Chapter 325

The news that Wang Bing thwarted a defection attempt, was promoted to Commander, and received an imperial physician to treat his mother spread like wings, quickly reaching the Long Prefecture Border Army, and then, through intentional publicity in the Imperial Court Gazette and the Rumor Office, it spread to all military prefectures and government offices of Great Chen.

Wang Bing thwarted a defection attempt, was promoted to Commander, and received news that an imperial physician was treating his mother; the news spread like wings, quickly reaching the Long Prefecture Border Army, and then, through intentional publicity in the Imperial Court Gazette and the Rumor Office, it spread to all military prefectures and government offices of Great Chen.

We need to keep the meaning exactly, not add extra.

Let's craft English: "Wang Bing thwarted a defection attempt, was promoted to Commander, and received news that an imperial physician was treating his mother; like wings spread, the news quickly spread throughout the Long Prefecture Border Army, and furthermore, through intentional publicity in the Imperial Court Gazette and the Rumor Office, it spread to all military prefectures and government offices of Great Chen."

like having grown wings

Now ensure we used glossary terms: Commander, Imperial Physician, Long Prefecture, Imperial Court Gazette, Rumor Office, Great Chen. Also we used 'military prefectures' for military prefectures (not in glossary but we translate meaning). 'government offices' for government offices.

Now we need to output as 【1】 translation.

Wang Ru keenly seized this incident, viewing it as an excellent opportunity.

Translation: "This incident was keenly seized by Wang Ru, who regarded it as an excellent opportunity."

We need to keep meaning: "This incident, Wang Ru keenly grasped it, viewing it as an excellent opportunity." We'll produce: "This incident was keenly seized by Wang Ru, who regarded it as an excellent opportunity."

An opportunity to push loyalty education to deeper and broader levels.

Translation: "An opportunity to push loyalty education to deeper and broader levels."

Bian Liang, the Hall of Government Affairs of the Secretariat.

Translation: "Bian Liang, the Chancellery Hall of Political Affairs."

Wang Ru summoned relevant officials from the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of War, and the Jing'an Office, and held a closed-door meeting.

Translation: "Wang Ru summoned relevant officials from the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of War, and the Office of Peace and Security, and held a closed-door meeting."

She wore a purple official robe, her expression solemn, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, her voice clear and firm:

Translation: "She wore a purple official robe, her expression solemn, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, her voice clear and firm:"

"The matter of Long Prefecture is known to all of you."

Translation: "«The Long Prefecture affair, all of you are already aware of it. »"

We need to keep the quotation marks as Chinese « »? We'll keep English double quotes? The source uses Chinese quotation marks 「」. We should translate to English double quotes? Usually we keep the punctuation as English quotes. We'll use double quotes.

Thus: "«The Long Prefecture affair, all of you are already aware of it. »" but we need to decide. I'll use double quotes: "The Long Prefecture affair, all of you are already aware of it."

But we need to keep the quoted speech. We'll output: "The Long Prefecture affair, all of you are already aware of it."

"The false Song and its hidden masters harbor an undying desire to destroy us, employing every possible means."

Translation: "«The False Song and its behind-the-scenes black hand harbor an undying intent to destroy us, employing every possible means. »"

We'll produce: "The False Song and its behind-the-scenes black hand harbor an undying intent to destroy us, employing every possible means."

"Bribery, coercion, infiltration, and defection—these are their usual tactics."

Translation: "«Bribery, coercion, infiltration, and defection—these are their usual tactics. »"

"General Wang Bing's loyalty and bravery make him a model to follow."

Translation: "«General Wang Bing is loyal and brave, worthy of being a model. »"

"Nevertheless, it is not too late to nip trouble in the bud."

Translation: "«Nevertheless, to nip trouble in the bud is not yet too late. »"

"His Majesty often says that the greatest affairs of state lie in the hearts of the people, the army, and the officials."

Translation: "«His Majesty often says, the great affairs of a state lie in the people's hearts, in the army's hearts, and in the officials' hearts. »"

"If the heart is unsettled, even strong walls and sharp weapons are like building a tower on sand."

Translation: "«If the heart is not steadfast, even with strong walls and sharp weapons, it is like building a tower on sand. »"

"Therefore, loyalty education is not a temporary measure; it is the foundation of the state and the basis of border security, and must be persistently upheld, deeply ingrained in the people's hearts."

