Chapter 523

【4】

Because Shen Chai this unexpected guest, after Hezhou up and down had a brainstorming session, Chen Wuji again activated the mode of mobilizing troops and feeding horses.

Because Shen Chai showed up uninvited, after Hezhou's officials and populace had a brainstorming session, Chen Wujì kicked his war preparations into high gear again.

Translation: "Because Shen Chai was an unexpected guest, after Hezhou's upper and lower levels had a brainstorming session, Chen Wuji once again activated the mode of mobilizing troops and feeding horses."

【8】

The following day, Chen Wujì issued multiple orders, summoning Qian Fugui, who had troops stationed in Pingshan County, and Chen Baojia, whose forces were in Yunan, to bring their units to Hezhou's main camp.

Next day, Chen Wuji issued several military orders, summoning Qian Fugui, who was stationed in Pingshan County at that time, and Chen Baojia, who was stationed in Yunan, to lead their troops into Hezhou's Daying.

【11】

We have to fight this battle no matter what; the opportunity is right in front of us, and not fighting would be unjustifiable.

This battle, regardless of ups and downs, must be fought; the opportunity is already laid before us, if we don't fight it would be unjustifiable.

【14】

We don't yet know when we'll strike, but before that we must have our forces in place.

Only the timing of the fight is still unknown, but before that, the troops must be properly arranged.

We can translate: "Only when to fight remains unknown, but before that, the forces must be put in place."

【19】

Chen Wuji had just finished being busy here, when Xu Zengyi suddenly sent someone from Guangyuan Prefecture with news.

We need a glossary entry for Chen Wujì; Guangyuan Prefecture should be rendered as Guangyuan Prefecture, Xu Zengyi as Xu Zengyi (pinyin), and the expression meaning 'sent someone with news' is to be included.

【22】

Seeing this letter lying on the desk, Chen Wuji hesitated a moment before opening it.

【26】

Having experienced many things, he instead became more afraid of seeing bad news.

We need pronoun: he is Chen Wuji (male). Use he.

Fortunately, it's a good thing.

Fortunately, it's good news.

We can translate: "Fortunately, it's good news."

【31】

Xu Zengyi's letter remained brief; besides the opening polite inquiry about Chen Wuji's well-being, the second sentence was that Guangyuan Prefecture had won a great victory, with Gu Wenjie and the Snake Staff Elder leading the masses to flee.

We need glossary entries for Xu Zengyi, Chen Wujì, Guangyuan Prefecture, Gu Wenjie, and Snake Staff Elder; the name Gu Wenjie, the title Snake Staff Elder, and the expression meaning 'led the masses to flee' are to be included.

【35】

Those few short words conceal Xu Zengyi's two months of painstaking effort.

We can translate: "Those few short words conceal Xu Zengyi's two months of painstaking effort."

In Guangyuan Prefecture, this old fellow really showed off his strategist's abilities.

In Guangyuan Prefecture, this elder truly displayed his talents as a strategist to the fullest.

【38】

Riding solo into Guangyuan, he spent two months capturing the entire prefecture.

He entered Guangyuan alone on horseback, taking two months to seize the territory of a prefecture.

【41】

This achievement is worth bragging about over a few jugs of good wine.

This achievement, when brought out, is enough to boast over a few jugs of fine wine.

【44】

He lives up to his name as a poisonous strategist, clearly showing that his position as chief advisor to the former Western King is no mere title.

He lives up to the title of Poisonist, and also directly proves that his former role as strategist under the Western King is no empty name.

【47】

In his letter, Xu Zengyi informed Chen Wujì that he was reorganizing Guangyuan Prefecture's forces, pacifying the populace and restoring order, and would be back soon, urging Chen Wujì not to worry.

Later in the letter, Xu Zengyi told Chen Wuji that he was currently reorganizing Guangyuan Prefecture's troops, pacifying the people's hearts and restoring the locality, and would return soon, hoping Chen Wuji would not worry.

We need glossary: Xu Zengyi, Chen Wuji, Guangyuan Prefecture.

【52】

At the end of the letter, he mysteriously asked Chen Wuji to meet the messenger, saying that the messenger was an old acquaintance of Chen Wuji's.

【55】

Chen Wuji set down the letter, his mouth almost twitching into a grin; he took from under the desk a jug of wine that he had been drinking for several days, still half-full, and poured himself a bowl, drinking deeply and freely.

【58】

The recovery of Guangyuan Prefecture calls for a bowl—damn it!

The recovery of Guangyuan Prefecture calls for a bowl—damn it!

【61】

He tipped back his neck and drained the bowl of fine wine, then Chen Wuji shouted outside: "Eleventh Uncle, please receive the messenger politely."

【65】

"Yes!"

We need to keep as is.

In Guangyuan Prefecture, Chen Wujì doesn't recall any old ties with this person, but he's quite curious.

