Chapter 20

Mi Zhen let out a light laugh and said to Liu Bei.

Translation: "Mi Zhen let out a light laugh and said to Liu Bei,"

Mi Zhen gave a light laugh and then addressed Liu Bei.

We'll discuss money later; the land of Chang'an is a bottomless pit right now. Forget the refugees—these Xiliang troops probably won't even see the food before it vanishes.

We need to keep quotes. Translate: "'The matter of money and wealth can wait; right now the land of Chang'an is basically a bottomless pit. Setting aside the refugees for the moment, even these Western Liang troops probably won't watch the food before them fly away.'"

Make sure to keep quotes as English quotes. Use straight quotes? We'll use double quotes as in source? Use English double quotes. We'll output: 「... 」 becomes "...". We'll keep the same punctuation inside? We'll just use English double quotes.

Thus: "The matter of money and wealth can wait; right now the land of Chang'an is basically a bottomless pit. Setting aside the refugees for the moment, even these Western Liang troops probably won't watch the food before them fly away."

Li Jue and Guo Si cannot be moved; in the end the common people suffer the most from the chaos. I will use these supplies not only to recruit soldiers but also to help the starving peasants survive this famine year. Whether we prosper or perish, the people suffer.

Translate: "'Li Jue and Guo Si are immovable; when the world falls into chaos, it's always the common people who suffer. I don't just want to use this grain to recruit troops—I also hope to help these famine‑stricken commoners survive this bad year. Prosper, and the people suffer; perish, and the people suffer.'"

Prosper, and the people suffer; perish, and the people suffer.

A solitary moon rose slowly from the east; Mi Zhen looked at the man's silhouette by the pavilion and a flood of thoughts surged in his mind, yet he could not articulate any of them.

Translate: "The lone moon rose slowly from the east; Mi Zhen gazed at the man's back beside the pavilion, and a flood of thoughts surged in her heart, yet she found no way to voice them."

In the past two days Xu Huang had been consolidating and reorganizing various forces in the Hedong region. Tonight three men arrived at his camp: the White Wave commanders Han Xian, Li Le, and Hu Cai.

Translate: "Xu Huang had been absorbing and reorganizing various forces in Hedong over the past two days; tonight, three men arrived at his tent: the White Wave Commander Han Xian, Li Le, and Hu Cai."

Xu Huang spent an entire cartload of gold, silver, and jewels to invite the three White Wave commanders down from the mountains for a banquet, and the commanders, being greedy for wealth, gladly accepted the invitation upon seeing that a single invitation could bring so much treasure.

Translate: "Xu Huang spent an entire cart of gold, silver, and jewels to invite the three White Wave Commanders down from the mountains for a banquet, and since the three White Wave Commanders were greedy for wealth, seeing an invitation that promised such riches made them happily attend."

The White Wave army originally stemmed from a faction of the Yellow Turbans; later, under Guo Tai and other local forces, they rose again in White Wave Valley, swelling to over a hundred thousand troops at its peak. At that time Dong Zhuo sent his son‑in‑law Niu Fu to suppress them, but Niu Fu suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the White Wave rebels.

Translate: "This White Wave Army was originally a detachment of the Yellow Turban rebels; later, Guo Tai and other local garrisons rebelled anew in White Wave Valley, swelling to over a hundred thousand troops at its peak. At that time, Dong Zhuo's son‑in‑law Niu Fu, sent to suppress the White Wave Army, was defeated badly by these White Wave rebels and forced to retreat."

Later Guo Tai was killed in battle against the Xiliang forces; Yang Feng seized the opportunity, steering his troops to surrender to the court. The others—Han Xian, Li Le, and Hu Cai—kept moving from place to place, persistently fighting the Xiliang army.

Translate: "After Guo Tai died in battle against the Western Liang Army, Yang Feng seized the moment, leading his troops to surrender to the court. The remaining Han Xian, Li Le, Hu Cai, and others, however, kept shifting their battlegrounds, stubbornly fighting the Western Liang Army."

In short, the White Wave army was a peasant uprising born out of desperation, but its leaders had their own selfish ambitions, so the army continued to wreak havoc in the mountains.

