Chapter 482: with translation of chapter title

"Really not good enough!"

"Really not good enough!"

Qin Zhanhong shook his head, dispelling Chen Wuji's somewhat absurd notion, then immediately explained: "The choice of words at the beginning of a memorial is subject to very strict rules; if you were writing a congratulatory memorial to the Emperor, you wouldn't need to be fearful and trembling, nor would you need to say 'I dare not'."

Qin Zhanhong shook his head, dispelling Chen Wuji's somewhat absurd notion, then immediately explained: "The choice of words at the beginning of a memorial is subject to very strict rules; if you were writing a congratulatory memorial to the Emperor, you wouldn't need to be fearful and trembling, nor would you need to say 'I dare not'." (same as 【4】)

We need to keep it concise but faithful.

"But husband, your situation now seems like you can't get away without saying 'I dare not'..."

"But husband, your situation now seems like you can't get away without saying 'I dare not'..."

"Do I have intentions of becoming a rebel?" Chen Wuji asked.

Translation: "Because I have intentions of becoming a rebel?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Zhanhong chuckled, "It's not that you have that intention, but you're already doing it. As a Negotiation Colonel, you now command all of Hezhou; although you borrow the Emperor's personally conferred title, in the Court's eyes this is carving out autonomous territory, rebelling against the Court."

Qin Zhanhong chuckled, "It's not that you have that intention, but you're already doing it. As a Negotiation Colonel, you now command all of Hezhou; although you borrow the Emperor's personally conferred title, in the Court's eyes this is carving out autonomous territory, rebelling against the Court."

"Just be fearful and trembling, say 'I dare not' once—it's only a few words. Having those words at least shows His Majesty the Emperor that you still have the intention to plead guilty."

"Just be fearful and trembling, say 'I dare not' once—it's only a few words. Having those words at least shows His Majesty the Emperor that you still have the intention to plead guilty."

"Anyway, it's just a memorial; how things are done is up to you. There's no need to upset the Emperor over a single memorial and invite trouble."

"Anyway, it's just a memorial; how things are done is up to you. There's no need to upset the Emperor over a single memorial and invite trouble."

Chen Wuji was convinced, picked up his brush and wrote on the paper "I, your humble servant, beseech His Majesty the Emperor," then added a series of fearful and trembling, "I dare not" bows, etc.

Chen Wuji was convinced, picked up his brush and wrote on the paper "I, your humble servant, beseech His Majesty the Emperor," then added a series of fearful and trembling, "I dare not" bows, etc.

He added both sentences that Qin Zhanhong had just said.

Translation: He added both sentences Qin Zhanhong had just said.

In any case, it's all fabricated; since we're already being fearful and trembling, we might as well say "I dare not" again.

Translation: "Anyway, it's all forgery; since we're already being fearful and trembling, we might as well add another 'I dare not'."

After writing those polite phrases, Chen Wuji suddenly thought of the Memorial to the Emperor on Departing for War, and then smoothly added its rhythm: "I, a commoner, have tilled the fields of Yunan; in troubled times I have merely sought to preserve my life, not to gain fame among the lords. Your Majesty does not consider me lowly, but has graciously entrusted me with military affairs; moved by this, I wish to serve Your Majesty, toiling like a dog or horse. Now I have achieved modest success, having recovered Hezhou."

After writing those polite phrases, Chen Wuji suddenly thought of the Memorial to the Emperor on Departing for War, and then smoothly added its rhythm: "I, a commoner, have tilled the fields of Yunan; in troubled times I have merely sought to preserve my life, not to gain fame among the lords. Your Majesty does not consider me lowly, but has graciously entrusted me with military affairs; moved by this, I wish to serve Your Majesty, toiling like a dog or horse. Now I have achieved modest success, having recovered Hezhou."

Qin Zhanhong peered over, and his expression was splendid for a moment.

Translation: Qin Zhanhong peered over, his expression instantly becoming marvelous.

She was somewhat startled.

Translation: She was somewhat shocked.

How is it that the wording seems both ornate and plain?

Translation: "How come the wording seems both ornate and plain?"

But she had to admit, this level is absolutely a good piece of writing.

Translation: "But she couldn't help admitting that this level is absolutely a fine piece of writing."

And her husband actually still has this talent?

Translation: "Her husband actually has this talent?"

