Free Web NovelChapter 205: Chapter 182: Taking Advantage, Setting Off Again
[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]
Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese web novel in the wuxia/xianxia genre, focusing on martial arts, politics, and interpersonal relationships.
Language style: The text uses a mix of formal and informal language, with courtly speech patterns when characters address royalty, and more casual language in other contexts.
Tone: Generally serious but with moments of lightness, especially in the family scenes at the end.
Plot keywords: Prince, martial arts, political intrigue, negotiation, family reunion, food
Characters:
- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male protagonist, appears to be powerful in martial arts
- Yan Rui (燕睿): Male, former Prince Yu (裕亲王), trying to recruit people
- Zhang Pengcheng (张鹏程): Male, commander of the Black Banner Camp
- Wang Shihao (王世豪): Male, appears to be working for Yan Rui
- Wu Mengchan (武梦婵): Female, Wu Liangchen’s sister
- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿): Female, appears to be living with Wu Liangchen
- Xie San (谢三): Male, referred to as "Third Brother"
- Ningyun (凝云): Female
- An old eunuch: Servant to Yan Rui
- Erya (二丫): Female, appears to make wontons
- An old man: Referred to as "white-haired old man"
[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]
I’ll now proceed with the translation, ensuring I follow all the rules specified, particularly regarding glossary terms and naturalizing expressions.
The text appears to be divided into several scenes:
1. After Wu Liangchen leaves, Yan Rui reflects on their meeting
2. Zhang Pengcheng meets with Yan Rui
3. Wu Liangchen returns home to a family gathering
Let me translate the text paragraph by paragraph:
Wu Liangchen left.
The room fell into an unusual silence. No one dared to speak.
Yan Rui sat in his chair, head lowered in deep thought.
After hesitating for a while, the old eunuch quietly approached Yan Rui and whispered, "Master, please don’t be too upset. This Wu Liangchen was just a poor cart-puller before. How much insight could he possibly have?"
To his surprise, Yan Rui shook his head. "You’re wrong. This man’s insight surpasses my own."
"His final words carried profound meaning, something an ordinary martial artist could never articulate."
At this, admiration filled Yan Rui’s face, but he immediately followed it with a heavy sigh.
"What a pity I can’t use him for my purposes!"
Wang Shihao then spoke, "Prince, Zhang Pengcheng has arrived and is waiting downstairs. Do you still wish to see him?"
"See him? Of course!"
Though genuinely disappointed, Yan Rui quickly pulled himself together.
This was the most fundamental quality of a person in power—never letting past events continue to trouble them.
Soon, the long-absent commander of the Black Banner Camp, Zhang Pengcheng, appeared in the private room.
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Prince!"
As he spoke, Zhang Pengcheng moved to kneel on both knees.
Yan Rui rose from his seat and extended a hand to stop him.
"Please rise, Commander Zhang. I am no longer a prince, so there’s no need for such formalities."
In truth, Zhang Pengcheng had never intended to actually kneel—it was mere pretense. Seeing Yan Rui’s gesture, he immediately stood straight.
"Prince, may I ask why you’ve summoned your humble servant?" Zhang Pengcheng inquired.
Recently, Zhang Pengcheng and his soldiers hadn’t been living particularly well.
Since leaving the prime real estate of Huangpu Guard, their income had plummeted across the board. The only benefit was that they’d found some peace and quiet.
But after hearing how Wu Liangchen had killed the Beheading Gang Leader Tie Wuchang with just three punches, Zhang Pengcheng privately congratulated himself, feeling he’d made the right move.
After all, had he remained in the city, he might have offended the young master someday.
By then, regret would have come too late.
So he’d resigned himself to enduring a more frugal lifestyle.
Unexpectedly, Wang Shihao had sent a letter stating that Prince Yu from the Capital City had arrived in Huangpu Guard and wanted to meet with him.
After reading the letter, Zhang Pengcheng was shocked.
Even he, thousands of miles away, had heard about the brutal factional struggle between Prince Jing and Prince Yu.
Especially recently, when rumors circulated that Prince Yu had been implicated in a major treason case and had completely lost his power.
Yet surprisingly, this prince possessed such Divine Power that he suddenly appeared in Huangpu Guard.
Zhang Pengcheng immediately decided not to go.
After all, he had no desire to pick sides prematurely.
That would be inviting death without even knowing how it came.
