Really, Really Miss You Chapter 33

First off, I’m going to apologize if I miss my next regular scheduled posting this coming Friday night (N. American time)/Saturday morning (everywhere else). I hurt my back, and I have doc’s orders not to stand still or sit down for extended periods. All other remaining options (lie in bed, continuously walk around) make it a little difficult to type. 😦 I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll be better in a few days, but if you don’t see the post at the expected time, you know the reason why.

Ah, this was the chapter I was most nervous about translating when I picked up this project, so phew, it’s done. It’s a long post. The story translation is not long, but there are three song translations at the back end. Yes, it’s THREE. >_< I nearly threw in my towel in surrender, but when I first read through this scene, without knowing what these songs were all about, I could not understand what the big deal was about the YY event and the songs chosen. Then, when I read through the lyrics, it made more sense what the excitement was about, and why the fourth song (which makes it’s appearance next update) was chosen and could only be that song. So, if possible, browse through the song translations at the back end, and hopefully they enhance your reading experience. (Plus, I burned the midnight oil for many nights to get them done. 😉 )

I really wish I lived on the other side of the world so I could sit in on one of these types of YY events. Unfortunately, when these events are being held, it’s smack in the middle of the day on my side of the world.

By the way, Peanuts, I deliberately chose one of the MVs to be a Wallace Chung one just for you. (It’s his curly hair look, but hey, a true fan wouldn’t mind. LOL)

Chapter 33 – Floured Beef Steamed in a Cup (3)

Toupai’s advice did have a significant effect.

The subsequent contestants all did benefit from his teaching in some way or another, and many of the ones who were sharper and could grasp the concept better were even able to make impromptu adjustments to their performance, taking this competition to a whole new level and value to be appreciated.

It was nearly 10:30, and the official competition events finally came to a close for the night.

The hostess suddenly exhaled a long breath, and then her tone changed into an excited one. “The competition will end here for tonight. Thank you to all of our judges and teachers, our contestants, as well as all the people who worked to make this happen. In five minutes, after all the staff and judges have exited, we have a surprise mystery gift for all of you. Everyone take a short break, please, and we will see you in a little bit.”

And with that last sentence, every person who had been on microphone disappeared.

The only person remaining in the room was the hostess, who was playing a recording of the video game’s theme song…

It was not clear who first noticed something peculiar, but comments started incessantly popping up on the public comment screen: “Oh gawd, hurry and check out the administrator list…” “Waaaah! What kind of gift is this AH!…… oh god, I’m going to die.”……

All the people who had originally been planning on exiting the YY room at once grew excited, and everyone immediately clicked on the list of administrators.

Only Qiang Qing Ci and the hostess were present at first, but… the number of administrators was continuously increasing.

One, two, three… More and more “yellow IDs” were entering the YY room.

Jue Mei Sha Yi, Feng Ya Song, Dou Dou Dou Bing, Little T. They represented Wanmei Voice Acting Group…

Si Wu Xie [Thoughts are Pure], Xiao Bai [Little White], Die Die [Fold], Fu Sheng Wu Meng [Dreamless Floating Life], Wwwwk. They represented Liu Nian Zhi Sheng [The Voice of Fleeting Time] Voice Acting Group…

Fei Shao, Bei Dou Xiao Xing [Little Star of the Big Dipper], Wan Wan Rao Rao [Twists and Turns]. They represented Shui Mo [Ink] Music Association…

Ling Long Ti Tou, Jian Jian [Gradually], Little He, 2Yue [2nd Month]. These represented Gu Cha Wu Xiang [Ancient Tea Without Fragrance] Music Association…

Two entertainment circles. And the four most veteran associations in these circles had made their appearance.

Oh my god……

(⊙o⊙)……

When Gu Sheng saw all these names, she nearly fainted. This mystery gift was simply too shocking. Never before had she seen such a big line-up. Even though, because of Qiang Qing Ci, she had met all of these famous names in Wanmei already and would not freak out like she did in the beginning anymore, for the rest of the fans here on YY… these personas were all very mysterious to them.

Most importantly, out of the hundreds of associations out there, these four were at the very top of the pyramid.

And even to the newer members within these topmost associations, the veterans of the association had a god-like status…

None of them accepted new projects from those outside of their association.

