Chapter 99

Wei Xikang knew something about the situation in Beijiang: "On the day the Father Emperor passed away, I saw a report from Beijiang that said refugees were rising everywhere and bandits were rampant. But now that I'm no longer at court, it's the common people who suffer."

We need to keep the quoted speech. Use quotes. Ensure we keep the content.

We must use given names: Wei Xikang, Beijiang. Also "Father Emperor" maybe translate as "Father Emperor". Not in glossary but okay. "Father Emperor" is a term; we can translate as "Father Emperor". Not a name. Keep.

Let's produce: 【1】 Wei Xikang then knew some of the situation in Beijiang: "On the day Father Emperor passed away, I actually saw a memorial from Beijiang saying refugees were rising up everywhere and bandits proliferated. But now that I am no longer in the court, it's just that these common people suffer."

Wei Xikang knew some of the situation in Beijiang:

Thus: 【1】 Wei Xikang knew some of the situation in Beijiang: "On the day Father Emperor passed away, I actually saw a memorial from Beijiang saying refugees were rising up everywhere and bandits proliferated. But now that I am no longer in the court, it's just that these common people suffer."

Wei Xikang knew some of the situation in Beijiang: "On the day the Father Emperor passed away, I saw a report from Beijiang that said refugees were rising everywhere, bandits were rampant. But now that I'm no longer at court, it's the common people who suffer."

At this point Wei Xikang was no longer angry; the loneliness in his eyes could not be concealed.

Translation: Speaking of this, Wei Xikang was no longer angry; the desolation in his eyes could not be concealed.

We need to keep concise. Use "Speaking of this, Wei Xikang was no longer angry; the desolation in his eyes could not be concealed."

By now Wei Xikang was no longer angry either; the desolation in his eyes could not be concealed.

Along the way he had already seen many refugees, and the feeling of helplessness constantly pierced his heart, for these people are the future and foundation of the Great Dry Empire!

Translation: Along the way he had already seen many refugees; that feeling of helplessness constantly stabbed his heart, for these people are the future and foundation of the Da Qian dynasty!

We need to use Da Qian (given). Also "the Da Qian dynasty". Keep.

He longed to do something for the people of Beijiang, but he was no longer the master of Dong Gong, the Crown Prince His Highness revered by ten thousand.

Translation: He very much wanted to do something for the people of Beijiang, but he was no longer the master of the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince revered by ten thousand.

He very much wanted to help the people of Beijiang, but he was no longer the master of Dong Gong, the Crown Prince, His Highness, revered by ten thousand.

Thus: He very much wanted to do something for the people of Beijiang, but he was no longer the master of Dong Gong, the Crown Prince, His Highness, revered by ten thousand.

But we need to keep it concise. Maybe: He very much wanted to do something for the people of Beijiang, but he was no longer the master of Dong Gong, the Crown Prince His Highness revered by ten thousand.

Let's decide: We'll output: He very much wanted to do something for the people of Beijiang, but he was no longer the master of Dong Gong, the Crown Prince His Highness revered by ten thousand.

He wouldn't even reveal his identity before seeing the Prince of the North, fearing that someone might harbor ill intent.

Translation: Even before seeing the Prince of the North, he dared not reveal his identity, fearing someone might bear ill will.

Prince of the North

Now he is the people's last hope; only he can pull the teetering Great Dry Empire back to stability.

Translation: Now he is the people's last hope; only he can pull the tottering Da Qian dynasty back from the brink.

We need Da Qian.

Thinking of this, a new surge of strength rose within him, supporting him as he placed the dirty pancake into his mouth.

Translation: Thinking of this, a strength welled up in his heart, supporting him as he put the dirty pancake in his hand into his mouth.

dirty pancake

At that moment, the chatter of the two old men beside him caught Wei Xikang's attention.

Translation: At this moment, the conversation of the two elders beside him caught Wei Xikang's attention.

We need to use Wei Xikang.

Their idle talk was nothing but the bandits of Yangguangzhai raiding Jiangcheng and the Xiongnu's sack of cities; for some time now the Xiongnu's successive captures of two cities have already spread throughout Beijiang, and it is not a secret known only to the higher‑ups.

