Chapter 180

「Wanhu Chang... 」 Bayar's voice hoarse, his face drained of color,

Translation: "Commander of Ten Thousand Households……" Ba Ya'er's voice was hoarse, his face devoid of color,

We need to keep punctuation? The Chinese line ends with a comma. We'll translate preserving meaning. We'll output as a single line.

Let's produce: 【1】 "Commander of Ten Thousand Households……" Ba Ya'er's voice was hoarse, his face devoid of color,

But we need to keep the quotes? The Chinese uses 「」 for quoted speech. We can translate using English quotes. Use double quotes? Usually we use English quotation marks. We'll keep the content inside quotes. We'll translate as: "Commander of Ten Thousand Households……" Ba Ya'er's voice was hoarse, his face devoid of color,

Make sure no extra spaces at start.

「Run... hurry... if we don't run now, it'll be too late... 」

Translation: "Run…… hurry…… if we don't run now, it'll be too late……"

Run... hurry... if we don't run now, it'll be too late...

Bayar, trembling violently, desperately squeezed out a few words from between his teeth.

Translation: Ba Ya'er, trembling violently, forced out a few words through clenched teeth.

Ba Ya'er, shaking violently, desperately squeezed out a few words from between his teeth.

Let's produce: Ba Ya'er, trembling violently, forced out a few words through clenched teeth.

Seeing Bayar in such a sorry state, Toghtoohua's eyes flashed with contempt.

Translation: Seeing Ba Ya'er in such a sorry state, Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's eyes flashed with a hint of contempt.

Over these days of interaction, he had thought the Crown Prince's disposition was decent, his bearing extraordinary, a good heir, but he never expected that when faced with actual matters, he would turn out like this.

Translation: Over these days of interaction, he had originally thought the Crown Prince had a decent character and extraordinary bearing, a good successor, but he never expected that when faced with actual events, he would turn out like this.

He had thought the Crown Prince's disposition was not bad, his demeanor extraordinary, a good heir, but he didn't expect that when truly faced with matters, he would become like this.

Let's produce: Over these days of interaction, he had thought the Crown Prince's disposition was not bad, his demeanor extraordinary, a good heir, but he didn't expect that when truly faced with matters, he would turn out like this.

He did not want to agree to retreat now; having spent many years in military campaigns, he knew that if the commander-in-chief retreated at this moment, it would only worsen the defeat of their own army.

Translation: He did not want to agree to retreat now; having been in the military for many years, he knew that if the commander-in-chief retreated at this moment, it would only worsen the defeat of their own army.

The 50,000-strong army's morale has already collapsed under the Han general's onslaught; if he cannot hold steady, defeat will come instantly, like a mountain collapsing.

Translation: The fifty-thousand-strong army's morale has already been shattered by the Han General's charges; if he cannot hold steady, defeat will come instantly, like a mountain collapsing.

Moreover, he believed there was still a chance to turn things around; perhaps the Han general was already exhausted, needing only this final persistent attack.

Translation: Moreover, he believed there was still room for recovery at this moment; perhaps the Han General was already exhausted, lacking only this final persistent attack.

As a veteran commander on the battlefield, Toghtoohua also had his own set of principles for holding firm.

Translation: As a veteran of the battlefield, Tuo Tuo Bu Hua also had his own set of principles for holding firm.

When caution is called for, he can be more cautious than anyone; but when it's time to go all-in, he can also be bolder and more resolute than anyone.

Translation: When caution was called for, he could be more cautious than anyone; when it was time to go all-in, he could have more courage and resolve than anyone.

At this point, he faces only two choices: retreat or continue the attack.

Translation: At this moment, the only choices before him were retreat or continued attack.

Retreat would mean total failure of this operation; continuing the attack might incur a heavy cost, but it still offers a slim chance.

Translation: Retreat would mean total failure of this operation; continuing the attack might incur a heavy cost, but still offered a slim chance.

Toghtoohua pondered for a moment, his eyes hardened, and he issued a decisive order:

Translation: Tuo Tuo Bu Hua pondered for a moment, his eyes hardened, and he issued the order decisively:

「Shield soldiers, come protect the Crown Prince! 」

Translation: "Shield soldiers, come protect the Crown Prince!"

He did not want to retreat, but the Crown Prince also needed protection—he is the future Great Khan of the Northern Yuan; we cannot afford any mistake.

Translation: He did not want to retreat, but the Crown Prince also needed protection—he was the future Great Khan of the Northern Yuan; no mistake could be allowed.

Of course, he himself would not hide behind the shields.

Translation: Of course, he himself would not hide behind a shield.

He is supposed to be the courage of the three armies, but now the troops' morale has been shattered by the Han general; he must therefore maintain the commander's dignity and resolve, steadying the troops' hearts.

Translation: As the army's courage, at this point the troops' morale had been shattered by the Han General's killings; he therefore had to maintain the commander's dignity and resolve, stabilizing the troops' hearts.