In Guangyuan Prefecture, Chen Wuji doesn't recall having any old acquaintances; he is genuinely curious about this person.

【68】

Chen Li's steps had hardly died away before he returned, escorting in a dark‑skinned middle‑aged man whose face was marked by two vicious scars.

Chen Li's footsteps had barely faded when he returned, bringing in a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and two ferocious scars running across his face.

【71】

Chen Wujì stared at him for a moment, then jumped up and asked, 'Are you Commander Yang?'

Chen Wuji stared at him for a moment, then sprang to his feet, asking, "Are you Yang Jinglve?"

【74】

The visitor was actually Yang Yu, the commander‑in‑chief of San Guan Prefecture they had been mentioning yesterday.

The visitor turned out to be none other than Yang Yu, the Triple Prefectural Pacification Commissioner of San Guan Jun whom they had been mentioning yesterday.

【77】

But he looks quite different now from when Chen Wujì first met him.

But his appearance now is quite different from when Chen Wuji first saw him.

【80】

He looks weathered and older, his body marked by wind and frost, his face bearing two more vicious scars; the only benefit is that he appears less weak and more courageous.

He looks older all over, his whole body bearing the marks of wind and frost, his face bearing two more ferocious scars. The only advantage of this appearance is probably that he has lost his frail, scholarly air and gained some vigor.

【83】

Yang Yu removed his wind hat, smiled, and bowed to Chen Wujì, saying, 'Chen Xiao‑you, it's been a while—I never thought you'd still recognize this old guy.'

Yang Yu removed the wind hat covering his head, smiled, and bowed to Chen Wuji, saying, "Chen Xiaozi, long time no see; I never expected you'd still recognize this old fellow."

【86】

Chen Wujì laughed and asked Yang Yu to take a seat, saying, 'I'm glad I can still recognize people; otherwise I might not have known it was you. What happened to your face? Did you go onto the battlefield yourself?'

Chen Wuji smiled and invited Yang Yu to sit, saying, "Fortunately my ability to recognize people is still decent; otherwise, with Lord Yang's appearance, I might not have recognized him at all. What happened to your face? Did you personally go onto the battlefield?"

【89】

Yang Yu's two facial wounds were narrow escapes—one hit just below his left eye, a little higher and he'd have lost an eye; the other crossed the first on his nose, luckily not breaking the nasal bone but leaving a dent, showing bone injury without a fracture.

The two knife wounds on Yang Yu's face were both close calls; one struck below the left eye, a bit higher and it would have ruined an eye. The other crossed the first and slashed across the nose; fortunately the nasal bone wasn't broken, just leaving a slight depression on the nose, appearing to have injured the bone but not broken it.

【92】

Yang Yu waved his hand, saying, 'Let me first get a cup of tea from Chen Xiao‑you, then I'll explain the details.'

Yang Yu waved his hand, saying, "First let me ask Chen Xiaozi for a cup of tea, then I'll explain the matter in detail."

【95】

Chen Wujì lifted the kettle, checked the temperature, and poured Yang Yu a cup.

Chen Wuji picked up the teapot, tested its temperature, and poured a cup for Yang Yu.

【98】

Yang Yu was parched; he seized the kettle from Chen Wujì's hand and drank cup after cup—about four or five—before stopping.

Yang Yu seemed extremely thirsty; he directly took the teapot from Chen Wuji's hand, poured and drank for himself, having four or five cups before stopping.

【101】

After rubbing his damp beard, Yang Yu said, 'The fight against the Qiang in San Guan Prefecture was difficult; when I first arrived, many resisted my authority as a capital official, but the war left no time for scheming—we had to win the people over.'

After stroking his wet beard, Yang Yu then said, "The battle between San Guan Jun and the Qiang People was difficult; when I first arrived, many under me disliked me as a capital official, but the war didn't allow me to linger there scheming; I had to win over the people."

【104】

Seeing the front lines short on troops, I gave up the prefectural seat, took the two thousand soldiers I had just won over, and rushed to the front; these two wounds came from that time, as the Qiang spotted me as a senior official on the battlefield and kept sending assassins after me.

"At that time, seeing the front lines short on troops, I in a fit abandoned the prefectural seat, taking with me the two thousand troops I had just won over, and rushed to aid the front. These two knife wounds were incurred then; the Qiang People discovered me, a high official, on the battlefield and kept sending death squads to hunt me."

【107】

Chen Wujì bowed deeply and said, 'Commander Yang's noble righteousness leaves us feeling ashamed.'

Chen Wuji bowed deeply, saying, "Lord Yang's noble righteousness makes us feel ashamed!"

【110】

'You don't need to be so formal, Xiao‑you,' Yang Yu waved his hand, saying, 'Your achievements far outshine mine.' He added, 'Coming from Guangyuan Prefecture and entering Hezhou feels like walking into two different worlds.'

"Chen Xiaozi, you need not be so; your work is far more splendid than mine." Yang Yu waved his hand and said, "Having come from Guangyuan Prefecture and entered Hezhou, it feels like stepping into two different realms."

