Chapter 411

As Chen Wuji and the others were leaving, the big tiger finally seemed to catch on, realizing that the treasure hunting ground it had found was connected to Chen Wuji.

Translate: When Chen Wuji and the others left, Big Tiger finally seemed to react, realizing that the treasure hunting ground it had discovered was related to Chen Wuji.

We need to keep meaning, not add extra. Let's produce: When Chen Wuji and the others left, Big Tiger finally seemed to react, realizing that the treasure hunting ground it had discovered was related to Chen Wuji.

Check: "treasure hunting ground" = treasure hunting ground. Good.

It stopped shaking its head at Chen Wuji, instead gesturing for him to quickly raise his bow and shoot, then charged ahead, leading him toward another mountain.

Translate: It no longer stubbornly shook its head at Chen Wuji, instead gesturing for him to quickly raise his bow and shoot, but then took the lead again, charging forward and leading Chen Wuji to another mountain.

We need to keep "raise bow and shoot" = raise bow and shoot. "gestured for Chen Wuji to quickly raise his bow and shoot" = gestured for Chen Wuji to quickly raise his bow and shoot. Good.

Chen Wuji glanced over and quickly shouted, "Tiger brother, let's not go there—it's getting late. If we head to that mountain again, we won't make it back by night."

Translate: Chen Wuji took a look and hurriedly shouted at it, "Tiger brother, we won't go there; it's getting late, if we go to that mountain again we won't be able to return by night."

We need to keep quotes. Use double quotes inside? We'll keep as is.

After speaking, he pointed to the sun, already heavily tilted to the west overhead.

Translate: Having said that, he pointed at the sun already heavily tilted westward above his head.

As the saying goes, "looking at the mountain makes the horse run to death"; these mountains seem near, but only by venturing in do you see how deep they truly are.

Translate: "Looking at the mountain makes the horse run to death" — these mountains look close, but only by truly entering them do you know their depth.

We need to keep the idiom: "Looking at the mountain makes the horse run to death". Could translate as "Looking at the mountain makes the horse run to death". Keep as is.

Around here, you can't get through any mountain in less than an hour or two.

Translate: Around here, any mountain cannot be exited in less than an hour or two.

an hour or two

The big tiger was a little confused, took a moment to react, then seemed to roughly grasp Chen Wuji's meaning, gave its head a firm shake, changed direction, and charged forward again with Chen Wuji and the others.

Translate: Big Tiger was a bit dazed, and after a while it seemed to roughly understand Chen Wuji's meaning, then shook its head hard, changed direction, and once again led Chen Wuji and the others forward in a charge.

Tigers and cats are practically long‑lost brothers, and when they lead the way their bearing is nearly identical.

Translate: Tigers and cats truly are long-lost kin; their posture when leading the way is almost identical.

This big cat's name is definitely not just for show.

Translate: This big cat's name is certainly not without reason.

This time the tiger showed Chen Wuji the way out of the mountains toward home, albeit a different path from his usual one.

Translate: This time the tiger led Chen Wuji in the direction of leaving the mountains and heading home, only the route differed from his usual path.

And the haul along the way was far from insignificant—almost everything he saw appeared in herds.

Translate: Moreover, the gains along the way were not small; nearly everything he encountered came in groups.

What touched Chen Wuji even more was that the big tiger clearly remembered his liking for muntjac.

Translate: What moved Chen Wuji even more was that Big Tiger clearly remembered his fondness for muntjac.

He came across both large and small groups of muntjac alone on the journey.

Translate: Just muntjac — he encountered both large and small groups along the way.

The small group numbered just four or five; Chen Wuji and the tiger teamed up, keeping two and letting the rest run.

Translate: The small group had only four or five; Chen Wuji and the tiger worked together, leaving two behind while letting the others run.

The large group was much larger, numbering around ten.

Translate: The large group was much bigger, numbering about ten or so.

The tiger and its offspring cut off the flank, while Chen Wuji and his personal troops went on a bloody rampage, ending up with an extremely yin number—six.

Translate: The Big Tiger father and son blocked from the side, Chen Wuji led his personal troops in a frenzied slaughter, and they ended up with an extremely yin number — six.

When Chen Wuji and the tiger father‑son finally descended, each guard's shoulder was burdened with either badger, wild boar, muntjac, or mountain goat.

Translate: By the time Chen Wuji and the Big Tiger father and son each descended the mountain, every personal trooper's shoulder was loaded — carrying either badgers, wild boar, muntjac, or mountain goats.

After several days apart, reuniting with this old comrade, the tiger once again brought Chen Wuji a windfall.

Translate: After many days apart, seeing this old comrade again, Big Tiger once again enabled Chen Wuji to strike it rich.

Just selling the pelts of this haul, Chen Wuji could likely make about a hundred taels.

Translate: Just from selling the pelts of these game, Chen Wuji could probably earn around a hundred taels.

