A change of pace with a more introspective and moody passage. Also quite plotty. Poor Chengling.
Thank Emma P for proofreading!
Notes
1. Xiang Yu put an end to the Qin dynasty founded by the celebrated "first emperor of China" Qin Shihuang (the one with the terracotta army) and founded the Western Chu.
2. Liu Xiu is the famous restorer of the Han dynasty. Born without title, he got both his wishes and beyond.
3. 南宁王 Brothers of the Emperor were often awarded the title 王 or "king". Nanning is an important city in the south of China, suggesting that there was some power struggle during the succession to the throne.
4.封晓峰 lit. "grant dawn peak". Name suggestive of grandeur whilst simultaneously homophonous with "grant little peak". The moniker 地公 suggest something close to the ground.
5. 高山奴 lit. "high mountain slave", a name suggestive of a barbarian from some faraway highlands. Shortened to The Mountain to carry flavour.
The Prince of Nanning (not a member of the Royal family but an "external" Prince, titled so because his father or grandfather was given the title as a reward for heroic deeds) is actually the main character of the prequel book Lord Seventh (who also turns up later in this novel), and the shaman hostage mentioned is Wu Xi, the other main character of that book. Zhou Zishu is a side character in that book, and so is Liang Jiuxiao. Prince Nanning is also the same person as the Beiyuan that the Emperor is reminiscing about in the beginning. Birth name Jing Qi, courtesy name Beiyuan, title Prince Nanning, a.k.a. Lord Seventh. There was a power struggle before the Emperor…
I wonder who these people bullying ZCL are 😠
Zhang Chengling seriously needs a hug. Thanks for the translation!
I just found your translations and I want you to know you are INCREDIBLE and this is EXACTLY the kind of translation I love. Flows super well, meaning is clear, and FOOTNOTES APLENTY. Thank you so, so much for your great work, I hope you will finish the series because this will be my go-to reference!!