Chapter 275

Xu Zengyi laughed and said: "Brigade Commander Chen already commands a thousand soldiers, why would he be wary of a few dozen young strongmen?"

Xu Zengyi laughed and said: "Brigade Commander Chen already commands a thousand soldiers, why would he be wary of a few dozen young strongmen?"

Now "Brigade Commander Chen already commands a thousand soldiers." -> "Brigade Commander Chen already commands a thousand soldiers." "commands a thousand soldiers" = commands a thousand soldiers. Could be "already has a thousand troops under his command." We'll keep concise: "Brigade Commander Chen already commands a thousand soldiers."

""why would he be wary of a few dozen young strongmen?" -> "why would he be wary of a few dozen young strongmen?" "a few dozen young strongmen" = a few dozen young strongmen. Use "young strongmen" from glossary.

Thus line: 【1】 Xu Zengyi laughed and said: "Brigade Commander Chen already commands a thousand soldiers, why would he be wary of a few dozen young strongmen?"

Check punctuation: keep colon after said, and quotation marks.

we have.

Translation: "It's not that I'm wary, I just dislike trouble." Chen Wuji explained in a sentence.

we have.

We can translate: "It's not that I'm wary, I just dislike trouble." Chen Wuji explained briefly.

""explained in a sentence." = explained in a sentence. Could say "Chen Wuji explained in a single sentence." We'll keep: "Chen Wuji explained in a sentence."

Thus: 【2】 "It's not that I'm wary, I just dislike trouble." Chen Wuji explained in a sentence.

we have.

Translation: Back when the Yuan family's power was that great, he wasn't afraid either; he would still wield his knife as usual.

""When the Yuan family's power was that great before." = When the Yuan family's power was that great before. "he wasn't afraid either." = he wasn't afraid either. "he should still wield the knife as usual; he would still wield the knife." = he should still wield the knife as usual; he would still wield the knife.

Thus: 【3】 When the Yuan family's power was that great before, he wasn't afraid either; he would still wield his knife as usual.

We need to use "Yuan Family" from glossary. Also "Knife" -> Knife.

Thus: 【3】 When the Yuan Family's power was that great before, he wasn't afraid either; he would still wield his knife as usual.

we have.

Translation: What's more, now.

Could be "What's more, now." Or "Even more so now." We'll keep: 【4】 What's more, now.

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji said: "Mr. Xu, let me give an example. If I enroll them into the troops, and if they cause trouble, I will certainly punish them, even kill them. Their families and clansmen will surely gather outside the camp, crying and demanding justice."

We need to use exact forms: "Mr. Xu" -> Mr. Xu. "outside the Lìng" -> outside the Lìng? Actually Ying is Lìng. So "outside the Lìng". But "camp" is "Lìng". We'll translate as "outside the Lìng". Might sound odd but follow instruction.

Thus: 【5】 Chen Wuji said: "Mr. Xu, let me give an example. If I enroll them into the troops, and if they cause trouble, I will certainly punish them, even kill them. Their families and clansmen will surely gather outside the Lìng, crying and demanding justice."

we have.

Translation: "I now have people with weapons; I could easily cut them all down, but that would be bad for morale. Internally, the Chen clan is not monolithic; those branch lineages still harbor ulterior motives."

Thus: 【6】 "I now have people with weapons; I could easily cut them all down, but that would be bad for morale. Internally, the Chen clan is not monolithic; those branch lineages still harbor ulterior motives."

we have.

Translation: "A few dozen young strongmen are indeed not scary, but I cannot let these unsettling fellows cause unnecessary ripples in my upcoming drills."

We need to keep "upcoming drills" = "drills" or "training matters". We'll say "upcoming drills". "ripples" = ripples.

Thus: 【7】 "A few dozen young strongmen are indeed not scary, but I cannot let these unsettling fellows cause unnecessary ripples in my upcoming drills."

we have.

Translation: Xu Zengyi did not refute, merely gave a slight nod, and as he walked he said lightly: "Has Brigade Commander Chen not told them that the Qiang people are about to invade, and that they are coming via South Mountain?"

We need to use exact forms: "Xu Zengyi" -> Xu Zengyi. "Brigade Commander Chen" -> Brigade Commander Chen. "Qiang People" -> Qiang People. "South Mountain" -> South Mountain.

