Chapter 425

Chen Wuji indeed knew full well the things Qin Feng was talking about.

Translation: Qin Feng's said these things, Chen Wuji indeed knew them well.

But need natural English: "Chen Wuji indeed knew full well what Qin Feng was talking about."

Chen Wuji indeed knew full well the things Qin Feng was talking about.

We'll output: 【1】 Chen Wuji indeed knew full well the things Qin Feng was talking about.

But knowing something and speaking it out are two different things.

Translation: But knowing it in your heart and speaking it out are two different things.

So: 【2】 But knowing it in your heart and speaking it out are two different things.

And whether Qin Feng thinks so is another matter.

Translation: And what Qin Feng thinks is another matter altogether.

Better: 【3】 And what Qin Feng thinks is yet another matter.

Chen Wuji asked in shock, "When you recommended me as Negotiation Colonel, were you already thinking of rebelling?"

We need to use glossary: Negotiation Colonel → Negotiation Colonel. Also Chen Wuji → Chen Wuji. Qin Feng is Qin Feng.

Translation: "When you recommended me for Negotiation Colonel, were you already thinking of rebellion?" Chen Wuji asked in shock.

But need to keep quotes: Chinese uses 「」 for speech. We'll keep English quotes.

Thus: 【4】 "When you recommended me for Negotiation Colonel, were you already thinking of rebellion?" Chen Wuji asked in shock.

Qin Feng sat down leaning on the windowsill, one leg dangling outside the window, he waved his hand, "At that time I didn't think that far ahead; ambition grows bit by bit."

Note: "windowsill" maybe typo for "windowsill"? but treat as windowsill? We'll translate as "windowsill". Not in glossary. So: Qin Feng sat down leaning on the windowsill, one leg dangling outside the window, he waved his hand, "At that time I didn't think that far ahead; ambition grows bit by bit."

We need to keep "He waved his hand". So: He waved his hand.

Thus: 【5】 Qin Feng sat down leaning on the windowsill, one leg dangling outside the window, he waved his hand, "At that time I didn't think that far ahead; ambition grows bit by bit."

If you're someone who can't get ahead, why would I follow you in rebellion? A gentleman should act according to the circumstances. Your Chen family's reputation is indeed high, but that's just an outdated almanac—I couldn't risk my future for that reputation.

We need Chen Family: Chen Family → Chen Family. Also maybe "outdated almanac" idiom meaning outdated almanac. We'll translate as "outdated almanac."

Thus: 【6】 "If you're someone who can't amount to anything, why would I follow you in rebellion? A gentleman acts with the times. Your Chen Family's prestige is indeed high, but that's just an outdated almanac; I couldn't risk my future for that alone."

Chen Wuji stuck his head out the window and, luckily, saw a jar of wine on Qin Feng's desk; he opened the seal and took a gulp.

We need Chen Wuji, Qin Feng. "desk" maybe desk. We'll translate as "desk". "jar of alcohol" is a jar of alcohol. "jar seal" jar seal.

Thus: 【7】 Chen Wuji poked his head through the window and saw a jar of wine on Qin Feng's desk; he opened the seal and took a gulp.

At this moment, he needed a little drink to clear his head a bit.

Translation: At this moment, he needed a little wine to clear his head a bit.

Thus: 【8】 At this moment, he needed a little wine to clear his head a bit.

Chen Wuji shook his head helplessly and said, "How strange—there are actually a bunch of rebels gathered around me."

We need Rebel term: Rebel → Rebel (but plural?). Use Rebel as noun. Could be "rebels". We'll translate as "rebels".

Thus: 【9】 "How strange, I've actually got a bunch of rebels gathered around me." Chen Wuji said, shaking his head helplessly.

Could this be the so-called law of attraction?

Translation: Could this be the so-called law of attraction?

Thus: 【10】 Could this be the so-called law of attraction?

Xu Zengyi could think that way, Chen Wuji wasn't surprised; after all, they were originally rebels.

But Qin Feng, born into a high-ranking aristocratic family, came from a scholarly lineage.

How could someone like him rebel?

Qin Feng suddenly laughed, "Chen Wuji, you, you really want to laugh me to death."

I truly don't understand how you could have such a naive idea. If I, Qin Feng, were a county magistrate loyal to the Court, do you think I'd let you dig up old fossils like Yang Pojun and Xu Zengyi? What kind of people are they? I shouldn't need to say more.

Chen Wuji fell silent for a moment.

He had indeed never considered this question.

"Your circle ought to be full of rebels!" Qin Feng snatched the wine jar from Chen Wuji's hand, speaking each word with a pause, loudly.

Chen Wuji silently nodded.

Yes, that's exactly how it should be!

What a load of crap about the law of attraction; frankly, it's only because these people bear stains unacceptable to the Dayu Court—that's the real reason.