But Wang Shihao sent another letter describing Yan Rui’s purpose for the trip, his generous personality, and lavish rewards.
Zhang Pengcheng was finally tempted and decided to take a look.
If he could gain some advantage from this fallen prince, that would be ideal.
Of course, if the prince wanted to recruit him or make him take sides, that would be absolutely impossible.
Having made his decision, Zhang Pengcheng accepted the invitation.
Naturally, before entering Flower Square, he carefully disguised his appearance to avoid being recognized.
Even so, as he walked into Jufu Pavilion, Zhang Pengcheng felt nervous, fearing he might encounter Wu Liangchen again.
Fortunately, nothing happened, and he smoothly reached the top floor to meet the former Prince Yu.
Yan Rui smiled and said to Zhang Pengcheng, "What’s this talk of ’summoning’? I invited Commander Zhang here simply to make a friend."
Make a friend...
Zhang Pengcheng sneered inwardly, not believing such nonsense for a moment.
But having been immersed in officialdom for many years, he had mastered the art of telling people what they wanted to hear. So he put on a deeply grateful expression and said:
"How could someone of my humble station presume upon Your Highness’s noble status?"
"Come now, there’s no prince here—only an ordinary man. Please, sit down!"
At his signal, wine and dishes were served.
Now seated, Zhang Pengcheng relaxed, feeling he’d made the right choice in coming.
It was clear that Yan Rui wanted to recruit him, and he could use this opportunity to gain some benefits to ease the hardships of the past few months.
Beyond that, he would make no substantial promises.
This was the usual trick employed by seasoned officials like him.
While Zhang Pengcheng was plotting internally while outwardly humoring Yan Rui, Wu Liangchen had already returned home.
The small courtyard was especially lively today. Not only were his sister Wu Mengchan and Yang Lian’Er present, but Xie San and Miss Ningyun were also there.
A large pot on the wonton cart billowed with white steam, and the yuan-bao shaped wontons tumbled up and down in the boiling water, a delightful sight.
"Xiaowu, you’re back just in time! The wontons are almost ready!" the white-haired old man said excitedly.
Watching Erya rapidly wrapping wontons nearby, Wu Liangchen suddenly felt as though he had returned to Dinghai City, and stepped forward with a smile.
"The usual—more dried shrimp, less cilantro!"
Erya looked up in surprise, then her eyes curved into crescent moons.
"Coming right up!"
The familiar taste—wontons with thin skin and generous filling, rich and savory.
Paired with the milk-white bone broth that had been simmering all afternoon, Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but devour two large bowls, even though he had just finished an excellent feast.
I’ve checked all the terms against the glossary to ensure I’ve used the right translations for names, places, and special terms.
[Step 3: Final Sanitization and Logic Pass]
Let me re-read the translation to make sure:
1. There are no remaining Chinese characters or untranslated Pinyin
2. All logical connections are maintained
3. All glossary terms are used correctly
4. Text maintains natural flow and reads like it was originally written in English
I’ve verified all terms against the glossary. Names like Wu Liangchen, Yan Rui, Zhang Pengcheng, etc. are consistent with the glossary. Special terms like "Huangpu Guard" and "Black Banner Camp" are also consistent.
There are no character/word count references that need adjustment.
The translation maintains the original paragraph structure while ensuring natural flow in English. Dialogue attribution is clear, and tenses are consistent.
I don’t see any remaining Chinese characters or untranslated text. Everything has been rendered in natural, fluent English.
Wu Liangchen left.
The room fell into an unusual silence. No one dared to speak.
Yan Rui sat in his chair, head lowered in deep thought.
After hesitating for a while, the old eunuch quietly approached Yan Rui and whispered, "Master, please don’t be too upset. This Wu Liangchen was just a poor cart-puller before. How much insight could he possibly have?"
To his surprise, Yan Rui shook his head. "You’re wrong. This man’s insight surpasses my own."
"His final words carried profound meaning, something an ordinary martial artist could never articulate."
At this, admiration filled Yan Rui’s face, but he immediately followed it with a heavy sigh.
"What a pity I can’t use him for my purposes!"
Wang Shihao then spoke, "Prince, Zhang Pengcheng has arrived and is waiting downstairs. Do you still wish to see him?"
"See him? Of course!"
Though genuinely disappointed, Yan Rui quickly pulled himself together.
This was the most fundamental quality of a person in power—never letting past events continue to trouble them.
