Chapter 51

In Xuchang, under Jian Yong's leadership, Liu Bei's envoy, bearing a great gift for Cao Cao, went to visit the northern hegemon.

Translation: In Xuchang City, under the leadership of Jian Yong, Liu Bei's envoy carried the "great gift" for Boss Cao to visit this northern hegemon.

Check: northern hegemon = northern hegemon. Keep as northern hegemon. Good.

At the same time, Yuan Shao also accepted Tian Feng's advice, planning to join forces with Cao Cao to attack Xu Province. According to Big Brother Ben Chu's own idea, it's completely unnecessary—he could personally capture Liu Bei, that jumping clown.

Translation: At the same time, Yuan Shao also accepted Tian Feng's suggestion, planning to join Cao Cao in attacking Xuzhou; according to Big Brother Ben Chu's own idea, it was completely unnecessary—he could personally take care of Liu Bei, that jumping clown.

According to Big Brother Ben Chu's own idea, it's completely unnecessary—he could personally capture Liu Bei, that jumping clown.

Only Tian Feng and Ju Gu stood behind it, and Xu You unusually voiced his support, prompting Big Brother Ben Chu to decide to adopt the plan of joining Cao Cao to attack Liu Bei.

Translation: However, Tian Feng and Ju Shou jointly guaranteed it, and Xu You rarely expressed his agreement, which led Big Brother Ben Chu to decide to still adopt the idea of allying with Cao to attack Liu.

The Qingzhou war is now raging, and Cao Cao knows he is the one who can turn the tide in the conflict between Yuan Shao and Liu Bei.

Translation: Now the Qingzhou war is in full swing, and Cao Cao also deeply knows that among Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, he himself is the one who can change the tide of battle.

Liu Bei is truly despicable—he took my Xu Province, detained my Yan Province troops, and now he even has the gall to come negotiate?

Translation: This Liu Bei is truly hateful—he seized my Xuzhou, detained my Yanzhou troops, and now he even has the nerve to come negotiate?

Upon hearing the guard's report, Cao Cao decided to give Liu Bei's envoy a humiliating welcome, planning to summon both envoys to court the next day and then thoroughly humiliate and mock Liu Bei's envoy.

Translation: After receiving the guard's report, Cao Cao resolved to give Liu Bei's envoy a humiliating welcome, planning to summon both envoys together at court the next day and then properly humiliate and mock Liu Bei's envoy.

At the next morning's audience, with the little yellow gate's shrill call, Yuan Shao's envoy went up to the hall alongside Jian Yong and the others.

Translation: At the next day's court assembly, with the Little Yellow Gate's shrill voice calling, Yuan Shao's envoy went up to the hall together with Jian Yong and his group.

Yuan Shao's envoy was extremely arrogant; upon seeing Jian Yong and the others, his face showed mockery and displeasure as he stepped forward to address Cao Cao, seated in the Grand Tutor's chair.

Translation: Yuan Shao's envoy was extremely arrogant; upon seeing Jian Yong and the others, his face showed mockery and displeasure as he stepped forward and said to Cao Cao, who was seated on the Grand Tutor's great chair:

"Cao Cao, you have deep ties with my lord; why are you now summoning Liu Bei's envoy together? Do you think you can hold out for a better price?"

Translation: "Lord Cao, you have deep friendship with my lord; why summon Liu Bei's envoy together this time? Do you think you can hold out for a better price?"

Cao Cao was a little displeased: "How dare a petty envoy speak to me like that?! Is my blade not sharp enough, or am I unable to lift it?"

Translation: Cao Cao felt somewhat displeased—how dare a petty envoy speak to me like this?! Is it that my old Cao's blade isn't sharp enough, or that I can't lift my blade?

But Cao Cao still politely laughed and said.

Translation: But Cao Cao still politely laughed and said:

"Sir, don't overthink it; this is just to show my attitude toward you. The bond between Ben Chu and me is beyond ordinary comprehension."

