When the emperor left for Nanyang, even though his journey was kept confidential, he will inevitably be followed secretly by his guards. Duan Baiyue naturally wouldn’t fight with them seriously. He wanted to dodge, but was forced into a corner instead. So Eunuch Sixi watched helplessly as the stern of the boat was in chaos, and felt anxious in his heart – if the Southwest King is really injured, the emperor would be the one who will feel sorry for him in the end, so why bother.
Jin Niang was also present on this boat. Originally, after she had prepared breakfast for the next day in the fisherman’s courtyard that day, she had already planned to go back to her room to rest. But since the emperor immediately set off for the Feimian Kingdom for some reason, there was no time to ask any more questions, and she had hurriedly followed him on the boat. Suddenly hearing the commotion outside, her first reaction was that there was an assassin. She also knew how to throw a few punches. She stood aside while watching Sixi from her window. She was worried that he would be injured, so she went out to try to pull him back into her cabin. However, she happened to see Duan Baiyue. Startled, she said, “Is this His Highness, Southwest King?”
“Exactly!” Eunuch Sixi sighed. If he doesn’t stop fighting, after half a stick of incense time, the boat will probably break up.
“Your Majesty.” Jin Niang said to the cabin without knowing what was going on, “Prince Duan is here.” Earlier he was looking for him, but as soon as he found him why did they start fighting for no reason.
These shadow guards have been following Chu Yuan closely for a long time. Although they did not know much about the inside story, they knew that the relationship between the emperor and the Southwest King was definitely not as bad as per the rumours circulating in the outside world. So they did not use all their strength during the fight. Though Jin Niang respected Chu Yuan, she always felt gratitude towards Duan Baiyue in her heart. She was afraid that he would suffer a loss. Seeing that the situation was in deadlock, she simply took advantage of the rocking ship to pretend to have lost her footing and fell into the sea.
She has lived on the island with Chu Xiang for many years and has excellent water skills. But Duan Baiyue and Sixi were both startled when they saw this. Chu Yuan seemed to have realised that something went wrong when he heard the commotion outside, so he finally opened the curtain and walked out.
Duan Baiyue jumped into the ocean and rescued her.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” It was a cold night, and Jin Niang’s lips were trembling a little. She looked almost comatose from her fall.
Sixi hurriedly took a cloak and wrapped her up. There were only men on the boat, so it was just inconvenient to take care of her. There was not even a bucket of hot water onboard. Chu Yuan handed over a bottle of medicine and said expressionlessly: “Lets go back to the courtyard.”
“Yes!” The boatman hurriedly reversed the direction and returned to Lijing Country. Fortunately, they hadn’t sail for long, so when they returned to their previous residence, the sky had begun to turn bright.
“What’s wrong?” Nan Moxie, Duan Yao, and Sikong Rui were originally discussing whether to get a boat and go to the sea to follow them, or to find a way to visit Xingzhou island first. But they didn’t expect that the emperor would actually return back.
Could it be that my brother is really so promising? Duan Yao’s heart was suddenly filled with joy, but the joy didn’t last long.
“Jin Niang accidentally fell into the sea.” Duan Baiyue said, “Go and boil some hot water, and send some cold medicine and soup. If she still feels ill, find an aunt to take care of her temporarily.”
“Okay, okay!” Duan Yao hurried out. Nan Moxie and Sikong Rui also went to work separately. The shadow guard sent Jin Niang into the room. Only Chu Yuan and Duan Baiyue were left in the yard.
Chu Yuan said: “Turn around.”
Duan Baiyue paused, and asked: “Why?”
Chu Yuan replied: “Your mask is too ugly.”
Duan Baiyue: “…”
Ugly?
Looking at his back, Chu Yuan’s chest heaved violently, and he clenched his fists tightly. He wanted to pick up the washboard next to him and beat this person violently – the kind of beating that was indiscriminate, the kind of beating that would make him look like a pig’s head.
The person behind him did not speak for a long time, so Duan Baiyue had no choice but to speak first: “Can I turn around?”