Thus: 【8】 Xu Zengyi did not refute, merely gave a slight nod, and as he walked he said lightly: "Has Brigade Commander Chen not told them that the Qiang People are about to invade, and that they are coming via South Mountain?"

we have.

Translation: "Never."

Thus: 【9】 "Never."

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji nodded.

Thus: 【10】 Chen Wuji nodded.

we have.

Translation: "These matters should be told to them; from now on they can choose whether to run or stay, as they wish. Those who remain will surely be willing to obey Brigade Commander Chen's orders." Xu Zengyi said.

Thus: 【11】 "These matters should be told to them; from now on they can choose whether to run or stay, as they wish. Those who remain will surely be willing to obey Brigade Commander Chen's orders." Xu Zengyi said.

we have.

Translation: "In the same stronghold, some fight while others watch—this is not good. Brigade Commander Chen is trying to avoid more trouble, but has he forgotten that the Chen clan also have wives and children? Are they willing to endure people just like them guarding their homes when war comes?"

meta, skip.

Thus: 【12】 "In the same stronghold, some fight while others watch—this is not good. Brigade Commander Chen is trying to avoid more trouble, but has he forgotten that the Chen clan also have wives and children? Are they willing to endure people just like them guarding their homes when war comes?"

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji's mind shook violently; he hurriedly bowed and clasped his fists, saying, "I have been taught, Wuji!"

meta, skip.

Thus: 【13】 Chen Wuji's mind shook violently; he hurriedly bowed and clasped his fists, saying, "Wuji has been taught!"

we have.

Translation: This point, indeed, was overlooked by him.

Thus: 【14】 This point was indeed overlooked by him.

we have.

Translation: Under heaven, in all matters, one fears not scarcity but inequality.

Thus: 【15】 Under heaven, in all matters, one fears not scarcity but inequality.

we have.

Translation: He did this to stabilize morale and speed up training efficiency, not wanting to waste time on these people, but the clan troops do not know how he plans.

meta, skip.

we have.

Translation: They will only see that when war comes, they fight on the front lines, while other surnamed villagers hide safely behind their doors, waiting for the outcome of their struggle.

meta, skip.

Thus: 【17】 They will only see that when war comes, they fight on the front lines, while other-surnamed villagers hide safely behind their doors, waiting for the outcome of their struggle.

we have.

Translation: Xu Zengyi smiled and nodded, saying, "Brigade Commander Chen is someone capable of great deeds."

Thus: 【18】 Xu Zengyi smiled and nodded, saying, "Brigade Commander Chen is someone capable of great deeds."

we have.

Translation: "Don't tease me, sir; I'm just being forced to do my best." Chen Wuji said frankly, and by now he hasn't seen himself achieving anything great.

meta, skip.

Thus: 【19】 "Don't tease me, sir; I'm just being forced to do my best." Chen Wuji said frankly, and by now he hasn't seen himself achieving anything great.

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji never lacks the ambition and aspiration to carve out a great undertaking; he once even dreamed of waking to hold imperial power and drunk to rest on a beauty's knee, hoping to leave a resounding biography in the history of this world.

meta, skip.

Thus: 【20】 Chen Wuji never lacks the ambition and aspiration to carve out a great undertaking; he once even dreamed of waking to hold imperial power and drunk to rest on a beauty's knee, hoping to leave a resounding biography in the history of this world.

we have.

Translation: But in reality, everything is full of trials and tribulations; great undertakings are not easily achieved by mere thought; he is not self-made from nothing, yet the long road remains arduous and lengthy.

Thus: 【21】 But in reality, everything is full of trials and tribulations; great undertakings are not easily achieved by mere thought; he is not self-made from nothing, yet the long road remains arduous and lengthy.

we have.

Translation: Xu Zengyi smiled and said nothing more.

Thus: 【22】 Xu Zengyi smiled and said nothing more.

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji gathered his thoughts and ordered his aides: "Chen Bang, gather the villagers and tell them the news that the Qiang people will attack in the coming days; whether they believe it or not is up to them. But tomorrow each household must send one person to participate in training; violators will be expelled from the village."

meta, skip.

we have.

Translation: "Yes!"

Thus: 【24】 "Yes!"

we have.

