In the San Guo Yan Yi, Lu Meng died because Guan Yu's spirit took his revenge, exactly when he received prize for his merit in capturing Jing Zhou.
In the San Guo Yan Yi, Lu Meng died because Guan Yu's spirit took his revenge, exactly when he received prize for his merit in capturing Jing Zhou.
Last edited by wangxiaohu; 06-13-17 at 05:45 AM.
Thanks, foxs.
Thanks foxs
Sorry foxs Ive been down with flu so I havent been able to post my thanks for all these chapters.
Im starting to feel elevators are death traps because I always seem to be getting coughed at in the face inside elevators leading to me getting sick all the time.
Just some points I wanted to note regarding Wanwan
1. How can Wanwan say this in Book 19 Chapter 11?:
Wanwans eyes emitted an incomparably tender expression, brimming with emotion like the continuous wave slapping against the riverbank; she spoke gently, First of all is because you, Ziling, has established a delicate relationship with Shi Feixuan, which, to us, creates a big problem. Secondly, Wanwan is a bit afraid I cannot restrain my emotions and fall in love with you.
when we all remember Zhu Yuyan explaining in Book 19 Chapter 4:
Zhu Yuyan spoke indifferently, If in my heart Yuyan still cannot forget men, how could I master the Tian Mo Da Fa [demonic great method]? The passion, joy, love and desire that bewilder that turn common people upside down are just the barrier on the road. Xiao Shan, if you still cannot break through this point, there is no way you can wipe away the disgrace of Song Ques saber.
----------
2. Rather than Wanwan, Zhu Yuyans daughter may instead be Shang Xiufang, who may have been looking for her father in Book 19 Chapter 3:
And then he added, Do you know whos looking for Yue Shan?
His interest piqued, Xu Ziling asked, Who?
Kou Zhong mysteriously said, How can you not guess? Its Shang Xiufang.
What? Xu Ziling blurted out, She is still in Luoyang?
Kou Zhong said, This misunderstanding has grown out of proportion! You are impersonating Yue Shan has not only detained her here, she even offers ten taels of gold for any information on your, this fake goods, whereabouts. I really wanted to look for her and ask why she is so anxious to see this Yue Shan?
----------
3. I think the reason I, like many here, prefer Wanwan over Shi Feixuan is because Shi Feixuan and to a greater extent Hong Funu in their self-righteousness have arrogated upon themselves to decide for the people whats best for them, without any respect for these very same people as shown by their resort to violence and murder and forced-conversion to anybody who disagrees with them or has a different opinion from them. [see Oppression; or see Despotism; or see Forced Conversion]
This is why I for one am sick of Shi Feixuan, Hong Funu, and Li Shimin being so self-righteously holier-than-thou.
Hong Funu in Book 16 Chapter 12:
Hong Funus beautiful eyes shot fierce and harsh look, but the tone of her voice was extraordinarily calm. She replied slowly, Were it not for you, two guys, deliberately distorting the truth [orig. inverting black and white] and did not distinguish right from wrong, my Fujun [lit. husband lord] would not have sighed long and short, and being miserable and depressed all day. Considering the current virtuous cause, if you can get back on the right path, it is not too late. Otherwise, dont blame me for being ruthless.
Hong Funus jade countenance turned cold; she spoke heavily, In that case you are obstinately clinging to your course, obstinately persisting in going about things the
wrong way.
Sneering, Kou Zhong retorted, This is not obstinately persisting in going about things the
wrong way, but everybody has his own aspiration. I would like to ask: who does not think that what he is doing is the most proper thing?
----------
Shi Feixuan starts off similarly in Book 18 Chapter 4, but at least by the end of the exchange, even though she still looks down on our heroes, Kou Zhong has made her question herself and hopefully upon further reflection has taken the first step to correcting herself:
Kou Zhong smiled ruefully and said, Because I am afraid you, Xianzi, would give Xiaodi an opportunity that on the surface appears impartial, but actually not impartial at all, to see if I, Kou Zhong, am a talent to govern the world like that Li kid. Once you confirm your opinion, if in the future you help Li kid with all your strength to deal with me, you would do so with clear conscience.
For the first time Shi Feixuan felt that she was truly a nobody who could not do anything, because his answer was like saying that it was for the happiness of the people that he vie for the world. Hereby she could begin to persuade him to act in the interest of the people, and do the thing that he must do the most.
----------
On the other hand, Wanwan feels more like a victim because she was kidnapped in childhood and brainwashed until she has lost her humanity, as told in Book 14 Chapter 7:
Kou Zhong pretended to be unable to hold alcohol; slumping on the table, he moaned, What kind of person is Wanwan? Can she still be considered a human being? Does she have human beings seven emotional states and eight desires? How come I always feel that she is not a human being with flesh and blood?
