Chapter 335

When the fierce sounds of battle rang out, the old general was meditating in the shogunate.

Translation: When the fierce battle cries sounded, the old general was meditating in the shogunate.

Check: "old general" = old general. "in the shogunate" = in the shogunate. "meditating" = meditating. Good.

Suddenly, a banner person came rushing to report anxiously: General, it's terrible! Rebels are rioting!

Translation: Suddenly a banner person came running in panic to report: "General, it's bad! Rebels are rioting!"

Check: "banner person" = banner person. "general" = general. "rebels are rioting" = rebels are rioting. Good.

Lin Liu's expression remained calm:

Translation: Lin Liu's face was calm:

We need to keep colon? The Chinese ends with a colon. We'll keep colon.

Is it my disciple?

Translation: "Is it my disciple?"

According to the prior plan, the monkey should have been the first to launch the mutiny, and it should also have been the monkey to cut off his head, because this was the path of life he had found for his disciple.

Translation: According to the prior plan, it should have been the monkey who first launched the mutiny, and it should have been the monkey who cut off his head, because this was the path of life he had found for his disciple.

Check: "plan" = plan. "mutiny" = mutiny. "cut off his head" = cut off his head. "the path of life he had found for his disciple" = the path of life he had found for his disciple. Good.

But... the anxious banner person shook his head: It's not the monkey banner chief...

Translation: But…… the panicked banner person shook his head: "Not the Ape Banner Chief..."

Hmm? Lin Liu furrowed his brows:

Translation: Hmm? Lin Liu furrowed his brows:

Could it be the Tai Bai Star Lord?

Translation: "Could it be the Taibai Star Lord?"

Li Ziliang was also someone he had arranged beforehand; if Li Ziliang had brought people, it would also be normal...

Translation: Li Ziliang was also someone he had arranged beforehand; if Li Ziliang had brought people, it would also be normal……

Not either...

Translation: "Also not……"

Lin Liu straightened his waist, wondering:

Translation: Lin Liu straightened his waist, questioning:

Who is that?

Translation: "Who is that?"

Could it really be a burly man who sprang from among the cattle and horses? Impossible; these people's factional activities were already under my control from the start, and I've never heard of any cattle or horse having notable leadership talent; moreover, I had long ago mixed sand into them, so they couldn't be cattle or horses...

Translation: Could it really be a burly man who sprang from among the cattle and horses? Impossible, these people's factional activities were already under my control from the start, and I've never heard of any cattle or horse having notable leadership talent, besides, I had long since mixed sand into them, so it couldn't be cattle or horses……

Check: "mixed sand into them" = mixed sand into them (figuratively meaning diluted). We'll keep as "mixed sand into them". Good.

It's Ding Banner Chief!

Translation: "It's the Ding Banner Chief!"

The banner person's words left Lin Liu astonished:

Translation: The banner person's words left Lin Liu astonished:

How could it be him? 【The fighting between the rebels and the Eight Banners wasn't particularly fierce.】

Translation: "How could it be him? 【The fighting between the rebels and the Eight Banners wasn't particularly fierce.】

Note: How could it be him? 【The fighting between the rebels and the Eight Banners wasn't particularly fierce.】

【Because under your misgovernance, the Eight Banners also feared being expelled by you, so nobody really wanted to fight desperately for you; their fighting spirit wasn't strong.】

Translation: 【Because under your misgovernance, the Eight Banners also feared being expelled by you, so nobody really wanted to fight desperately for you, and their fighting spirit wasn't strong.】

Check: "misgovernance" = misgovernance. "being expelled by you" = being expelled by you. Good.

【Moreover, anyone with clear eyes can see that the Eight Banners are absolutely at a disadvantage in this battle; continuing to fight desperately will surely not end well...】

Translation: 【Furthermore, anyone with clear eyes could see that the Eight Banners were absolutely at a disadvantage in this battle; continuing to fight desperately would surely lead to no good outcome……】

【What are we hoping for by joining the Eight Banners? Isn't it just to live well? If we truly fight to the death, how can we still be carefree?】

Translation: 【Everyone joined the Eight Banners for what purpose? Isn't it just to live well? If they really fought to the death, how could they still be carefree?】

【Thus, as the fighting went on, the Eight Banner offspring kept collapsing again and again; most of them merely offered symbolic resistance before switching sides and joining the rebels...】