Although for Chen Wuji today, this silver hardly makes a difference.

Translate: Although for Chen Wuji now, this silver no longer serves much of a purpose.

But he still grasps the idea that little by little adds up.

Translate: But he still understands the principle that small amounts accumulate into much.

Those already wealthy rarely acquire a fortune of ten thousand strings in one go.

Translate: Those who are already rich rarely amass a fortune of ten thousand strings all at once.

By the time he came down the mountain and got home, the sky was pitch black.

Translate: By the time he came down the mountain and reached home, the sky had turned completely dark.

Without Chen Wuji's command, Chen Li had already taken the personal troops to start handling the game.

Translate: Without Chen Wuji's order, Chen Li had already led the personal troops to begin processing the game.

"Hey, Commander Chen, you're a general now—why do you keep running off to the mountains?" Chen Wuji had just entered when a voice echoed in the courtyard, full of resentment.

Translate: "\"I say, Deputy Commander Chen, you're already a great general — why do you keep running off to the mountains? \" Just as Chen Wuji stepped inside, a voice rang out in the courtyard, full of resentment."

We need to keep quotes. Use double quotes.

Chen Wuji took a quick look, somewhat surprised: "County Magistrate Qin, how do you have time to come to my poor, remote mountains? I'm just idling, heading into the hills to rustle up some game for the soldiers and locals to supplement their meals, easing the grain pressure—this isn't slacking off or indulging in frivolous pursuits, is it?"

Translate: Chen Wuji glanced over, somewhat surprised: "\"How does the Qin County magistrate find time to come to my poor, remote mountains today? I have nothing to do, I go into the mountains to hunt a bit, to give the soldiers and common folk an extra meal, to ease the grain pressure — that's not slacking off or indulging in frivolous pursuits, is it? \""

"What good is the little game you've hunted for easing the grain shortage? Besides, we're not short on grain right now—don't act as if we're about to eat the mountains bare." Qin Feng lounged in the bamboo chair, shaking his head.

Translate: "\"What grain pressure could your little hunt relieve? Besides, we're not short on grain right now — don't act as if we're about to exhaust the mountains. \" Qin Feng sprawled in the bamboo chair, shaking his head and swaying."

Chen Wuji walked over and sat beside him: "Just go out and have a look—you'll see if it helps. I won't promise much, but at least a hearty meal is enough for the big guys."

Translate: Chen Wuji walked over and sat down beside him: "\"Go out and take a look later — you'll see if it's useful. I won't claim more, but at least the big guys will have enough for a meal. \""

"All right, let's not go on about that. Have a look at this." Qin Feng fished a bamboo slip from his pocket and threw it to Chen Wuji.

Translate: "\"Fine, let's not talk about this. Look at this. \" Qin Feng fished out a bamboo slip from his bosom and tossed it to Chen Wuji."

"Looking at you like this, what new trouble has come up?" Chen Wuji asked, smiling.

Translate: "\"Looking at you like this, what new trouble has arisen? \" Chen Wuji asked with a smile."

Now Qin Feng sat opposite him, and he could barely bring himself to meet his gaze.

Translate: "Now Qin Feng sat before him, and he felt a bit ashamed to meet his gaze."

Just seeing it brings to mind the scene Qin Zhonghong witnessed that day, the picture vivid in memory.

Translate: "At a glance, one cannot help but recall the scene Qin Zhanhong saw that day; the image in his mind is exceptionally clear."

Qin Feng's face was flushed with resentment: "After hearing the news this afternoon, I rushed over nonstop, only to be told that some folks had gone into the mountains to hunt, with no idea when they'd return. I've scoured every corner of your village, drunk countless pots of tea, and still haven't seen you come back."

Translate: "Qin Feng's face was full of resentment: \"After receiving the news this afternoon, I rushed over nonstop, only to be told that some people had gone into the mountains to hunt, and no one knew when they'd return! I wandered through every corner of your village, drank who knows how many pots of tea, and still never saw you come back. \""

"If I weren't unable to beat you right now, I'd really want to chop you to death!"

Translate: "\"If I weren't unable to beat you right now, I'd really want to hack you to death! \""

"Calm down, I didn't even know you'd be coming!" Chen Wuji laughed as he opened the bamboo slip.

Translate: "\"Calm down, I didn't even know you'd come! \" Chen Wuji laughed as he opened the bamboo slip."

He had long seen that this old fellow's resentment was about to boil over.

Translate: "He had long seen that this old brat's resentment was about to burst through the roof."

In the oil lamp's glow, the words on the bamboo slip appeared one by one before Chen Wuji's eyes.

Translate: "By the light of the oil lamp, the words on the bamboo slip appeared one by one before Chen Wuji's eyes."

After reading just the first few lines, Chen Wuji's face darkened: "This damn thing—he didn't even ask my opinion, just slapped on some made‑up title of 'Pacify the Rebels General.' Is it really that casual to appoint a general these days?"