Translation: Xu Zengyi's analysis is very detailed, and he deeply understands human nature.

Thus: 【25】 Xu Zengyi's analysis is very detailed, and he deeply understands human nature.

we have.

Translation: In this battle, Xishan Village will be on the front line; there truly cannot be any idle person.

Thus: 【26】 In this battle, Xishan Village will be on the front line; there truly cannot be any idle person.

we have.

Translation: At present the battle has not yet broken out; the other villagers continue their daily lives as before, everyone perhaps indifferent and will not notice them.

Thus: 【27】 At present the battle has not yet broken out; the other villagers continue their daily lives as before, everyone perhaps indifferent and will not notice them.

we have.

Translation: But once the battle breaks out and casualties appear, those standing aside watching will inevitably cause many hearts to lose balance, leading to chaos, even a howl from the camp.

meta, skip.

Thus: 【28】 But once the battle breaks out and casualties appear, those standing aside watching will inevitably cause many hearts to lose balance, leading to chaos, even a howl from the Lìng.

we have.

Translation: We risk our lives to defend Xishan Village; what right do you have to stand by with folded arms?

Thus: 【29】 We risk our lives to defend Xishan Village; what right do you have to stand by with folded arms?

we have.

Translation: The reasoning of this statement is very simple, but Chen Wuji truly overlooked it when he previously considered it.

Thus: 【30】 The reasoning of this statement is very simple, but Chen Wuji truly overlooked it when he previously considered it.

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji brought Xu Zengyi back home and personally prepared a welcome feast for him.

Thus: 【31】 Chen Wuji brought Xu Zengyi back home and personally prepared a welcome feast for him.

we have.

Translation: Regarding holding hands for long talks and sleeping side by side, Chen Wuji is relatively resistant.

Thus: 【32】 Regarding holding hands for long talks and sleeping side by side, Chen Wuji is relatively resistant.

we have.

Translation: He really cannot do such a thing with a grown man.

Thus: 【33】 He really cannot do such a thing with a grown man.

we have.

Translation: His orientation is too conventional; even just holding hands makes him uncomfortable.

Thus: 【34】 His orientation is too conventional; even just holding hands makes him uncomfortable.

we have.

Translation: But welcoming virtuous scholars and personally cooking for them is fine for him.

Thus: 【35】 But welcoming virtuous scholars and personally cooking for them is fine for him.

we have.

Translation: As a former strategist of the Western King, Xu Zengyi's ability is beyond doubt.

Thus: 【36】 As a former strategist of the Western King, Xu Zengyi's ability is beyond doubt.

we have.

Translation: The Western King's defeat was not due to his use of troops; his war against the Court had actually been advantageous, but he was swayed by the Court's interests and voluntarily chose to surrender.

Thus: 【37】 The Western King's defeat was not due to his use of troops; his war against the Court had actually been advantageous, but he was swayed by the Court's interests and voluntarily chose to surrender.

we have.

Translation: As for Xu Zengyi, Chen Wuji is determined to obtain him.

Thus: 【38】 As for Xu Zengyi, Chen Wuji is determined to obtain him.

we have.

Translation: "Someone like Brigade Commander Chen is truly hard to find in the world." Xu Zengyi suddenly raised his head and said.

Thus: 【39】 "Someone like Brigade Commander Chen is truly hard to find in the world." Xu Zengyi suddenly raised his head and said.

we have.

Translation: This remark left Chen Wuji, who was preparing vegetables, stunned.

Thus: 【40】 This remark left Chen Wuji, who was preparing vegetables, stunned.

we have.

Translation: You were happily drinking tea, how did you suddenly get caught up in this again?

Thus: 【41】 You were happily drinking tea, how did you suddenly get caught up in this again?

we have.

Translation: "Mr. Xu, please don't praise me like this; I truly don't deserve such acclaim." Chen Wuji said with a bitter smile.

Thus: 【42】 "Mr. Xu, please don't praise me like this; I truly don't deserve such acclaim." Chen Wuji said with a bitter smile.

we have.

Translation: The higher the praise, the harder he fears he will fall.

Thus: 【43】 The higher the praise, the harder he fears he will fall.

we have.