Surprisingly, it was Xu Xingzhi who responded, Devil Schools people have been trained since they were young, and rarely left their homes halfway. Therefore, every three years they have selection process, where martial art masters of Elder-level went out everywhere to abduct small children who did not understand human affairs to be their disciples. Merely this cruel act has made God knows how many fathers and mothers have their hearts shattered and their souls broken.
After a short pause, he continued, Therefore, all Yin Gui Pai people whose instinct is dead; but in order to achieve their goal, they would do anything, by hook or by crook.
Xu Ziling looked at Ba Fenghan, who was slowly raising the wine pot and pouring the wine into his cup; he said, Instinct cant be dead, but it can be replaced and suppressed. From time to time Wanwans eyes revealed an indescribably complex emotion, but her hands are definitely not lenient.
Putting down his cup, Ba Fenghan turned toward Xu Xingzhi and asked in astonishment, Mr. Xus remark must be a secret that Yin Gui Pai would be afraid if others would know; I wonder how did you obtain it?
Xu Xingzhi took a quick glance at Kou Zhong, who was still crouching on the table. A sad expression flitted through his eyes as he spoke in heavy voice, Old affair needs not be raised again. Suffice it to say that there is a very deep enmity between me and Yin Gui Pai; hence with thousand ways, a hundred plans I investigated everything related to them.
and in Book 19 Chapter 4:
It should be noted that human has seven emotional states [in traditional Chinese medical theory and therapy, namely: joy, anger, anxiety, thought, grief, fear, fright] and six desires. Even extremely vicious, exceedingly evil person would still have love in his heart. But Zhu Yuyan did not have this problem. According to her logic, there was fundamentally no virtue and evil, good and bad, hence she did not have any psychological barrier, everything she did thus became necessity, by fair means or foul.
responding to question 2
Zhu's daughter is not Shang Xiufang, her age is not right.
I know more than I can express in words, and the little I can express would not have been expressed, had I not known more. 弗拉基米爾弗拉基米羅維奇納博科夫
Thanks foxs
Thanks foxs. Yess!! conquest time
Xiaohu, thanks for sharing. Jaya, Ysabel, HPC, DongBin, Spy, Chua, you are welcome. Paona, no need to apologize; good analysis. I happen to agree with Akolaw, although your last comment is possible, from the text, it did not seem like she was around 40. Xu Xiong, correct.
Book 20 Chapter 5 The Difference Between Close and Distant Relatives
That very night Xu Ziling left Liangdu, riding on a light boat alone overnight along Tongji Canal going down south, and reached the confluence of Tongji Canal and the Huai River. From this point, he could follow the Canal going down south and reach Jiangdu in less than half a day, and if he headed west along the Huai River, in just several sichen he would have reached Zhongli. Originally, the journey would have been very convenient. Too bad Li Zitong stationed his warships here, and laid out iron chains across the canal, to stop any boat or ship from passing through.
Xu Ziling did not wish to let new branch growing out of a knot, hence he abandoned his boat here, came ashore and headed to the west by land route. Unleashing his footwork, he passed Zhongli, but did not enter the city, but turned to the south. As soon as he reached the Yangtze River, he could try to find a boat going west, to save time and energy.
Along the way when he was thirsty he drank mountain spring water, when he was hungry he picked a couple of wild fruits to eat his fill. When he took a rest, he would delve into the hand-written treasured books that Lu Miaozi bequeathed him. This way not only he did not feel lonely, he felt carefree, forgetting worry, without anxiety, and felt relaxed instead.
Now that he had made up his mind to rescue Susu, mother and son, he was able to throw out the load on his mind, and no longer wasting his time on an insignificant problem [orig. penetrate into the bulls horn] in this regard.
Along his route, occasionally he would encounter deserted villages, and fill his eyes with the desolation in the aftermath of a disaster, which made him feel depressed! Therefore, he changed course and travel through wild, out-of-the-way uninhabited mountain and fields, passing over mountain ridges. Under his feet, traveling over destitute mountain and desolate valley were as convenient as treading on the level ground.
It was the height of the summer season, everywhere the flowers were blooming, the scenery was enchanting. Throughout the Henan region, the climate was moderate, rainfall was abundant, different kinds of trees made up the wide expanse of forest, covering the hillside grassland. Sika deer, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and all kinds of birds inhabit the area, filling the wilderness with natural charm and liveliness, making him forget the dismal wind and wretched rain of the secular world.
