Chapter 28

Lin Daiyu, sitting nearby, also twisted the corner of her clothes, her expression somewhat downcast.

Translation: "Lin Daiyu, sitting nearby, also twisted the corner of her clothes there, her expression somewhat downcast."

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "Lin Daiyu, sitting nearby, also twisted the corner of her clothes, her expression somewhat downcast."

Yun sister, second sister, third sister, fourth sister were all mentioned—didn't anyone mention me?

Translation: "Sister Yun, Second Sister, Third Sister, and Fourth Sister were all mentioned, but not me?"

We need to keep the nuance: "Yun sister, second sister, third sister, fourth sister were all mentioned, but not me?" We'll output: "Yun sister, second sister, third sister, and fourth sister were all mentioned, but not me?"

Last time I even wrote a letter together with everyone to him, and I sent him a sachet I made myself,

Translation: "Last time I even wrote a letter together with everyone and sent him a sachet I made myself,"

We need to keep the trailing comma? The Chinese line ends with a comma. We'll keep as is? The instruction: keep each translation on a single output line; we can include punctuation. We'll translate: "Last time I even wrote a letter together with everyone and sent him a sachet I made myself,"

I repeatedly urged him that if he had any newly composed poems or writings, he should send them along with the letter for me to see.

Translation: "And I repeatedly urged him, if he had any newly composed poems or writings, to send them along with the letter for me to see."

Since Daiyu obtained an essay titled "Heart Technique" from Jia Jing's desk, she has continually believed that Jia Jing possesses extraordinary talent,

Translation: "Since Daiyu obtained an essay titled 'Heart Technique' from Jia Jing's desk, she has always believed Jia Jing's talent surpasses others,"

It's just a pity that he chose the military path; otherwise he would have become a world-renowned literary master.

Translation: "It's just a pity he took the martial general's path; otherwise he would also have become a world-renowned literary grandmaster."

Whenever she, along with Tan Chun, Yingchun, and others, received a letter from Jia Jing, she would also reply to him,

Translation: "Whenever she, together with Tan Chun, Yingchun, and others, received a letter from Jia Jing, she would also write back to him,"

In her letters she repeatedly asked for poems and essays, but each time Jia Jing politely declined, claiming lack of inspiration.

Translation: "In her letters she repeatedly asked for poems and writings, but Jia Jing always politely declined, saying he lacked literary inspiration."

"This time, surely there's still nothing… or is Third Brother unwilling to write to me? After all, I'm merely his cousin."

Translation: "\"This time, is there still none…… Or is Third Brother unwilling to write to me? After all, I am merely his cousin. \""

Daiyu's expression sank, and her mind began to wander with random thoughts.

Translation: "Daiyu's expression fell, and her mind began to wander with random thoughts."

Xiangyun seemed to understand Daiyu's thoughts, looking at the letter and giving a slight smile,

Translation: "Xiang Yun seemed to understand Daiyu's thoughts, looking at the letter and giving a slight smile,"

She ran all the way to Daiyu's side, tilting her head to examine Daiyu's appearance closely.

Translation: "She ran all the way to Daiyu's side, tilting her head to carefully examine Daiyu's appearance."

"Lady Lin, why do you look so unhappy?!"

Translation: "\"Elder Sister Lin, why do you look so unhappy?! \""

At first Daiyu could pretend nothing was wrong, but eventually she couldn't withstand Xiangyun's gaze,

Translation: "At first Daiyu could still pretend nothing was wrong, but eventually she couldn't withstand Xiang Yun's gaze,"

She clenched her teeth in anger and exclaimed indignantly, "I'm not unhappy at all—what are you getting worked up about?"

Translation: "Her teeth clenched in anger, she snapped indignantly: \"What? I'm not unhappy at all—what are you going on about? \""

Xiangyun laughed and clapped her hands, saying:

Translation: "Xiang Yun laughed and clapped her hands, saying:"

"As long as you're not unhappy, that's fine—I thought you were eager to hear Third Brother's new poem."

Translation: "\"As long as you're not unhappy, that's fine—I thought Elder Sister Lin was eager to hear Third Brother's new poem. \""

"It seems there isn't one, so I'll just go enjoy it with Ai sister and Third sister."

Translation: "\"It seems there isn't, so I can only go enjoy it with Ai Sister and Third Sister. \""

Daiyu first felt a flicker of joy, raised her eyebrows, and blurted out:

Translation: "Daiyu first brightened, raised her eyebrows, and blurted out:"

"This time there is one?"

Translation: "\"This time there is? \""

Then she came to her senses and retorted sarcastically:

Translation: "She then came to her senses and retorted sarcastically:"

"Ai sister, I don't know who it is, but someone loves to speak with a clenched tongue, mixing up 'ai' and 'er'."

Translation: "\"Ai Sister, I don't know who it is, so fond of speaking with a bitten tongue, can't even tell Ai from Er. \""

"Sometimes it's 'ai gege', sometimes 'ai jiejie'; even when playing chess it's all 'yi ai san si wu'. Haha..."

