Chapter 704

Outside Wuan City.

Translation: "Outside Wu'an City."

In the place opposite Chen Wují's army camp across the river, under a hazy night, an old man and a youth stood silently, separated by a full two body lengths, like two statues erected on a barren slope.

Note: the phrase "a full two body lengths" means a full two body lengths; we will translate it as such, keeping "old man and a youth" and using "stood silently".

When the evening wind brought the lingering cooking smoke over, the man in black attire on the right finally spoke slowly, 'This is indeed a good place; I actually once considered making Wuan City my capital, but unfortunately this city is a bit small, not imposing enough.'

Translation: "When the evening wind carried the lingering cooking smoke over, the man in black combat attire on the right finally spoke slowly, 'This is indeed a fine place; in fact, I once considered making Wu'an City my capital, but unfortunately the city is a bit small, lacking grandeur.'"

Check: "lingering cooking smoke" = lingering cooking smoke. "when it blew over" = when it blew over. "finally spoke slowly" = finally spoke slowly. Keep quotes.

The old man on the left leaned on his snake-headed cane, half his face hidden in darkness, 'Have you regretted this now? If this city is lost, it cannot be taken back.'

Translation: "The old man on the left, leaning on his snake-headed staff with both hands, half his face hidden in darkness, asked, 'Do you regret it now? If this city is lost, it cannot be taken back.'"

Chen Wují is ruthless; his kindness is only one aspect. When the people become soldiers, there is certainly no kindness to be found with him, and he may even turn them into victory mounds to warn future generations.

Translation: "Chen Wuji is ruthless and cruel; his kindness is only one aspect. When civilians become soldiers, there is certainly no talk of mercy in his camp—he might even turn these people into a victory mound to warn posterity."

Check: "victory mound" = victory mound (a mound of enemy skulls). We'll translate as "victory mound". Good.

The man in the jacket gave a light, indifferent chuckle, 'I'm just sighing; I know my own weight.'

Translation: "The man in combat attire gave a light, indifferent chuckle, 'Just sighing a bit; I know my own weight.'"

He slowly turned his gaze to the right, landing on the brightly lit campsite of Chen Wují's army.

Translation: "He slowly turned his gaze to the right, landing on the brightly lit camp of Chen Wuji's army."

In the glow of the huge bonfire, one could faintly see the sternly arranged patrol soldiers, occasionally marching past in orderly steps.

Translation: "In the glow of the huge bonfire, one could faintly see the sternly arranged patrol soldiers, occasionally marching past in neat steps."

Such military might truly inspires envy; you say how he managed it? In less than a year he commands tens of thousands—could the Chen family's training methods really be that terrifying? the man asked.

Translation: "Such military might truly inspires envy—how did he achieve it? In less than a year, he commands tens of thousands of troops; could the Chen family's drill methods really be that terrifying?" the man asked.

The old man shook his head, 'Duke Yu's intelligence is a bit outdated; Chen Wují now commands not just tens of thousands but hundreds of thousands, not counting the prefectural troops of each prefecture, which together may approach two hundred thousand.'

Translation: "The old man shook his head, 'Prefect Yu's intelligence is somewhat outdated; Chen Wuji's forces now number not just tens of thousands but scores of thousands, not even counting the provincial troops of each prefecture—altogether perhaps approaching two hundred thousand.'"

The jacketed man's face twitched slightly, 'Why didn't you tell me earlier about the force nearing two hundred thousand? With two hundred thousand troops, how can we succeed? I do admire your skill of moving a thousand pounds with four ounces, but can tens of thousands equal two hundred thousand? Old thing, don't try to use me as a sword!'

Translation: "The combat-clad man's face shifted slightly, 'Why didn't you tell me earlier about forces nearing two hundred thousand? With a two-hundred-thousand-strong army, what can we accomplish? I admit your 'four-tael moves a thousand-jin' tactic is impressive, but can tens of thousands equal two hundred thousand? Old thing, don't use me as a blade!'"

He immediately became flustered.

Translation: "He flared up on the spot."

The staggering figure of two hundred thousand weighed on him, making his breath feel momentarily constricted.

Translation: "The staggering figure of two hundred thousand weighed on him, making his breath feel momentarily constricted."

The old man holding the snake staff gave a faint smile, 'Duke Yu, why be anxious? Two hundred thousand is strong, but we are not without troops. The Qiang have already agreed to send troops; as long as you, Governor Yu, can pin down Chen Wují here, victory will surely be ours.'

Translation: "The old man gripping the snake staff gave a faint smile, 'Prefect Yu, why be anxious? Two hundred thousand is formidable, but we are not without troops. The various Qiang tribes have agreed to send troops; as long as Prefect Yu can pin down Chen Wuji here, victory will surely be ours.'"

I have plotted for years with a three‑part layout; even if Chen Wují has two hundred thousand troops, the lands of Nan Commandery will be ours.