One day at noon, he crossed a high mountain and reached a fertile plain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. As far as his eyes could see, there were branches full of wild fruits, fresh flowers in full bloom; he was in great mood as he climbed to the hill top, and cast his eyes all around.
In the not-so-distant southerly direction, there was a strange-looking mountain; the rocks were scarlet like cinnabar, with strange peaks and weird rock formation more and more emerged, extremely and wonderfully serene. About halfway up the mountain, there was a temple hidden among the rocks. Suddenly his interest was piqued and since it was on his way anyway, he was thinking of exploring it. Thereupon he dashed toward the strange mountain.
In less than half a day, he already reached the foot of the mountain, where a mountain stream meandering through, and to his surprise, he found a bridge spanning it, connecting the secluded path going around and up the mountain.
Xu Ziling was very curious; it had never occurred to him that in such a wild, mountainous country where no man ever stepped his foot on, there was such a scenic spot.
But then he got to think: people built a monastery here, surely it was because they wanted to escape the secular world. If he simply went up the mountain to go sightseeing, he might disturb their quiet meditation. He was just about to give up his original intention and turn around to leave, when suddenly a burst of clear and melodious flute [orig. xiao, vertically blown flute] sound was heard from the distant place high up the mountain.
Listening to that, Xu Ziling was emotionally moved.
※ ※ ※
Inside the study room of the Zongguan Mansion, Kou Zhong and Xuan Yong were studying more than a dozen topography maps of Liangdu and the surrounding area.
Xuan Yong said, With our current strength, by directly attacking Donghai we will definitely end up with our wings clipped and will have to return in defeat. But if we can exploit our currently favorable situation, perhaps we can capture Donghai without wasting a single soldier, a single man, and Shao Shuai will not have to take the long and difficult journey to the Flying Horse Ranch to seek help.
Greatly interested, Kou Zhong replied, I am listening.
Xuan Yong pointed to a big lake east of Pengcheng, separated by Mount Luliang and Mount Yi, This is Lake Luoma [lit. llama], he said, The confluence of the river course. Not only it has abundant fish, the area around the lakeshore are fertile, vast agricultural land, the lifeline of many towns and villages nearby. If we can seize control of Xiapi, we can control this lake. At that time, without Shao Shuai even need to open your mouth, all the cities, counties, of the surrounding area will obediently throw their lot to you.
Astonished, Kou Zhong asked, Is there such a convenient matter? Who currently has control over Xiapi?
Xuan Yong replied, Currently Xiapi falls under control of a powerful gang called Luoma Bang [lit. llama gang]. The Bangzhu is called Du Ren, his men number nearly three thousand. Not only going fishing has to pay him fees, boats passing through or travelers touring the lake must pay him illegal toll. From time to time he went all around the area, robbing and looting, so he has already incited the heavens anger and the peoples grievance. If we can remove and replace him, and implement benevolent government, with Shao Shuais current prestige, the heart of the people will definitely turn to you. By then, we can also acquire Huairen, Langya, Lanling, Liangcheng, four counties northwest of Donghai, Muyang, Lianshui, Huaiyang, three counties southwest, plus Xiapi itself, we can completely sever land route toward Donghai; at that time Donghai is potentially already in our bag.
Emotionally moved, Kou Zhong said, Xiao Yong is indeed an insightful person. This plan is not only brilliant, it is within our ability, and will be greatly advantageous in our effort to rebuild Pengcheng.
Seeing his proposal was accepted, Xuan Yongs spirit greatly aroused, he said, In that case, subordinate will immediately send Luo Qifei to Xiapi to get a clear picture of Du Rens foundation, to see how we can eliminate him in one stroke.
After Xuan Yong left, Kou Zhong was thinking of taking out Lu Miaozis secret book and spending some time to study it diligently, when his personal guard came in to report that Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong of Yangzhou came to ask for an audience.
Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong hurriedly went out to meet them.
※ ※ ※
The flute sound slowly moved up and down in the magnificent, leisure atmosphere of the big natural world where the wind brushed the leaves into motion. The tone and the cohesion between the sound had no flaw. Although there was no intense change or climax that appeared suddenly, there was another feeling that lingered endlessly, an implicit charm in the sound that would not rest until death.
Xu Ziling could not help stopping to listen carefully. The ethereal, penetrating wordless music seemed to accurately describe the beautiful endlessly empty space in the abyss of a certain spirit; no sorrow, no joy, but was able to touch the listeners soul. The mood of the flute player itself was like an empty mountain locked up in the clouds, seemingly visible yet desired to be hidden; so elusive and unfathomable. The tender and limpid beautiful sound was like someone inside the house, yet was doomed in predestination to have the cold and detached gaze of an outsider, making others also felt that the heavy life could also be interpreted with cold, indifferent attitude.
