A step into the past - 寻秦记 - by Huang Yi

[Jean]

Jaja9: Erm... what personal forum?

And to continue....

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Xiang Shaolong sighed and told them everything, only hiding the matter regarding the fake Ying Zheng, because he has made a promise to keep it a secret.

Wu Yingyuan’s brows furrowed deeply as he asked, “Then how are you going to get mother and son out? Won’t it be even worse if he dies of poisoning after being rescued?”

Xiang Shaolong replied confidently, “There is a twist to this matter, but just as Zhu Ji was about to reveal it, Zhao Mu came and interrupted the conversation. In any case, just leave it to me.”

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief, and regained their hope.

Teng Yi listened coldly, no change of expression on his face at all, giving one the impression of a hero with deep resolution.

Tao Fang complimented, “Shaolong is indeed smarter than others, making use of Zhao Ya to trick the King of Zhao and Zhao Mu. Seems that no matter what out of the ordinary things we do for the next 10 days, they will not interfere.”

Master Wu nodded his head, “If we do not have Shaolong, we will surely fail terribly this time.” He turned towards his son and said, “Is the livestock farm in Qin almost ready?”

Everyone was surprised, only now did they realize that Wu Yingyuan had gone to the state of Qin to make arrangements.

Wu Yingyuan replied, “I’ve chosen 4 places to run the farm and have already sent experienced hands to deal with it 2 years ago and now it’s beginning to have some semblance of a farm and just about able to contain the resources and animals that we will be moving there. Humph! I really feel like seeing with my own eyes the expression of that muddleheaded ruler King Xiaocheng’s face after we leave.”

Xiang Shaolong can’t help but ask, “There are so many animals in the farm and along the way there will be roadblocks set up by the Zhao soldiers, how will we leave?”

Wu Yingyuan said with a smile, “We will not move even a strand of grass in this farm, what we’re moving are the few farms near the Qin border. The past few years we’ve been using the excuse that we’re going to deal against the Qins to slowly expand our farms near that area and the best animals are also sent there.”

Tao Fang continued, “On the surface the Zhaos are still maintaining cordial relationships with the Wu family and the soldiers at the borders do not know the situation here at all. As long as the Qins agree, even if we move all the animals, it won’t pose any difficulty at all. Besides, we’re now only sending over the best animals to use as stud stock.”

Wu Zhuo said, “Many of the Zhao soldiers at the border are Wu family disciples I secretly planted there whose names have been changed, so it’s a lot easier to work.”

Xiang Shaolong was secretly impressed. It turned out that in order to save Ying Zheng and his mother, Wu Yingyuan has started working on it a few years ago, that’s why everything can move at such a breeze now.

Teng Yi asked nonchalantly, “There won’t be any animals left behind for the Zhaos?”

Master Wu replied calmly, “Of course!”

Xiang Shaolong can’t bear to think of the scene where the farms will be filled with the corpses of cows and horses, but they have no choice but to do this.

He changed the topic, “The most important thing now is how many days we can defend the fortress, the longer we withstand them the better the chance of us escaping.”

Teng Yi and Tao Fang were just informed about the secret tunnel so they understood his meaning.

Because the Zhaos will think that they are trapped in the stockade and will not send anyone to go after them, while Zhu Ji and her son can leave the city via the tunnel. So the longer they can hold the stockade, the further they can escape, to the extent that they may even reach Xianyang before the border guards receive any news.

Wu Zhuo replied, “You can count on me and Teng Yi for this. Within these few days I will secretly move the equipment and men needed to defend the stockade in and hide them well while Brother Teng will be in charge of teaching them the art of defending a city.”

Wu Yingyuan told Tao Fang, “Master Tao better transfer those outsiders somewhere else and try to dismiss the unrelated maids and servants. As for the song courtesans, chose the best ones and send them out of the city, but you must pretend to be secretive about all these.”

Everyone else, with the exception of Teng Yi and Xiang Shaolong, all laughed.