Occasionally, they would participate in certain events, but it was usually as a favour for a good friend.

So, for them to be here like this, to suddenly be here in this way, was really too amazing, you know? T.T …

The news spread in an instant, and the number of people in the YY room was increasing rapidly. Many of them who entered the room would cry on the public comment screen: “I finally managed to get in. Was about to grow wings from being stuck and waiting…” “My most beloved idol ah, ah, ah, ah! My goddess AAAH! My male god AAAH! … Oh god …”

Five minutes seemed to tick by very slowly.

The comment screen looked like it was going to explode from all the spamming. The staff in charge of maintaining order kept trying to restrain the rate at which comments were allowed to be posted, but they were completely unable to control this explosion of posts that was happening on the screen. In the end, they just gave up…

After all, the official event had ended already. The point of this late night event was to make everyone high with excitement anyways.

“Okay, you’ve all seen it now, right?” The hostess was giddy as well, completely immersed into the role of being a voice lover. “Our two biggest voice acting associations and two biggest music associations are the ones who wrote and performed the theme song for this video game and provided the voice acting for the promotional videos. Definitely an awesome benefit here tonight for fans and can also be considered… a belated Valentine’s Day present. So everyone, treat this like your god or goddess is giving you a late Valentine’s Day celebration. As for me… I’m going to happily go off and be a little fan. Handing over the mike now…”

The hostess handed off the microphone.

“Everyone…. Long time no see.” Liu Nian Zhi Sheng Voice Acting Group’s Fu Sheng Wu Meng was the first to speak, in a voice so gentle it seemed like water could be squeezed out of it. “I’m at the airport right now, using my mobile phone to log into YY. When the performance starts a little later, if there’s any sound quality issues, please bear with and forgive me.”

Die Die: “No worries, Wu Meng Dada. Give us a couple of cat cries and we’ll consider that our compensation.”

“Meow… What did you say? I can’t really hear you. Meow…” Fu Sheng Wu Meng gave a couple chuckles, soft, gentle, and sweet…

The comment box was immediately filled with comments of “Sooooo cute!!!!” “Dada, requesting to marry you!!!!”……

Die Die coughed a couple times. “Where’s that dignity we had all agreed to remember to keep?”

“Meow… What’s that you said? Aaah, such bad reception in the airport… Let me hand over the mike.”

Die Die immediately burst out in laughter. She cleared her throat before officially taking over the task of being host of the event. “Since out of this group of old friends, I’m the only one who has the side job of being an online emcee as well, I’ll be the guest host for tonight’s late night event…… Tonight was not easy to pull together. Besides one or two people who could not make it, basically the whole crew is present. Is that right, Toupai DaRen?”

Toupai was one of the judges tonight so naturally, he was one of the main attractions of the night.

But…

Gu Sheng felt that … everyone seemed to just like teasing him, eh…

Only a single, nonchalant word in reply: “Mm.”

Toupai was certainly concise…

There was absolutely no hint of the logical, calm manner of speaking he had used a while ago when he was a judge, and he had reverted back to his nature where words were as precious as gold. However, that did not prevent the fans, who were no longer being restrained, from flooding the screen with torrential outpourings of love declarations T.T……

“I suspect it must be because it is the day after Valentine’s Day, so everyone is free,” Die Die continued with a charming laugh. “Is that right, Toupai DaRen? Last night, a lot of people must have been really busy…”

“I suppose.” Toupai seemed to be able to guess where she was heading with her words.

“So… Qiang Qing Ci Dada… yesterday, you must have been very busy too, right? What were you doing?”

T.T……

Gu Sheng immediately became embarrassed…

Tens of thousands of spectators… and things still managed to come back around to this topic? …

“Me?” Qiang Qing Ci gave a chuckle. His answer was given in an understated tone, but was also plain and clear. “I did what I was supposed to do.”

I did… what I was… supposed to do…

This way of answering basically confirmed Mu Mu’s Weibo comment. Then, there was also the song he had posted himself… There were tens of thousands of people in the room, yet Qiang Qing Ci, who was on the microphone, was still clearly much more composed than her, the one who was using an alternate ID to secretly listen in …

She dragged her finger over one of the pages of her book, scratching it incessantly. She wanted to make herself calm down a bit, and then calm down even more.

