Chapter 393

"Are you really going to focus your scolding on the Xue family?" Xiao Ershu asked.

Translation: "Commandant, are you going to focus your scolding on the Xue family?" Xiao Ershu asked.

But need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. We should keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, preserve punctuation? Usually we keep quotes. We'll keep the Chinese quotes as English quotes? Probably we should translate the content, keep the quotation marks as they are part of the source. We'll output: "Commandant, are you going to focus your scolding on the Xue family?" Xiao Ershu asked.

But we need to output exactly 【1】 then translation.

Thus: 【1】 "Commandant, are you going to focus your scolding on the Xue family?" Xiao Ershu asked.

Check: "Are you really going to focus your scolding on the Xue family?" Xiao Ershu asked. The Chinese uses 「」 for quotes. We'll replace with English quotes.

Now this old man's expression when he brings up a bad idea is quite hilarious, with a kind of childish disrespect for his age.

Translation: The old man's expression when he brings up a bad idea is quite comical, giving off a childish, disrespectful vibe for his age.

We need to keep "old man" as "old man". "bad idea" as "bad idea". "disrespectful despite his age" maybe "disrespectful despite his age". We'll translate naturally.

The old man's expression when he brings up a bad idea is quite comical, giving off a childish, disrespectful vibe for his age.

Chen Wujì nodded and said, "After all, Li Run has defected to our side; let's give him a little face and see how things go later."

Translation: Chen Wuji nodded, "After all, Li Run has now defected to our side, so we should give him a little face; we'll see how things go later."

Note: "has defected to our side" = "has defected to our side". "give him some face" = "give him some face". "we'll see how things go later" = "we'll see how things go later". We'll keep.

【3】 Chen Wuji nodded, "After all, Li Run has now defected to our side, so we should give him a little face; we'll see how things go later."

"Okay." Xiao Ershu nodded.

Translation: "Alright." Xiao Ershu nodded.

【4】 "Alright." Xiao Ershu nodded.

"Back when the Xue family was first exiled here, the household was run by a woman. I still got to see her a few times when I was young—she really kept her charm, and even in her old age, her eyes could still bewitch."

Translation: "As for the Xue family, when they were first exiled here, the head of the household was a woman. When I was young, I had the fortune to meet her a few times; she was truly charming, and even in her old age, her eyes could still captivate."

【5】 "As for the Xue family, when they were first exiled here, the head of the household was a woman. When I was young, I had the fortune to meet her a few times; she was truly charming, and even in her old age, her eyes could still captivate."

"When the Xue family first came to Yunnan, a woman brought the entire clan—dozens of people—unfamiliar with the territory, and supposedly they hadn't suffered little. The local tyrants liked to bully the families of exiled officials, but when they targeted the Xue family, the matriarch immediately unleashed her secret weapon: she slept with them!"

Translation: "When the Xue family first arrived in Yunan, a woman led the whole household—old and young, dozens of people—unfamiliar with the land, and supposedly they didn't suffer little hardship. The local bullies in Yunan used to love picking on the families of recently exiled officials, and when they were bullied beyond endurance, the female head of the Xue family immediately deployed women's winning tactic: sleep!"

【6】 "When the Xue family first arrived in Yunan, a woman led the whole household—old and young, dozens of people—unfamiliar with the land, and supposedly they didn't suffer little hardship. The local bullies in Yunan used to love picking on the families of recently exiled officials, and when they were bullied beyond endurance, the female head of the Xue family immediately deployed women's winning tactic: sleep!"

"Whenever someone bullied her family, she would find a way to sleep with them, then whisper pillow talk to incite those local thugs to fight among themselves, killing each other. In less than half a year, the city's hooligans were reduced by more than half, all thanks to this woman acting alone."

Translation: "Whoever bullied them, she would find a way to sleep with them, then whisper pillow talk to stir up infighting among the local ruffians, causing them to kill each other. In less than half a year, the ruffians in Yunan City were reduced by more than half, all accomplished by this woman alone."

【7】 "Whoever bullied them, she would find a way to sleep with them, then whisper pillow talk to stir up infighting among the local ruffians, causing them to kill each other. In less than half a year, the ruffians in Yunan City were reduced by more than half, all accomplished by this woman alone."

"Later, the Xue family's troubles diminished, but the woman's reputation suffered. Some family members refused to accept it, feeling ashamed, thinking they were still a scholarly lineage—how could they allow a woman like a courtesan to continue heading the household? Thus, internal strife erupted."