Translation: Their idle chatter was nothing more than the bandits of Yangguangzhai raiding Jiangcheng and the Xiongnu breaking cities; by now the news that the Xiongnu had conquered two cities in succession had spread throughout Beijiang, and it was no secret known only to the upper class.

Yangguangzhai, Jiangcheng, Xiongnu, Beijiang

After hearing that, Wei Xikang could no longer sit still; now he finally understood why the Prince of the North had taken no action.

Translation: After hearing this, Wei Xikang could not sit still; finally he understood why the Prince of the North had taken no action.

Moreover, there was an even more important piece of news: the front lines were short of grain and fodder!

Translation: Moreover, there was an even more important piece of news: the front lines were suffering a shortage of grain and fodder!

Even before he left Jingcheng, he knew that the Beijiang front lines were short of grain and fodder; before he could address it, Wei Xi Yuan had already sparked an internal rebellion.

Translation: Even before he left the capital, he knew that the Beijiang front lines were short of grain and fodder; before he could deal with it, Wei Xi Yuan had already sparked an internal rebellion.

Even before he left Jingcheng, he knew that the Beijiang front lines were short of grain and fodder; before he could address it, Wei Xi Yuan had already sparked an internal rebellion.

It's been a week already; has Wei Xi Yuan still not supplied the front lines?

Translation: It's been a week already; has Wei Xi Yuan still not sent supplies to the front lines?

Wei Xi Yuan obviously knew about this, but he was busy arranging his own enthronement, even hastily interring the Father Emperor in the imperial tomb, leaving no time to attend to anything else.

Translation: Wei Xi Yuan certainly knew this, but he was busy arranging his own enthronement, even hastily sending Father Emperor into the imperial mausoleum, leaving no time to attend to anything else.

We need to keep "Father Emperor". Also "imperial mausoleum" maybe "imperial tomb". We'll keep "imperial mausoleum". Use Wei Xi Yuan.

Si Gui was even less capable of handling this matter; his scheming had brought him to this point, not to clean up a mess.

Translation: Si Gui certainly wouldn't handle this matter; after all his scheming to reach this point, he wasn't here to clean up a mess.

We need to use Si Gui.

Beijiang had been at war with the Xiongnu for years; in his view it was a bottomless pit, and with natural disasters added, abandoning Beijiang would require an enormous amount of silver to sustain.

Translation: In his view, Beijiang, constantly at war with the Xiongnu, was a bottomless pit; adding natural disasters, if one were not to abandon Beijiang, one would have to pour in how much silver to make it work.

We need to keep meaning.

Thus Beijiang was abandoned by the Great Dry Empire, and Wei Xikang still hadn't realized how foolish his second brother truly was.

Translation: Thus Beijiang was abandoned by the Da Qian dynasty; Wei Xikang simply had not yet realized how foolish his younger brother was.

We need to use Wei Xikang, Da Qian.

Now Wei Xikang could only fidget in place; when he heard that bandits were even raiding cities, he could no longer sit still and rose, heading toward the distance.

Translation: Now Wei Xikang could only fret in place; upon hearing that even the bandits had raided a city, he could no longer sit still and rose to walk toward the distance.

Yan Wu immediately followed, "Your Highness, where are we going?"

Translation: Yan Wu immediately followed, saying, "Your Highness, where are we going?"

Your Highness.

"To Jiangcheng! I want to see what calamity has befallen the subjects of the Great Dry Empire!!"

Translation: "To Jiangcheng! I want to see what state the people of my Da Qian dynasty have been reduced to by calamity!!"

We need to use Jiangcheng, Da Qian.

Wei Xikang silently resolved that if the situation were truly dire, he would not hesitate to brandish the jade seal to prove his identity and find a way to quell the crisis.

Translation: Wei Xikang secretly resolved that if the situation were truly dire, he would not hesitate to produce the jade seal to reveal his identity and find a way to quell this affair.

Wei Xikang.

: …… (ellipsis). We need to output exactly the same? The line contains "……". We should translate as "……"? Usually ellipsis stays as is. We'll output the same: "……". Keep the brackets.