Following Toghtoohua's command, more than a dozen Northern Yuan soldiers grabbed heavy cowhide shields and escorted Crown Prince Bayar into their midst.

Translation: Upon Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's order, a dozen or so Northern Yuan soldiers grabbed heavy cowhide shields and shielded Crown Prince Ba Ya'er within them.

Bayar was like a chick hiding inside a turtle shell, feeling much more at ease.

Translation: Ba Ya'er felt as if he had hidden inside a turtle shell like a little chick, his mind considerably calmer.

After thinking, he took off his golden crown and armor, ordered his attendants to wear them, and himself donned ordinary soldier's armor.

Translation: After thinking, he took off his golden crown and armor, ordered his attendants to wear them, and he himself donned ordinary soldiers' armor.

Toghtoohua's face grew even colder, with a resolute, all-or-nothing determination, and he shouted:

Translation: Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's face grew even colder, filled with a desperate resolve, and he shouted:

「Push all the trebuchets forward and smash them! Crush that Han general! 」

Translation: "Push all the catapults over here and smash! Smash that Han General to death!"

「I don't believe he's invulnerable to blades and spears! I don't believe he won't tire! I don't believe 50,000 troops can't overcome one man! 」

Translation: "I don't believe he's invulnerable to blades and spears! I don't believe he won't tire! I don't believe fifty thousand troops can't overcome one man!"

His voice was hoarse like sandpaper on stone, carrying an unstoppable chill and killing intent.

Translation: His voice was hoarse like sandpaper on stone, carrying an unstoppable chill and killing intent.

The Northern Yuan army's trebuchets are currently stationed near the central command to prevent being burned by Han light cavalry raids; now they have become Toghtoohua's only conceivable breakthrough.

Translation: The Northern Yuan army's catapults were currently placed near the central command to prevent being burned by Han cavalry raids; now they had become Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's only idea for breaking the stalemate.

「General, the Han general has already entered our vanguard; if we use the trebuchets... could we accidentally hit our own people... 」

Translation: "General, the Han General has already entered our vanguard; if we use the catapults…… won't we accidentally hit our own men?"

A Wanhu commander beside Toghtoohua's face changed, and he whispered advice.

Translation: The Commander of a Thousand Households beside Tuo Tuo Bu Hua changed expression and whispered his advice.

Trebuchets aren't that precise; if multiple fire together, hitting our own troops is entirely foreseeable.

Translation: Catapults aren't that precise; if multiple fire together, killing our own people is entirely foreseeable.

「We can't worry about that now! If we don't kill this Han general, once our army collapses, casualties will only increase. 」

Translation: "We can't worry about that now! If we don't kill this Han General, once our army collapses, casualties will only increase."

「Today we've already lost so many brothers; we must seize this opportunity to take him down. Otherwise... 」

Translation: "Today we've already lost so many brothers; we must seize this opportunity to capture him. Otherwise……"

Toghtoohua hadn't finished speaking, but the apprehension in his eyes was nearly spilling over.

Translation: Tuo Tuo Bu Hua hadn't finished speaking, but the apprehension in his eyes was nearly spilling over.

Such a brave Han general—if we don't eliminate him now while we outnumber them, he will surely become a nightmare for the Northern Yuan.

Translation: Such a brave Han General—if we don't eliminate him now while we outnumber him, he will surely become a nightmare for the Northern Yuan!

He said without exaggeration: this one man alone could match a hundred thousand Han troops!

Translation: He said without exaggeration, this one man alone could withstand a hundred thousand Han troops!

This man must not be spared!

Translation: This man must not be spared!

Toghtoohua's expression turned cold; he drew his waist sword and pointed at Jia Jing ahead, shouting:

Translation: Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's expression turned cold; he suddenly drew his waist sword, pointing at the front's Jia Jing and shouted:

「The Han general is about to fall! Smash him to death! 」

Translation: "The Han General is about to fail! Smash him to death for me!"

Following Toghtoohua's command, the Northern Yuan army's field trebuchets were pushed forward.

Translation: Following Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's order, the Northern Yuan army's accompanying catapults were pushed forward.

These are the light trebuchets the Northern Yuan army uses for siege warfare, mainly to scatter gravel and disrupt Han garrison soldiers.

Translation: These are the light catapults the Northern Yuan army used for siege warfare in this campaign, mainly to scatter gravel and disrupt Han garrison soldiers during assaults.

Now they are all pushed forward in front of the central command's banner, lined up six hundred paces from Jia Jing.

Translation: At this moment they were all pushed forward in front of the central command's banner, lined up in a row six hundred paces from Jia Jing.

「Fire! More than ten trebuchets launched simultaneously. 」

Translation: "Fire!" Over ten catapults discharged simultaneously.

Millstone-sized boulders and bags of gravel and iron caltrops rose with a whistling sound, tracing arcs as they fell toward Jia Jing's head.

Translation: Millstone-sized stones and bags of gravel iron caltrops rose with a whistling sound, tracing arcs that fell upon Jia Jing's head.