Feng Ya Song suddenly turned on his microphone. “Die Die, you aren’t being very kind, eh. There’s so many of us here, but how come you only have eyes for Unrivalled Allure Toupai DaRen? Oooh… Don’t tell me you’ve had a crush on Toupai for a long time now, eh?”

Die Die was thrilled. “Eight out of ten girls have a crush on Toupai. I’m one who doesn’t follow the crowd. I openly love him, of course.”

Fei Shao was amused as well. “I openly love Toupai as well… Don’t think that just because you’re hogging the mike, you can declare your love as you wish, eh.”

Everyone was bantering back and forth with laughs and jeers.

Those closest to Toupai were taking on an obvious stance of protecting him.

Fortunately, Die Die was only using Toupai’s popularity as a way to warm-up the crowd, and she quickly jumped into the main topic. “The opening song for this late night event is actually a medley. How are we going to make this medley? Tonight, the four most beautiful ‘beauties’ are going to give you the most explosive opening program.”

There was a brief moment of silence.

Then, immediately following was the biggest surge of exhilaration the night had seen yet. Everybody was elated…

And the biggest reason the crowd was seething with excitement was because Die Die had stopped talking right at this point and had not said whom those four were. The public comments screen was beong flooded incessantly as people typed their own idol’s name. Each artiste had his or her own fans, and now, all of them seemed as if they had been dosed with stimulants. And plus, it was claimed that it would be tonight’s four most beautiful “beauties.” Well, of course, my own DaRen is the most beautiful!!!!

Naturally, the names being shouted the most on the screen were the most popular male artiste of each of the four associations.

Qiang Qing Ci, Fu Sheng Wu Meng, Bei Dou Xiao Xing, and Jian Jian.

And Qiang Qing Ci’s name was the one most furiously coming up on the screen…

Die Die laughed, and without saying anything more, she began playing the background music.

The background music for the four songs had already been edited together. The first note of the first song had just rung out and then someone had already posted its name on the screen: “Yangguan Diao” [Tune of Yangguan]. Bei Dou Xiao Xing’s microphone indicator lit up, and his slightly husky voice was singing the first line:

[0:33] “The glint of the blade is relentlessly pursuing and does not let one escape. Who’s embrace can one fall into?
A midnight battlefield. In the desert, the desolate smoke signals sway like wild grass ––“

Sure enough… guessed correctly.

No one had expected that the song chosen to open the event would be one about the smoke signals of war on the desert, brotherhood, and patriotism.

An event opener that made everyone boil in excitement.

Since this was a medley, each person would only sing half a song.

Soon, the music transitioned out of this song’s chorus and cut directly into the chorus of “Feng Qi Tian Lan” [Wind Rises Up at Tianlan]. The background music had been edited flawlessly, so perfect and had flowed so smoothly that it seemed like a single song.

This time, it was Jian Jian’s turn:

[1:22] “Years from now, the pages of the history books will have this night recorded.
The long limestone streets tainted with scenes of parting through separation or death ––”

A song of righteous passion –– a city falling captive, a nation’s downfall, a general who would rather spill her blood on that long street rather than surrender –– was sung in a heartrending manner that awed the listeners…

Jian Jian’s voice was particularly clear and resonant, completely different from the previous song’s deep and low quality, and carried a distinct sense of mournfulness.

The tens of thousands of people were all completely captivated as they listened.

“Meow… Such pressure.” Fu Sheng Wu Meng chose this unexpected moment to act cute.

It was apparent that he was the next singer.

Sure enough, once the chorus of the previous song was done, the music immediately cut into the chorus of “Shan He Yong Mu”[A Country Forever to be Admired]. Fu Sheng Wu Meng truly did as he had said he would, using his mobile phone in some unknown corner of the airport as he started sing. He had a reputation of being the most adorably fun character in his association but also the male with the most beautiful singing voice. When he opened his mouth to sing, his voice immediately ceased its cuteness:

[0:48] “For you, I sing 300 nights of love songs. Dust and dirt swirl in the air, but they are only a moment in passing
When you looked off into the distance, were you willing to let go?