Nie Fengyun didn't wait long before receiving news from Jiang Jinshi; upon learning that a "letter of allegiance" was required, Nie Fengyun accepted the mission without hesitation.

Translation: Nie Fengyun on this side hadn't waited long before receiving Jiang Jinshi's message; upon learning that he needed this "letter of allegiance", Nie Fengyun unhesitatingly accepted the task.

Jiang Jinshi.

In his view, robbing and killing a county magistrate could secure a bright future for his brothers; it was a worthwhile deal!

Translation: In his view, killing a county magistrate could exchange for a bright future for his brothers; this was a profitable deal!

We need to use County Magistrate (given). So "county magistrate". Good.

Jiang Jinshi originally thought it was getting late and wanted Nie Fengyun to rest and depart the next day, but the hot‑tempered Nie Fengyun couldn't wait that long; he grabbed his sword and set out through the night.

Translation: Originally Jiang Jinshi saw that it was late and wanted to let Nie Fengyun rest and go tomorrow, but the impatient Nie Fengyun couldn't wait that long, grabbed his sword and set out overnight.

We need to use Jiang Jinshi, Nie Fengyun.

He didn't say that his main concern was Jiang Jinshi's potential regret; he would have rushed back to the stronghold to sleep just the same.

Translation: What he didn't say was that he was mainly afraid Jiang Jinshi would regret it; hurrying back to the stronghold to sleep was the same.

Jiang Jinshi.

Nie Fengyun, walking in the dark, was delighted and couldn't wait to return to the stronghold to share the good news with everyone.

Translation: Nie Fengyun, walking in the dark, was delighted and could not wait to return to the stronghold to share this good news with everyone.

Two refugees approached him and asked for directions, "Excuse me, brave man, may I ask if Jiangcheng lies that way?"

Translation: But coming toward him were two refugees asking for directions: "Sir, may I ask if Jiangcheng lies this way?"

We need to use Jiangcheng.

In a good mood, Nie Fengyun unusually played the helpful role, pointing behind him, "Exactly! Keep going straight, and after passing the city's outskirts you'll reach Jiangcheng!"

Translation: In a good mood, Nie Fengyun rare ly acted as a good Samaritan, pointing behind him: "Exactly! Keep going this way, past the city's outskirts and you'll reach Jiangcheng!"

past the city's outskirts

"Thank you, brave man!" Wei Xikang and Yan Wu bowed to Nie Fengyun in gratitude.

Translation: "Thank you, sir!" Wei Xikang and Yan Wu bowed their hands in gratitude to Nie Fengyun.

We need to use Wei Xikang, Yan Wu, Nie Fengyun.

Nie Fengyun returned the salute and continued toward Fengyun Stronghold.

Translation: Nie Fengyun returned the salute and continued toward the direction of Fengyun Stronghold.

Fengyun Stronghold

Yan Wu found a topic to break the silence, lest the journey become dull, "That brave man we just saw must be heading toward Green City."

Translation: Yan Wu found a topic to break the ice, otherwise the road would be dull: "Just now that sturdy fellow must be heading for Qingcheng."

Yan Wu

Thus line 32: "Just now that sturdy fellow must be heading for Green City."

Wei Xikang mused, "Indeed! Since we entered Beijiang, only the area of Green City has escaped plunder, indicating that the Green City County Magistrate governs well and must be a good official."

Translation: Wei Xikang sighed, "That must be it! Since we entered Beijiang, only the area of Green City has not been raided, showing that the Green City County Magistrate manages well; he is surely a good official."

We need to use Wei Xikang, Beijiang, Green City County Magistrate (translate). Also "good official". Use "County Magistrate" from glossary for the title. So "Green City County Magistrate". Good.

"That's why it can attract the people to Green City!" Yan Wu also silently praised the Green City County Magistrate.

Translation: "That's why it can attract the people to go to Green City!" Yan Wu also silently gave a thumbs-up to the Green City County Magistrate.

We need to use Yan Wu.

What they didn't know was that Nie Fengyun had left a warning before descending the mountain: when he was absent, no one should raid the road to avoid bringing trouble upon themselves.