Translation: "Later, the Xue family's troubles diminished, but the woman's reputation suffered. Some members of the Xue family refused to accept it, feeling disgraced, thinking that as a scholarly family they shouldn't allow a woman like a prostitute to continue heading the household, so they turned on each other."

【8】 "Later, the Xue family's troubles diminished, but the woman's reputation suffered. Some members of the Xue family refused to accept it, feeling disgraced, thinking that as a scholarly family they shouldn't allow a woman like a prostitute to continue heading the household, so they turned on each other."

Chen Wujì listened in astonishment, "She wouldn't keep using that sleeping trick, would she?"

Translation: Chen Wuji listened in amazement, "She wouldn't keep using that sleeping trick, would she?"

【9】 Chen Wuji listened in amazement, "She wouldn't keep using that sleeping trick, would she?"

Xiao Ershu stroked his beard and laughed, "Commander, you're underestimating her—this time she's played a ruthless move."

Translation: Xiao Ershu stroked his beard and laughed, "Commandant, you're underestimating this woman; this time she's played a ruthless move."

【10】 Xiao Ershu stroked his beard and laughed, "Commandant, you're underestimating this woman; this time she's played a ruthless move."

"She used some petty tricks, causing the women opposed to her in several branches to stray—some sought outsiders, some sought relatives within the family, leading to aunt‑in‑law conflicts and widows stealing nephews—truly bewildering."

Translation: "She used some petty tricks, causing the women opposed to her in several branches to go astray—some sought outsiders, some sought relatives within the family, leading to uncle‑sister‑in‑law affairs and widowed mothers stealing nephews; it was truly dizzying."

【11】 "She used some petty tricks, causing the women opposed to her in several branches to go astray—some sought outsiders, some sought relatives within the family, leading to uncle‑sister‑in‑law affairs and widowed mothers stealing nephews; it was truly dizzying."

The few people listening nearby were all stunned, mouths agape.

Translation: The few people listening nearby were all stunned for a moment.

【12】 The few people listening nearby were all stunned for a moment.

Chen Wujì's offhand remark just now seemed to have become a self‑fulfilling prophecy.

Translation: Chen Wuji's offhand remark just now seemed to have become a self‑fulfilling prophecy.

【13】 Chen Wuji's offhand remark just now seemed to have become a self‑fulfilling prophecy.

This is even more vicious than a prostitute or courtesan.

Translation: This is even more vicious than a prostitute or a courtesan.

【14】 This is even more vicious than a prostitute or a courtesan.

After going through all that, the Xue family didn't collapse; instead, they suddenly became one of the biggest local tyrants in Yunnan—no small feat. This hen‑crowing at dawn sounds like a death knell.

Translation: After going through all that, the Xue family didn't collapse; instead, they leapt to become one of the biggest local bullies in Yunan—no easy feat, this hen‑crowing‑at‑dawn is practically a death knell.

【15】 After going through all that, the Xue family didn't collapse; instead, they leapt to become one of the biggest local bullies in Yunan—no easy feat, this hen‑crowing‑at‑dawn is practically a death knell.

"Shout, 'The Xues disregard human decency, beasts thereafter!'" Chen Wujì ordered.

Translation: "Shout, those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!" Chen Wuji ordered.

【16】 "Shout, those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!" Chen Wuji ordered.

The soldiers immediately raised their voices and shouted.

Translation: The soldiers immediately raised their voices and shouted.

【17】 The soldiers immediately raised their voices and shouted.

"The Xues disregard human decency, beasts thereafter!"

Translation: "Those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!"

【18】 "Those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!"

"The Xues disregard human decency, beasts thereafter!"

Translation: "Those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!"

【19】 "Those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!"

……

Translation: ……

We need to keep the ellipsis as is. So 【20】 …… (just three dots? The source shows four dots? Actually it shows "……". We'll output exactly that.

【20】 ……

Over a thousand soldiers shouted in perfect unison, repeating that sentence over and over like a barrage.

Translation: Over a thousand soldiers shouted in perfect unison, repeating that sentence over and over in a deafening barrage.

【21】 Over a thousand soldiers shouted in perfect unison, repeating that sentence over and over in a deafening barrage.

Xiao Ershu then said, "The Xue matriarch quelled the family's internal chaos with such an absurd, utterly unethical method, and yet she managed to keep the household firmly under her control."

Translation: Xiao Ershu then said, "The matriarch of the Xue family quelled the internal chaos with such an absurd and utterly unethical method, yet somehow she managed to steady the household."