Toghtoohua couldn't help but climb onto the platform where the banner stood, his fists clenched tight, wanting to be the first to see the gruesome sight of the Han general being smashed to death.

Translation: Tuo Tuo Bu Hua couldn't help but climb onto the platform where the banner was erected; his fists clenched tight, he wanted to be the first to see the gruesome sight of the Han General being smashed to death.

「Order the troops to prepare! Once the Han general is crushed, immediately annihilate the remaining Han forces! 」

Translation: "Have the troops ready! Once the Han General is smashed to death, immediately annihilate the remaining Han forces!"

「Without this Han general, those Han troops are like toothless tigers—easily wiped out. 」

Translation: "Without this Han General, those Han troops are toothless tigers, easily wiped out with a backhand."

「As long as we hold Yulin Wei City, we'll be invincible! Then the city's gold, silver, and women will be yours! 」

Translation: "As long as we seize Yu Lin Wei Cheng, we'll stand invincible! Then the city's gold, silver, and women will be yours!"

Under Toghtoohua's encouragement, the surrounding Northern Yuan central troops, though still trembling, regained a bit of morale compared to before.

Translation: Under Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's encouragement, the surrounding Northern Yuan central troops, though still trembling, regained a bit of morale compared to before.

The massive stones, carrying great kinetic and potential energy, whistled as they hurtled toward Jia Jing's head.

Translation: The huge stones, carrying great kinetic and potential energy, howled toward Jia Jing's head.

Both Han and Northern Yuan soldiers stared fixedly at the stones, some worried, some exhilarated, some anticipating.

Translation: Both Han and Northern Yuan troops stared fixedly at those stones, some worried, some exhilarated, some anticipating.

「Lord Marquis, will he be alright? Should we go up to help? 」

Translation: "Will the Marquis be all right? Should we go up to support him?"

Ma Guocheng watched the scene with a pang of anxiety; such heavy stones are hardly light arrows.

Translation: Ma Guocheng watched the scene, feeling uneasy; such heavy stones are certainly not light arrows.

Even if the Marquis could block them for a moment, could he withstand a relentless barrage?

Translation: Even if the Marquis could block it for a moment, could he withstand the endless barrage?

Never mind whether he could precisely block every stone; his strength would eventually run out.

Translation: Not to mention whether he could precisely block all the stones, his strength would eventually run out.

Feng Tang, Han Wu, and others all looked toward Zhu Que, knowing that only this trusted subordinate of the Marquis Jingwu could give the order to attack.

Translation: Feng Tang, Han Wu, and the others all looked toward Zhu Que, knowing that only this Marquis Jingwu's most trusted subordinate could conveniently issue an attack order at this time.

Zhu Que's face sank; he slowly shook his head and said:

Translation: Zhu Que's face sank, he slowly shook his head, and said:

「Trust the Marquis! Orders are as firm as mountains! Whatever the Marquis says, we'll do! 」

Translation: "Trust the Marquis! Orders are as firm as mountains! Whatever the Marquis says, we just follow!"

Zhu Que is the only person present who has seen Jia Jing smash the gate of Jizhou City with a hammer, and he has absolute confidence in him.

Translation: Zhu Que was the only person present who had seen Jia Jing smash the gates of Jizhou City, and he had absolute confidence in Jia Jing.

At this moment, Jia Jing merely raised his head calmly, glanced at the stone flying in the air, then looked at Toghtoohua standing beneath the Northern Yuan central command's banner.

Translation: Meanwhile, Jia Jing merely raised his head calmly, glanced at the stone flying in the air, then looked at Tuo Tuo Bu Hua standing beneath the banner on the Northern Yuan central command platform.

The moment has come; this battle should end!

Translation: The moment has arrived; this battle should end!

He once again lifted his bright silver dragon-gall spear, swung upward... a flash of silver light.

Translation: He once again lifted the Bright Silver Dragon Gallbladder Spear, swung upward…… a flash of silver light passed.

The first millstone-sized stone was swept by his spear, and with a "Bang!" it shattered into fragments.

The second piece, the third piece, the fourth piece…

Jia Jing swept his spear seven times; the seven boulders near him all shattered, stone fragments rained down, yet they could not harm him or his Red Hare Horse in the slightest.

Those flying stone fragments struck the surroundings, instead killing many Northern Yuan soldiers who couldn't dodge in time.

Meanwhile Jia Jing seized the opportunity, urged his horse forward another hundred paces, then put away his spear.

The third time his hand touched the Overlord Bow, he did not hesitate again, but directly took down the Overlord Bow.

As soon as the Overlord Bow was in his hand, a feeling of invincible heroic vigor surged within him.

Endowed with the archery skills of Zhao Yun, Lü Bu, and Xiang Yu, things like shooting the halberd at the gate, piercing a willow at a hundred paces, drinking feathers from shooting stone—these all seemed shallow to him!

With the Overlord Bow in hand, within its range he can hit exactly where he points, not missing by a hair; to say his archery is godlike is no exaggeration.