A scene seemed to be conjured up of a proud, untamable young man, his bold, unrestrained attitude apparent as he stood, cup of wine in hand, before a troop of ten thousand.

Three people had sung…

Everyone could guess who the next person was.

Regardless of whether one was comparing popularity or singing ability, besides Qiang Qing Ci, no one else was able to exceed the previous three singing “generals”… Which song was it going to be? The name was already emerging in Gu Sheng’s mind…

In the comment screen, besides Qiang Qing Ci’s name, the name continuously flooding the screen was…

“Qing Jin Tian Xia [Overturn The World].”

Recall the YY levels mentioned earlier (refer to chapter 6 footnote). The “yellow ID” level is the fourth level and the “yellow IDs” in a channel have administrative rights.

. Yangguan, or the Yang Pass. A mountain pass which marked the edge of the westernmost administrative area of ancient China. This was the last stop before heading out of China into the Western Regions.

Additional Comments:

These comments hopefully explain why the songs “make sense” together, and why everyone so logically arrived at the conclusion that the fourth song to be sung would be Qing Jin Tian Xia [Overturn the World].

All of the songs in this chapter, including the fourth one that was only mentioned, are composed, arranged, and sung by 河图 He Tu. (He also composed, arranged, and sang the Hua Xu Yin theme song, which Hui3r posted, if any of you are following the HXY translation.)

阳关调 Yangguan Diao [Tune of Yangguan]

[0:33] 刀光不依不饶跌进谁的怀抱

午夜战场大漠荒烟如狂草

霜降满城萧条冷了长亭短桥

眉间朱砂乱世年华如刻刀
The vermilion mark between her brows and her beauty that can bring chaos to the world are like a blade

[0:46] 塞上乌衣年少换谁遗世的笑

剑指天山西出阳关人迹渺

风沙磨断古道蔓延谁的眉梢

旌旗连城浊酒倾觞暮云烧
Banner after banner seem to join together. Wine is poured into the goblet. The clouds burn in the light of sundown.

[0:59] 雪落苍茫雪若白发雪若花凋惹乱飞鸟

同望苍霞同去天涯同穿素缟明月同邀
Together, we look upon the scarlet clouds in the sky. Together, we go to the horizons of the earth. Together, we dress only in plain, white garments. The bright moon invites us, together.

[1:12] 断了弓弦断了心跳断了浮生望断缥缈

心如三月心如荒草心如泥沼陷了也好
The heart is like the third month [spring]. The heart is like the wild grasses. The heart is like a morass. Perhaps it is a good thing it has thrown itself completely in.

[1:26] 目光透过剑鞘纠缠谁的眼角

他上城楼他解战袍瀚海云涛寄逍遥
He ascends the city wall. He loosens his battle armour. The ocean of clouds move like waves, free and unfettered.

[1:39] 断墙千年不倒铭刻谁的记号

羌声单薄红尘颠倒换谁凭栏谁折腰
The sound of the Qiang flute is frail. The world has been turned upside down. Who will stand high up and lean over the parapet? Who will bow down?

[1:52] 江山风雨飘摇浪荡谁的心跳

盛世长安花对残阳忘前朝
In the period of prosperity and peace, when the flowers are looking up at the setting sun, forget the previous dynasty.

(interlude)

[2:32] 雪落苍茫雪若白发雪若花凋惹乱飞鸟

[2:46] 断了弓弦断了心跳断了浮生望断缥缈

[2:59] 目光透过剑鞘纠缠谁的眼角

他上城楼他解战袍瀚海云涛寄逍遥
He ascends the city wall. He loosens his battle armour. The ocean of clouds move like waves, free and unfettered.

[3:13] 断墙千年不倒铭刻谁的记号

羌声单薄红尘颠倒换谁凭栏谁折腰
The sound of the Qiang flute is frail. The world has been turned upside down. Who will stand high up and lean over the parapet? Who will bow down?

[3:26] 江山风雨飘摇浪荡谁的心跳

盛世长安花对残阳忘前朝
In the period of prosperity and peace, when the flowers are looking up at the setting sun, forget the previous dynasty.