【22】 Xiao Ershu then said, "The matriarch of the Xue family quelled the internal chaos with such an absurd and utterly unethical method, yet somehow she managed to steady the household."

"Those who once opposed him are now all in the same boat—what face do they have left to keep complaining? Not only have they stopped opposing, they've even started cooperating with this."

Translation: "Those who once opposed him are now in the same boat; they have no face to keep saying those things—they not only stopped opposing, they even began to cooperate with this."

【23】 "Those who once opposed him are now in the same boat; they have no face to keep saying those things—they not only stopped opposing, they even began to cooperate with this."

"By now, the Xue family's rise is underway; their success is thanks to the women of the clan who have put in hard work—today accompanying this one, tomorrow that one, and finally sealing it with a marriage alliance."

Translation: "By now, the Xue family's rise has essentially begun; the reason they could rise is that the women in the clan put in hard work—today accompanying this person, tomorrow that person, and finally arranging a marriage alliance."

【24】 "By now, the Xue family's rise has essentially begun; the reason they could rise is that the women in the clan put in hard work—today accompanying this person, tomorrow that person, and finally arranging a marriage alliance."

The ironsmith frowned, "Their family is in such a state—who would still want to marry a Xue woman?"

Translation: Yang Tiejiang furrowed his brows, "Their family's in such a mess—who would still want to marry a Xue woman?"

【25】 Yang Tiejiang furrowed his brows, "Their family's in such a mess—who would still want to marry a Xue woman?"

"Naturally not everyone is infamous; even if they are, there are still interests to consider. When faced with profit, some things can be tolerated." Xiao Ershu laughed.

Translation: "Naturally not everyone is notorious; even if they are, there are still interests to maintain. In the face of profit, some things can be tolerated." Xiao Ershu laughed.

【26】 "Naturally not everyone is notorious; even if they are, there are still interests to maintain. In the face of profit, some things can be tolerated." Xiao Ershu laughed.

The ironsmith gave a heavy snort, "Indeed, it's not anything good."

Translation: Yang Tiejiang let out a heavy snort, "Surely it's nothing good."

【27】 Yang Tiejiang let out a heavy snort, "Surely it's nothing good."

Chen Wujì shouted, "Pass the order, add one more line: 'The Xue man of honor sells his wife, his daughter, his mother; knowledge from paper is shallow—true understanding comes from practice. A mother‑daughter pair goes over the wall, not a shred of chastity as the lintel!'"

Translation: Chen Wuji shouted, "Pass the order, add one more line: the Xue family's real men sell their wives, daughters, and mothers; knowledge from paper is shallow—true understanding comes from practice, a mother‑daughter pair stepping out of the wall, not a shred of chastity as the doorframe!"

【28】 Chen Wuji shouted, "Pass the order, add one more line: the Xue family's real men sell their wives, daughters, and mothers; knowledge from paper is shallow—true understanding comes from practice, a mother‑daughter pair stepping out of the wall, not a shred of chastity as the doorframe!"

"Yes!"

Translation: "Yes!"

【29】 "Yes!"

The order‑bearer repeated Chen Wujì's sentence over and over, memorized it, then rushed to the front to deliver the command.

Translation: The order‑bearer repeated Chen Wuji's words over and over, memorized them, then hurriedly rushed to the front to deliver the command.

【30】 The order‑bearer repeated Chen Wuji's words over and over, memorized them, then hurriedly rushed to the front to deliver the command.

"Commander, such a fine sentence—using it to insult people isn't a waste, is it?" Xiao Ershu advised.

Translation: "Commandant, such a fine sentence—using it to insult people is a waste," Xiao Ershu advised.

【31】 "Commandant, such a fine sentence—using it to insult people is a waste," Xiao Ershu advised.

Chen Wujì smiled faintly, "As long as the sentence itself is good, my using it this way just shows I have a problem."

Translation: Chen Wuji gave a faint smile, "As long as the sentence itself is good, my using it this way shows I have a problem."

【32】 Chen Wuji gave a faint smile, "As long as the sentence itself is good, my using it this way shows I have a problem."

"It's just that I'm insulting a fine piece of poetry..."

Translation: "It's just that I'm insulting a good line of poetry……"

【33】 "It's just that I'm insulting a good line of poetry……"

Xiao Ershu shook his head, no longer dwelling on the poetry, and turned the talk to Xue family gossip: "It's said that Xue Yi and Xue Chou don't share the same father. Xue Yi looks very much like his uncle, while Xue Chou resembles his father somewhat, but not exactly—some say he isn't even his biological son."

