Chapter Eighty-Two: A Heart Filled with Sorrow, Let it Burn

e not immune to moments of introspection and melancholy when the night is deep and all is still.“When spring flowers bloom and autumn moon shines white, a touch of snow color, very hard to bear. It is...As usual, whenever I come to the Eastern Hua Pavilion, Li Zhengshu is often here.

Back then, when I was studying "Jinglue" here, whenever I reached the part about "the Crown Prince shooting a dragon-fox," it was always Li Zhengshu who answered my questions and explained things to me.

But today, Li Zhengshu is hosting the funeral of his nephew, Li Longchuan, at the residence of Marquis Cui Cheng.

As a commoner, Li Zhengshu spent his days studying in the Donghua Pavilion and even earned the title of "Donghua Scholar." He was definitely one of the emperor's closest confidants.

But in the future, Li Zhenshu will no longer come to Donghua Pavilion.

"You know," the Emperor said from his elevated throne, his emotions always carefully veiled, "Yu Langjun has always been a very well-behaved young man."

“Mr. Li is very learned,” Jiang Wang said.

The Emperor said, "You know which one is well-behaved."

Jiang Wang was silent.

“Li Zhengyan is my general who commands the wind, outstanding in every aspect. His military style is particularly versatile and unrestrained, like flowing script. But I must say, purely based on cultivation talent, Li Zhenshu surpasses him by more than a notch. His literary talent goes without saying; being able to excel at Qingya Academy means he can write the best essays in the world. As for military strategy…”

Let me know if you'd like me to translate anything else!

The Emperor glanced at Jiang Wang: "Jade Lord also claims to be 'unfamiliar with military affairs,' never discussing matters of war and not reading military books. But sometimes, when debating historical examples, in my view, his strategies are no less brilliant than Li Zhengyan's."

Jiang Wang thought this "also" was really strange. Just say Li Zhengshu's name, why bring it so far away.

The emperor said: “He is the eldest son of the Li family, born to a concubine who died early. He was raised by his grandmother, Old Madam Li, since he was young. Because his personal talent was too great, he chose to suppress his cultivation progress and achieve divine ascension late, thus avoiding competition with Li Zhengyan. Since the Li family was too prosperous, he was unwilling to enter court and preferred to remain hidden within the family—would you say that such a person is a sensible one”

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

Before, Jiang Wang would never speculate on the emperor's thoughts. But today, he thought—the emperor probably thinks Li Zhengshu's farewell this time was a bit willful.

Then Li Zhishou, who was always so sensible, suddenly became unreasonable for once. The emperor was not used to it.

"Intelligent people," Jiang Wang said involuntarily, "are often the ones who suffer. They always grit their teeth and say nothing, so slowly others don't even think they feel pain."

The Emperor's voice floated like it was from a great height: "Have you been wronged here in my presence"

“The commoner has none.” Jiang Wang bowed her head and said, “The commoner is ignorant.”

If one has truly never suffered any grievance, why would the former national pride and youngest military marquis of all nations today call themselves a commoner!

The emperor sneered: “Even you wouldn't tell me the truth Each and every one of you harbors resentment in your hearts!”

This morning it was supposed to rain, there were thunderclaps outside, but at this moment, they've all dispersed.

The jeweled pendant suspended in the warm pavilion swayed gently, casting a soft glow.

Jiang Wang raised his head and looked seriously at the emperor who had built this empire with his own hands: "If you are going to speak like that, then the commoner will feel wronged now."

Huo Yanshan tried his best to hide behind a pillar, but because of his unusually tall stature among the inner officials, he was very unsuccessful at hiding.

"Huo Yanshan!" The emperor raised his voice.

Huo Yanshan hurried forward and replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty."

The emperor said, "Jiang Ru Mo went to Cui Cheng Hou's residence today to convey the opinions of the government hall. He wanted to give my general, Dinghai Shenjiang, a grand funeral. What did Cui Cheng Hou say"

Huo Yanshan said, "Cui Chenghou said that there are two considerations for this matter—privately speaking, Li Longchuan is not a proper death and should not be publicized. It would be too painful to look at repeatedly. Publicizing it would cause more pain. Publicly speaking, Li Longchuan received the salary of the country, but he did not die for the country's great achievements and does not deserve a grand funeral."

