Chapter 485

What else could it be? Naturally they're unhappy—Zhang the Mountain God is supposed to rotate guarding the mountain god temples all over Lion Ridge, and the first one to come to our village's temple to take charge!

Interpretation: "How else could it be? Naturally, they're dissatisfied, Zhang Mountain God rotates to sit in charge at each Mountain God Temple on Lion Ridge, the first to come to our village's Mountain God Temple to sit in charge!" Need natural English. Keep meaning.

Possible translation: "What else could it be? Naturally, they're unhappy—Zhang the Mountain God takes turns presiding over the Mountain God Temples on Lion Ridge, and the first one to come to our village's Mountain God Temple to preside!" We'll produce.

Village Chief Zhou snorted, ignoring the angry looks, and said angrily:

Translation: "Village Chief Zhou snorted, ignoring the angry looks, and said angrily:" Need to keep as one line.

"Village Chief Zhang, you came at just the right time—come judge this: Zhang the Mountain God left your village's mountain god temple; shouldn't he now come to our village's temple to take charge?"

Translation: "Village Chief Zhang, you've come at just the right time—come judge this: Zhang the Mountain God leaving your village's Mountain God Temple, shouldn't he be the one to come preside over ours?" Need natural.

When he was born, the Lion Ridge Mountain God was already gone, yet many elders who lived through the time when Lion Ridge had a mountain god still often lament its loss.

Translation: "When he was just born, the Lion Ridge Mountain God had already passed, but there are still many elders who experienced the time when Lion Ridge had a Mountain God, and they've often lamented about it."

When the Lion Ridge Mountain God was still present, their village enjoyed prosperous times—especially when the mountain god dwelled in their temple; that period was practically flowing with riches.

Translation: "Back when the Lion Ridge Mountain God was still around, their village lived a good life—especially when the Mountain God presided over their village's Mountain God Temple, that period could be described as rolling in wealth."

Besides good weather, they could simply sow seeds and, months later, enjoy a plentiful harvest.

Translation: "With favorable winds and rains, not to mention, they could casually scatter seeds in the fields and, after a few months, reap a bountiful harvest."

The surrounding Lion Ridge boasts richer natural resources and wildlife than any other area.

Translation: "The nearby Lion Ridge, whether in natural treasures or wildlife, is richer than other places."

"What do you mean by 'taking turns presiding'?"

Translation: "What do you mean, 'taking turns presiding'?"

Zhang Yongde looked utterly puzzled.

Translation: "Zhang Yongde's face showed only confusion."

Village Chief Zhou said proudly, "Village Chief Zhang, you didn't know, did you? The Mountain God's Wife just said that starting from your Zhang Family Village, Zhang the Mountain God will take turns presiding over the Mountain God Temples in each of our villages!"

Village Chief Zhou said proudly, "Village Chief Zhang, you didn't know, did you? The Mountain God's Wife just said that starting from your Zhang Family Village, Zhang the Mountain God will take turns presiding over the Mountain God Temples in each of our villages!"

"How...?"

Translation: "How......"

Zhang Yongde instinctively turned his head, about to ask Li Ping what was going on, but the words died on his lips.

Translation: "Zhang Yongde instinctively turned his head, about to ask Li Ping what was going on, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back."

It wasn't out of deference to Li Ping's current status—as the Mountain God's Wife, she is qualified to speak for Zhang Deben; her every word could be taken as his.

Translation: "It wasn't out of deference to Li Ping's current status—as the Mountain God's Wife, she is presently qualified to represent Zhang Deben; her every word can be taken as Zhang Deben speaking."

He didn't question Li Ping because he recalled the elders once telling him that, back when the Lion Ridge Mountain God was still alive, it used to rotate guarding the mountain god temples in the surrounding villages, having visited their Zhang Family Village temple many times.

Translation: "He didn't question Li Ping because he recalled that the elders had once told him that, back when the Lion Ridge Mountain God was still alive, he used to take turns presiding over the Mountain God Temples in the villages around Lion Ridge, and had come many times to their Zhang Family Village's Mountain God Temple."

Each time.

Translation: "Each time."

Whenever it was their village's turn for the Lion Ridge Mountain God to preside, it was a year of abundant harvest.

Translation: "Whenever it was their Zhang Family Village's turn for the Lion Ridge Mountain God to preside, it was a year of abundant harvest."

This is already an old tradition; now that Zhang Deben has taken office as the Lion Ridge Mountain God, even if he favors their Zhang Family Village, he still has to do this.

Translation: "This is already an old tradition; now that Zhang Deben has taken office as the Lion Ridge Mountain God, even if he favored their Zhang Family Village, this sort of thing still has to be done."

"Shouldn't this kind of thing be decided by Deben himself?"

Translation: "Shouldn't this sort of thing be decided by De Ben himself?"

Zhang Yongde said, bewildered: "What's the point of arguing here?"

