chapter 90

(I need to read this over, no time right now)

I…

am in hell.

And… because of me…

they are also in hell.

If I don’t feel attached to my power, and had I surrendered in time…
Tao Qian…

chapter 90 Doing My Best

{Inspector of Xuzhou, Tao Qian}
You’re just a hypocrite who pretends to be kind!

Have I lost the freedom to do what I should?
Or is it…

{Tao Qian’s subordinate, Cao Bao}
[Cao Bao]: My Lord, Cao Cao has surrounded Tanxian. We can’t lose this last line of defense. Please make a decision soon.

Or is it…

[?]: My Lord, if Tanxian can hold out this long, perhaps Sir Chen Deng has a plan.
[?]: Yes. We haven’t heard back from Chen Gong and Mi Zhu, but with their persuasion skills…

Dear Heaven, why do you always give me an excuse?

[Tao Qian]: Then… let’s go!

I cannot part with my power.

That is the way of men.

The lords are like that, and the world is like that.

I say: The Great Han is dead.

{Li Dian}
{Cao Cao}

{Xiahou Yuan}

[Cao Cao]: Everyone, Tanxian is about to be taken.

[CC]: What’s the status at the other fronts?
[?]: Yu Jin has breached Juancheng. Cao Hong has entered Ling Pass.
[?]: Han Hao has breached Fanmeng Pass. The other generals all have good news!

[CC]: Then the only ones left are Tao Qian’s “guerrilla troops”.

[Xiahou Yuan]: This says Guo Jia is trying to prevent them from reaching Tanxian. No news yet from Yuan Rang…
[XHY]: It seems that if we reach Tanxian before they do, it’ll be all over for Tao Qian.
{note: Xiahou Dun, his courtesy name is Yuan Rang}

[Li Dian]: My Lord, Xiahou Dun has sent someone here.

[?]: Yue Jin‘s here!

[Yue Jin]: Brother Miao Cai, General Xiahou is on the other side of the mountains right now.
[XHY]: You mean… my big brother?
{note: Xiahou Yuan, his courtesy name is Miao Cai}

[XHY]: You sure? Doesn’t he hate the Fourth Genius? Why would they work together?

[YJ]: Frankly, you would be dumbfounded too if you had seen how the Fourth deploys troops.

[CC]: In one night… he confused the enemy with lies and cut off the reinforcement route with fire… Even I’m lost in heartfelt admiration…

Let alone him.

[GJ]: General Xiahou…

[Xiahou Dun]: You’re one of us, so please call me Yuan Rang!

[GJ]: Then, could brother Yuan Rang take that hill for me?

[XHD]: I, Yuan Rang, will do my best!

[?]: Up the mountain!

[?]: The enemy is coming!
[?]: Formation! Prepare to defend!

[?]: Our reinforcements will be here, just hang on!

[?]: Come! We’re not afraid of you!

{sfx: long~ long~}

{sfx: pong~}

[?]: It’s the Rolling Stone formation! Iron Shield team! Lead the way!

[?]: Move aside, let us pass!
{sfx: pong~}

[?]: Second regiment, stay close behind them!
[?]: Regroup up ahead in the gorge. Hurry!

{sfx: ka~}

[vice]: The enemy has entered the gorge! Proceed as planned!

{sfx: ka~}

[?]: Look… look at that big rock, oh no!

{sfx: pong~}

{sfx: long~}

[soldier]: It’s a Chain of Rocks formation! Retreat!
(not sure)

{sfx: pong~}

Chain of Rocks formation!
But…

Aha! There you are!
(“I see you”)

{sfx: shoo~}

{sfx: cha~}

[?]: Wah!

[?]: Dep… deputy commander!

[?]: Deputy commander!
[?]: Wah!

[XHD]: A snake can’t move without its head. An army is weak without its leader.

[XHD]: The enemy has lost its leader. Charge!

KILL~

[?]: Who… who has such strength? We… we’re at the top of this mountain!

[?]: Hang on! Stay calm!
[?]: Don’t run away!

[GJ]: The enemy is in disarray. Looks like their commander is dead.
[GJ]: Deadly Hand Xiahou Dun, what a fitting name!

[Liaoyuan Huo]: That’s right. Once the commander dies, the morale will suffer, and the victor is clear.

[GJ]: So you understand this too.

[LYH]: If a commander like you falls, Xiahou Dun will definitely withdraw.

[GJ]: You can only use that trick on Tian Sheng the King of Siege.

[GJ]: You think you can do it again?

[LYH]: I’ll do my best.

Fire must be stirred to burn.
(word-play? instigation vs. fanning the flame)