Translation: "I have plotted for years with a three-way layout; even if Chen Wuji commands two hundred thousand troops, Nan Jun will still be ours."

The jacketed man stared at the old man beside him, his expression shifting repeatedly, 'Your preparations had better be as confident as your tone now; can the Qiang agree to our terms?'

Translation: "The combat-clad man fixed his gaze on the old man beside him, his expression shifting repeatedly, 'Your preparations had better be as confident as your tone—can the Qiang people accept our terms?'"

'Why couldn't they agree?' the snake‑staff old man asked with a faint smile, 'They can no longer enter San Guan Commandery; Yang Yu's forces have gathered to its south, growing braver with each battle, they have long lost the initiative and any advantage.'

Translation: "'Why could they not agree?' the Snake Staff Elder asked with a light smile, 'They can no longer enter San Guan Jun; Yang Yu's forces are massing south of San Guan Jun, growing braver with each battle, they have long lost the initiative and any advantage.'"

'If they accept our terms, from Nan Commandery down to San Guan, they will take San Guan Commandery and we will take Nan Commandery—each getting what we need, a perfect arrangement!'

Translation: "'If they accept our terms, from Nan Jun down to San Guan, they will take San Guan Jun and we will take Nan Jun—each getting what they need, a perfect arrangement!'"

The jacketed man still had doubts, 'But Chen Wují has two hundred thousand troops; in a major battle they would have to bear the front line. You had better explain this clearly; I need to think it over—after all I've done, might I end up doing the Qiang's work for them?'

Translation: "The combat-clad man still harbored doubts, 'But Chen Wuji has a two-hundred-thousand-strong army; once a major battle erupts, they will have to bear the front. You had better explain things clearly—I need to think it over carefully, lest all my efforts end up making wedding clothes for the Qiang.'"

'If we must be clear, it is you, Duke Yu, together with the Zhong Qiang who will gain the lands of Nan Commandery!' The snake‑staff old man paused slightly, 'The Zhong Qiang will act as the leading goat, taking the southern prefectures of Nan Commandery, while you, Duke Yu, will take the northern prefectures of Qing, Song, He, and so on.'

Translation: "'If you want it spelled out clearly, it is you, Prefect Yu, together with Zhong Qiang, who will gain Nan Jun!' the Snake Staff Elder paused slightly, 'Zhong Qiang will act as the lead goat, taking the southern prefectures of Nan Jun, while you, Prefect Yu, will take the northern Qing, Song, He, and other prefectures.'"

'Old thing, I knew it!' the jacketed man seethed, grinding his teeth.

Translation: "'Old thing, I knew it!' the combat-clad man seethed, grinding his teeth."

The snake‑staff old man glanced back, 'Duke Yu, you should be able to foresee this? Your forces are only this many; even if you fill mass graves with tens of thousands of civilians, your combat power remains limited, and facing Chen Wují's army would be a one‑sided massacre.'

Translation: "The Snake Staff Elder glanced back, 'Prefect Yu, you should be able to figure this out? Your forces are only this many; even if you fill mass graves with tens of thousands of civilians, your combat power remains limited—facing Chen Wuji's army would be a one-sided slaughter.'"

'We rely on strategy, while the Qiang rely on force; each plays to its strength, each takes what it needs. Without such a perfect union, Chen Wují would likely unify Nan Commandery within a month, leaving Duke Yu no chance, and the Qiang could not enter in the short term.'

Translation: "We rely on stratagems, the Qiang on brute force—each plays to their strength, each takes what they need. Without such a perfect union, Chen Wuji would likely unify Nan Jun within a month, leaving Prefect Yu no chance, and the Qiang could not enter in the short term."

'In the battle of Mount Wuyang, Chen Wují fought ferociously; the Wolf Duo's hundred‑thousand‑strong army was reduced to fewer than thirty thousand, and we have continually underestimated the Chen family's bravery.'

Translation: "'In the battle at Mount Wuyang, Chen Wuji fought fiercely—Langdu's hundred-thousand-strong army was whittled down to fewer than thirty thousand in the end; we have continually underestimated the Chen family's valor.'"

The jacketed man's face darkened, 'I shouldn't have believed you, old thing; I surrendered smoothly to Chen Wují, and this governor remains steady and secure.'

Translation: "The combat-clad man's face darkened, 'I shouldn't have believed you, old thing; I surrendered smoothly to Chen Wuji, yet this prefect remains as steady as ever.'"

The snake‑staff old man gave a faint smile, 'Duke Yu, why wait until you realize the enemy is truly strong to hide your ambition? Don't plug your ears while stealing a bell, deceiving yourself; we are fellow travelers, destined to share the same pot.'

Translation: "The Snake Staff Elder gave a faint smile, 'Prefect Yu, why wait until you realize the enemy is truly strong to hide your ambition? Don't plug your ears while stealing a bell, deceiving yourself—we are fellow travelers, destined to piss in the same pot.'"