Translate: "In short, the White Wave Army was also a peasant uprising of those who could no longer survive at the time, but these few leaders had their own private desires, so the White Wave Army continued to cause trouble in the mountains."

Although the White Wave army originated from the Yellow Turban rebellion, years of combat have given them formidable fighting strength, which has attracted Liu Bei's attention.

Translate: "Although the White Wave Army originated from the Yellow Turban rebels, years of fighting have given it strong combat power, so Liu Bei has also set his sights on this force."

Cao Mengde (Cao Cao) even secretly recruited three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans; in this chaotic era, only troops, money, and grain constitute the true path to power.

Translate: "Cao Mengde himself secretly absorbed three hundred thousand Yellow Turban rebels, and in this chaotic age only troops, horses, grain, and wealth constitute the true kingly way!"

Bandits are merely a label that people slap onto the defeated.

Translate: "'Rebel' is merely a label people slap on the losers."

Xu Huang sat in the head seat and ordered his subordinates to bring wine and meat to the assembled guests.

Translate: "Xu Huang sat in the seat of honor and ordered his subordinates to bring wine and meat for everyone."

Han Xian was the first to become restless and asked,

Translate: "Han Xian was the first to unable to sit still, and he blurted out:"

"Xu Huang, I heard you once defected to Yang Feng. Does your coming to us now mean you're acting on Yang Feng's behalf?"

Translate: "'Xu Huang, I've heard you once defected to Yang Feng—this time you came to find us three, is it at Yang Feng's behest?'"

Xu Huang set down the fine wine in his hand.

Translate: "Xu Huang set down his fine wine."

"General, you are mistaken. I am now an officer under Uncle Liu, and I have come here by his order to recruit you as generals for the court. As a condition, we can provide the White Wave army with ample food."

Translate: "'General, you are mistaken; I am now an officer under Imperial Uncle Liu, and I have come here by his order to recruit you all into the court as generals. As a condition, we can provide the White Wave Army with sufficient grain.'"

Food!

Translate: "Grain!"

When they heard those two words, Li Le and Hu Cai's eyes brightened. Being former peasant soldiers, they knew that food was the army's most pressing need. With the Xiliang blockade, their men were on the verge of collapse, all for a single bowl of rice. "You promise to let us be well fed!"

Translate: "Upon hearing those two words, Li Le and Hu Cai's eyes lit up—being originally peasant soldiers, they knew the army's greatest shortage was grain. Now, because of the Western Liang blockade, their men were near mutiny, all just for a mouthful of rice; you promised to let us eat our fill!"

Han Xian sneered, his face showing contempt.

Translate: "Han Xian, however, gave a cold sneer, his face showing contempt."

"You think a few grains of food can persuade us, tens of thousands of the White Wave army, to join you? Tell that so‑called Uncle Liu that we won't accept anything less than what Yang Feng has; otherwise, no one will be useful!"

Translate: "'You think a few grains of grain can win over tens of thousands of our White Wave Army? Tell that so‑called Imperial Uncle Liu that whatever Yang Feng has, we must have just as much—or else no one will be of any use!'"

After speaking, Han Xian gulped down more than half a cup of wine. The liquor in Liu Bei's army is quite good! As he drank, Han Xian muttered to himself, wondering if anyone in Liu Bei's forces was a brewer by trade.

Translate: "After saying that, Han Xian gulped down most of a goblet of wine; the wine in Liu Bei's army is not bad! After drinking, Han Xian wondered to himself, could it be that someone in Liu Bei's army is a brewer by trade?"

"Very well, I will certainly convey your intentions to my lord when I return."

Translate: "'Very well, then I will certainly report your words to my lord when I return.'"

Ding dang.

Translate: "'Ding‑dong'"

The wine cup in Xu Huang's hand slipped to the ground with a crisp clatter, and within moments dozens of axe‑wielding men burst into the camp and surrounded the three.

Translate: "Xu Huang's wine cup slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a clear clang; in an instant, dozens of sword‑and‑axe troops rushed in from outside the tent and surrounded the three."