Translation: "«Therefore, loyalty education is not a temporary measure; it is the foundation of establishing the state, the basis of securing the borders, and must be firmly upheld without letup, deeply ingrained in the people's hearts! »"

"Her words rang out with undeniable force."

Translation: "Her words rang out like a hammer strike, carrying an indisputable force."

"All the officials trembled, bowing in assent."

Translation: "All the officials trembled in awe, bowing and saying 'yes'."

"Soon, under Wang Ru's leadership, a more systematic and targeted loyalty education program centered on 'loyalty to the ruler, patriotism, discerning right from wrong, resisting infiltration' was swiftly devised and issued nationwide."

Translation: "Soon, a loyalty education program centered on 'Loyalty to the Emperor and Patriotism, clear discernment of right and wrong, resisting infiltration' was made more systematic and targeted; under Wang Ru's leadership, it was quickly formulated and promulgated throughout the realm."

We need to keep the quoted slogan exactly as Chinese but translated? The slogan is in Chinese quotes; we should translate its meaning. We'll translate: "Loyalty to the Emperor and Patriotism, clear discernment of right and wrong, resisting infiltration". We'll keep quotes? We'll just translate without quotes.

"This grand loyalty education movement first stirred up waves in the military."

Translation: "This grand wave of loyalty education first stirred upheaval in the army."

"In the main camps of each military prefecture, upon the training fields,"

Translation: "In the main camps of each military prefecture, upon the training fields,"

"In the main camps of each military prefecture, upon the training fields,"

"Besides regular drills, an unshakable addition was made—ideological lectures."

Translation: "Besides the usual drills, an unshakable item was added—ideological propaganda."

"It was no longer mere slogan-shouting; instead, literate clerks or trusted mid- and low-ranking officers, combining Wang Bing's example with true battle cases such as the bloody battle at Jinzhou and the martyrdom of General Han Tong, explained things to the soldiers in an accessible yet thorough manner."

Translation: "No longer mere slogan-chanting, it is now conducted by literate clerks or trusted mid‑lower‑rank officers, who combine Wang Bing's example with real battle cases such as the Jin Prefecture bloodbath and General Han Tong's sacrifice for the country, explaining them to the soldiers in an accessible yet thorough manner."

"\"Brothers! Think back to beneath the walls of Jinzhou—who led us, the weak, to overcome the strong, crushing the Northern Han iron cavalry and those inhuman iron crow troops? \""

Translation: "«Brothers! Think back to beneath the walls of Jin Prefecture—who led us, the weak, to overcome the strong, crushing the Northern Han cavalry and those neither‑human‑nor‑ghost Iron Crow troops? »"

"\"It was His Majesty! \""

Translation: "«It is His Majesty! »"

"\"Think of General Han Tong—why would he rather die than retreat, staining the battlefield with his blood? \""

Translation: "«Think of General Han Tong—why did he choose death over retreat, staining the battlefield with his blood? »"

"\"It is for our elders and hometowns behind us, for the rivers and mountains, the state of Great Chen! \""

Translation: "«It is for the elders and kin behind us, for the realm and altars of our Great Chen! »"

"\"What is the false Song? It is a puppet manufactured by the Iron Crow army! It is a ghostly reflection seen in a mirror! \""

Translation: "«What is the False Song? It is a puppet manufactured by the Iron Crow Army! It is a ghostly reflection seen in a mirror! »"

"\"The offices they give are those of traitors seeking glory! The promises they make are death-summoning talismans! \""

Translation: "«The offices they bestow are treacherous, sell‑out posts! The promises they make are deadly talismans! »"

"\"Our swords and spears are fed by Great Chen's grain, they protect Great Chen's people, and they are loyal to Great Chen's emperor! \""

Translation: "«Our swords and spears are fed by Great Chen's grain, they protect Great Chen's people, and they are loyal to Great Chen's sovereign! »"

"\"Anyone who dares to shake the army's morale or collude with foreign powers is the mortal enemy of us all—even the spirit of General Han in heaven would not spare him! \""

Translation: "«Whoever dares to shake the army's heart, whoever dares to collude with foreign powers, is the mortal enemy of us all! Even the spirit of General Han in heaven would not spare him! »"

"The impassioned words, paired with vivid examples, deeply shook the spirit of every soldier."