Translation: "Zhang Yongde said, bewildered, 'What's the point of you arguing here?'"

It's not that the Lion Ridge Mountain God can disregard the villagers' opinions—while one could ignore them, to do well one ought to listen.

Translation: "It's not that the Lion Ridge Mountain God doesn't need to heed the opinions of the nearby folk—although he could ignore them, if he wants to do well, he still ought to pay attention to the opinions of the people around Lion Ridge."

But for this issue, you cannot consider the villagers' opinions.

Translation: "But this sort of thing cannot be influenced by the opinions of the people around Lion Ridge."

Everyone knows that when the mountain god enters his own village's temple, he brings prosperity to the whole village.

Translation: "Everyone knows that when the Mountain God enters his own village's Mountain God Temple, he will bring the whole village a most prosperous life."

These prominent figures each represent their own village's interests; if they dare to betray their village's interests...

Translation: "These prominent figures represent their respective villages' interests, and if they dare to betray their own village's interests,"

Unless they themselves wield great power in their own village, they will be cast aside by the villagers.

Translation: "unless they personally wield great power in their own village, they will be cast aside by all the villagers."

They will inevitably vie for the order in which Deben presides at their temples; naturally, the earlier they get him, the happier they are.

Translation: "No matter what, they will vie for the order in which De Ben comes to preside over their village's Mountain God Temple—of course, the earlier they enjoy the benefit, the happier they'll be."

Village Chief Zhou said proudly, "Village Chief Zhang, you didn't know this, did you? The Mountain God's Wife said that we should settle this ourselves, showing that Zhang the Mountain God values our opinions; I believe someone who values the people's opinions will surely become a good mountain god."

Translation: "Village Chief Zhou said triumphantly, 'Village Chief Zhang, you didn't know this, did you? The Mountain God's Wife said that this matter should be settled by us ourselves, which shows that Zhang the Mountain God values our opinions; I believe someone who values the people's opinions will absolutely make a good Mountain God!'"

"Valuing opinions?"

Translation: "'Valuing opinions?'"

Zhang Yongde's face twisted into a strange expression—not because valuing opinions is wrong, nor because Zhang Deben isn't the type to heed others' advice, but because this matter cannot be decided by opinion; catching a glimpse of Li Ping, a sudden idea struck him, and he said fawningly:

Translation: "Zhang Yongde's expression instantly turned extremely odd—not because valuing opinions is wrong, nor because Zhang Deben isn't the type to value others' opinions, but because this sort of thing cannot be subject to opinion; catching a glimpse of Li Ping out of the corner of his eye, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind, and he said obsequiously:"

"What you say is correct—Deben, the new Lion Ridge Mountain God, does care about our opinions; by entrusting this important matter to you to decide, he shows his regard for you."

Translation: "'What you say is correct—De Ben, this newly appointed Lion Ridge Mountain God, is very concerned about our opinions; by entrusting this important matter to you to decide, he shows his regard for you.'

"But looking at you, having you decide the order in which Deben visits your villages' temples..."

Translation: "'But looking at you like this, having you determine the order in which De Ben goes to preside over each of your villages' Mountain God Temples—'

"Even if you cursed or fought, even at the cost of lives, you still couldn't settle who goes first."

Translation: "'whether you curse here or even come to blows, even if you sacrifice a few lives, you still couldn't decide who goes first.'

"Otherwise, let me propose an idea!"

Translation: "'Otherwise, let me give you a suggestion!'"

"Sure, Village Chief Zhang, speak your mind!"

Translation: "'Alright, Village Chief Zhang, what's your suggestion? Go ahead and speak!'"

Village Chief Zhou instinctively opened his mouth, seeing the others wanting to speak, but he beat them to it, saying: "But I need to tell you beforehand, if your suggestion is a bad idea, I won't accept it!"

Translation: "Village Chief Zhou instinctively opened his mouth, seeing the others around him wanting to say something, but he beat them to it, saying: 'But I must first tell you, if your suggestion is a crooked idea, I won't accept it!'"

"Don't worry, my suggestion will definitely not be a bad idea!"

Translation: "'Don't worry, my suggestion will absolutely not be a crooked idea!'"

Zhang Yongde secretly snorted, knowing full well that no matter how perfect his suggestion, someone would oppose it—and not just one person; who wouldn't want to be first? Who would want to be last? He said solemnly:

Translation: "Zhang Yongde gave a silent cold chuckle; he knew full well that no matter how perfect his suggestion, someone would oppose it—and not just one person. Who doesn't want to be first? Who would willingly be last? He said solemnly:"

"If you all want Deben to come preside at your village's temple, then you need to see what conditions you can offer; whoever offers the best conditions will naturally be the first to have Deben preside at their temple."

Translation: "'Since you all want De Ben to come preside over your village's Mountain God Temple, you ought to see what conditions you can offer; whoever among you offers the best conditions will naturally be the first to have De Ben preside over their Mountain God Temple!'"