Translation: "\"Sometimes it's Ai Brother, sometimes Ai Sister; even when playing chess it's always Ai Three Four Five. Haha... \""

Xiangyun wouldn't be fazed by that, even though Daiyu is the grandmother's beloved,

Translation: "Xiang Yun wouldn't be fazed by that, even though Daiyu is Jia Mu's beloved,"

but she isn't afraid; she enjoys sparring with Daiyu every day. She countered:

Translation: "but she isn't afraid, finding joy in daily verbal sparring with Daiyu. She retorted:"

"Hmph! Only you can count; I naturally won't speak, but I only wish for a tongue-biting Lin brother-in-law who will daily love you to death—then I'll laugh at you!"

Translation: "\"Hmph! Only you know how to count; I naturally won't speak, just hoping for a tongue-biting Lin brother-in-law who will daily love-love-love you, then I'll laugh at you! \""

The two teenage girls bickered, yet it agitated the onlookers.

Translation: "The two teenage maids' verbal sparring agitated the onlookers."

Tan Chun was the first to stop their verbal sparring, sternly urging Xiangyun, the instigator:

Translation: "Tan Chun first stepped in to stop their quarrel, sternly urging Xiang Yun, the instigator:"

"You're always mischievous—hurry up and finish reading Third Brother's letter!"

Translation: "\"You're always mischievous—hurry up and finish reading Third Brother's letter! \""

Yingchun and the others also eagerly eyed the paper in Xiangyun's hand, curious for her to read it aloud.

Translation: "Yingchun and the others also eagerly eyed the paper in Xiang Yun's hands, curiously urging her to read it aloud."

Even the usually dignified and proper Xue Baichai looked expectantly at Xiangyun.

Translation: "Even the usually dignified and proper Xue Baichai looked expectantly at Xiang Yun."

Having just heard Jia Jing's letter, Xue Baichai realized that this Jia family brother excels not only in military strategy but also possesses remarkable literary talent.

Translation: "Having just heard Jia Jing's letter, Xue Baichai discovered that this Jia family brother excelled not only in military strategy but also in literary talent."

Especially, his words reveal deep care and affection for the sisters, truly enviable.

Translation: "Especially, the care and affection for the sisters evident in his words are truly enviable."

Unlike my own brother Xue Pan, who is worthless and only drinks flower wine and causes trouble everywhere—hard to put into words…

Translation: "Unlike her own elder brother Xue Pan, who is worse than useless, only drinking flower wine and causing trouble everywhere—simply indescribable……"

Xiangyun didn't dare provoke everyone's anger. She hurriedly continued reading:

Translation: "Xiang Yun didn't dare provoke everyone's anger. She hurriedly continued reading:"

"Little Jia'er, at home eat well, sleep well, play well, and don't fall or bump into things!"

Translation: "\"Xiao Jiaoer, at home eat well, sleep well, play well, and don't fall or bump into things! \""

Upon hearing Jia Jing finally mention him, Little Jia'er opened his mouth and laughed heartily, a few of his newly replaced teeth showing.

Translation: "Upon hearing Jia Jing finally mention him, Xiao Jiaoer opened his mouth and laughed heartily, a few of his newly replaced teeth showing."

"Also, in response to Lin sister's repeated requests, I am sending a humble work."

Translation: "\"Furthermore, in response to Lin sister's repeated requests, I am sending a humble work. \""

"Reflections on the fall of Jinzhou to Fei Yanggu."

Translation: "\"Feelings on Breaking Fee Yanggu at Jinzhou. \""

"Dark clouds press upon the city, threatening to topple it; armor glints like golden scales in the sunlight. Horns echo across the autumn sky, while on the frontier the swallow fat congeals into night‑purple."

Translation: "\"Dark clouds press the city, threatening to topple it; armored gleam faces the sun, golden scales unfold. Horn calls fill the autumn sky; beyond the frontier, Yan's fat congeals into night purple. \""

We need to keep the poetic line as is but translate meaning. We'll produce a translation that captures meaning. Ensure we keep line breaks? The instruction: each translation on a single output line. So we must put the whole translated stanza on one line. We'll translate each line separated by spaces maybe. We'll produce: "Dark clouds press the city, threatening to topple it; armored gleam faces the sun, golden scales unfold. Horn calls fill the autumn sky; beyond the frontier, Yan's fat congeals into night purple."

"Half a scroll of red flags faces the Yi River; heavy frost silences the drums. To repay the lord's intent on the Golden Terrace, I will carry the jade dragon to die for him."

Translation: "\"Half a scroll of red flags faces the Yi River; heavy frost silences the war drums. Report to the lord the intent on the Golden Terrace; raise the Jade Dragon to die for the lord. \""

We need to keep meaning.

"Brother, respectfully submitted."

Translation: "\"Elder brother, respectfully submitted. \""

"The seventeenth day of the seventh month in the ninth year of Jing Sheng."

Translation: "\"Prosperous Era Year Nine, July Seventeen. \""

After the poem was read, the hall fell silent.

Translation: "After the poem was read, the hall fell silent."

The poem is indeed a fine poem.