Translation: 【And so, as the fighting went on, the Eight Banners' descendants kept collapsing repeatedly; most of them merely offered symbolic resistance for a while, then smoothly defected and joined the rebels……】

【In a fierce wind, the tough grass is known; in turbulent times, loyal ministers are revealed!】

Translation: 【In a gale, the tough grass is known; in turmoil, the loyal minister is recognized!】

【At this critical moment, there were still those who resolved to defend you; facing the betrayal of allied troops and the rebels' assault, nearly two hundred people refused to surrender.】

Translation: 【At this critical moment, someone ultimately resolved to defend you; facing the allies' defection and the rebels' assault, nearly two hundred people steadfastly refused to surrender.】

【One side loudly denounced the enemy as ungrateful, treacherous rebels against the court, while fighting and retreating, gradually withdrawing into the general's residence, tightly protecting you within...】

Translation: 【On one side they loudly denounced the enemy as ungrateful, treasonous rebels against the court; on the other they fought and retreated, gradually withdrawing into the general's mansion, tightly protecting you in their midst……】

【Thus, this rebellion was basically declared over.】

Translation: 【Thus, this rebellion was basically declared over.】

【Surrounded by nearly three thousand, you and your loyal guard of fewer than two hundred were truly with no way to heaven and no door to earth.】

Translation: 【Under the encirclement of nearly three thousand, you and that loyal guard of fewer than two hundred were, as they say, with no way to heaven and no door to earth.】

【By this point, the battle essentially didn't need to continue.】

Translation: 【By the time the fight had reached this point, there was basically no need to fight anymore.】

【At this time, a person you know extremely well walked out from among the rebels with a complex expression...】

Translation: 【At that moment, from among the rebels with complex expressions walked out a person you knew extremely well……】

Little Ding...

Translation: 【"Little Ding……"】

You looked at that calm leader, your heart filled with myriad feelings: I never expected it to be you.

Translation: 【You looked at that calm-faced leader, your heart swelling with myriad feelings: "I really never expected it to be you."】

General, I also never imagined there would be such a day...

Translation: 【"General, I also never expected there would be such a day……"】

He sighed.

Translation: 【He sighed.】

This person is indeed one of the seven core banner chiefs under your command, surnamed Ding, and was among the earliest God Dao cultivators to join your ranks; years ago, you personally went out with the monkey and rescued him from what should have been his death.

Translation: 【This person is exactly one of the seven chief banner leaders under your command, surnamed Ding, and was among the earliest to join your ranks as a God Dao cultivator; back then you personally went out with the monkey and rescued him from certain death.】

Check: "God Dao cultivator" = God Dao cultivator. Good.

【To repay your kindness, he not only joined your team but also helped you bring in the remaining five banner chiefs; together with the monkey, these seven formed the earliest Eight Banners...】

Translation: 【To repay your kindness, he not only joined your team, but also helped you recruit the remaining five banner chiefs; the seven of them plus the monkey formed the earliest Eight Banners……】

【But now, he stands opposite you.】

Translation: 【But now, he stands opposite you.】

【Facing him, you ought to have cursed him for betraying his lord for glory, but considering that the present situation is entirely of your own making, you said nothing...】

Translation: 【Facing him, you ought to have cursed him for betraying his lord for glory, but considering that this situation is entirely of your own making, you said nothing……】

What about my disciple?

Translation: 【"What about my disciple?"】

You asked him about the monkey's whereabouts, after all it should have been the one to lead the attack; but now it's Ding Banner Chief... this inevitably concerns you.

Translation: 【You asked him about the monkey's whereabouts, after all it should have been the monkey leading the attack, but now it's the Ding Banner Chief…… this inevitably concerns you.】

I don't know.

Translation: 【"I don't know."】

Ding Banner Chief shook his head: I am only standing in for him because the monkey is absent.

Translation: 【The Ding Banner Chief shook his head: "I am only standing in for him because the monkey is absent, so I temporarily decided to take his place."】

Upon learning this, your heart eased: at least this shows the monkey wasn't harmed by them...

Translation: 【Upon hearing this, your heart eased: at least this shows the monkey wasn't harmed by them……】

General!

Translation: 【"General!"】

He suddenly turned

He suddenly turned solemn and said: "Your kindness we will forever remember and can never fully repay…… even if you have made such a mistake, we do not wish to make things difficult for you."

