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<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="333" data-orig-width="500"></figure>We are officially one-fourth the way through the story! I cannot believe how quickly I’ve been able to translate, as I have already filled up fifty pages, single-spaced of a Word document. If only I was this good with my final papers…
I’ve always liked the scheming Chang and Xu Tong Zhis, especially since Chang De Gui seems to provide the comedic relief in a rather angsty story. Now, after reading about him in the book, I think his rash, unrefined character was portrayed very well in the drama. Also, more cute Jing Wan/ Murong Feng moments ahead! :D
Quick note: Liu A’Dou was the nickname of last emperor of Han, who was known for his lack of ability and weak character.
Encountering Love: Chapter 19
He said: “I need to be a little stingy with you, since you are always so stingy with me!” Jing Wan stomped her foot, and casted him a sidelong glance, giving the impression that she was about to complain about him, but was actually just trying to endure his torment. Xu Zhi Ping watched Jing Wan, and preparing to take leave, he said: “Liu Shao, then I will follow your idea and will go mobilize the soldiers.”
Murong Feng took the gun into his hands, handing it to Shen Jia Ping to load it again, and agreed without giving it much thought. Xu Zhi Ping left the shooting range, but did not go directly back to the city, and went to Chang De Gui’s Estate instead. Chang De Gui was a heavy smoker, and since he didn’t have any business to deal with that afternoon, seeing that his wives were playing mahjong, he started to smoke a couple bags of tobacco, but then he got up to play mahjong for his seventh madam. His third madam quarreled noisily: “You are being too biased. We sisters were playing very well, and then he comes to stick his hand in.” The other madams were also unwilling to play anymore and were bickering noisily, when someone outside said laughingly: “Brother Gui is so lucky.”
Chang De Gui saw Xu Zhi Ping enter, and he quickly got up to welcome his old friend. They first chatted for a bit on the couch, while the madams went to another room to continue playing mahjong, only leaving a maid to prepare tobacco. Chang De Gui bluntly asked: “You went to see Liu Shao?” Xu Zhi Ping did not actually smoke, so he only drank half a cup of tea, and unhurriedly said: “For the matter of the troop deployments.” Chang De Gui asked: “Then, what did Liu Shao say?” Xu Zhi Ping slowly twirled his mustache and smiled slightly: “He told me to relocate three of my brigades between Ning Chang and Gui An.” Chang De Gui was pleasantly surprised and putting down his pipe, he gave him a fist greeting, and said: “Brother, you are so shrewd.”
Xu Zhi Ping replied: “Ever since the war ended, his mind hasn’t been on the important things. A few months ago, he actually spent so much money building schools for that woman, and now, he’s engaging in female pursuits, listening to operas every day. After only a few days, he’s besotted with another one. Today, I saw him at the shooting range, teaching that woman how to shoot a gun. He wasn’t even paying attention when I was talking to him. If the deceased commander knew about this…” Having said this, he gave a loud sigh. Cheng De Gui slapped his thigh and said: “Anyways, that brat is a useless Liu A’Dou.”
Xu Zhi Ping replied: “I would not go as far as to say that his is a Liu A’Dou. Think of when we were at war; he is not inferior to the old commander as a military tactician. But he has been so arrogant over these few clever things he’s done, and doesn’t even respect us old fellows anymore. I think he went down the wrong path and he will eventually encounter problems.” Chang De Gui picked up his teacup and gulped it down. Swiping at his mouth, he said: “Even though the old commander did not leave a will before he died, we old fellows watched Liu Shao grow up. Perhaps I’m exaggerating, but if he makes a mistake, we should point it out. Trees grow crooked all the time and are straightened out; if a man goes down the wrong path, we need to pull him back.”
Xu Zhi Ping used the lid of the cup to play with the tealeaves and said: “I actually heard something – Liu Shao is planning to negotiate peace with the Ying army.” When Chang De Gui heard this, he slammed his hand against the coffee table and the cups, plates, lamps, and pipes… everything on the table jumped as his hand slammed down on it. He also jumped up, and started to curse: “That brat! He’s a good-for-nothing! I used my blood and sweat to conquer these lands with the old commander and he wants to give it all away! If you want to negotiate peace, first ask my gun whether it agrees or not!” After he said this, he drew out the gun at his waist and shot at the table with ‘pa’ sound.
Xu Zhi Ping quickly grabbed him and said: “Brother, be careful, be careful.” Chang De Gui was fuming with anger: “That brat is the one who needs to be careful. Since he took over the affairs, when has he ever respected us brothers? How much have we suffered, both openly and secretly? He listens to that good-for-nothing Liu Zi Shan’s words, blindly favoring him, and when we argue with him, he puts on military governor airs with me. On the old commander’s behalf, I don’t argue with him but now he has gotten even haughtier. When we braved heavy gunfire with the old commander, he, Little Six, a mere babe, was still hiding in his mother’s embrace. Now, once the old commander’s eyes have closed, he has started to bully us. Even if he is the old commander’s son, I will not let him do this!”
When Xu Zhi Ping returned to the city, he deployed his three brigades along the railway, and took the opportunity to station his two most trusted regiments at Chang Yong. After everything was deployed appropriately, he secretly met with a few close, high-ranking military friends. He arranged a person to send secret telegrams from Cheng Zhou and although they only exchanged a few words, he was still perfectly clear about every single movement within the city of Cheng Zhou.
The Cheng army has always been orderly, and when the governors of border provinces go to take over their positions, they usually left their families within Cheng Zhou. Since Murong Feng took over, thinking that it was a lousy custom, the governors asked: “If I cannot trust others, how can other people trust me?” After that, they were allowed to bring their families to their new position, but a few Tong Zhis, in order to avoid suspicion, still left their wives in the city of Cheng Zhou. A few of the madams were very close with the women of the Murong Estate. That day, Madam Xu and a few other madams went to play mahjong at the Tao Estate.
There were two games going on in the atrium, with the Third Miss, Jing Wan, Madam Xu and Madam Liu at one table. Jing Wan did not actually know how to play very well, but her luck was very good that day, and after less than two hours, she had already won nearly three thousand dollars. The kitchen sent word to ask when to start serving dinner, and the Third Miss was worried that Jing Wan would be unhappy, so she said: “Let’s wait until after we finish these eight rounds.” Jing Wan actually did not care that much and glancing at her watch, she said with a smile: “It’s already five o’clock, let’s just wait until we finish the next four rounds.” Madam Xu smoothly asked: “Will Miss Yin be going dancing today?” Jing Wan replied: “Not today, Liu Shao said that he will be busy.” Madam Liu looked up by chance and tittered: “We just talking about Cao Cao, and here he comes.” Jing Wan turned around to look, and saw that Murong Feng was just walking in. He saw that they were in the middle of a game, so he asked: “Who’s winning? She will have to treat us all to dinner tomorrow.” Madam Xu replied with a smile: “Miss Yin is winning right now. She can treat Liu Shao to dinner, and we will just tag along.” Madam Liu was always contrary to Madam Xu; she gave an ‘aiya’ and said: “Since Miss Yin is going treat Liu Shao to dinner, shouldn’t we idle people be a little more tactful?” Jing Wan said: “A treat is a treat, isn’t it just a meal of Western cuisine? Of course I am willing to treat you out, why do you have to invite him?” The Third Miss immediately retorted: “Yes, you can treat us tomorrow. As for Liu Shao, Miss Yin can treat him out separately.”