Chu Yuan replied: “I will give you a foot of red1.”
Duan Baiyue admitted defeat: “Then I won’t turn.”
Unmoved, Chu Yuan continued: “Jin Niang is Chu Xiang’s wife. She has lived in the Feimian Kingdom for several years. Although she doesn’t know where its entrance is, she can act as a guide. The Chu navy is ready to leave. After finding Tianchensha, I will send it to Dali. That’s all, Southwest King can disperse now.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Tianchensha can be found at the top of the Wilderness Cloud Summit.”
Chu Yuan frowned: “What else do you know?”
Duan Baiyue said: “I know a lot of things, just be patient.”
These words of coaxing a ten year old child (!!!) – they are completely worthy of getting a beating. Chu Yuan couldn’t help but glance at the washboard again.
Duan Baiyue continued: “Even if you really want to declare war on the Feimian Kingdom and Chu Xiang, it is not appropriate to do so at this time. Although the Chu Naval Army is large in number, most of the soldiers are transferred from the Northwest Army. So it’s natural for them to operate well on land. However, without having sufficient experience of naval battles, they are very likely to suffer.”
Chu Yuan said: “So?”
“I also brought an army with me when I came to sea this time. They have experience of fighting on the islands and reefs near Baixiang Kingdom.” Duan Baiyue said, “They have been trained and are extremely brave in fighting on the sea.”
“How many people can there be?” Chu Yuan said, “Chu Xiang has been planning for several years.” It is very likely that he had already made this plan when he was still the prince in the royal city.
Duan Baiyue said: “If we want to get Tianchensha, we don’t have to confront Chu Xiang. Now that we know that Tianchensha is at the Wilderness Cloud Summit, it’s better to wait for Jin Niang to wake up and ask her if she knows this place before making a decision.”
Chu Yuan said: “Okay.”
Duan Baiyue said again: “Wait until three to five years later——”
“What happens three to five years later has nothing to do with the Southwest King.” Chu Yuan interrupted him coldly, “After we get the Tianchensha, the remaining troubles of Nanyang will be my own trouble.”
Duan Baiyue: “I…”
Chu Yuan turned around and left the small courtyard.
Duan Baiyue watched his back disappear.
Sikong Rui squatted on the roof, sighing.
Duan Baiyue frowned: “Come down!”
Sikong Rui said: “If I were you, I would chase after him.”
Duan Baiyue asked: “And, what would I do after chasing him?”
Sikong Rui jumped into the courtyard, and said: “Naturally, just explain everything clearly. If you don’t want to explain everything, at least let His Majesty know why you went crazy in the first place, and why your life was hanging by a thread, and why you didn’t even hesitate to use the golden silkworm thread to save your life.”
Duan Baiyue shook his head: “I was injured back then, it has nothing to do with him.”
Sikong Rui clicked his tongue: “If it has nothing to do with the emperor, who else does it have to do with, could it be me?”
Duan Baiyue replied: “Yes.”
Sikong Rui: “…”
Brother, did you really hear what I’m saying?
Duan Baiyue walked around him and left the courtyard.
Nan Moxie and Duan Yao were standing outside, smiling like flowers.
Duan Baiyue decisively turned around, changed direction and walked away.
Nan Moxie was worried: “How are they going to make up now.”
Duan Yao took a bite of the fruit in his hand: “I’ll do something!”
Nan Moxie didn’t understand, why do you have to do something, its your brother who should come forward to fix this kind of thing.
Duan Yao ran out the door.
The seaside was very quiet. Chu Yuan was standing on the rocks, looking into the distance in trance.
Duan Yao said behind him: “Your Majesty.”
Chu Yuan turned around.
Duan Yao said: “It’s going to rain.”
Chu Yuan smiled and said, “Looking at this weather, it doesn’t look like it’s going to rain.”
Duan Yao also jumped onto the rock and asked, “What is Your Majesty looking at?”
Chu Yuan said: “Xingzhou.”