Translation: "Sir, don't overthink it; this is merely to show my attitude toward you. The friendship between Ben Chu and I is something ordinary people cannot fathom."

Yuan Shao's envoy snorted arrogantly: "That's more like it; our Yuan family is great and mighty—what can you do with the emperor in your hands, Cao Cao?"

Translation: Yuan Shao's envoy snorted arrogantly, "That's more like it—we, Old Yuan, have great prestige and great undertakings; what can you, Cao Cao, do even with the Son of Heaven in your hands?"

You still have to obediently listen to our elder brother Yuan!

Translation: "You just need to obediently listen to our Big Brother Yuan!"

After Jian Yong entered the hall and adjusted his attire, he knelt before the frightened young emperor on the dragon throne and said.

Translation: After Jian Yong entered the hall and adjusted his attire, he knelt before the frightened young emperor on the Dragon Throne and said:

Your servant, Jian Yong, Director of Xu Province Studies, pays homage to Your Majesty. My lord, Lord Liu, deeply cares for Your Majesty and has sent me to present one hundred bolts of silk and fifty thousand bushels of grain. Your Majesty's food, clothing, and provisions have always been provided by Cao Cao, and Lord Liu thanks Cao Cao.

Translation: "Your subject, Jian Yong, the Xuzhou Classics Scholar, pays homage to Your Majesty. My lord, Lord Liu, deeply misses Your Majesty and specially sent me to present a hundred bolts of silk and fifty thousand bushels of grain. Your Majesty's food, clothing, and provisions have always been provided by Lord Cao; my lord, Lord Liu, thanks Lord Cao."

Emperor Liu Xian's face was streaked with tears; now he feels like a caged goldfinch. Although Cao Cao is far better than Dong Zhuo and his ilk, he still restricts my freedom.

Translation: Liu Xie's face was streaked with tears; at this moment he felt like a caged goldfinch—although Cao Cao is far better than Dong Zhuo and his ilk, he still restricts my freedom.

Thinking back, my happiest times were under the care of my imperial uncle; reflecting on this only makes me miss him more.

Translation: Thinking back, my happiest times were under the care of my Imperial Uncle; recalling this, I can't help but miss my Imperial Uncle even more.

Hurry, get up, sir, no need for much ceremony—how has your imperial uncle been lately?

Translation: "Hurry, hurry up, sir, no need for much ceremony—how has your Imperial Uncle's health been lately?"

Jian Yong spoke loudly.

Translation: Jian Yong spoke loudly:

My lord is well; thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. My lord also misses you greatly; Qingzhou has been fully restored by my lord, and he wishes to present the commanderies of Jinan and Le'an to the court in gratitude for Your Majesty's heavenly grace.

Translation: "My lord is well; thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. My lord also misses You greatly; this time, Qingzhou has been completely restored by my lord, and he wishes to present Jinan and Le'an commanderies to the court to repay Your Majesty's heavenly grace."

After saying that, Jian Yong glanced back at Cao Cao, who was also deep in thought.

Translation: After saying that, Jian Yong glanced back at Cao Cao, who was also deep in thought.

Yuan Shao's envoy also, as fitting, jumped out and shouted a tirade, pointing at Jian Yong and cursing.

Translation: Yuan Shao's envoy also jumped in at the right moment, shouting abuse and pointing at Jian Yong, he cursed:

You shameless wretch; that Qingzhou territory rightfully belongs to my lord, the Yuan alliance leader. Liu Bei's betrayal and abandonment of righteousness are truly the deeds of a petty man.

Translation: "Shameless wretch, that Qingzhou territory rightfully belongs to our lord, the Yuan Alliance Chief; Liu Bei's betrayal and abandonment of righteousness are truly the deeds of a petty man."

Jian Yong glanced contemptuously at his companion and shouted.

Translation: Jian Yong glanced contemptuously at his companion and shouted:

Silence! Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; when you speak like this before the Son of Heaven, do you even regard the Son of Heaven? Qingzhou's land was entirely pacified by my lord's forces—why should we hand over half of this good land to Yuan Shao just because he flaps his lips?