"You dog-hearted wretch!" the emperor roared, "This concerns the hereditary marquisate. Do you dare to utter a single falsehood"

Huo Yanshan bowed and said: "The inner minister guarantees with his head that not a single word has been added or removed."

“Grandmaster Jiang!” the emperor said, “What is your opinion”

The East Hua Pavilion in the midst of summer gives off a cool and refreshing feeling.

Jiang Wang stood tall and proud, his heart swelling with pride at the address "Master Jiang."

Here is the translation of your text. Please note that I have only translated the content within the > tags and left the HTML tags as they are.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

He turned his head to look at Huo Yanshan, and from his lofty position, asked: "I would like to ask Lord Huo, how did Grand Minister Jiang respond at the time"

Huo Yanshan raised his head to look at the emperor.

The emperor only said, “Speak!”

Huo Yanshan said: "Jiang Xiang said that Li Longchuan is a good general of the country, and his funeral is a national matter, which should be treated with state rituals. But in this kind of thing, the will of a father is above everything else. Even national etiquette should give way to it. Since Hou Cui Cheng dislikes the noise and fears disturbing the soul of the deceased hero, let's just stop doing this. We mourn in our hearts, so let's just forget about it."

Jiang Wang turned to face the emperor and bowed: "Your Majesty's magnanimity is truly unparalleled, a benevolent ruler for all ages!"

The emperor said coldly, "Jiang Rumuo is an old good person who's used to saying polite words. Only someone as blunt as you would take them seriously."

Jiang Wangdao: "The evaluation of 'good person' I've also heard. The evaluation of 'kind face, black heart' I've also heard. Jiang Rumuo can be any kind of person. I am short-sighted and cannot see clearly, nor dare to make rash judgments. But the Grand Marshal of Qi State, in front of Li Longchuan's body at his mansion, only showed attitude, not decorum."

The emperor said, “That was just Jiang Ruimo’s attitude.”

Jiang Wangdao: "Using Jiang Lao as your prime minister, this is your attitude."

Just like Cao Jie was overseas, no matter what decision he made, it represented the Mandate of Heaven.

Even the Son of Heaven himself would not dare to do so!

Such an emperor as Jiang Shu was willing to let his subjects bear the good name, and he himself bear the bad one. If there were ever something that stirred up public resentment, he would never shirk responsibility. He would only say, "I personally attended to it."

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

"As for Jiang Rumuo, there is no need to speak of his state." The emperor waved his sleeve dismissively. "Instead, come and fathom my thoughts! I too wish to know, how would you, Jiang Qingyang, think of me"

"Jiang Wangdao: "A commoner dares not presume to guess the will of Heaven!"

“You have to read between the lines,” the emperor said.

Jiang Wang remained silent for a moment before saying, "In the Battle of Xia, the Zhufeng Iron Cavalry captured 23 cities in the territory of Fengjie Prefecture, and then crossed the Jiangyin Plain on horseback, confronting the Xia army. They faced each other head-on, blades meeting blades. In one charge, they suffered losses exceeding 30,000, effectively crippling the Xia Dynasty's national defense army. The Marquis Destroying Cities personally led the vanguard, charging into battle astride his horse. His children and daughters fought alongside him, forming a second line of attack. His entire family participated in this single battle, something this commoner had never heard of before witnessing it with his own eyes."

“In the area of Ghostface Fish, Li Fengyao spoke to the commoners, saying that the Li family accepted all decisions made by the imperial court. At the Destroying City Marquis Mansion, the old matriarch told the commoners that the Li family ate military rations, and by having this bowl of rice, they would not complain. This is what the commoner's relatives have heard.”

"As for the Li family of Shimen, whether they have lived up to the nation's expectations, that is beyond the words of a commoner. In those years gone by, amidst the spilled blood, broken bows, what do you see"

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

He raised his voice: "Your Majesty, such a benevolent ruler, how could you not empathize with a father's grief!"

Words are like gold and jade, ringing with weight.

The emperor looked at him and said, “You’ve thought so much about this, you speak endlessly, and yet you say you don’t dare to speculate on the will of heaven!”

“...I just thought of it.” Jiang Wang said.