【113】

'I don't deserve such praise,' Chen Wujì said, 'Hezhou isn't really good; at best it's being reborn from the ashes.' He noted that, as insiders know, Hezhou is only temporarily stable; the people have enthusiasm, but much else is still far lacking.

"I don't deserve such praise, Lord Yang; Hezhou is hardly good, now it can only be said to be undergoing rebirth through fire." Chen Wuji said, adding that as an insider he knows: Hezhou is merely temporarily stable, the people have enthusiasm, but everything else is still far lacking.

【116】

'Just yesterday we were discussing Commander Yang's deeds in San Guan Prefecture, and now I've actually met him—frankly, I wonder if I'm still dreaming.'

"Yesterday we were still talking about Lord Yang's exploits in San Guan Jun; I never expected to see him today. Frankly, I'm somewhat doubtful whether I'm still awake."

【119】

Yang Yu said solemnly, 'It looks like Xiao‑you has already met Lu Ping'an's envoy.'

Yang Yu spoke solemnly, saying, "It seems Chen Xiaozi has already met the envoy of Lu Ping'an."

【122】

'No offense, Commander Yang, but I have indeed seen him.'

"Not hiding it from Lord Yang, I have indeed met him."

【125】

'I've come precisely for this matter,' Yang Yu said with a long sigh.

"I have come precisely for this matter," Yang Yu said with a long sigh.

【128】

'Sending someone else would make me uneasy; after thinking it over, it seems only I can come in person to see if Xiao‑you will do me a favor and rescue this old fellow.'

"Sending someone else would not reassure me; after thinking it over, it seems only I myself should come, to see if Chen Xiaozi can grant me an old face and help save this old fool."

【131】

Chen Wujì wondered and asked, 'What do you mean by that, Commander Yang?'

Chen Wuji felt some doubt in his heart, asking, "Lord Yang, what do you mean by that?"

【134】

Bringing this up, Yang Yu suddenly grew resentful: 'Being commander‑in‑chief has been a real headache; just after quelling San Guan Prefecture's internal troubles and winning hearts, that old dog Lu Ping'an showed up.'

Bringing up this matter, Yang Yu suddenly felt resentful: "Serving as this Pacification Commissioner is truly aggravating; having just quelled the internal troubles of San Guan Jun and won the people's hearts, that old dog Lu Ping'an caught wind and came."

【137】

'At first he demanded that I lead San Guan Prefecture's surrender as a condition, asking for grain and troops; after I refused he turned to threats, saying he'd attack if I didn't submit. This old dog cares only for his own gain, completely ignoring my war with the Qiang.'

"Initially he demanded that I lead San Guan Jun's submission as a condition, requesting grain and troops for San Guan Jun; after I refused, he switched to coercion, declaring that if I did not submit he would lead troops to attack me. This old dog sees only his own petty interests, completely ignoring my war with the Qiang People."

【140】

'I didn't even take him seriously; at that point I had just taken the two southern districts of San Guan Prefecture, and I pointed to the retreating Qiang on the battlefield and told Lu Ping'an's envoy that the Qiang had fielded over thirty thousand troops, captured more than half of San Guan Prefecture, and I had driven them back—if Lu Ping'an has the ability, let him bring his troops and try.'

"Actually I didn't even regard him; at that time I had just led troops to reclaim the two southern districts of San Guan Jun, and I pointed to the retreating Qiang People on the battlefield and told Lu Ping'an's envoy that the Qiang People had sent over thirty thousand troops, and that I had repelled their occupation of more than half of San Guan Jun; if Lu Ping'an had the ability, he could bring troops to try it himself!"

【143】

'Do you know, Xiao‑you, what that envoy said to me then?'

"Does Chen Xiaozi know what that envoy said to me then?"

【146】

Chen Wujì figured it out: 'Was Lu Ping'an's envoy threatening Commander Yang to join forces with me and attack San Guan Prefecture together?'

Chen Wuji roughly understood, saying, "Lu Ping'an's envoy threatened Lord Yang, proposing that we join forces and jointly send troops against San Guan Jun?"

【149】

'Yes!' Yang Yu nodded.

"Yes!" Yang Yu nodded.

【152】

'I don't consider Lu Ping'an and his crowd worth worrying about, but Xiao‑you I dare not be overconfident. As insiders know, though I've driven the Qiang out of San Guan Prefecture, I haven't eradicated them completely, nor have I fully recovered the prefecture.'

"I don't put Lu Ping'an and his ilk in my eyes, but Chen Xiaozi, I dare not be overconfident. As an insider I know: the Qiang People within San Guan Jun have indeed been repelled by me, but they are not completely wiped out, and San Guan Jun has not been fully recovered."

Also 【154】 appears at end.

If at this moment I am attacked from front and back, all my previous hard work and achievements will be completely wasted!