Translate: "After reading just the first few lines, Chen Wuji's face grew heavy: \"This damn thing — he didn't even ask my opinion, just gave me some random title of 'General Who Suppresses Bandits.' Is it really that casual to appoint a general nowadays? \""

"So do you think I should hurry up?" Qin Feng asked.

Translate: "\"So you're saying I should panic? \" Qin Feng asked."

"I've already asked Mr. Xu—he said we should immediately report to the court to clear our names, and at the same time notify the surrounding prefectures that you're merely a court envoy, not some 'Pacify the Rebels General.'"

Translate: "\"I've already asked Mr. Xu — his meaning is to immediately memorialize the court to prove our innocence. At the same time, notify the surrounding prefectures: you are merely a Negotiation Colonel of the court, not some General Who Suppresses Bandits. \""

"Lu Ping'an is pulling an obvious ploy just to ruin our reputations. Although I don't really care about it, now the two of us are being mistaken as his accomplices, which will be highly disadvantageous for what comes next."

Translate: "\"Lu Ping'an is playing a blatant scheme, just to ruin our reputations. Although I actually don't care much about this, now we two are being mistaken as his accomplices, which will be highly disadvantageous for what comes next. \""

Chen Wuji nodded in deep agreement, then self‑deprecatingly laughed: "You say we two haven't really done much, huh? How did we catch Lu Ping'an's eye so quickly? Hand over that letter—I'd like to see what office he's given you."

Translate: "Chen Wuji nodded in deep agreement, self-mockingly laughing: \"You say we two haven't really done much, so how did Lu Ping'an take notice of us so quickly? Take out your letter — let me see, I want to see what office he gave you. \""

This is merely Chen Wuji's appointment letter; judging by what Qin Feng said, he evidently has one as well.

Translate: "This is only Chen Wuji's appointment; judging by what Qin Feng said, he evidently has one as well."

"Let's talk business—don't go off on tangents." Qin Feng wore a look of disdain, then shifted tone and spoke mysteriously: "But from now on, in private you may call me Qin Zhizhou; don't say the title 'prefect'—it sounds much better than 'county magistrate.'"

Translate: "\"Let's talk business, don't go off on tangents. \" Qin Feng wore a look of disdain, then shifted tone and mysteriously said, \"But from now on, in private you may address me as Prefect Qin — don't say the title Prefect, it sounds much better than Magistrate. \""

Chen Wuji asked: "Did Lu Ping'an give you the prefecture of Hezhou?"

Translate: "Chen Wuji asked: \"Did Lu Ping'an give you the post of Prefect of Hezhou? \""

"You couldn't possibly be thinking of Hezhou with your butt—it's Dingzhou." Qin Feng said, "According to unreliable reports, the prefect of Dingzhou has refused to collude with Lu Ping'an and insists on writing daily letters insulting him."

Translate: "\"You couldn't possibly be thinking of Hezhou with your backside — it's Dingzhou. \" Qin Feng said, \"According to unreliable reports, the Prefect of Dingzhou refuses to collude with Lu Ping'an and now insists on writing daily letters to insult him. \""

"The embarrassing part is that Lu Ping'an still hasn't managed to deal with them; he's attacked Dingzhou twice, and both times the city's military and civilians drove him off."

Translate: "\"The embarrassing part is that Lu Ping'an has so far been unable to do anything to them; he attacked Dingzhou twice, and both times the city's military and civilians drove him back. \""

"Sure enough, those who plot have dirty hearts—giving you an office for a city they haven't even taken, this old rascal shows no sincerity." Chen Wuji cursed, "Mr. Xu's opinion seems fine to me, but merely doing this probably isn't enough."

Translate: "As expected, those who plot have dirty hearts — giving you an office for a city they haven't even taken, this old rascal shows no sincerity." Chen Wuji cursed, "Mr. Xu's opinion seems fine to me, but merely doing this probably isn't enough."

"Since Lu Ping'an has slapped the title of 'Pacify the Rebels General' on me, shouldn't he be in charge of our provisions and military pay?"

Translate: "\"Since Lu Ping'an has saddled me with the title General Who Suppresses Bandits, shouldn't he be in charge of our grain, funds, and military provisions? \""

Qin Feng looked at Chen Wuji as if he were an idiot: "Do you think he'll actually provide it?"

Translate: "Qin Feng looked at Chen Wuji as if he were an idiot: \"You think he'll actually give it? \""

"If I do this, could others possibly follow suit?" Chen Wuji asked with a smile.

Translate: "\"If I do this, could others possibly follow suit? \" Chen Wuji asked with a smile."

Qin Feng blinked, then said: "You actually have a point there."

Translate: "Qin Feng blinked, \"That actually makes some sense. \""

"If he doesn't give it, I don't mind, but will others think too much?" Chen Wuji asked.