The former because he has seldom smiled since the horrible deaths of his wife and children while Xiang Shaolong is because he thought of Master Wu’s decision to perish together with the stockade.

He can’t help but utter, “Grandfather…”

Master Wu interrupted, “This matter can only be washed with blood, so that the descendents of the Wu family will never forget their hatred with the Zhaos. Whoever wants to deal with the Wu family will have to pay a terrible price.”

He sighed softly and a look of reminiscence shot out from his eyes as he said slowly, “Our forefathers are actually Qin royalty, but because of strife we were forced to end up in Zhao. Depending on our unyielding resolution, we set up a farm in the deserted areas and became the world’s number one livestock farm. Now my descendents are finally returning home while I can only die heroically. That life has turned out this way, what more can a man ask.”

Wu Zhuo was silent while Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang looked miserable.

A look of respect shot out from Teng Yi’s eyes as he said emotionally, “Good man!”

Master Wu smiled and stood up with some trouble, saying “That’s why I am going to enjoy myself to the fullest for the next few days, do not bother me if there’s nothing important.”

He chortled and under the looks of everyone present, left the room humming a tune.

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[eliza bennet]

Jean, congratulations and your baby looks so cute! I hope that she'll have long healthy life

[genuis8]

Welcome back Jean!

[gqonmars2]

Thanks Jean.

Unlike everyone else, I don't have any valuable advise since I have no experience with a precious child.

Just take care of yourself and baby Jean Jr. (Sherylyn).

[JAJA9]

Hi Jean, I merely click on your avatar and then it led me to a befriend page with a forum though it did say you have not befriend anybody yet. So it might be there. It is a long long message so unless you really cannot access it, I will try not to add those advise in this forum. Another word of advise which might work later on and that is babies speed of learning is the fastest between birth and the age of 6. I see a lot of parents do not teach their kids a lot during those times, but if you remember this, you will give a strong learning foundation to your baby. If they ask questions during that times, you have to treat these questions as serious and give them the real answers and attention instead of sometimes just dismissing the questions. Make sure that during this age they have a good balance diet with lots of protein and I do not believe in baby food in bottles because there a lots of chemicals in them. This is the time when their brains begin to form and protein is the answer. Make your own baby food by buying a blender and a juicer. Hi other members, do not want to make this into a kids raising forum, so sorry.

[akolaw]

congratuation Jean,

Actually the magic number is 7, we come to a new stage every 7 year, so 0 to 7, 7 to 14, 14 to 21.

[aliderhamy]

Since jean spends as much time giving us translations...
I feel that this is Jeans forum

So seeing as jean had the baby, make it a baby forum I dont mind.
Its amazing how many people care about jean, never realised what a caring community woxia is...
I love it.

[Jean]

Jaja: I found your post, thanks!

And to continue....

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Teng Yi and Xiang Shaolong walked side-by-side back to the inner hall and asked, “What do you plan to do with Qian’er?”

Xiang Shaolong knows that he dotes on this pretty princess and was worried that he will abandon her so he assured him, “I will bring her along no matter what.”

Teng Yi was assured and turned around to look for Wu Zhuo.

That evening, Master Wu held a secret wedding ceremony for Xiang Shaolong and Wu Tingfang and at the same time accepted Ting Fangshi as his mistress, so that both now have a formal status.

That night Xiang Shaolong infiltrated the Hostage Residence with Jing Jun again.

Xiang Shaolong was familiar with the place and avoided the guards on patrol, coming to Zhu Ji’s bedchamber. The 2 of them hid on the bed and talked secretively.

Zhu Ji’s pretty face is on the same pillow as him, her body pressed tightly against him. Because she is lying on her side, sounds of her alluring breathing drifted into his ears following her breaths and that sort of pull is something no man can resist.

Luckily Xiang Shaolong’s eyes were staring straight ahead at the top of the curtained bed or else once he sees her eyes, he will definitely not be able to control himself and do something that he should not have.