The emperor said coldly, “Don't feign ignorance anymore. You claim to be quick-witted”

Jiang Wangdao: "Speaking from the heart doesn't require a quick wit. It's those who are insincere who have to rack their brains!"

The Emperor looked at him for a while and said, "Where do you plan to preach next"

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

Jiang Wangdao: "Zhongyu."

The emperor sneered again, "The feng shui of Zhongyu is good. It's probably more suitable for you."

Jiang Wangdao: "From ancient times to the present, there has never been a first that was assessed, nor a first that was claimed. Only a first that was fought for."

The Emperor asked, "Then why not go to the Northern Territories"

Jiang Wang didn't speak.

"You're really making me upset!" The Emperor flung the petition up, as if to throw it at him, but finally just tossed it onto the table with a 'thwack': "Get out! I have to go to court."

Jiang Wang bowed and said, "This commoner takes his leave."

Turning around, he walked out, his bearing very unrestrained.

The emperor's voice rang out again from behind, "Shall we go straight to the Zhongyu region, or return to Bo望 Marquis' Mansion first"

Jiang Wang turned back and said in a measured tone, "Go take another look."

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

The emperor impatiently waved his hand, as if shooing away a bothersome fly.

This text is empty. Please provide the text you want to translate.

Jiang Wang this time walked out of Dong Hua Ge quietly, never to be interrupted.

The only thing was, as he walked out of the Dong Hua Pavilion, looking back at the corridor, platform, and gardens—the Grand Qi Emperor's dragon carriage had already started moving. Through the curtain, one could only see the emperor's side profile. He leaned against his hand and sat under the decorated canopy, seemingly taking a short rest or lost in thought.

The sky was overcast with a few stars still visible. Today is the 65th year of Zi Xu's reign as supreme emperor, and he always went to the Purple Palace at this time every day. Unless personally leading an expedition, he never missed this appointment regardless of weather.

At no previous point in time had the Emperor Qi, in Jiang Wang's heart, represented anything other than majesty, power, or awe-inspiring obedience. He was either an object of fear and submission, or someone to be deeply grateful for.

But at this moment, he felt that he truly was a lonely person.

If one were to say that in the vast city of Linzi, there was a place forever locked in memory, a place that would always remain unchanged for Jiang Wang, it would be the residence of Marquis Bo望. To be more precise, it was the home of Chongxuan Sheng and Yi Shi十四.

They were, of course, all at home at this time.

He and Chongxuan met at the Destroying City Marquis' mansion, but only exchanged a glance without a word. When they met again at the Bo望 Marquis' mansion, they chatted nonstop.

Fourteen didn't speak, he just silently brewed two cups of tea.

The tea aroma is light and pleasant.

"Chong Xuan stopped his words and emphasized, “This Mingqian Jian Xue tea was personally made by Shi Fourteen himself, following the techniques he learned from Dr. Yi.”

Shi Fourteen smiled faintly.

Jiang Wangdao: "Good tea!"

He took a small sip and then exclaimed, "This is wonderful! Excellent! The best in the world!"

He brought over a jade tea canister, emerald green and lovely, placing it beside Jiang Wang's hand. A smile played at the corner of his eyes. "Take this with you for your tea."

Zhong Xuan Sheng grabbed with a big hand: "Don't! I'm not enough—"

He just grabbed at thin air.

Jiang Wang carefully put away the teapot and then asked, "Tell me, Fourteenth, we've always been on the same side — what has Shengge been up to lately"

>

He smiled and shook his head.

Zhonghuan said, "I killed a few people. They were just small fries. What's there to ask"

“Is it worth you doing it yourself” Jiang Wang asked.

“When things aren’t going well, it’s good to vent. Someone will understand,” Chong Xuan said. “It's just that Bo Wang Hou stepping forward to protect the Li family has caused some unease.”

Jiang Wangdao: “The emperor won’t care about these things.”

He looked back at Chongxuan Sheng: "You don't need me to remind you. Why"

"Why" Chongxuan spread his hands. "I know I can't stop you, so I didn't write to you. I know going to the Ghostface Fish Sea is pointless. So I didn't go."

“Don’t want to say it ” Jiang Wang took a sip of tea and added with praise, “This taste is really good! The tea selection is excellent, and the frying technique is superb. If I could drink this every day, I would be the happiest person in the world!”