He turned solemn and said.

"If you immediately issue an edict to restore everyone's banner registration, and also reinstate cultivators to serve as heavenly officials, then restrict population growth…… I can guarantee that you are still the supreme shogunate general! We are all your loyal warriors!"

Translation: 【"As long as you immediately issue an edict to restore everyone's banner registration, and then reinstate cultivators to serve as heavenly officials, and also restrict population growth…… I can guarantee that you remain the supreme shogunate general! All of us are your loyal warriors!"】

Issue an edict, restore banner registration, reinstate cultivators as heavenly officials, restrict population growth, and remain the supreme shogunate general.

"If you speak up, today's rebellion is not a rebellion but merely a remonstration!"

Translation: 【"As long as you speak, today's rebellion is not a rebellion, but merely a military remonstration!"】

"He sincerely kowtowed to you, the rebels' hostile expressions faded, everyone looked at you with renewed hope, and even spontaneously bowed down!"

Translation: 【He sincerely bowed down before you, the rebels' hostile expressions also faded, everyone once again looked at you with anticipation, even spontaneously prostrating themselves!】

"Because they cannot forget your kindness."

Translation: 【Because they cannot forget your kindness.】

"In their eyes, you have never been a bad person; you have always been a benefactor, each of them longs for you to remain their commander forever, and they are willing to submit to you."

Translation: 【In their eyes, you were never a bad person; you have always been a benefactor, each of them longs for you to forever be their general, and they are also willing to submit to you.】

"You have only done some bad things, and those bad things do not mean you have lost their loyalty; as long as you speak up! As long as you can change!"

Translation: 【You merely did some bad things, and those bad actions do not mean you have lost their loyalty; as long as you speak! As long as you can change!】

"The rebellion can also become a remonstration!"

Translation: 【Rebellion can also become a military remonstration!】

"However, you ultimately still disappointed them……"

Translation: 【However, you ultimately still disappointed them……】

"Faced with everyone's expectations, you shook your head: 'My mind is made up; no need for more words!'"

Translation: 【Facing everyone's expectations, you shook your head: "My mind is made up, no need for more words!"】

"Everyone's expressions froze."

Translation: 【Everyone's expressions froze.】

【……】

Translation: 【……】

"This rebellion ultimately ended in your utter defeat; nearly two hundred of your loyal retainers were imprisoned by Ding Qi Zhu in the heavenly prison, while you yourself were placed under house arrest within the shogunate."

Translation: 【This rebellion ultimately ended with your utter defeat, your nearly two hundred loyal ministers were detained by the Ding Banner Chief in the heavenly prison, while you yourself were placed under house arrest in the shogunate.】

"You are still the shogunate general."

Translation: 【You are still the shogunate general.】

"But the supreme power has already shifted……"

Translation: 【But the supreme power has already shifted……】

"After the rebellion succeeded, Ding Qi Zhu had in fact become the holder of power; therefore, to legitimize this whole rebellion, he immediately issued an edict in place of the shogunate general!"

Translation: 【After the rebellion succeeded, the Ding Banner Chief had in fact become the holder of power; therefore, to legitimize this whole rebellion, he immediately issued an edict in place of the shogunate general!】

"Starting today, abolish General Lin's ruinous orders, lift the burden of cattle and horses from the True God, and then place it back on the cultivators."

Translation: 【Starting today, abolish General Lin's ruinous orders, take the burden of cattle and horses off the True God's shoulders, and then place it back onto the cultivators.】

"General Lin's ruinous orders, the burden of cattle and horses, the True God, and the cultivators."

"Then, Ding Qi Zhu issued another population control order to stop unlimited reproduction."

Translation: 【Next, the Ding Banner Chief also issued a population restriction order, to stop unlimited reproduction.】

The ordinary people also didn't see any problem, and so a wave of praise...

Then he further restored the flag registration of the true gods who had been demoted to beasts of burden, stipulating that all true gods need not undertake any work!

Thus, the true gods also cheered!

Both mortals and true gods were very satisfied, and the cultivators had no objections.

Cultivator: 'Right, I have no objections.'

In short, Battalion Chief Ding, with a sweeping reform of the old and establishment of the new, won universal acclaim across the land, completely overturning the decay and contradictions of your reign……

Thus the prosperous age continued on just like that.

And now, after all these changes, it is finally time to give you a posthumous verdict!