In this era where men holds power, women all knows how to use their natural charms to control men. Zhu Ji is exactly one of the best in this area. Or else King Zhuangxiang won’t be pining away for her and intelligent men like the bisexual Zhao Mu and Guo Kai won’t be enamored with her at the same time.

Zhu Ji did not talk about business first and instead asked, “You have not fallen for that s.lut Zhao Ya?”

Xiang Shaolong thought to himself that women are women after all. Time is precious yet Zhu Ji has the inclination to talk about such gossip, so he can only accede to her and asked, “Are you familiar with her?”

Zhu Ji answered unhappily, “Zhao Mu used to bring her to my place in the past, do you consider that familiar?”

Xiang Shaolong remembered that Zhao Ya once hinted that she has something going on with that fake Ying Zheng, so it seems that it’s under Zhao Mu’s instructions that she was doing such ridiculous things. He felt a wave of nausea and at the same time felt as if he has been released, because he no longer need to be responsible for Zhao Ya relationship-wise.

Zhu Ji suddenly laughed lightly and said smugly, “Zhao Mu may be wily, but he is definitely not our match. You should know how to make good use of this s.lut!”

Xiang Shaolong secretly thought her formidable, she was able to see through his plans immediately. He took a deep breath and said, “If the plan succeeds, it’ll really be all thanks to her help.” He can’t help but ask, “Lady! Where exactly is your son?”

Zhu Ji replied, “First tell me your plan, I can only tell you after I decide if it’s viable.”

After going through so many experiences, Xiang Shaolong has learnt not to reveal everything. He told her the gist of the plan but omitted the most important part about the secret tunnel in the Wu family and changed the escape route to be from the west of the city.

Zhu Ji is already very satisfied and kissed his cheek gently, her slender hand caressing his broad chest and asked flirtatiously, “Your waist is so hard, what is tied around there?”

Xiang Shaolong replied, “It’s equipment that can make me fly over walls and needles that can kill silently.”

Zhu Ji’s expression changed, “Does Zhao Ya know you have such abilities?”

Xiang Shaolong thought carefully and shook his head, “Although she has seen them before, I’ve never explained how they are used. Besides it seems that she is still hoping that I can escape alone and should not have told Zhao Mu about it.”

Zhu Ji heaved a sigh of relief and whispered in his ear, “We cannot just depend on luck. Can you bring me some strong drugs tomorrow, if need be, I want to think of a way to slip out myself.”

Xiang Shaolong is beginning to think that this woman is not simple at all and asked with a furrowed brow, “Even if we can drug the maids who are guarding you, we won’t be able to pass the guards. You must not believe Guo Kai, he’s just lying to get your body.”

Zhu Ji guffawed, “Only a fool would believe him. The person I want to drug is him. This is the only route to escape after I pondered on this problem day and night over the last 10 years. I want to drug him because his build and weight is about the same as me. I only need to prop my shoes higher and tie something like what you have in my clothes.”

She continued with a sigh, “Hai! If I don’t find something to do, I’d go crazy being locked up like this.” She paused and continued in a sharp voice that sounded exactly like Guo Kai, “That’s why I imitated his way of talking and actions everyday. If not for the fact that I know I won’t be able to go far, or else I would have slipped away long ago.”

Xiang Shaolong was bowled over and complimented her sincerely, “You did a really great imitation.”

Footsteps were heard from outside the door and Xiang Shaolong hurriedly hid in the secret compartment.

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[balikpapan]

Wow, Jean:
I just realized that every time I finished reading your translation, I gave a long exhale. Does it mean that I hold my breath during the reading?

I know the story is fascinating, but your seamless translation take a huge part to make it wonderful. Thanks, Jean.

Btw, my boss name is Chery (it spells Shery ). A hot, pretty and smart blonde. Coincident?

[gqonmars2]

Thanks Jean. Great translations.

[Jean]

balikpapan: either you'll make a very good swimmer, or my translations are not long enough to knock you out from lack of air.

anyway to continue....

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The maids opened the door and came into the room, lifting up the curtains on the bed and only left after seeing Zhu Ji who was pretending to be asleep.