Han Xian drew his sword to resist, but Xu Huang kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling on the ground. Without saying a word, Xu Huang waved his hand, and the axe‑men swarmed, hacking Han Xian into a pulp.

Translate: "Han Xian drew his sidearm to resist, but Xu Huang kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling; Xu Huang said no more, merely waved his hand, and the sword‑and‑axe men swarmed forward, hacking Han Xian into mincemeat."

Li Le and Hu Cai at that moment dared not even breathe, staring at Xu Huang in terror.

Translate: "Li Le and Hu Cai, meanwhile, dared not even breathe, staring in terror at Xu Huang."

Xu Huang picked up Han Xian's sword from the ground, stared at the blade, and began to speak slowly.

Translate: "Xu Huang picked up Han Xian's sword from the ground, stared at the blade, and slowly spoke:"

"You two generals won't be like Han Xian, a treacherous rebel without a lord or father, will you? I think two people will eat a bit better than three."

Translate: "'You two generals won't also turn out to be traitorous lackeys without lord or father like Han Xian, will you? I reckon two people will eat their fill better than three.'"

Hu Cai and Li Le exchanged a glance and knelt to the ground.

Translate: "Hu Cai and Li Le exchanged a glance, then dropped to their knees."

"General, you are absolutely right. The White Wave army is willing to submit to Uncle Liu and the court."

Translate: "'General, your words are absolutely correct; the White Wave Army is willing to submit to Imperial Uncle Liu and the court.'"

Satisfied, Xu Huang tossed the sword to a nearby trusted soldier, helped the two up, and said with a smile,

Translate: "Xu Huang satisfiedly tossed the sword to his personal guard behind him, helped the two up, and laughed:"

"Then, please send your trusted men to gather your troops. By the way, Han Xian's loyal officers must not be kept."

Translate: "'In that case, please have each of you send your trusted men to summon the troops. Also, Han Xian's trusted officers must not be kept.'"

It was destined to be a night of blood and carnage; within a single night Liu Bei dismantled the powerful White Wave army with a cartload of jewels, and Hu Cai and Li Le's men slaughtered all of Han Xian's loyal followers.

Translate: "This was destined to be a night of blood and rain; in a single night the powerful White Wave Army was utterly disbanded by Liu Bei with a single cart of jewels, and Han Xian's trusted followers were slaughtered to the last by the men of Hu Cai and Li Le."

Xu Huang kept Hu Cai and Li Le by his side; with Xu Huang's formidable strength, it would be nearly impossible for the two to escape.

Translate: "Xu Huang merely kept Hu Cai and Li Le at his side; relying on his martial prowess of 95, it would be as hard for those two to escape as climbing to heaven."

The next morning Zhao Yun handed Liu Bei a letter; Liu Bei unfolded it, smiled, and said to Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei,

Translate: "The next morning Zhao Yun delivered a letter to Liu Bei; upon opening it, Liu Bei laughed and said to Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei:"

"Lord Yin has secured the overall situation."

Translate: "'Gongyin has settled the situation.'"

From the start Xu Huang weeded out the old, weak, sick, and crippled from the White Wave army, reducing the tens of thousands to just over thirty thousand. Since the White Wave army was composed of refugees, many had families and many concerns.

Translate: "Xu Huang first removed the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled from the White Wave Army, leaving only about thirty thousand of the original tens of thousands. Since the White Wave Army originally consisted of refugees, many had families to look after and thus harbored many reservations."

Xu Huang directly ordered his subordinates to distribute food; every household received seeds and a substantial amount of provisions. Thus, most of the White Wave troops learned that soldiers could actually be treated this way!

Translate: "Xu Huang then had his subordinates distribute grain directly; every household received seeds and plenty of food. Thus most of the White Wave Army realized that soldiers could actually be like this!"

Many people, seeing the smiles of their wives, children, and parents after bringing food home, felt a surge of satisfaction and resolved to follow Xu Huang faithfully in the future.

Translate: "Many saw their wives, children, and parents smile as they brought the grain home, and an inner sense of satisfaction welled up, prompting them to resolve to follow Xu Huang wholeheartedly from now on."