Translation: "Shut up! Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; when you speak like this before the Son of Heaven, do you even regard the Son of Heaven? The entirety of Qingzhou was pacified by my lord's forces—on what grounds should we simply hand over half of this fine land just because Yuan Shao flaps his lips?"

My lord offering land to the court is simply a subject's duty; Yuan Shao is merely a servant of the Son of Heaven—what does he amount to?

Translation: "My lord offering land to the court is merely a subject's duty; Yuan Shao is nothing more than a servant of the Son of Heaven—what could he possibly amount to?"

Yuan Shao's envoy's face darkened like ink; Cao Cao's aides Guo Jia and Cheng Yu privately chuckled, while Xun Yu's eyes flashed with a glint of insight.

Translation: Yuan Shao's envoy's face turned black as ink; Cao Cao's aides Guo Jia and Cheng Yu secretly chuckled, while Xun Yu's eyes flashed with a glint.

Seeing that he had run out of arguments, Yuan Shao's envoy turned to Cao Cao and said.

Translation: Seeing he was out of words, Yuan Shao's envoy simply turned to Cao Cao and said:

Cao Cao, if you agree to send troops to help, after success we two families will divide Liu Bei's territory equally.

Translation: "Lord Cao, if you agree to send troops to help, after success we two families will split Liu Bei's territory equally."

Cao Cao chuckled, shook his head, and laughed.

Translation: Cao Cao chuckled, shook his head, and said:

Is that how it is? Come, bring the oil cauldron—I want to invite Mr. Xianhe to take a bath.

Translation: "Is that so? Come on, bring the oil pot—I want to have Mister Xian He take a bath."

Everyone present changed expression dramatically; Emperor Liu Xian even opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Cao Cao's displeased look, he prudently closed his mouth.

Translation: Everyone present changed expression; Liu Xie even opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Cao Cao's unfriendly look, he sensibly closed his mouth.

Jian Yong laughed heartily, flung his wide sleeves, and faced the several strong men lifting the oil cauldron onto the hall without changing his expression.

Translation: Jian Yong burst into laughter, flung his wide sleeves, and faced the several sturdy men lifting the oil pot onto the hall—his expression unchanged.

Everyone says Cao Cao is a wise man, but now it seems he's just that—someone who tries to put out a fire by adding fuel, or quenches thirst by drinking poison.

Translation: "Everyone says Lord Cao is a wise man, but looking now, he's no more than that—he's the sort who fusses over firewood to put out a fire, drinks poison to quench thirst."

Yuan Shao's power is already at its zenith; Cao Cao's scheme to skin a tiger while seeking its hide is truly admirable. Anyway, I have already brought generals Xiahou Yu, Li Dian, and others outside the city; after Cao Cao fries me in oil, he can send people to rescue me.

Translation: "Yuan Shao's power is already at its zenith; Lord Cao's scheming with a tiger for its skin truly impresses. Well, Generals Xiahou Yuan, Li Dian, and the others have already been brought outside the city by me; after Lord Cao deep-fries me, he can send people to rescue them."

Cao Cao looked at Jian Yong, whose expression remained normal, and after a moment he clapped his hands and burst into laughter.

Translation: Cao Cao looked at Jian Yong, whose expression remained normal for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed loudly.

Mr. Xianhe, you are indeed eloquent without hindrance; I was just joking with you a moment ago.

Translation: "Mister Xian He truly is eloquent without hindrance; just now I was merely joking with you."

Yuan Shao's envoy looked displeased and said to Cao Cao.

Translation: Yuan Shao's envoy looked displeased and said to Cao Cao:

Could it be that Cao Cao isn't afraid of the Yuan alliance leader's blame?

Translation: "Surely Lord Cao isn't afraid of the Yuan Alliance Chief's blame coming down?"

Looking at Cao Cao's face, now as dark as pig's liver, Jian Yong stepped forward, walked twice around the oil cauldron, and said.