Translation: "The impassioned words, paired with vivid examples, deeply shook the spirit of every soldier."

"Especially in the Long Prefecture Border Army's main camp, Wang Bing himself appeared to speak, candidly telling his subordinates of his past struggle and final choice, which evoked a tremendous response."

Translation: "Especially in the Long Prefecture Border Army's main camp, Wang Bing himself appeared to speak, candidly telling his subordinates his past struggle and final choice, which evoked a tremendous response."

"\"The general did the right thing! \""

Translation: "«The general did right! »"

"\"As soldiers, what we value is loyalty and righteousness! \""

Translation: "«As soldiers, what we value is loyalty and righteousness! »"

"\"Whoever dares to attempt defection, first ask my blade if it agrees! \""

Translation: "«Whoever dares to attempt defection, first ask my blade if it agrees! »"

"The army's cohesion quietly increased through these repeated ideological baptisms."

Translation: "The army's cohesion quietly increased through these repeated ideological baptisms."

"In every government office, the atmosphere likewise became more solemn."

Translation: "Among all government offices, the atmosphere also became more solemn."

"Wang Ru personally urged the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate to make 'loyalty' the primary criterion for evaluating officials."

Translation: "Wang Ru personally urged the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate to take the character 'loyalty' as the primary standard for evaluating officials."

"This was not mere empty praise; it examined whether they dutifully fulfilled their responsibilities, whether their hearts were with the people, and whether they could stand firm in critical moments."

Translation: "It is not mere empty praise; rather, it examines whether they dutifully fulfill their duties, whether their hearts are with the people, and whether they can stand firm in critical moments."

"Even officials' schools and village elementary studies received the educational documents issued by the Ministry of Rites."

Translation: "Even the official schools and village elementary schools received the educational documents issued by the Ministry of Rites."

"It required teachers, while lecturing on sage writings, to intersperse accounts of contemporary heroes and martyrs—such as General Han Tong's sacrifice and General Wang Bing's refusal of inducement—to expound the principles of loyalty to the ruler, patriotism, and defending the homeland."

Translation: "It required teachers, while lecturing on sage writings, to intersperse accounts of contemporary heroes and martyrs—such as General Han Tong's sacrifice for the country and Wang Bing's refusal of temptation—to expound the principles of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, and of defending the homeland."

"Even in the markets, teahouses, and taverns, story-telling segments began to circulate, subtly guided and polished by the Rumor Office."

Translation: "Even in the markets, teahouses and taverns began to circulate some storytelling segments covertly guided and processed by the Rumor Office."

"Their contents invariably praised the righteousness of Great Chen's founding, exposed the false Song's puppet nature, and revealed the sinister background of the Iron Crow army."

Translation: "Their content unfailingly praised the righteousness of Great Chen's founding, exposing the puppet nature of the False Song and the sinister background of the Iron Crow Army."

"\"…Speaking of the false Song's ruler Zhao Kuangyin, he was originally a defeated general under His Majesty, imprisoned at Chan Prefecture, like a stray dog! \""

Translation: "«…Speaking of which, the ruler of the False Song, Zhao Kuangyin, was originally a defeated general under His Majesty, imprisoned in Chan Prefecture, like a stray dog! »"

"\"It is the shadowy remnants of the Iron Crow that rescued him, stuffed him into that mirror world, and made him a puppet! \""

Translation: "«It is the unseen remnants of the Iron Crow that rescued him, stuffed him into the mirror world, and made him a marionette! »"

"\"Why does the false Song imitate ancient institutions in everything, step by step? Because it is essentially rootless wood and sourceless water, forced to rely on imitation to get by! \""

Translation: "«Why does the False Song imitate ancient forms in everything, step for step? Because it is essentially rootless wood and sourceless water, able only to get by through imitation! »"

"\"How unlike our Great Chen emperor, who rose from scorched earth with bare hands, every sword and spear forging a genuine realm, protecting genuine common folk! \""

Translation: "«How unlike our Great Chen's Majesty, who, starting from bare hands in Jiao Tu Zhen, won every inch of realm with sword and spear, and whose protection extends to every real, living commoner! »"

"These story-tellings were easy to understand, with twisting plots, and quickly spread among the populace."