And what about you? Why are you doing this? Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Feng held up the wine jar, dazed, "This reason, I can't tell you for now… Well, there's nothing I can't say—I want revenge, that's one reason."

The second reason: the Dayu Dynasty is utterly corrupt, this great tree hollowed out by borers ought to fall.

Many officials still place their hopes in the present Emperor's forbearance and ambition, believing that giving him a little more time will surely purge internal corruption and restore order. Those people are clever, yet in these matters their stupidity is simply pitiable.

One must know… it's hard to reverse accumulated decay; with the Emperor's feeble wings, even thirty more years wouldn't let him overcome those borers, so I must rebel, I have to rebel.

I don't care who becomes Emperor, but I will personally behead those borers; I can't let all the Confucian texts I've read end up in a dog's belly.

Chen Wuji snatched the wine jar from Qin Feng's hand, tilted his head back and took a sip, "I'll accompany you in revenge!"

He didn't ask Qin Feng what hatred he bore.

Revenge together is enough.

Those bothersome government affairs, you can look at them slowly; the affairs are yours, I'm going to war." Chen Wuji shoved the wine jar back into Qin Feng's hand, "Also, keep an eye on that brat from the Charitable Refuge; don't let him run around wildly."

Qin Feng looked up, "Just chat these two sentences?"

Busy!

You damn it, I was about to seriously discuss my ambitions and aspirations with you, but you're doing this, leaving me feeling neither here nor there, awful!" Qin Feng shouted.

Chen Wuji had already walked out, he waved his hand, not looking back, shouting, "Let's talk another day; I'm going to make Lu Ping'an and Gu Wenjie feel neither here nor there a bit."

Your mother…

……

The next day, at dawn, Yang Tiejiang led three thousand new recruits, together with Chen Wu Yin's eight hundred cavalry, and marched to Wild Mountain Market.

Chen Bushi continued to be responsible for guarding the rear, stationed in Yunan City and Xishan Village.

Under his command, the unit originally centered on Chen Clan Troops, after reorganization, numbered a full two thousand, stationed in both locations, with troop strength more than sufficient.

It's worth mentioning that after a month of relentless effort, the fort wall of Xishan Village was finally completed a few days ago. Its width is that of a cart, its height two zhang; although it still falls far short of a proper city wall, it can now be compared to Weng City.

Xishan Village can now rightly be renamed Xishan Fortress.

The entire fort wall encircled the whole village, plus a large amount of farmland far outside the village.

The fort wall was dotted with massive stones, an arrow tower every twenty steps; its defense could be considered stringent.

This time, Chen Wuji did not go out with the army.

The battlefield at Wild Mountain Market doesn't need him; his opponent is someone else.

Family Head, Chen Lang requests an audience.

Wushuang appeared at the doorway, clasped his hands firmly, and reported to Chen Wuji, who was chopping firewood.

Let him in.

Here!

Moments later, Chen Lang, his face bruised and swollen, walked in leaning on a cane.

Family Head, I am incapable!

As soon as he entered the door, he fell to his knees with a thud.

Chen Wuji put down his axe, personally helped Chen Lang up, "Not resting properly, you come over to perform some great ceremony? What you should consider now isn't apologizing to me, but how to improve your strength—beaten into this sorry state by a woman, you nearly lost your life; are you ashamed or not?"

"Ashamed!" Chen Lang said, his neck stiff, in a muffled voice.

Knowing you're ashamed is good, but more importantly, know that shame breeds courage!" Chen Wuji handed him the cane, gave a slight pull, and helped the lame Chen Lang sit down at the side.

Did you hold back?" he asked casually.

"No!" Chen Lang shouted loudly.

When that woman said she wanted me to rebel against the Family Head, I sensed something was off; when I struck, I wanted to take her life, but… I didn't manage to.

That damned woman never thinks about my surname; I may lack experience and have a bad temper, but I've always known I'm a Chen. We've been grandsons for so many years without betraying the family—how could we betray after finally standing up? I'm stupid, but not foolish.

Chen Wuji smiled.

He still remembered how reckless Chen Lang had been when he first arrived at Xishan Village.

His change was indeed great; although his speech remained loud and boisterous, he had become much steadier.

"Go rest, there's no need to apologize to me; you did well." Chen Wuji said.

Chen Lang hesitated a moment, then asked: "Family Head, I heard we're going to war again?"

"Hmm."

"Family Head, I also want to go to the battlefield; I've mostly recovered."

Chen Wuji kicked Chen Lang's crutch with his foot, saying, "That's what you call 'mostly recovered'?"

"Actually... I can manage without it now." Chen Lang felt a bit embarrassed.

"Get lost, go lie on your bed plank." Chen Wuji cursed.

He praised too early; this kid still doesn't know his own limits.