundred thousand taels, enough for him to do many things.

Magistrate Qin, generous!

Translation: Magistrate Qin, generous!

Chen Wuji quietly gave Chen Li an instruction.

Translation: Chen Wuji quietly instructed Chen Li.

Yes.

Translation: "Yes."

Chen Wuji went upstairs and entered the elegant room where Qin Feng was.

Translation: Chen Wuji went upstairs and entered the elegant room where Qin Feng was.

Today, Ji Yunxuan's main character Xiaofeng was also there, leaning against Qin Feng with a charming blush on her face.