The flute sound suddenly stopped.
As if he was forced to wake up from a dream, Xu Ziling reluctantly came up to his senses and decided to climb up the mountain to take a look.
He knew who the flute player was.
Only she could produce such a lucid and elegant, graceful, without the least bit of vulgarity, flute sound.
※ ※ ※
Grabbing Gui Xiliang and Xing Rongs, his childhood companions, hands, Kou Zhong pulled them into the study room.
After a bit of catching up, Gui Xiliang happily said, Its really good to see you, this kid. Ever since we heard the news you defeated Yuwen Huaji, we immediately rushed over at double speed, most afraid that you would suddenly disappear someplace else.
Almost with reverence, Xing Rong said, Nowadays not many people are as famous as you and Xiao Ling! Ay! If we had arrived two days earlier, we could have seen Xiao Ling too.
Kou Zhong poured tea for the two; giggling, he said, Two Dages news network is certainly fast and abundant. Xiaodi only kicked Yuwen Huagus butts a little bit, yet cant conceal it from you; this time what kind of support you can offer Xiaodi?
Gui Xiliang stared at him blankly for half a day. Finally he sighed and said, People say wealth will bring the good out of you. You, this fellow, are already world famous, but at the deepest level, that shameless attitude seems to be the same as before, just like it will never change.
Kou Zhong roared in laughter and said, Can you change fine natural character as soon as you say you are going to change? Take you, this muddled egg [i.e. scoundrel/bastard] for example, as soon as you climbed up the ladder to become a Xiangzhu [lit. fragrant master, a leadership position in a gang], you went all over the place acting like a big brother; am I not of a common origin with you, who previously loved to make a scene? The difference is that you are of an inferior fundamental character!
Gui Xiliang was unable to hold his ground; displeased, he laughed and said, We are all brothers, how come you are not willing to let me off?
Xing Rong rolled with laughter; completely at ease, he said, I dont know when was the last time I laughed this happily!
Kou Zhong raised his tea cup and said, Come! Let Xiaodi toast two Dage with a cup of tea.
Finished laughing and joking, Gui Xiliang spoke grimly, This time we rushed over, there is indeed a critical matter wed like to discuss with you.
Kou Zhong laughed and said, With your current status, you cant possibly come to see me if it were a chicken feather, garlic skin [i.e. trivial] matter, right?
Pretending to be angry, Gui Xiliang said, You tease me again and Ill beat you; I dont care how formidable you are now.
Kou Zhong surrendered. Gui Dage, please calm down, he said, May I ask what instruction do you have for me?
Xing Rong joined in, Ever since that year in Jiangyin City you and Xiao Ling beat the people of Clear, Rain and Dew, three Halls, until they were in a sorry state [see Book 7 starting on Chapter 3], we reorganized our gang under the leadership of Shao Junshi. Due to your connection with the Song Clan, Liang Ge was promoted to be the Tangzhu [hall master] of the Dew Bamboo Hall. Hey! Xiaodi was implicated to have fun as the Fu Tangzhu [vice/deputy].
Kou Zhong sighed and said, I also know that Xiliang obtained Big Miss Shao Lanfangs hand in marriage. Ay! Your, this kids luck with women is indeed not shallow.
Gui Xiliangs old face turned beet red as he said, You are teasing me again?
Afraid that the two would entangle each other endlessly, Xing Rong hastily cut them off, With the Song Clans support, these past few years we are enjoying great progress, and once again establish a good foundation in Jiangdu. Otherwise, we would not learn that quickly that one after another you and Xiao Ling have defeated Li Mi and Yuwen Huaji. All Xiongdi of our gang are very proud of you.
Kou Zhong laughed and said, Dont flatter blindly, at least that kid Mai Yunfei cant possibly be proud of us; am I right?
In Jiangyin that day, perhaps because he was Gui Xiliangs rival in love, Mai Yunfei was very rude toward Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, resulting in him suffering a little loss, having his head and face filthy with grime, his countenance lost its luster.
Letting out a cold humph, Gui Xiliang said, Forget that bird! With Shao Junshi in charge, he doesnt even have a turn to speak up.
Therefore, Kou Zhong knew that Gui Xiliang and Mai Yunfei were still like fire and water.
Xing Rong said, Shao Junshi ordered us to come here to ask you to be our Bangzhu!
Kou Zhong was stunned. What? he said.
※ ※ ※
Thanks, foxs.
Thank you Foxs
I can guessed who the flute player is (no spoiler thou )
Thanks foxs
Thanks foxs
What an interesting update! Thanks foxs.
Welcome back, the line have been bury thousands of mile away.