Translation: Xiao Ershu shook his head, no longer dwelling on the poetry, and turned the talk to the Xue family gossip: "It's said that Xue Yi and Xue Chou don't even share the same father. Xue Yi looks very much like his uncle, while Xue Chou resembles his father somewhat but not entirely, and some say he isn't even his biological son."

【34】 Xiao Ershu shook his head, no longer dwelling on the poetry, and turned the talk to the Xue family gossip: "It's said that Xue Yi and Xue Chou don't even share the same father. Xue Yi looks very much like his uncle, while Xue Chou resembles his father somewhat but not entirely, and some say he isn't even his biological son."

"I don't even know which Xue person is coming over; this line isn't very effective as an insult, it lacks bite." Chen Wujì muttered, wishing it were Xue Yi who showed up.

Translation: "I don't even know who from the Xue family is coming over; this talk isn't very effective as an insult, it lacks punch." Chen Wuji muttered, "It would be great if it were Xue Yi."

【35】 "I don't even know who from the Xue family is coming over; this talk isn't very effective as an insult, it lacks punch." Chen Wuji muttered, "It would be great if it were Xue Yi."

Xue Chou certainly can't come—he's still stuck in Yunnan's big prison, scraping the walls.

Translation: Xue Chou definitely can't come; he's still scratching the walls in Yunan's big prison.

【36】 Xue Chou definitely can't come; he's still scratching the walls in Yunan's big prison.

Xiao Ershu added, "Besides the two brothers Xue Chou and Xue Yi, the only one left with real authority is their uncle Xue Kai‑xuan. Since we can't guess which one it is, why not have all three of us curse them together?"

Translation: Xiao Ershu added gloomily, "Besides the two brothers Xue Chou and Xue Yi, the most powerful person left in the Xue family is their uncle Xue Kaiseng. Since we can't guess, Commander, why not condemn all three together?"

【37】 Xiao Ershu added gloomily, "Besides the two brothers Xue Chou and Xue Yi, the most powerful person left in the Xue family is their uncle Xue Kaiseng. Since we can't guess, Commander, why not condemn all three together?"

Chen Wujì chuckled, "Indeed, ginger must be old to be spicy."

Translation: Chen Wuji smiled, "Indeed, ginger must be old to be spicy."

【38】 Chen Wuji smiled, "Indeed, ginger must be old to be spicy."

"Someone, pass the order, add another line: 'Kill‑brother, domineer‑over‑wife Xue Kai‑xuan, acknowledging a thief as father, Xue family head—father isn't father, uncle isn't uncle; good sons and nephews all turn out to be good grandsons.'"

Translation: "Someone, pass the order, add another line: Xue Kaiseng, who kills his brother and dominates his sister‑in‑law, acknowledges a thief as his father; father is not father, uncle is not uncle, good sons and good nephews are all good grandsons."

【39】 "Someone, pass the order, add another line: Xue Kaiseng, who kills his brother and dominates his sister‑in‑law, acknowledges a thief as his father; father is not father, uncle is not uncle, good sons and good nephews are all good grandsons."

Xiao Ershu's mouth twitched as he smiled, "Commander, you're quick‑witted; that's brilliantly crafted."

Translation: Xiao Ershu's mouth twitched as he laughed, "Commandant, you're quick‑witted; that's brilliantly made up."

【40】 Xiao Ershu's mouth twitched as he laughed, "Commandant, you're quick‑witted; that's brilliantly made up."

That summary is spot‑on.

Translation: That's a spot‑on summary.

【41】 That's a spot‑on summary.

That's exactly the effect he wanted.

Translation: That's exactly the effect he wanted.

【42】 That's exactly the effect he wanted.

"The Xues disregard human decency, beasts thereafter!"

Translation: "Those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!"

【43】 "Those with the surname Xue disregard human ethics, beasts afterward!"

"The Xue man of honor sells his wife, his daughter, his mother; book learning is shallow—true understanding comes from practice. A mother‑daughter pair goes over the wall, not a shred of chastity as the lintel."

Translation: "The Xue family's real men sell their wives, daughters, and mothers; knowledge from paper is shallow—true understanding comes from practice, a mother‑daughter pair stepping out of the wall, not a shred of chastity as the doorframe."

【44】 "The Xue family's real men sell their wives, daughters, and mothers; knowledge from paper is shallow—true understanding comes from practice, a mother‑daughter pair stepping out of the wall, not a shred of chastity as the doorframe."