'Temporarily seize the northern prefectures of Nan Commandery as a foothold, then gradually plan; great things can be achieved. Without today's scheming, how difficult would it be for Duke Yu to acquire these few prefectures?'

Translation: "'Temporarily seize the northern prefectures of Nan Jun as a foothold, then gradually plan; great things can be accomplished. Without today's scheming, how difficult it would be for Prefect Yu to take those few prefectures!'"

The jacketed man said nothing.

Translation: "The combat-clad man said nothing."

These words, he could indeed not refute.

Translation: "These words, he could indeed not refute."

Lu Ping'an oversaw affairs in Nan Commandery; he could not match him, and each day he treated himself as invisible.

Translation: "Lu Ping'an oversaw affairs in Nan Jun; he could not contend with him, so each day he treated himself as invisible."

He immediately pledged allegiance, promptly sent congratulatory gifts to Lu Ping'an, and furtively built his own power, fearing even a slight misstep would alert Lu Ping'an.

Translation: "He surrendered at the first opportunity, and at the first chance sent congratulatory gifts to Lu Ping'an, furtively building his own power, fearing any misstep would alert Lu Ping'an."

Later Lu Ping'an fell, and Chen Wují rose to power.

Translation: "Later Lu Ping'an fell, and Chen Wuji rose to power."

He sent people to inquire around, and instantly became even more timid.

Translation: "He sent people to inquire around, and instantly became even more timid."

Lu Ping'an was already strong, but Chen Wují was several times stronger; even Lu Ping'an was induced to surrender, given some minor military post, and now wanders idly around Qingzhou City.

Translation: "Lu Ping'an was already strong, but Chen Wuji was several times more formidable; even Lu Ping'an was induced to surrender, made into some sort of militia officer, and now idles about Qingzhou City all day."

I hear that the old Lu fellow now lives more comfortably than before, whether drilling troops or handling governance, he is extraordinarily diligent.

Translation: "I hear that the Lu-surnamed old thing now lives more comfortably than before, whether drilling troops or handling governance, he is extraordinarily diligent."

He had once considered surrendering to Chen Wují, but after much thought he could never resign himself to it.

Translation: "He had once considered surrendering to Chen Wuji, but after thinking it over left and right, he simply could not resign himself to it."

Even a mere hunter has reached this point.

Translation: "Even a mere hunter has reached his present stature."

How could his royal lineage possibly be weaker than that of a hunter?

Translation: "How could his imperial lineage possibly be weaker than that of a hunter?"

At the moment he was torn, this old man carrying a snake staff appeared, and the two hit it off immediately.

Translation: "At the moment he was torn, this old man carrying a snake staff appeared, and the two hit it off immediately."

'No need to explain further; I understand your point, it's indeed sound—tell me what to do next.' The jacketed man set aside those useless thoughts and asked directly.

Translation: "'No need to explain further; I understand your point, it is indeed reasonable—tell me what to do next.' The combat-clad man set aside those useless thoughts and asked directly."

First secure a foothold, then we can discuss the rest.

Translation: "First secure a foothold, then we can discuss the rest."

The snake‑staff old man looked toward Chen Wují's camp, the corner of his mouth curling in a sneer, 'Chen Wují is a man of clear loves and hates; I don't know how he would react if I mixed our people with ordinary civilians.'

Translation: "The Snake Staff Elder gazed at Chen Wuji's camp, the corner of his mouth curling in a sneer, 'Chen Wuji is a man who clearly distinguishes love from hate; I do not know how he will respond when I mix our people with ordinary civilians.'"

'Tomorrow, issue a proclamation to the faithful, ordering them to stir the surrounding populace to come to Chen Wují's camp for grain, claiming that Chen Wují has occupied Wuan City, opened the granaries, and distributed food to pacify the people.'

Translation: "'Tomorrow at dawn, issue a proclamation to the faithful, ordering them to rally the surrounding populace to come to Chen Wuji's camp for grain, claiming that Chen Wuji has seized Wu'an City, opened the granaries, and distributed food to pacify the people.'"

'Also, I have brought the medicine for you; tomorrow make sure this fire burns fiercely. If you keep this fire burning well, it can offset tens of thousands of troops.'

Translation: "'Also, I have brought the medicine for you; tomorrow make sure this fire burns fiercely. If your fire burns well enough, it can offset tens of thousands of troops!'"

The jacketed man frowned slightly, 'What nonsense are you spouting? One fire? To offset tens of thousands of troops?'

Translation: "The combat-clad man's brows furrowed slightly, 'What bull are you blowing at me? One fire? To offset tens of thousands of troops?'"

"Exactly! Moreover, it can also kill tens of thousands of enemies; after Yu Gong's fire, Chen Wuji's thirty-thousand-strong army will be ruined." Snake Staff Elder said with a faint smile.