Translation: "The poem, indeed, is a good poem."

This poem uses vivid, mottled colors to depict a tragic and fierce battle scene, accurately portraying the specific frontier landscape and ever‑changing war situation through extraordinary imagery.

Translation: "This poem uses rich, variegated colors to depict a tragic, fierce battle scene, and through extraordinary imagery accurately portrays the specific time and place's frontier scenery and the ever-changing tides of war."

The first line describes both scenery and event, conveying the tense atmosphere and perilous situation of troops at the city walls, while using sunlight to show the defending army's majestic vigor;

Translation: "The first line describes scenery and events, rendering the tense atmosphere and perilous situation of troops at the city's gates, and using sunlight to show the defending army's majestic vigor;"

The second line evokes the battlefield's sorrowful mood and brutal fighting through both auditory and visual senses;

Translation: "The second line, from both auditory and visual perspectives, renders the battlefield's sorrowful atmosphere and the cruelty of combat;"

The third line depicts the troops' assault and their bloody, desperate struggle;

Translation: "The third line depicts the troops' assault and their bloody, desperate struggle;"

The final line cites an allusion to express the soldiers' resolve to die for their country.

Translation: "The final line, citing an allusion, writes of the soldiers' resolve to die for their country."

The poem as a whole bears a desolate, solemn tone, possessing strong impact and artistic charm.

Translation: "The poem as a whole bears a desolate, solemn atmosphere, possessing strong impact and artistic charm."

After hearing it, one is left with endless aftertaste.

Translation: "After hearing it, one is left with endless aftertaste."

Scene after scene seems to appear before everyone's eyes—showing the difficulty of defending the city and the hardship and cruelty of bloody warfare.

Translation: "Scene after scene seems to appear before everyone's eyes—showing the difficulty of defending the city, and the hardship and cruelty of bloody warfare."

However, the poem's title is rather… embarrassing.

Translation: "But this poem's title is… rather… embarrassing."

Who writes a poem named after where they won a battle!

Translation: "Who writes a poem named after where they won a battle!"

Is this meant not only to physically annihilate Fei Yanggu and the Qing forces, but also to strike them deeply on a spiritual level?

Translation: "Is this meant to not only physically annihilate Fee Yanggu and the Qing troops, but also to strike them deeply in spirit?"

From now on, whenever this poem is mentioned, everyone will know it depicts the scene of Fei Yanggu being crushed by the Han army.

Translation: "From now on, whenever this poem is mentioned, everyone will know it depicts the scene of Fee Yanggu being crushed by the Han army."

Isn't this condemning Fei Yanggu to eternal infamy?

Translation: "Isn't this letting Fee Yanggu's name reek for eternity?"

Xiangyun gave a dry cough and said incredulously:

Translation: "Xiang Yun gave a dry cough and said incredulously:"

Third Brother wouldn't be planning to, after winning a battle, write a poem, and then even name it after the enemy's commanding general, right?

For a moment, everyone stared at each other in bewilderment…

………….

Outside Zunhua City to the northwest.

Jia Jing arrived here, dust‑caked, leading twenty thousand cavalry.

At this moment, Jia Jing still did not know what had happened in Shenjing.

Since the battle at Jinzhou City ended, he was immediately given a new assignment.

After Fei Yanggu's defeat, the Qing commander Yin Ti seemed unable to accept the outcome.

After several engagements with Nian Gengyao's army that yielded no advantage,

Yin Ti decisively ordered that of his roughly 110,000 troops, only a few thousand were left to stage a deceptive formation outside Liaodong City, waving flags and shouting to confuse Nian Gengyao's Liaodong forces.

Meanwhile, the main Qing force split into three routes, passing through the Chahar tribes of the north‑west steppe and crossing the Great Wall,

continuously overrunning the Da An Pass and Hong Shan Pass, then moving through Zunhua, Jizhou and Tongzhou, pressing straight toward the Da Han Empire's Shenjing.

By the time Nian Gengyao and the Liaodong forces learned of this, several days had already passed.

In great alarm, they resolved that Jia Jing should lead all twenty thousand Liaodong cavalry as the vanguard to rush and rescue Shenjing.

After all, if the home front were taken, the Liaodong frontline troops would become a laughingstock.

After receiving the order, Jia Jing placed the Xuanjia Army at the front, lightening his heavy cavalry to light cavalry, marching day and night, and finally arrived outside Zunhua City two days later.

Unfortunately, it was still a step too late; by then, Zunhua City had already been ordered to be razed by Qing Left Route Army commander Aisin Gioro Jidu.

What should have been a bustling Han Army stronghold in Zunhua City had become a dead city.

Corpses lay scattered across the city, and several key government offices and most residences were reduced to ash by the raging fire.

Entering the city, the streets on both sides were piled with bodies, layer upon layer, broken and fragmented; some were curled in rigid poses, preserving their final struggle.

Especially the women and children, either ragged and abused or tiny bodies trampled into the mud.

This once‑prosperous great city had now become a living hell; every inch of ground was soaked with blood, and every breath of air carried the scent of death.