Soon, the long-absent commander of the Black Banner Camp, Zhang Pengcheng, appeared in the private room.
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Prince!"
As he spoke, Zhang Pengcheng moved to kneel on both knees.
Yan Rui rose from his seat and extended a hand to stop him.
"Please rise, Commander Zhang. I am no longer a prince, so there’s no need for such formalities."
In truth, Zhang Pengcheng had never intended to actually kneel—it was mere pretense. Seeing Yan Rui’s gesture, he immediately stood straight.
"Prince, may I ask why you’ve summoned your humble servant?" Zhang Pengcheng inquired.
Recently, Zhang Pengcheng and his soldiers hadn’t been living particularly well.
Since leaving the prime real estate of Huangpu Guard, their income had plummeted across the board. The only benefit was that they’d found some peace and quiet.
But after hearing how Wu Liangchen had killed the Beheading Gang Leader Tie Wuchang with just three punches, Zhang Pengcheng privately congratulated himself, feeling he’d made the right move.
After all, had he remained in the city, he might have offended the young master someday.
By then, regret would have come too late.
So he’d resigned himself to enduring a more frugal lifestyle.
Unexpectedly, Wang Shihao had sent a letter stating that Prince Yu from the Capital City had arrived in Huangpu Guard and wanted to meet with him.
After reading the letter, Zhang Pengcheng was shocked.
Even he, thousands of miles away, had heard about the brutal factional struggle between Prince Jing and Prince Yu.
Especially recently, when rumors circulated that Prince Yu had been implicated in a major treason case and had completely lost his power.
Yet surprisingly, this prince possessed such Divine Power that he suddenly appeared in Huangpu Guard.
Zhang Pengcheng immediately decided not to go.
After all, he had no desire to pick sides prematurely.
That would be inviting death without even knowing how it came.
But Wang Shihao sent another letter describing Yan Rui’s purpose for the trip, his generous personality, and lavish rewards.
Zhang Pengcheng was finally tempted and decided to take a look.
If he could gain some advantage from this fallen prince, that would be ideal.
Of course, if the prince wanted to recruit him or make him take sides, that would be absolutely impossible.
Having made his decision, Zhang Pengcheng accepted the invitation.
Naturally, before entering Flower Square, he carefully disguised his appearance to avoid being recognized.
Even so, as he walked into Jufu Pavilion, Zhang Pengcheng felt nervous, fearing he might encounter Wu Liangchen again.
Fortunately, nothing happened, and he smoothly reached the top floor to meet the former Prince Yu.
Yan Rui smiled and said to Zhang Pengcheng, "What’s this talk of ’summoning’? I invited Commander Zhang here simply to make a friend."
Make a friend...
Zhang Pengcheng sneered inwardly, not believing such nonsense for a moment.
But having been immersed in officialdom for many years, he had mastered the art of telling people what they wanted to hear. So he put on a deeply grateful expression and said:
"How could someone of my humble station presume upon Your Highness’s noble status?"
"Come now, there’s no prince here—only an ordinary man. Please, sit down!"
At his signal, wine and dishes were served.
Now seated, Zhang Pengcheng relaxed, feeling he’d made the right choice in coming.
It was clear that Yan Rui wanted to recruit him, and he could use this opportunity to gain some benefits to ease the hardships of the past few months.
Beyond that, he would make no substantial promises.
This was the usual trick employed by seasoned officials like him.
While Zhang Pengcheng was plotting internally while outwardly humoring Yan Rui, Wu Liangchen had already returned home.
The small courtyard was especially lively today. Not only were his sister Wu Mengchan and Yang Lian’Er present, but Xie San and Miss Ningyun were also there.
A large pot on the wonton cart billowed with white steam, and the yuan-bao shaped wontons tumbled up and down in the boiling water, a delightful sight.
"Xiaowu, you’re back just in time! The wontons are almost ready!" the white-haired old man said excitedly.
Watching Erya rapidly wrapping wontons nearby, Wu Liangchen suddenly felt as though he had returned to Dinghai City, and stepped forward with a smile.
"The usual—more dried shrimp, less cilantro!"
Erya looked up in surprise, then her eyes curved into crescent moons.
"Coming right up!"
The familiar taste—wontons with thin skin and generous filling, rich and savory.
Paired with the milk-white bone broth that had been simmering all afternoon, Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but devour two large bowls, even though he had just finished an excellent feast.