"Kill‑brother, domineer‑over‑wife Xue Kai‑xuan, acknowledging a thief as father, Xue family head—father isn't father, uncle isn't uncle; good sons and nephews all become good grandsons!"

Translation: "Xue Kaiseng, who kills his brother and dominates his sister‑in‑law, acknowledges a thief as his father; father is not father, uncle is not uncle, good sons and good nephews are all good grandsons!"

【45】 "Xue Kaiseng, who kills his brother and dominates his sister‑in‑law, acknowledges a thief as his father; father is not father, uncle is not uncle, good sons and good nephews are all good grandsons!"

……

Translation: ……

【46】 ……

The soldiers repeatedly shouted those three short passages.

Translation: The soldiers repeatedly shouted those three short passages.

【47】 The soldiers repeatedly shouted those three short passages.

After many repetitions, they even worked out a little rhythm, making the chant flow more smoothly.

Translation: After many repetitions, they even worked out a little rhythm, making the chant flow more smoothly.

【48】 After many repetitions, they even worked out a little rhythm, making the chant flow more smoothly.

In the camp on the opposite mountain, Li Run was entertaining the nominal head of the Xue family, who in reality was their second‑in‑command, Xue Yi.

Translation: In the camp on the opposite mountain, Li Run was entertaining the nominal head of the Xue family, who in reality was the second‑in‑command, Xue Yi.

【49】 In the camp on the opposite mountain, Li Run was entertaining the nominal head of the Xue family, who in reality was the second‑in‑command, Xue Yi.

In order to crush Chen Wujì completely on Mount Sifang, both the Xue and Li families have gone all‑in.

Translation: In order to press Chen Wuji to death once and for all on Sifang Shan, both the Xue and Li families have gone all‑in.

【50】 In order to press Chen Wuji to death once and for all on Sifang Shan, both the Xue and Li families have gone all‑in.

The Xue family has its patriarch personally leading the charge.

Translation: The Xue family has the family head personally taking the field.

【51】 The Xue family has the family head personally taking the field.

The Li side sent Li Lin‑guo's envisioned successor, his eldest son Li Xun.

Translation: The Li family sent Li Linguo's envisioned successor, his eldest son Li Xun.

【52】 The Li family sent Li Linguo's envisioned successor, his eldest son Li Xun.

However, this young man is now dead.

Translation: However, this kid is already a corpse.

【53】 However, this kid is already a corpse.

Earlier, a group had just entered the main camp when Li Xun suddenly ordered his men to attack, claiming Li Run had divided loyalties and deserved death—but the enthusiastic guide Qian Fugui, who had been leading the way, was struck down with a single blow to the head.

Translation: Earlier, a group had just entered the main camp when Li Xun suddenly ordered his subordinates to attack, claiming Li Run had divided loyalties and should be put to death; he was beheaded by a single slash from Qian Fugui, who had been leading the way enthusiastically up front.

【54】 Earlier, a group had just entered the main camp when Li Xun suddenly ordered his subordinates to attack, claiming Li Run had divided loyalties and should be put to death; he was beheaded by a single slash from Qian Fugui, who had been leading the way enthusiastically up front.

Qian Fugui's stomping that exploded Li Xun's skull was so horrifying that Li Run barely had to lift a finger to take control of the situation.

Translation: The sight of Qian Fugui stomping and exploding Li Xun's head was so shocking that Li Run barely had to exert any effort to take control of the situation.

【55】 The sight of Qian Fugui stomping and exploding Li Xun's head was so shocking that Li Run barely had to exert any effort to take control of the situation.

Xue Yi didn't help anyone, and he was actually pleased with how things turned out.

Translation: Xue Yi helped no one, and he was even more pleased to see this outcome.

【56】 Xue Yi helped no one, and he was even more pleased to see this outcome.

In the Li family, whoever is supposed to lead the troops does so; if no one can, he can even stand in for them.

Translation: In the Li family, whoever is supposed to lead troops does so; if truly no one can, he can even stand in for them.

【57】 In the Li family, whoever is supposed to lead troops does so; if truly no one can, he can even stand in for them.

Young Master Run is stronger than those few good-for-nothings, stronger as a person, and even stronger in his ability to lead troops. Your troops are full of spirit—how did you train them? If there's no taboo, let me, Uncle Xue, hear your methods so I can learn a thing or two. Xue Yi raised his cup, asking Li Run with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.