Xiang Shaolong squeezed out.

Zhu Ji leaned over again and hugged him, saying, “There’s a man under Buwei who is adept in the skill of disguise…”

Xiang Shaolong interrupted her, “You’re referring to Xiao Yuetan, I just met him!”

Zhu Ji exclaimed happily, “Only now do I trust you wholeheartedly. All right! I’ll tell you, although I do not know the skill of disguise, but I had learnt some tricks from him in the past out in interest. When I am feeling bored everyday I will try to think of a way to disguise myself as Guo Kai. I’m confident that unless I meet someone familiar, or else no one will be able to tell.”

Xiang Shaolong sighed secretly, from this one can tell how much Zhu Ji yearns to leave this cage, and he can also see her fierce determiniation during such dire situation.

Zhu Ji said, “Most importantly you must bring me the drugs. Man is strange, regardless of comitting good or bad deeds, once things get started it’ll be difficult to control, so soo ner or later Zhao Ya will betray you totally. With Zhao Mu’s cautious and suspicious nature, he will certainly increase the number of people guarding this place.”

Xiang Shaolong agreed, “Now that you’ve said this, I too feel a bad omen. If Zhao Mu finds out that I have the ability to move about over high places, he will certainly pinpoint on this area and deal with it.” He then sat up.

Zhu Ji asked in alarm, “What are you doing?”

Xiang Shaolong did not reply her but moved to the side of the window and looked out, and it happened that a team of patrol just walked past. After they left, ha made a signal to Jing Jun who was outside and in a short while, that lad slipped in swiftly through the window like a civet cat.

After Xiang Shaolong instructed him to return to the Wu family to take the drugs and saw him leaving safely, he went back to the bed.

Zhu Ji stared at him with her large eyes and said, “So you actually have someone who is so highly skilled helping you, no wonder Zhao Mu is so wary of you.”

Xiang Shaolong replied, “Lady, you better tell me quickly the matter regarding the Crown Prince!”

Zhu Ji said languidly, “Why the anxiety? You still have to wait for him to take the thing here before you leave. You don’t even know how torturous it is for me to keep everything to myself and it’s not easy for me to find someone like you to talk to.”

Xiang Shaolong felt both anger and humor over this and cajoled her, “Take it that I beg of you?”

Zhu Ji was ecstatic and she used her wiles and asked gently, “Shaolong! Will you kiss me?”

Xiang Shaolong had no choice but to turn his head around only to see her enigmatic and flirtatious eyes staring at him unwaveringly.

Their eyes locked for a moment and Zhu Ji took the initiative to kiss his lips, her slender body lightly moving against his.

Waves of giddiness swept over his body and Xiang Shaolong’s lust was immediately aroused uncontrollably.

Zhu Ji’s fragrant lips moved apart a little and she said with a light laugh, “And I thought you’re a weirdo who will not be moved, so it turns out that you’re no different from other men.”

Xiang Shaolong felt irritation and because of this his attention was diverted and he suppressed his lust while exclaiming angrily, “Lady!”

Zhu Ji extended 2 fingers and pressed on his mouth, and as if cajoling a kid, said, “Don’t be angry, I sincerely want to be close to you!”

Just when Xiang Shaolong could do nothing about her, Zhu Ji said with a serious tone, “At that time in order to avoid being seen, Buwei and my husband did not bring me with them. I had just given birth to a son then and he was not even a month old. After they left, I knew the situation is not right and the Zhaos may very well kill Zheng’er to appease their anger so that night I ordered my servant to go find another baby to take Zheng’er’s place.”

Xiang Shaolong was enlightened, “So that’s how the fake Ying Zheng came about.”

Zhu Ji said with worry, “Things done in a hurry will certainly have loopholes. We can’t find a baby around the same age at such short notice so we could only pay a large sum of money to buy a 3 year old kid to replace him. Luckily at that time no one thought highly of my husband and they don’t even know if he has children. That night when Zhao Mu found out that Lu Buwei and my husband had left, he sentenced all the maids and servants to death in fury, leaving only me and my fake son but his suspicions were not aroused at all.”