"No more praise for you!" Chong Xuan suddenly turned his head: "Fourteen, guard our valuables!"

His hand, about to reach for the storage box, drew a big circle in the air and he rubbed his forehead.

Zhonghuan looked back at Jiang Wang, “What did the Emperor say to you when you entered the palace this time”

He waved his hand again and added, "You don't need to say your private matters. Just talk about the parts concerning the Li family."

Here's your translated content, keeping the HTML tags as they are:

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

Jiang Wang then recounted his conversation with the emperor regarding the Li family.

Zhong Xuan sat there quietly, listening to the end, and then sighed: "Long Chuan always said that his uncle was how good he was, what a romantic figure, and he used to take him to play everywhere. He didn't really know his uncle - a person like Li Zhengshu, if he hadn't been born in the Li family, he should have been enfeoffed as a marquis or become a prime minister now."

Everyone is at the Hou Residence, everyone has an elder uncle. But...

Uncle and grandpa, sometimes seem like two different nouns.

>

Jiang Wang nodded in agreement: "Mr. Li is indeed a very talented person."

“You don’t understand what I mean,” Chongxuan said. “If the emperor can conquer the world, Li Zhengshu will be the next prime minister. If not, then Li Zhengshu will be the prime minister he leaves for the next emperor.”

Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment.

He had wanted to keep silent.

But I couldn't help but say, "Ah"

Zhong Xuan pressed his forehead and skipped the topic: "Did the emperor mention me"

"What did he ask you to do"

"Think it over."

Jiang Wang thought seriously: "Should I go straight to the Zhongyu, or should I go back to Bowang Hou's Mansion first" -- Does that count

>

"That's enough." Chong Xuan sighed with relief: "You, True Person Jiang, are indeed useful."

"How" Jiang Wang asked.

ZHOU Xuan, leaning heavily on the throne, looked up at the vaulted ceiling, his voice tinged with wistfulness: "One hears thunder in silence. This conversation we had here in the Dong Hua Pavilion was the emperor's comfort to the Li family, his concern for you, Jiang Zhenren, and his counsel to me."

This statement takes some effort to understand. Jiang Wang pondered for a moment: "You're saying... about your warning What were you originally going to do"

Zhong Xuan closed his eyes: "You wouldn't want to know."

"I'm afraid you don't want to tell me," Jiang Wang said.

“Things won’t continue. There’s nothing more to say.” Chongxuan Sheng opened his eyes and looked at him, smiling: “The heat is oppressive, why not have some tea”

“I also want to advise you,” Jiang Wang said, looking at him. “Speak clearly, don’t always be vague.”

Fourteen listened quietly, a questioning look in his clear eyes.

“Sometimes it’s hard to explain things clearly,” Chongxuan smiled as he explained to Shi-er. “For example, if I say the emperor gave me advice, that’s being understanding, that’s ‘體天心’. But if I, like some people, said the emperor was warning me, then that would be harboring resentment and not being a loyal minister. Things could become dangerous afterwards. It doesn’t matter what ordinary people say, but your husband is a high-ranking official of the state. Every word and action has to be carefully considered.”

Shi Fourteen gently patted his stomach: "Husband, you've worked hard."

>Zhong Xuan Sheng used his big hand to cover her small hand: "Being able to walk hand in hand with you, no matter where we are, I am happy."

“You’re really getting on my nerves!” Jiang Wang finished his tea and slammed the empty cup on the table. “Get lost! You have a long way to go and much to do, so don’t waste my time!”

Having said that, he truly pressed his sword and stood up, striding away.

"Master Jiang!" Chong Xuan Sheng shouted from behind, and then said, "The journey is long and arduous, with strong winds and treacherous paths. I wonder if you can ascend to heaven in one step"

Jiang Wang patted the sword hanging at his waist: "You just need to wait."

He went out alone.

>

This is a hot summer of the year 1932.

A young man named "Jiang Wang" decided to go to the Central Region to seek enlightenment..A barrage of martial arts strikes slammed into him, tearing at his flesh and leaving him looking gruesome. He roared intermittently, venting his pain.But what truly terrifying was... each and every...