“There is nothing to see there.” Duan Yao said, “Although the port is being built on the island, the construction is not yet completed yet. There are not many obstacles around it. If there is going to be a war one day, Da Chu will be able to drive straight in with its black iron warship.”
Chu Yuan said: “War is not that simple.”
Duan Yao said: “But Da Chu will definitely win.”
Chu Yuan smiled, and reached out to straighten his hair: “Do you want to go on a war?”
Duan Yao shook his head.
“No one wants to fight, but some battles must be fought.” Chu Yuan said, “It’s not just for Tianchensha, but for Da Chu’s coastal defense as well. According to Chu Xiang’s ambition, he will never be satisfied with proclaiming himself king in this remote place. He had always wanted to return to Dachu.”
Duan Yao said: “When will the war start?”
“Your brother is right about one thing.” Chu Yuan said, “If we start a war now, I am sure that we will win, but it will definitely result in heavy casualties. If the Black Dragon Army of the East China Sea can be re-organized in three to five years, then Chu’s navy will be truly invincible.”
Duan Yao probed: “So?”
“So this time, I just want to get the Tianchensha, but I don’t plan to declare war on Chu Xiang.” Chu Yuan said.
Duan Yao frowned: “Once this happens, wouldn’t Chu Xiang be given another three or five years to strengthen themselves?”
Chu Yuan said: “Yes, but the Chu Navy can also train for three or more years. Chu Xiang can only rely on whatever capital he has and the Feimian Kingdom in these years. However, I have thousands of miles of land. Whether it is grain, grass, ships or military, a few Southeast Asian island countries can’t compare to Dachu’s strength. So the longer we delay, the more beneficial it is to us.”
Duan Yao nodded: “En.”
“Just stay with me this time.” Chu Yuan led him down the rock. “When you grow up, you should also learn some military strategies and how to govern the country. And, you will know how to fight a battle in real world.”
Duan Yao agreed: “Okay!”
Chu Yuan smiled: “Do you want to go to the market? Maybe we can have a bowl of noodles.”
Duan Yao asked, “Would you like to bring a bowl for Master and the others?” After speaking, he added in a low voice, “And brother. When he is sick, he likes to eat noodle paste.”
Chu Yuan said: “Sick?”
“He is sick.” Duan Yao puffed his cheeks, “Brother Sikong said, he’s mentally ill.”
Chu Yuan laughed.
Duan Yao said cautiously: “Is Your Majesty angry?”
Chu Yuan shook his head.
Duan Yao’s eyes were full of “I don’t believe it”.
“There are some things that cannot be explained properly. Maybe I am too angry, but I feel nothing more than that.” Chu Yuan said, “After I’ll get the Tianchensha, I will return to the royal city.”
Duan Yao said in his heart, don’t you want my brother now?
I’ll light one candle for my brother.
May be two.
Or three.
Duan Baiyue lay on the roof and watched the clouds change in the sky.
Nan Moxie stood in the courtyard and asked, “Are you hoping that God will give you a wife?
Duan Baiyue reached out and covered his ears.
Nan Moxie folded his palms in the shape of a trumpet, then put them to his mouth and said loudly: “I heard that more than 20 years ago, there was a boy who was still wetting the bed at the age of five.”
Duan Baiyue sat up with a stiff face: “Master!”
Nan Moxie said, “Come down. I wanna talk some business.”
Duan Baiyue said: “What’s the matter?”
Nan Moxie said: “Jin Niang woke up just now, and she knows where the Wilderness Cloud Summit is.”
==========================================================
Notes:
Whoa. I was not very familiar with this idiom used in China. It is a type of punishment given to concubines. A two-inch-thick five-foot-long board was used to beat the prisoner below the waist. Uncounted beatings were made until all the muscles, bones, and flesh were broken. When viewed from a distance, it appears bright red due to blood, so it is called “one foot red”. huh.. our Xiao Yuan is not capable of doing that to Xiao Yue. Its just an empty threat…
When the emperor left for Nanyang, even though his journey was kept confidential, he will inevitably be followed secretly by his guards. Duan Baiyue naturally wouldn’t fight with them seriously. He wanted to dodge, but was forced into a corner instead. So Eunuch Sixi watched helplessly as the stern of the boat was in chaos, and felt anxious in his heart – if the Southwest King is really injured, the emperor would be the one who will feel sorry for him in the end, so why bother.