Only now did Xiang Shaolong understand, no wonder Ying Zheng’s age is different from the history books, so the real situation is so twisted.

The battle of Changping happened during 260BC, and he has been here for a few years and now it is 249BC, a difference of 11 years.

If Emperor Qin was born in Zhao after the defeat of Changping, and with the difficulty in news being passed during this ancient era, the news may have been delayed by one year. Therefore Ying Zheng should be born at the beginning of the year, the year after the defeat at Changping, and he ascended the throne on 246BC, which is only 3 years away from now. Hence he should be 13 years old by then, which proves that the history books were correct.

He’s so stupid not to have guessed that this Ying Zheng is a fake one.

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[eliza bennet]

Thank you so much Jean

There is another female character who also uses her feminine viles to attact and control men... Lady Ya has a formidable opponent.

[gqonmars2]

Thanks Jean.

Lady Ya has a formidable opponent.

I think Zhu Ji is much better. Ya gets set up by men, but Ji sets up the men..

[Gubrak]

The battle of Changping happened during 260AD, and he has been here for a few years and now it is 249AD, a difference of 11 years.

.., and he ascended the throne on 246AD,
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I believe these should be 260BCE, 249BCE and 246BCE respectively.

Thanks for the translation jean.

[KChill]

I believe these should be 260BCE, 249BCE and 246BCE respectively.

Thanks for the translation jean.

Nah, she had it right the first time...

[Jean]

I believe these should be 260BCE, 249BCE and 246BCE respectively.

Thanks for the translation jean.

oops... you're right.

[Jean]

end of chapter....


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The things that he could not figure out in the past immediately became logical.

This is more reasonable, with Emperor Qin’s intellect and bravery, how can he be a useless person.

Zhu Ji took out from within her clothes an exquisite jade piece with a unique design, with a phoenix carved on it. She removed it and somberly pressed it into Xiang Shaolong’s hand and used his palm to cover it up, her 2 hands grabbing his hardened fists tightly and said gently, “The real Zheng’er has been sent to a poor family in Handan who had just lost 2 sons in the defeat of Changping, and it’s been agreed that in future this jade piece will be used to identify each other. Zheng’er has the same jade piece hung around his neck. This has a phoenix carved on it while his has a dragon carved on it.”

Xiang Shaolong asked, “Does that couple know about the Crown Prince’s background?”

Zhu Ji’s eyes revealed both joy and worry and she was so nervous her breathing quickened as she breathed out, “Of course we can’t let them know, we just told them he’s an illegitimate son borne by a girl from a rich family. At that time I didn’t expect to be put under house arrest immediately and the servant who knew about the matter has been killed. Therefore I only have the opportunity to tell you this matter when you came today. Heavens! You must find him for me, or else I won’t want to live either.”

Xiang Shaolong can feel the remaining body warmth of Zhu Ji from the jade piece in his hands and he said confidently, “I can guarantee with my head, I will certainly find him.”

Of course he is confident, or else history would not have ended up thus.

Zhu Ji whimpered, “Don’t try to cajole me.”

Xiang Shaolong replied, “I am someone with special abilities, my intuition will certainly not go wrong.”

Zhu Ji looked at him doubtfully for a moment before moving to his ears and telling him the secret in her heart, the name and address of the person who took in her son.

Xiang Shaolong memorized it.

There was a soft sound at the window, Jing Jun has returned and he was carrying a big bag of drugs and came grinning to the curtain. He was eyeing Zhu Ji up and down and was immediately dumbfounded and forgot to speak.

Zhu Ji giggled and naturally she looked alluring.

Xiang Shaolong said with a reprimanding tone, “Xiao Jun!”

Only then did Jing Jun’s senses return and he said, “This is a very strong drug, just a little can knock a person out for a day and even cold water won’t rouse him. There’s enough here to knock out over a hundred people.”

They could hear hoof beats coming nearer from afar.