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"Ah, do we have to come up with conditions?"

Translation: "'Ah, do we have to come up with conditions?'"

Village Chief Zhou exclaimed in frustration, glaring angrily at Zhang Yongde, suspecting that Zhang Yongde was deliberately making things difficult for them, and said embarrassedly:

Translation: "Village Chief Zhou exclaimed in surprise, glaring hatefully at Zhang Yongde, suspecting that Zhang Yongde was deliberately making things difficult for them, and said embarrassedly:"

"Village Chief Zhang, you know our village's situation—we're so poor we can barely afford pants; where would we get extra money?"

Translation: "'Village Chief Zhang, you're not unaware of our village's situation—we're so poor we're about to have no pants to wear; where would we get extra money?'"

"Village Chief Zhang, you're right—wanting Zhang the Mountain God to come first to our village's temple requires us to offer conditions that show our sincerity!"

Translation: "'Village Chief Zhang, you're right—if we want Zhang the Mountain God to come first to preside over our village's Mountain God Temple, we need to put forward conditions to show him our sincerity!'"

"As long as Zhang the Mountain God is willing to preside in our village, no matter how much money it takes, I'm willing!"

Translation: "Zhang Yongde hadn't even spoken when a village chief from another village stood up, ignoring the angry looks all around, and spoke righteously:"

"Li Village Chief, everyone knows your Li Family Village is so poor you can't even afford a wife; yet you'd let Zhang the Mountain God name his price—do you actually have the money? You're saying this?"

Translation: "'As long as Zhang the Mountain God is willing to come preside over our village, I'm willing to pay however much money it takes!'"

Village Chief Zhou glared hatefully at the village chief who had spoken out, silently cursing him as worthless, unable to see through Zhang Yongde's scheme; before he could finish speaking, several other village chiefs stood up, echoing similar sentiments—though they resented it inwardly, they felt compelled to speak:

Translation: "'Village Chief Li, who doesn't know that your Li Family Village is so poor you can't even afford a wife, yet you let Zhang the Mountain God name his price—do you actually have the money to pay? And you're saying this?'"

"Mountain God's Wife, don't listen to their nonsense—those one or two are so poor they can barely keep a pot boiling; where would they get extra money? If you want Zhang the Mountain God to come to their village's temple or ours, our village has more money than theirs; as long as you need it, Mountain God's Wife, we can provide any amount of money."

Translation: "Village Chief Zhou glared hatefully; the village chief who had stood up, silently cursing him as worthless and failing to see Zhang Yongde's scheme, hadn't finished speaking when several other village chiefs also stood up, saying similar things to that Li Village Chief, and though they secretly resented it, they had no choice but to speak out:"

Li Ping secretly gave Zhang Yongde a meaningful glance.

Translation: "'Mountain God's Wife, don't listen to their nonsense—those one or two are so poor they can barely keep a pot boiling, they have no spare money; please have Zhang the Mountain God come preside over their village's Mountain God Temple, or over ours—our village has more money than theirs, and as long as you, Mountain God's Wife, need it, we can produce however much money is required!'"

"You two are spouting big talk here—we're all from around Lion Ridge, there are hardly any outsiders—cough cough, hardly any outsiders—you know each other's situations; who doesn't know who?"

Translation: "Li Ping secretly gave Zhang Yongde a glance."

Zhang Yongde stepped forward, sneering a few remarks; he hadn't forgotten the hostile glances those guys had given him not long ago, and he seized the chance to retaliate, then continued speaking:

Translation: "'You one or two, spouting such big talk here—we're all from around Lion Ridge, and there aren't any outsiders here—cough cough, hardly any outsiders—you know each other's situations, who doesn't know whom?'"

"Moreover, you're treating Deben as what? He's the Lion Ridge Mountain God, not a money‑grubbing greedy—cough cough, not a profiteering merchant; don't say you have no money—even if you did, he wouldn't care for it; my condition is to help develop Deben's mountain god temple in each of your villages—what kind of terms can you offer?"

Translation: "Zhang Yongde stood up, uttered a few sarcastic remarks, not forgetting the hostile looks those fellows had given him not long ago, seizing the chance to get revenge, and then continued speaking:"

And what do you think of De Ben? He's the mountain god of Shizi Ling — not some money‑grubbing greedy — cough — not a money‑grubbing profiteer. Don't say you have no money; even if you did, he wouldn't be interested. The condition I'm talking about is helping De Ben's mountain‑god shrine develop in each of your villages. What kind of terms can you come up with?

Translation: "'And what do you think De Ben is? He's the Lion Ridge Mountain God, not a money‑grubbing miser—cough cough, not a profiteer who sees only money; even if you had no money, or even if you did, he wouldn't care for it. The condition I propose is to help De Ben's Mountain God Temple develop in each of your villages—what conditions can you offer?'"

(End of chapter)