Translation: Seeing Cao Cao's face sink like a lump of pig liver, Jian Yong stepped forward, walked twice around the oil pot, and said:

What a fine pot of oil! Once it's boiling, it would be a waste not to use it—what do you think, Cao Cao?

Translation: "What a fine pot of oil—once it's boiling, it's naturally not to be wasted; Lord Cao, what do you think?"

Cao Cao's face sank like water; he supported his forehead and ordered the palace guards before the hall.

Translation: Cao Cao's face sank like water; he supported his forehead and ordered the palace guards before the hall:

Come, have the Yuan alliance leader's envoy go down into the cauldron for a bath.

Translation: "Come, have the Yuan Alliance Chief's envoy take a bath in the pot."

Everyone was shocked; Yuan Shao's envoy shouted even louder, was lifted up and thrown into the oil cauldron, and in full view of everyone let out a piercing scream before turning into a pile of flesh and blood.

Translation: Everyone was shocked; Yuan Shao's envoy shouted even louder, the envoy of Yuan Shao was lifted and thrown into the oil pot, and thus, under everyone's gaze, he let out a shrill cry and instantly turned into a pile of flesh and blood.

Cao Cao turned his head and said to Jian Yong.

Translation: Cao Cao turned his head and said to Jian Yong:

Sir, are you still satisfied?

Translation: "Sir, are you still satisfied?"

Excellent; my lord has promised Cao Cao the two Qingzhou commanderies, which will not change. Cao Cao may send a senior general with troops to launch a pincer attack on the old villain Yuan Shao, and after the Qingzhou campaign ends, Cao Cao can dispatch officials to liaise.

Translation: "Excellent; my lord's promise to Lord Cao of the two Qingzhou commanderies will not change. Lord Cao may send a senior general to lead troops in a pincer attack on the old villain Yuan Shao; once the Qingzhou war ends, Lord Cao can dispatch officials to liaise."

Cao Cao waved his hand, his eyes full of admiration.

Translation: Cao Cao waved his hand, his eyes full of appreciation.

Since ancient times, fearless righteous men who do not fear death are only seen in legends; a talent like you who remains calm in crisis is truly rare. Why not stay here in Xuchang? High office and generous stipends await your word.

Translation: "Since ancient times, those who fear neither life nor death and uphold righteousness are only seen in legends; a talent like you, who remains calm in crisis, is truly rare—why not stay here in Xuchang? High office and generous stipend await your word."

Jian Yong bowed to Cao Cao.

Translation: Jian Yong bowed to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao, your troops are elite and your generals brave, with wise men as numerous as the stars; I, Jian Yong, am merely a modest talent unfit for great responsibility. Moreover, I have known Lord Xuan De since childhood; I hope you will show consideration.

Translation: "Lord Cao's troops are elite and his generals brave; the wise among them are as numerous as the stars. I, Jian Yong, am merely modest talent unfit for great use; moreover, I have known Lord Xuan De since childhood, so I hope Lord Cao will show consideration."

Cao Cao gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and said to Jian Yong.

Translation: Cao Cao gave a wry smile, shook his head, and said to Jian Yong:

Then let me prepare a banquet to see you off.

Translation: "Then let me set up a banquet to see you off."

…… (ellipsis) We need to output translation for line 55 as well. The line is just "……". According to rules, we must output every single 【N】 with its translation. So we need to translate the ellipsis. The ellipsis is a punctuation indicating omission; we should translate as "……" maybe keep as "..."? The instruction: Render onomatopoeia / sound effects as English sound words. Ellipsis is not sound; it's just punctuation. We should keep it as "……"? Probably we should output the same ellipsis. But we need to translate into English; ellipsis is same in English. So we can output "……". However we need to keep it as a single line with 【55】 prefix.

After Jian Yong left, the gaunt Xiahou Yuan, Li Dian, and a few others were sent back to Cao Cao's residence; seeing their emaciated figures, it was already known that they had not had a pleasant time in Liu Bei's Xuzhou.