Translation: Xu Zengyi propped his elbow on the stone table, holding a cup of tea and sipping leisurely: "The food and drink of Li Si Fencha are renowned throughout Yunan; it has now become the most famous and prosperous tavern in Yunan. I have queued to eat there several times, but each time I gave up due to lack of patience."

meta, skip.

Thus: 【44】 Xu Zengyi propped his elbow on the stone table, holding a cup of tea and sipping leisurely: "The food and drink of Li Si Fencha are renowned throughout Yunan; it has now become the most famous and prosperous tavern in Yunan. I have queued to eat there several times, but each time I gave up due to lack of patience."

we have.

Translation: "Only afterward did I learn that Li Si Fencha sells Brigade Commander Chen's recipes, or that he personally taught them. I have longed for those dishes, and today I can finally eat them."

Thus: 【45】 "Only afterward did I learn that Li Si Fencha sells Brigade Commander Chen's recipes, or that he personally taught them. I have longed for those dishes, and today I can finally eat them."

we have.

Translation: "Someone like Brigade Commander Chen, born into a prominent clan, who can achieve perfection in whatever they do, is surely rare in the world. I have met countless people in my life's ups and downs, but none like Brigade Commander Chen; this is not flattery, it comes from the heart."

Thus: 【46】 "Someone like Brigade Commander Chen, born into a prominent clan, who can achieve perfection in whatever they do, is surely rare in the world. I have met countless people in my life's ups and downs, but none like Brigade Commander Chen; this is not flattery, it comes from the heart."

we have.

Translation: He also came for this reason, and because of his strong curiosity about Chen Wuji; after pondering for several days and repeatedly consulting with Yang Tiejiang, he then set out for Xishan Village, determined to lend Chen Wuji a hand.

meta, skip.

Thus: 【47】 He also came for this reason, and because of his strong curiosity about Chen Wuji; after pondering for several days and repeatedly consulting with Yang Tiejiang, he then set out for Xishan Village, determined to lend Chen Wuji a hand.

we have.

Translation: The Western King's surrender left him feeling disheartened; he once swore that for the rest of his life he would do only one thing: kill the Western King, then place that grandson's corpse into the coffin he himself forged, and that would be enough.

meta, skip.

Thus: 【48】 The Western King's surrender left him feeling disheartened; he once swore that for the rest of his life he would do only one thing: kill the Western King, then place that grandson's corpse into the Coffin he himself forged, and that would be enough.

we have.

Translation: Changing a deeply rooted notion is not easy.

Thus: 【49】 Changing a deeply rooted notion is not easy.

we have.

Translation: Fortunately, Chen Wuji is sufficiently attractive.

Thus: 【50】 Fortunately, Chen Wuji is sufficiently attractive.

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji was dazed for a moment, then suddenly understood a principle.

Thus: 【51】 Chen Wuji was dazed for a moment, then suddenly understood a principle.

we have.

Translation: Any breakthrough in anything could be called the ultimate……

Thus: 【52】 Any breakthrough in anything could be called the ultimate……

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji has always felt that what he does is not very good, because he has once seen a vaster sky; in this world, all his innovative breakthroughs are simply giving the original thing an ultimate form.

Thus: 【53】 Chen Wuji has always felt that what he does is not very good, because he has once seen a vaster sky; in this world, all his innovative breakthroughs are simply giving the original thing an ultimate form.

we have.

Translation: "I just like to ponder a bit more when I have free time." Chen Wuji casually replied, then turned and asked, "I don't know if Mr. Xu has heard of Yeniao Shan Zhuang?"

meta, skip.

Thus: 【54】 "I just like to ponder a bit more when I have free time." Chen Wuji casually replied, then turned and asked, "I don't know if Mr. Xu has heard of Yeniao Shan Zhuang?"

we have.

Translation: "I don't know." Xu Zengyi shook his head, "Does this mountain villa have a grudge against you?"

Thus: 【55】 "I don't know." Xu Zengyi shook his head, "Does this mountain villa have a grudge against you?"

we have.

Translation: Chen Wuji recounted his encounter with Ji Qinghuan and others.

Thus: 【56】 Chen Wuji recounted his encounter with Ji Qinghuan and others.

After Xu Zengyi finished listening, his face, still bearing a trace of sickness, instantly showed a strong chill, "Brigade Commander Chen, this is a cult; if there is an opportunity later, we must eradicate it completely!"