Translation: What they didn't know was that Nie Fengyun had given instructions before descending the mountain: while he was away, they were not to go down the mountain to rob the roads, to avoid bringing disaster upon themselves.

We need to use Nie Fengyun.

Morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room, and Jiang Jinshi and Li Xinyue were still asleep; after all, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and they had stayed up late the previous night.

Translation: Morning sunlight had already streamed through the window into the room; Jiang Jinshi and Li Xinyue were still asleep, after all, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and they had only gone to bed very late the previous night.

"Chief! Something's happened! Something's happened!!"

Boss! Something's wrong! Something's wrong!!

Translation: "Chief! Something happened! Something happened!!"

Chief

From outside the door came Jiang Ze's loud shout, waking Jiang Jinshi from his pleasant dream.

Translation: Jiang Ze's loud shout came from outside the door, waking Jiang Jinshi's beautiful dream.

We need to use Jiang Ze, Jiang Jinshi.

Jiang Jinshi, sporting dark circles under his eyes, opened the door and yawned, asking, "What's the matter? Why the hurry?"

Translation: Jiang Jinshi opened the door with dark circles under his eyes, yawned, and asked, "What's the matter? You're in such a hurry!"

We need to use Jiang Jinshi.

"Captain Zhang is fighting with people down the mountain!" Jiang Ze is now assigned under Zhang Honghong's command, and today's raiding squad happens to be Zhang Honghong's team.

Translation: "Captain Zhang is fighting someone down the mountain!" Jiang Ze, now assigned under Zhang Honghong's management, while today's bandit squad happened to be Zhang Honghong's team.

Captain Zhang, Zhang Honghong, squad

"If they fight, let them fight! It's just a raid—when don't they fight?" Jiang Jinshi initially thought the officials were attacking, but upon learning it was a minor incident, he prepared to return to his room and continue sleeping.

Translation: "Let them fight; it's just banditry—when isn't there a fight?" Jiang Jinshi had thought it was the government coming after them, but upon learning it was a minor matter, he prepared to go back inside to continue sleeping.

We need to use Jiang Jinshi.

Jiang Ze was sweating profusely, "No, Captain Zhang lost, and asked me to climb the mountain to call for reinforcements!"

Translation: Jiang Ze was sweating profusely: "No, Captain Zhang lost; he sent me up the mountain to call for help!"

We need to use Jiang Ze, Captain Zhang.

At that moment Jiang Jinshi instantly perked up, and it was no wonder Jiang Ze called for him; even though Zhang Honghong hadn't fully integrated Zhang Fei's combat power, it wasn't something an ordinary person could defeat.

Translation: Jiang Jinshiyi instantly became energized; no wonder Jiang Ze came to call him, for even though Zhang Honghong had not yet fully integrated Zhang Fei's combat prowess, it was still not something an ordinary person could overcome.

We need to use Jiang Jinshiyi (given). Zhang Honghong, Zhang Fei (names). We'll keep pinyin.

And since Zhang Honghong couldn't win, even the other captains might not be able to appease the situation.

Translation: And Zhang Honghong couldn't win; even if the other few squad leaders went, they might not be able to gain favor.

We need to use Zhang Honghong.

Thus Jiang Jinshi seized a spear, called Xiao Hu, and prepared to meet the opponent.

Translation: Thus Jiang Jinshiyi grabbed a spear, called Xiao Hu, and prepared to go meet the opponent.

Jiang Jinshi, Xiao Hu

Even Li Xinyue, curious, got up, washed up, and prepared to go see for herself.

Translation: Even Li Xinyue got up, washed, and prepared to go watch as well.

We need to use Li Xinyue.

After Jiang Jinshi descended the mountain, he saw dozens of people surrounding the two in the center.

Translation: After Jiang Jinshi came down the mountain, he saw several dozen people surrounding the two in the middle.

We need to use Jiang Jinshi.

"You bandit, you broke your word—didn't you say you'd let us go if you won?" Yan Wu, sweating profusely, shouted at Zhang Honghong, "I don't mind dying, but Your Highness cannot have an incident here!"