Thus, the much-anticipated Battalion Chief Ding issued a declaration entitled 'On General Lin'.

In the declaration, he fully affirmed your important historical role in the founding and flourishing of the new dynasty, and also considered you the greatest and most outstanding person since the creation of heaven and earth, surpassing all ancient sage rulers, a true sage!

Although your later years were inauspicious and you committed some minor errors, this does not affect your historical standing; overall, the blemish does not hide the jade……

This evaluation received unanimous approval from all sides: the general's greatness needs no further words!

Mistake?

That's nothing; after all, the general's kindness is not yet repaid, and if the general is willing, he can be reinstated at once!

But amidst the expectant gazes, you still chose to shake your head……

……

And after dealing with these historical legacies, the most thrilling moment arrived!

"Now that General Lin cannot manage affairs, while Battalion Chief Ding possesses both civil and military virtue, why not have Battalion Chief Ding succeed as shogun?"

After the hope for your reinstatement came to naught, someone could not help but begin to advocate for your ascension.

However, Battalion Chief Ding shook his head, classicly repeating your famous saying……

"Even if the Mandate of Heaven were with me, I would only wish to be a lowly battalion chief!"

His humility earned everyone's applause: 'Well done! No loss of face!'

But after all, a state cannot go a day without a ruler, so everyone thought of another person……

"The Tai Bai Star Lord Li Ziliang shall be the Heavenly Emperor!"

Someone spoke astonishingly: 'Back then the general abolished the Great Shun emperor and also attacked and destroyed the Heavenly Court, thereby gaining legitimacy; now that the general cannot manage affairs, it is precisely a time when the world has no master…… This is heavenly will, meaning we should "restore the kingly governance", "return the great governance", "honor the emperor and eliminate treachery"……'

"The Tai Bai Star Lord, moreover, is the founding ancestor of the human Great Shun, having bestowed kindness upon the South Jambu Continent for one hundred twenty years, and the people to this day praise his name."

"Moreover, he is the sole survivor of the Heavenly Court; such a deity of heavenly-human unity and boundless merit ought to ascend to the Heavenly Emperor's throne! Thereafter the Heavenly Emperor would rule in repose, while Battalion Chief Ding would act as regent over the world—how splendid would that be!"

At first glance this argument seems to be helping Li Ziliang seize the throne, but upon reflection everyone realizes: how could a heaven‑dropped emperor possibly have real authority?

This is merely using him as a puppet to make Battalion Chief Ding's rule appear legitimate, after all the general was overthrown by everyone, so it would be embarrassing to invoke the general's legitimacy again; bringing in this tool‑person emperor is simply convenient……

But upon hearing this so‑called 'good news,' Li Ziliang merely waved his hands repeatedly and cried: 'Don't implicate me! Don't implicate me!'

Who still wants to rush to be a puppet? Moreover, Li Ziliang in this coup actually stood on your side, and he even personally beat up several rebel soldiers……

In any case, he is unwilling.

Everyone originally wanted to force his agreement, but Battalion Chief Ding ultimately stopped them, so everyone had no choice but to maintain the status quo.

And after the coup, the great new dynasty in fact underwent a change of dynasty; although the shogun was nominally retained, real power had already fallen into Battalion Chief Ding's hands, forming a new shogunate regime.

And at that very moment, the newly freed Li Ziliang quietly sought you out and brought you a verbal message……

In the desolate shogunate, the ill‑fated Lin Liu in his later years sat on a cushion, gazing at the old man opposite, and could not help but say helplessly:

"You really…… I didn't tell you to defect, did I? This has left us……"

This old fogey, who actually stood on our side during the rebellion two days ago, I don't know whether to scold him or praise him……

"It doesn't matter; anyway, I just want to be an idle cloud and wild crane!"

He waved his hand and said solemnly:

"What I am about to say is what your disciple, before leaving, asked me to convey to you; you must listen carefully!"

Upon hearing it was a verbal message left by the missing monkey, Lin Liu couldn't help but tremble: 'I'm listening.'

Li Ziliang spoke slowly:

"May Master endure a few days of humiliation; I, the disciple, wish to make the state, though in peril, return to peace, and the sun and moon, though obscured, shine again……"

Lin Liu trembled: 'It…… where is the person?!'

"It said, Lingtai Fangcun Shan."

……

(End of chapter)