Jin Niang was also present on this boat. Originally, after she had prepared breakfast for the next day in the fisherman’s courtyard that day, she had already planned to go back to her room to rest. But since the emperor immediately set off for the Feimian Kingdom for some reason, there was no time to ask any more questions, and she had hurriedly followed him on the boat. Suddenly hearing the commotion outside, her first reaction was that there was an assassin. She also knew how to throw a few punches. She stood aside while watching Sixi from her window. She was worried that he would be injured, so she went out to try to pull him back into her cabin. However, she happened to see Duan Baiyue. Startled, she said, “Is this His Highness, Southwest King?”
“Exactly!” Eunuch Sixi sighed. If he doesn’t stop fighting, after half a stick of incense time, the boat will probably break up.
“Your Majesty.” Jin Niang said to the cabin without knowing what was going on, “Prince Duan is here.” Earlier he was looking for him, but as soon as he found him why did they start fighting for no reason.
These shadow guards have been following Chu Yuan closely for a long time. Although they did not know much about the inside story, they knew that the relationship between the emperor and the Southwest King was definitely not as bad as per the rumours circulating in the outside world. So they did not use all their strength during the fight. Though Jin Niang respected Chu Yuan, she always felt gratitude towards Duan Baiyue in her heart. She was afraid that he would suffer a loss. Seeing that the situation was in deadlock, she simply took advantage of the rocking ship to pretend to have lost her footing and fell into the sea.
She has lived on the island with Chu Xiang for many years and has excellent water skills. But Duan Baiyue and Sixi were both startled when they saw this. Chu Yuan seemed to have realised that something went wrong when he heard the commotion outside, so he finally opened the curtain and walked out.
Duan Baiyue jumped into the ocean and rescued her.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” It was a cold night, and Jin Niang’s lips were trembling a little. She looked almost comatose from her fall.
Sixi hurriedly took a cloak and wrapped her up. There were only men on the boat, so it was just inconvenient to take care of her. There was not even a bucket of hot water onboard. Chu Yuan handed over a bottle of medicine and said expressionlessly: “Lets go back to the courtyard.”
“Yes!” The boatman hurriedly reversed the direction and returned to Lijing Country. Fortunately, they hadn’t sail for long, so when they returned to their previous residence, the sky had begun to turn bright.
“What’s wrong?” Nan Moxie, Duan Yao, and Sikong Rui were originally discussing whether to get a boat and go to the sea to follow them, or to find a way to visit Xingzhou island first. But they didn’t expect that the emperor would actually return back.
Could it be that my brother is really so promising? Duan Yao’s heart was suddenly filled with joy, but the joy didn’t last long.
“Jin Niang accidentally fell into the sea.” Duan Baiyue said, “Go and boil some hot water, and send some cold medicine and soup. If she still feels ill, find an aunt to take care of her temporarily.”
“Okay, okay!” Duan Yao hurried out. Nan Moxie and Sikong Rui also went to work separately. The shadow guard sent Jin Niang into the room. Only Chu Yuan and Duan Baiyue were left in the yard.
Chu Yuan said: “Turn around.”
Duan Baiyue paused, and asked: “Why?”
Chu Yuan replied: “Your mask is too ugly.”
Duan Baiyue: “…”
Ugly?
Looking at his back, Chu Yuan’s chest heaved violently, and he clenched his fists tightly. He wanted to pick up the washboard next to him and beat this person violently – the kind of beating that was indiscriminate, the kind of beating that would make him look like a pig’s head.
The person behind him did not speak for a long time, so Duan Baiyue had no choice but to speak first: “Can I turn around?”