Translation: "You bandit, you don't keep your word—didn't you say you'd let us go if you won?" Yan Wu shouted at Zhang Honghong, sweat pouring from his head; his own death didn't matter, but Your Highness must not come to harm here!

Yan Wu, Zhang Honghong, Your Highness

Zhang Honghong retorted angrily, "I let you go! But there's no reason to return the loot we seized."

Translation: Zhang Honghong also shouted back, "I did let you go! But there's no reason to return the loot we seized!"

We need to use Zhang Honghong.

"What's going on?" Jiang Jinshi immediately sought to understand the cause of the incident.

Translation: "What's the situation?" Jiang Jinshi immediately understood the circumstances.

We need to use Jiang Jinshi.

Zhang Honghong lowered her head embarrassedly, after all, losing was quite shameful.

Translation: Zhang Honghong lowered his head in embarrassment, after all, losing was quite humiliating.

We need to use Zhang Honghong.

Only after hearing the others did Jiang Jinshi realize what had happened.

Translation: Afterwards, from everyone's words, Jiang Jinshi finally understood what had happened.

We need to use Jiang Jinshi.

It turned out Zhang Honghong had led people to raid the road, discovered two people lying by the roadside, and as they approached, the two awoke; Zhang Honghong skillfully shouted "Robbery!", sparking a clash between the two sides—essentially a band of bandits chasing the two.

Translation: It turned out that Zhang Honghong led people to rob the road, spotted two people lying by the roadside, but as soon as they approached, the two woke up; Zhang Honghong skillfully shouted "Robbery!", which drew both sides into combat, actually just a gang of bandits chasing the two.

We need to use Zhang Honghong.

During the fierce battle, a bundle behind the opponent fell to the ground and was snatched up by the bandits; the two, who had been trying to escape, turned back to seize the bundle, which led them into an encirclement.

Translation: In the heat of battle, the opponent's bundle slipped to the ground and was picked up by his underlings; the two, who had been about to flee, turned back to grab the bundle, thus causing them to be surrounded.

We need to keep meaning.

Although Yan Wu possessed some martial skill, he couldn't match the numbers on the other side, so he proposed a one‑on‑one duel with Zhang Honghong: if he won, he would let them go.

Translation: Although Yan Wu had some martial skill, he could not withstand the enemy's numbers; thus he could only propose a duel with Zhang Honghong, promising to let them go if he won.

We need to use Yan Wu, Zhang Honghong.

Zhang Honghong, who loved sparring, immediately agreed.

Translation: Zhang Honghong, who naturally loved sparring, immediately agreed.

We need to use Zhang Honghong.

After the opponent won, Zhang Honghong was ready to honor the agreement and release them, but the two still demanded the bundle be returned, which Zhang Honghong refused—bandits don't give back what they've seized.

Translation: After the opponent won, Zhang Honghong also prepared to keep his word and release them, but the two also demanded the return of the bundle, which Zhang Honghong refused, for how could bandits give back what they had seized?

We need to use Zhang Honghong.

If word got out, everyone in the stronghold would mock her, and thus this very scene unfolded.

Translation: If word got out, the whole stronghold would laugh at her; thus this scene came to pass.

stronghold

Seeing that the two didn't look like wealthy people, Jiang Jinshi still took the bundle, opened it, and took a look.

Translation: Although the two didn't look like wealthy people, Jiang Jinshi still took the bundle and opened it to have a look.

We need to use Jiang Jinshi.

Yan Wu was about to speak to stop him, but Wei Xikang's gaze halted him; now that they are exposed, the two face mortal danger.

He was gambling, gambling that these mountain bandits had never seen a jade seal, and only took it as a piece of jade.

"What thing is this? I don't understand jade either!" Jiang Jinshi only glanced at it; although he thought the material was good, he didn't notice there were characters carved underneath.

Jiang Jinshi handed the jade to Li Xinyue, after all, she's the one handling the money now.

The moment Li Xinyue took it, the system's notification sound exploded in her mind!

Detected Imperial Jade Seal, worth 100000000 points, recycle?