Chen Wuji finished his self-account, concluding the first section of the memorial, then turned his brush: "Since receiving the command, I have worried day and night, fearing to fail the vast imperial grace. Now Hezhou is pacified; I shall lead the Three Armies to pacify Lingnan in

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: Chen Wuji finished his self-account, concluding the first section of the memorial, then turned his brush: "Since receiving the command, I have worried day and night, fearing to fail the vast imperial grace. Now Hezhou is pacified; I shall lead the Three Armies to pacify Lingnan in the south, exhausting my modest abilities, eliminating treacherous villains, and restoring the legacy of Da Yu."

But I'm completely broke now!

Translation: "But, I am now too poor!"

Chen Wujì then added a line on his own.

Translation: Chen Wuji put this sentence on its own line.

I know the court is struggling; since I received the imperial order, even without money or grain, with the troops eating bark to stave off hunger, I have not dared to bother Your Majesty. But now I am so destitute that even bark seems to be running out; I truly have no means to sustain the army, and I have no other option.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "I know the Court is in difficulty; since receiving the imperial mandate, even without funds or grain, I would not dare to disturb His Majesty even if the soldiers had to eat tree bark to stave off hunger. But now I am so poor that even tree bark seems about to run out; I truly lack the strength to support the troops, let alone harbor other schemes."

Signs of unrest are already appearing; I implore Your Majesty to lend aid to ease this pressing emergency. If you still find it difficult, what do you think of this memorial I've written? Could it be traded for some supplies?

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "There are already signs of turmoil above and below; I beg Your Majesty to extend a helping hand to relieve the current urgent need. If Your Majesty still finds it difficult, I do not know how Your Majesty regards this memorial of mine; could we exchange it for some provisions?"

Hezhou is so poor that even after digging three feet down, I could barely find anything that could be called a local product.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "Hezhou is impoverished; even after scraping three feet deep into the earth, I could barely find something that could serve as a local specialty."

Qin Zhanhong:!!!

We need to keep the exclamation marks as is, but translate the name: Qin Zhanhong:!!! So: Qin Zhanhong:!!!

What did she see?!

Translation: "What did she see?!"

"My lord, please wait, just wait a moment—you can't write it like that!" Qin Zhanhong hastily interjected.

Translation: "Husband, wait, wait a moment, you can't write like that." Qin Zhanhong hurried to stop him.

If he actually sends this memorial up, it's likely to cause trouble.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "If this memorial is really submitted like this, trouble is likely to ensue."

Chen Wujì had written it with great ease; hearing her words, he looked up in astonishment and asked, "What's the problem?"

"There is, a serious problem!" Qin Zhanhong exclaimed, "My lord, aren't you slighting the Emperor for his inaction? Saying that will surely bring trouble."

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "Yes, there's a big problem!" Qin Zhanhong said, "Husband, aren't you disparaging Your Majesty for doing nothing? Saying this will surely bring no good."

"What I said is true too; I wrote it on purpose to give him a warning." Chen Wujì declared firmly, "He gave me an edict making me a brigade commander, and then used your words to suggest I should be loyal to the court—at least outwardly I am being loyal, isn't that right?"

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "What I said is also factual; I deliberately wrote it this way to give him a heads-up." Chen Wuji spoke with conviction: "He gave me an edict appointing me a Brigade Commander, then used your mouth to hint that I should be loyal to the Court; at least on the surface I am being loyal, right?"

Qin Zhanhong nodded, confused.

Translation: Qin Zhanhong nodded blankly.

That remark actually seems unproblematic.

Translation: "That remark, it seems, actually isn't problematic."

"I've been loyal, but where are the supplies? Is the Emperor's idea of loyalty just lip service? I have to raise troops and provisions myself, then go fight for the court? Right, I remember he once said he'd provide weapons and such, yet I haven't seen a single piece." Chen Wujì declared loudly.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "I am loyal, but what about supplies? Does His Majesty the Emperor expect loyalty to be mere lip service? Soldiers, grain—everything I have to manage myself, then go fight for the Court? Yes, I recall earlier he supposedly promised to provide arms and such, yet I haven't seen a single piece." Chen Wuji exclaimed loudly.

"I need to warn him about this; as someone always ready to turn rebel, I can't stand this resentment. I'm not saying this for myself, but for those who truly serve the country loyally—my situation is like this, and I suspect others are no better off."

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "I must give him a heads-up on this; as someone always ready to become a rebel, I cannot endure this frustration. I am not saying this for myself, but for those who truly serve the country loyally; for me it's thus, and I suspect others are no better off."

"Actually, he gives me nothing, and I don't actually bear that much grudge, but since I have to pretend to be a loyal minister for now, I must harbor this resentment!"

Qin Zhanhong:...

Translation: Qin Zhanhong: ……

She got caught up in it.

Translation: She was confused by it.