Zhu Ji and Xiang Shaolong were both stunned and knows that Zhu Ji has indeed made the correct guess about Zhao Ya.

Xiang Shaolong knows that not only is Zhao Ya sinking deeper and deeper, but she has been controlled by Zhao Mu again, or else Zhao Mu won’t have sent people here to increase defenses in the middle of the night. Obviously Zhao Ya has revealed to Zhao Mu in bed regarding his ability.

After he hurriedly made an agreement with Zhu Ji on the time and place for escape, the 2 of them left swiftly.

They’ve just climbed over the wall when the guards came rushing over from where the fake Ying Zheng stayed to start a new defense formation.

From this moment on, this resilient mother of Emperor Qin, will have to use her own strength and intellect to escape.

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[yongbifan]

thanks jean for the wonderful work once again

[Jean]

to continue....

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Book 5 Chap 9 – The Big Exchange

Early the next morning, an impatient Xiang Shaolong slipped quietly into the streets and deliberately went a big round before coming to where the poor lived in at the west of the city.

Although it’s where the poor lived, their lives are not that bad, only their houses were a little run down and the fallen walls not repaired! Most of the people here used to be farmers but the wars destroyed their farms and hence they have no choice but to find work in the city.

He followed the address and came at last to the South Alley which Zhu Ji told him.

At this time he can’t help but feel nervous as he grabbed a passerby and asked, “Where is Zhang Li’s house?”

That person saw that he looked respectable and pointed to a fenced up house at the end of the alley and said, “That is his house!” He seemed to have some words which he found difficult to say, but he just shook his head, sighed and left.

Xiang Shaolong was not concerned at all and his mood became more relaxed. He secretly thought that this should be right, and walked over. He went to the door and shouted, “Zhang Li! Zhang Li!”

A forty over year old average looking woman stuck her head out and eyed Xiang Shaolong suspiciously for a moment before asking, “Who is looking for Zhang Li?”

Xiang Shaolong said with a smile, “You must be Madam Zhang!” He took out the jade piece and showed it to her.

With a ‘bang’, Madam Zhang slammed the door close as if she has seen a ghost.

Xiang Shaolong was totally dumbfounded by her reaction and stared at the closed wooden door like a retard.

In a short while an argument between a man and a woman can be heard from inside.

Xiang Shaolong now understood. Naturally they are unwilling to return a child whom they have raised for 10 years, so he can only compensate them well with money.

He reached out and lightly knocked on the brass ring on the door.

After a pause the door opened and a man stood next to the door and said with lowered head, “Sir, please come in.”

Xiang Shaolong saw that he looked honest and secretly complimented Zhu Ji’s subordinate for knowing how to choose a person rightly.

He stepped into the house and saw that woman sitting at a corner weeping. A cloud of gloom hung in the house and there’s no liveliness in it at all.

He did not even hear any child’s voice or clothing and items.

Xiang Shaolong furrowed his brow and asked, “Where’s the child?”

The woman sobbed even more uncontrollably.

Zhang Li’s eyes reddened as he said painfully, “Dead!”

That word sounded thunderous and made Xiang Shaolong’s body tremble. He almost had an heart attack as he exclaimed in shock, “How did he die?”

Zhang Li said miserably, “Few years ago when the Yans attacked Handan, all children above the age of 13 were conscripted to defend the city, and he was killed by one of the random arrows shot by the Yans. Although we took your money, we could not protect the child, just kill us! There’s no meaning living on anyway.”

Xiang Shaolong exclaimed hoarsely, “But he wasn’t even 10 years old last year!” He remembered the behavior of the passerby earlier and now understood that he was feeling sorry that they have lost their son.

Zhang Li replied, “We can only blame that he’s a lot bigger built than 13 year old kids. While he was outside playing one day, he was captured by passing soldiers.”

Xiang Shaolong collapsed onto a chair and buried his face in his hands.

Heavens! Emperor Qin is actually dead, what should he do?

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[ChronoReverse]

Oh. I didn't expect that one if it's really true.