Xu Huang disrupted the White Wave army's structure, swapping subordinates among various commanders and inserting his own forces. He also promised that when the White Wave families relocated to Xuzhou, each household would receive its own piece of land, which made the simple farmer‑soldiers cheer.

Translate: "Xu Huang disrupted the White Wave Army's organization, mixing the subordinates of various commanders and inserting his own forces. At the same time he promised that after the White Wave Army's families relocated to Xuzhou, each household would receive its own plot of land, which made these plain‑spoken farmers cheer."

Liu Bei led his men to Xu Huang's main camp, where Xu Huang marched the newly organized White Wave troops in formation to welcome them. Liu Bei then gave a lengthy speech to the plain‑spoken strong men, and the White Wave families, having heard that Xuzhou was prosperous, agreed to relocate together.

Translate: "Liu Bei led a group to Xu Huang's main camp; Xu Huang commanded the newly organized White Wave Army's troops to line up in welcome, while Liu Bei gave these sturdy peasants a thorough ideological indoctrination. The White Wave Army's families had long heard that Xuzhou was quite prosperous, so they all agreed to relocate en masse."

In those times, who wouldn't love having food, land, a stable life, and a full belly?

Translate: "In those days, who wouldn't like a life with grain and land, stable and with enough to eat?"

Seeing the tattered armor and weapons of the White Wave army, Liu Bei's complexion grew even paler; the Yellow Turbans, the White Wave army, and the famed Black Mountain army were all like gifts from heaven.

Translate: "Looking at the White Wave Army's tattered armor and weapons, Liu Bei grew even more gloomy; the Yellow Turban Army, the White Wave Army, and that famed Black Mountain Army were practically god‑sent dungeons!"

Boss Cao built his power by capturing three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans; these people are arguably the best source of troops.

Translate: "Cao Cao didn't just build his base on three hundred thousand Yellow Turban prisoners; these people can be said to be the finest source of troops."

Liu Bei plans to send someone to contact Yang Feng to procure a batch of equipment; as for Yang Feng, if the money is enough, he'll even sell his ancestral tomb.

Translate: "Liu Bei planned to send someone to contact Yang Feng to procure a batch of equipment; for Yang Feng, as long as the price is high enough, he'd even sell his own ancestral grave!"

Before Liu Bei sat at the command desk, he paused to think and said,

Translate: "Liu Bei sat solemnly at the commander's desk, pondered a moment, and said:"

"The commander of this force is Lord Yin; we shall name it the Righteous Army. Lord Yin, I want this force to have greater combat capability within twenty days, because we will soon undertake a great undertaking."

Translate: "'The commander of this force will be Gongyin, and I shall name it the Righteous Return Army. Gongyin, I want this force to have greater combat power within twenty days, for soon we must undertake a great undertaking.'"

Xu Huang rose, clasped his fists, and replied,

Translate: "Xu Huang rose, clasped his fists, and replied:"

"Here you go! Rest assured, my lord. This force has long been battle‑hardened and already strong; it only lacks food, equipment, and execution. I am confident that within half a month I can elevate the Righteous Army's combat power to a new level!"

Translate: "'Yes! My lord, rest assured. This army has long been engaged in combat, so its fighting ability is already decent; what it lacks is grain, equipment, and execution. I am confident that within half a month I can raise the Righteous Return Army's combat power to a higher level!'"

When Liu Bei departed, he took Hu Cai and Li Le with him, promising them good positions in the court.

Translate: "When Liu Bei led them away, he took Hu Cai and Li Le with him, promising them a good official post in the court."

Although Hu Cai and Li Le were extremely reluctant, seeing the massive, gleaming axe in Xu Huang's hand made them even more uneasy, so they simply followed Liu Bei into Chang'an.

Translate: "Although Hu Cai and Li Le were utterly unwilling, seeing the dark, gleaming great axe in Xu Huang's hand filled them with even greater dread, so they simply followed Liu Bei into Chang'an."

Although they no longer held military command, at least they could survive!

Translate: "Although they no longer held military authority, at least they could still survive!"

Thereafter, the White Wave Army took its bow, and the Return-to-Righteousness Army led by Xu Huang stepped onto the historical stage.