Chu Yuan replied: “I will give you a foot of red1.”
Duan Baiyue admitted defeat: “Then I won’t turn.”
Unmoved, Chu Yuan continued: “Jin Niang is Chu Xiang’s wife. She has lived in the Feimian Kingdom for several years. Although she doesn’t know where its entrance is, she can act as a guide. The Chu navy is ready to leave. After finding Tianchensha, I will send it to Dali. That’s all, Southwest King can disperse now.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Tianchensha can be found at the top of the Wilderness Cloud Summit.”
Chu Yuan frowned: “What else do you know?”
Duan Baiyue said: “I know a lot of things, just be patient.”
These words of coaxing a ten year old child (!!!) – they are completely worthy of getting a beating. Chu Yuan couldn’t help but glance at the washboard again.
Duan Baiyue continued: “Even if you really want to declare war on the Feimian Kingdom and Chu Xiang, it is not appropriate to do so at this time. Although the Chu Naval Army is large in number, most of the soldiers are transferred from the Northwest Army. So it’s natural for them to operate well on land. However, without having sufficient experience of naval battles, they are very likely to suffer.”
Chu Yuan said: “So?”
“I also brought an army with me when I came to sea this time. They have experience of fighting on the islands and reefs near Baixiang Kingdom.” Duan Baiyue said, “They have been trained and are extremely brave in fighting on the sea.”
“How many people can there be?” Chu Yuan said, “Chu Xiang has been planning for several years.” It is very likely that he had already made this plan when he was still the prince in the royal city.
Duan Baiyue said: “If we want to get Tianchensha, we don’t have to confront Chu Xiang. Now that we know that Tianchensha is at the Wilderness Cloud Summit, it’s better to wait for Jin Niang to wake up and ask her if she knows this place before making a decision.”
Chu Yuan said: “Okay.”
Duan Baiyue said again: “Wait until three to five years later——”
“What happens three to five years later has nothing to do with the Southwest King.” Chu Yuan interrupted him coldly, “After we get the Tianchensha, the remaining troubles of Nanyang will be my own trouble.”
Duan Baiyue: “I…”
Chu Yuan turned around and left the small courtyard.
Duan Baiyue watched his back disappear.
Sikong Rui squatted on the roof, sighing.
Duan Baiyue frowned: “Come down!”
Sikong Rui said: “If I were you, I would chase after him.”
Duan Baiyue asked: “And, what would I do after chasing him?”
Sikong Rui jumped into the courtyard, and said: “Naturally, just explain everything clearly. If you don’t want to explain everything, at least let His Majesty know why you went crazy in the first place, and why your life was hanging by a thread, and why you didn’t even hesitate to use the golden silkworm thread to save your life.”
Duan Baiyue shook his head: “I was injured back then, it has nothing to do with him.”
Sikong Rui clicked his tongue: “If it has nothing to do with the emperor, who else does it have to do with, could it be me?”
Duan Baiyue replied: “Yes.”
Sikong Rui: “…”
Brother, did you really hear what I’m saying?
Duan Baiyue walked around him and left the courtyard.
Nan Moxie and Duan Yao were standing outside, smiling like flowers.
Duan Baiyue decisively turned around, changed direction and walked away.
Nan Moxie was worried: “How are they going to make up now.”
Duan Yao took a bite of the fruit in his hand: “I’ll do something!”
Nan Moxie didn’t understand, why do you have to do something, its your brother who should come forward to fix this kind of thing.
Duan Yao ran out the door.
The seaside was very quiet. Chu Yuan was standing on the rocks, looking into the distance in trance.
Duan Yao said behind him: “Your Majesty.”
Chu Yuan turned around.
Duan Yao said: “It’s going to rain.”
Chu Yuan smiled and said, “Looking at this weather, it doesn’t look like it’s going to rain.”
Duan Yao also jumped onto the rock and asked, “What is Your Majesty looking at?”
Chu Yuan said: “Xingzhou.”