Translation: "These storytelling pieces are easy to understand, with twisting plots, and quickly spread among the populace."

"The common folk may not grasp profound principles, but they instinctively know who treats them well and who can bring peace to this troubled world."

Translation: "The common folk may not grasp profound principles, but they know in their hearts who treats them well and who can bring peace to this chaotic world."

"\"The false Song? Merely a phantom in the mirror! \""

Translation: "«False Song? Merely an illusion in the mirror! »"

"\"The Iron Crow army? Even more, a demon that brings chaos to the world! \""

Translation: "«Iron Crow Army? It is nothing less than a demon that brings calamity to the world! »"

"Unbeknownst to many, the idea of 'loyalty to the ruler, patriotism, resisting the false Song and Iron Crow' seeped into Great Chen's military, bureaucracy, schools, and even market streets like spring rain nourishing the earth."

Translation: "Unnoticed, the idea of 'Loyalty to the Emperor and Patriotism, resisting the False Song Iron Crow' seeped like spring rain into Great Chen's army, bureaucracy, schools, and even market streets."

"A cohesion based on shared understanding and belief is gradually forming."

Translation: "A cohesion based on shared understanding and belief is slowly forming."

"That day, Wang Ru, in a light carriage with few attendants, inspected the outer camps of Bianjing."

Translation: "One day, Wang Ru, in a light carriage with few attendants, inspected the outer camp of Bianjing."

"On the drill field, thousands of soldiers were training, their battle cries shaking the heavens."

Translation: "On the training field, thousands of soldiers were drilling, their battle cries shaking the heavens."

"During a break, the officer in charge of the lectures again brought up Wang Bing's affair and the false Song's plot."

Translation: "During a break, the officer in charge of propaganda again brought up Wang Bing's affair and the False Song's plot."

"Wang Ru paused to listen."

Translation: "Wang Ru paused to listen."

"All that could be seen were the seated soldiers, each focused, their eyes flashing with assent and indignation."

Translation: "All that could be seen were the soldiers sitting on the ground, each focused, their eyes flashing with approval and indignation."

"When the officer spoke passionately, even some young soldiers could not help clenching their fists, quietly cursing the 'mirror ghosts' and 'Iron Crow remnants'."

Translation: "When the officer spoke passionately, even a young soldier could not help clenching his fists and muttering curses at the 'mirror ghosts' and the 'Iron Crow remnants'."

"An attendant official beside Wang Ru whispered:"

Translation: "An attendant official beside Wang Ru whispered:"

"Prime Minister Wang, is this... too much incitement of hatred? I fear it is not the way of the sages' teachings."

Wang Ru kept her gaze on those soldiers and said lightly:

"In chaotic times, enforce strict laws; in deep illness, apply strong medicine."

"In extraordinary times, one must take extraordinary measures."

"The teachings of sages lie in everyday life."

"What I want now is a sharp blade that can cut through all demons and monsters, not a piece of unrefined jade that is gentle, good, respectful, frugal, and yielding."

"Only with loyalty in the heart and a blade in hand can one carve a path of survival in a world where tigers and wolves lurk, and safeguard this peace."

"That official, hearing this, fell into thought and said no more."

Wang Ru turned and left, but her heart was not entirely at ease.

She knew that ideological unity and loyalty are not achieved in a day.

Although there is some effect now, the infiltration and inducement of the False Song and the Iron Crow Army will never cease; indeed, they will become even more covert and cunning with each defeat in open confrontation.

This war without smoke is equally cruel and will be protracted.

But she believes that as long as the foundations are continually strengthened and hearts united, the great vessel of Great Chen will be able to sail more steadily and farther through these stormy waves.

All she needs to do is to forge the strongest hull and the most loyal crew for that great vessel.

Inside the imperial study.

Chen Wen listened as Qian Gui reported on the recent rollout of loyalty education across the regions and the direction of public opinion, nodding slightly.

He could feel that, with the promotion of this trend, the originally thick qi of Fortune Momentum within his body seemed to become more refined, and as it circulated, it carried a sense of united solidarity and indestructibility.

"Wang Ru has handled this matter properly." Chen Wen said softly.

"When hearts are united, even Mount Tai can be moved."

"The foundation of this Fortune Momentum is becoming ever more solid."