After thinking it over for a moment, Qin Zhanhong finally grasped Chen Wujì's meaning.

Translation: After pondering for a while, Qin Zhanhong finally understood Chen Wuji's meaning.

"Do we really have to write it this way?" she asked, unsure.

Translation: "Must it really be written this way?" she asked, very uncertain.

Chen Wujì nodded, "This has to be added; when I turn against him later, I'll have justification. He gives me nothing, yet expects me to be loyal—what is he thinking?"

"The worst part is, he won't even draw me a big pancake; at least promise me some minor post. Our emperor, so aloof, just says, 'Be loyal and serve the state,' but what do I have to be loyal with?"

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "What's most hateful is that he doesn't even draw me a big pie; at least promise me some petty office. Our His Majesty the Emperor, however, loftily declares, 'Be loyal to the sovereign and serve the state,' but with what am I to be loyal?"

Qin Zhanhong:...

Translation: Qin Zhanhong: ……

She gave in, resignedly saying, "Then go ahead and write it."

Translation: She conceded defeat, helplessly saying, "Then go ahead and write."

"I've finished the first part; now I'm considering asking for an official post for Zhang Xu. Do you think the emperor will grant it? Or might he not only refuse, but actually strip Zhang Xu of his existing office via an edict?" Chen Wujì asked, already contemplating the feasibility of forging an imperial decree.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "The front part is already written; I'm now considering asking for an office for Zhang Xun. Do you think His Majesty the Emperor will grant it? Or will he not only refuse, but issue an edict stripping Zhang Xun of his existing post?" Chen Wuji asked, at this point already contemplating the feasibility of forging an imperial edict.

Qin Zhanhong also had no idea, saying, "I can't say for sure either."

Translation: Qin Zhanhong also had no idea, "I can't say for sure about this either."

"Give it a try! If the emperor won't comply, we'll just say more." Chen Wujì decided to give it a shot.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "Give it a try! If the Emperor won't comply, we'll just say his words again." Chen Wuji decided to give it a shot.

He now fully controls Hezhou; if the court sends an envoy, he will find out right away and can first look at the edict's content.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "Hezhou is now completely under his control; if the Court sends an envoy, he will surely know right away, and then he can first look at the content of the imperial edict."

If it's not a promotion edict, he can keep the document and send the messenger back.

Translation: "If it's not a promotion edict, leave the imperial edict as is and have the envoy take it back."

Chen Wujì picked up his pen, lavished praise on Zhang Xu, then used humble language to ask the emperor to grant Zhang Xu a junior military post in the household department, to showcase the emperor's ability to recognize talent and his benevolent, nurturing grace.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: Chen Wuji picked up his brush, lavished praise on Zhang Xun, then used some humble wording to request His Majesty the Emperor grant Zhang Xun the office of Sihou Staff Officer, to manifest the Emperor's ability to recognize talent and his benevolent, nurturing grace.

Finally, he added a few elegant closing remarks, and the memorial was done.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "Finally, a few more beautiful closing words were added; this memorial is thus complete."

Chen Wujì read it over again; aside from the handwriting being a bit unattractive, the piece was still quite good, blending vernacular and classical Chinese, arguably inaugurating a new style.

Translation: Chen Wuji then gave it another overall look; aside from the characters being a bit unsightly, the whole piece is still quite good, blending vernacular and classical Chinese, which can be considered the inception of a new style.

Chen Wujì blew the ink dry and began preparing the memorial's cover.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: Chen Wuji blew the ink dry, then began to work on the cover of the memorial.

The paper appeared, and the memorial should have its proper format.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: The paper appeared, and that memorial should also have its proper format.

He hadn't seen this in films or TV, but he had seen it in real life; in his previous life, his hometown used this style when writing memorial texts.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: "He hasn't seen this thing look good in film or TV; he has also seen it in real life, and in his previous life his hometown used this style when writing memorial texts."

"My lord, what are you doing now?" Qin Zhanhong asked, puzzled.

Translation: "Husband, what are you doing again?" Qin Zhanhong asked, puzzled.

Chen Wujì found some bamboo strips under the bookshelf; this material, like bamboo slips, is called 'hànqīng', except it's a whole sheet, not split into the slender strips of bamboo slips.

Chinese: Actually line is translation explanation. We'll output same: Chen Wuji found some bamboo strips under the bookshelf; this material, like bamboo slips, is called bamboo slips, but it is a whole sheet, not split into strips like bamboo slips.

It is a primary material for everyday writing, more like a notebook for private use only; one jots down whatever comes to mind on it, and it never leaves the private sphere.