“There is nothing to see there.” Duan Yao said, “Although the port is being built on the island, the construction is not yet completed yet. There are not many obstacles around it. If there is going to be a war one day, Da Chu will be able to drive straight in with its black iron warship.”
Chu Yuan said: “War is not that simple.”
Duan Yao said: “But Da Chu will definitely win.”
Chu Yuan smiled, and reached out to straighten his hair: “Do you want to go on a war?”
Duan Yao shook his head.
“No one wants to fight, but some battles must be fought.” Chu Yuan said, “It’s not just for Tianchensha, but for Da Chu’s coastal defense as well. According to Chu Xiang’s ambition, he will never be satisfied with proclaiming himself king in this remote place. He had always wanted to return to Dachu.”
Duan Yao said: “When will the war start?”
“Your brother is right about one thing.” Chu Yuan said, “If we start a war now, I am sure that we will win, but it will definitely result in heavy casualties. If the Black Dragon Army of the East China Sea can be re-organized in three to five years, then Chu’s navy will be truly invincible.”
Duan Yao probed: “So?”
“So this time, I just want to get the Tianchensha, but I don’t plan to declare war on Chu Xiang.” Chu Yuan said.
Duan Yao frowned: “Once this happens, wouldn’t Chu Xiang be given another three or five years to strengthen themselves?”
Chu Yuan said: “Yes, but the Chu Navy can also train for three or more years. Chu Xiang can only rely on whatever capital he has and the Feimian Kingdom in these years. However, I have thousands of miles of land. Whether it is grain, grass, ships or military, a few Southeast Asian island countries can’t compare to Dachu’s strength. So the longer we delay, the more beneficial it is to us.”
Duan Yao nodded: “En.”
“Just stay with me this time.” Chu Yuan led him down the rock. “When you grow up, you should also learn some military strategies and how to govern the country. And, you will know how to fight a battle in real world.”
Duan Yao agreed: “Okay!”
Chu Yuan smiled: “Do you want to go to the market? Maybe we can have a bowl of noodles.”
Duan Yao asked, “Would you like to bring a bowl for Master and the others?” After speaking, he added in a low voice, “And brother. When he is sick, he likes to eat noodle paste.”
Chu Yuan said: “Sick?”
“He is sick.” Duan Yao puffed his cheeks, “Brother Sikong said, he’s mentally ill.”
Chu Yuan laughed.
Duan Yao said cautiously: “Is Your Majesty angry?”
Chu Yuan shook his head.
Duan Yao’s eyes were full of “I don’t believe it”.
“There are some things that cannot be explained properly. Maybe I am too angry, but I feel nothing more than that.” Chu Yuan said, “After I’ll get the Tianchensha, I will return to the royal city.”
Duan Yao said in his heart, don’t you want my brother now?
I’ll light one candle for my brother.
May be two.
Or three.
Duan Baiyue lay on the roof and watched the clouds change in the sky.
Nan Moxie stood in the courtyard and asked, “Are you hoping that God will give you a wife?
Duan Baiyue reached out and covered his ears.
Nan Moxie folded his palms in the shape of a trumpet, then put them to his mouth and said loudly: “I heard that more than 20 years ago, there was a boy who was still wetting the bed at the age of five.”
Duan Baiyue sat up with a stiff face: “Master!”
Nan Moxie said, “Come down. I wanna talk some business.”
Duan Baiyue said: “What’s the matter?”
Nan Moxie said: “Jin Niang woke up just now, and she knows where the Wilderness Cloud Summit is.”
==========================================================
Notes:
Whoa. I was not very familiar with this idiom used in China. It is a type of punishment given to concubines. A two-inch-thick five-foot-long board was used to beat the prisoner below the waist. Uncounted beatings were made until all the muscles, bones, and flesh were broken. When viewed from a distance, it appears bright red due to blood, so it is called “one foot red”. huh.. our Xiao Yuan is not capable of doing that to Xiao Yue. Its just an empty threat…