[3:39] 你的手牵谁衣角一路奔逃

狼烟烽火的喧嚣

[3:52] 谁煮酒一生醉笑千杯难销

浮花浪蕊的拥抱
To be in the embrace of floating blossoms

The Qiang people are an ethnic minority and in ancient China, lived in the western reaches. The Qiang flute is a vertical flute-like instrument made of bamboo.

The remaining 3 songs, including the one yet to be sung in the next chapter, are all part of the same album called 倾尽天下 Qing Jin Tian Xia [Overturn the World]. The album and all the songs in it are based on the fictional story of the fall of one dynasty and the rise of another. There is an entire backstory, written like a historical account, to the album. I’m going to include the translated “historical account,” then provide the translated lyrics for the songs that appeared in this chapter.

CHRONOLOGY

15th year of Changping:
12th month: Bai Yan is born in Dong Qi. Father deceased, mother a convicted criminal.

16th year of Changping:

6th month: Emperor Ming of Wei Dynasty holds a sacrificial ceremony to Heaven.

9th month: Emperor Ming appoints Rong Xi as crown prince and decrees forgiveness of all crimes in the country.

On the day of the decree, Bai Yan’s mother, the woman surnamed Wu, is released from prison. In the twelfth month, she dies of sickness.

…………

36th year of Changping:
6th month: Emperor Ming dies, the crown prince ascends the throne, and the era title is changed to Chongning. He is known as Emperor Jing of Wei. The crown princess, Xiao Yu becomes empress.

Imperial Historian, Gu Jiashan retires from the imperial court. Gu Changning, Su Jing, and Xie Qing take up positions in the Office of Imperial History.

…………

1st year of Chongning:
10th month: Zhu Sha enters the palace and is bestowed the rank of Meiren [Beautiful Lady].

2nd year of Chongning:

9th month: She becomes with child and is risen to the rank of Zhaofei.
12th month: She miscarries. Emperess Jing is deposed on the crime of plotting the murder of an imperial offspring. That same night, the former empress hangs herself in the Cold Palace.

3rd year of Chongning:
1st month: Zhu Sha is bestowed the rank and title, Guifei [Imperial Consort]

…………

4th year of Chongning:

7th month: Mu Qinghe, second son of Left Prime Minister Mu Wenyuan, first meets Bai Yan.

Since Zhu Sha was risen to the rank of Imperial Consort, the favour bestowed upon her is matchless and her power is unrivaled. Officials who accuse of her of anything before the emperor would in the end be stripped of their office or convicted to death. Emperor Jing gives himself over to indulgence and women and ignores the affairs of the state. The imperial court is filled with criticism that grows greater by the day, and the common folk label Zhu Sha as a treacherous concubine.

…………

7th year of Chongning:

6th month: An uprising led by the common people occurs in the areas of the northern mountain ranges in protest of heavy taxation. Bai Yan takes advantage of this opportunity to rise in revolt and declare war against the government. Mu Qinghe leaves a note and departs his home to join Bai Yan’s army. His father and elder brothers cut off all ties with him.

9th month: The Bai Yan army attacks cities and conquers land, advancing closer to the imperial capital with eay day. Emperor Jing frequently does not attend daily morning imperial court sessions.
11th month: Letters of communication are found in the manor of Right Prime Minister, Chu Jiuling between him and his brother, Chu Qili. Chu Jiuling is accused of treason. The entire Chu family is executed.

………

8th year of Chongning:

2nd month: Bai Yan ascends the throne and decrees the new imperial dynasty as Zhou with the era title as Yongchu.

On the day the capital fell, Su Jing mysteriously disappeared, Xie Qing commits suicide by setting himself on fire, and Gu Changning surrendered. Mo Li went into hiding and the people thought he had died.

…………

1st year of Yongchu:

5th month: The Official of Imperial Ceremony suggests the last emperor [Emperor Jing] of the Wei dynasty be bestowed the posthumous title, Huang. Emperor Yuan [Founding Emperor] of Zhou, Bai Yan agrees.

…………

10th year of Yongchu:

12th month: Founding Emperor, Bai Yan dies. The various princes revolt. History calls this the Yongchu Rebellion.

11th year of Yongchu:

12th month: He defeats the joint army of six princes on the plains outside Tianlan.

12th year of Yongchu:

2nd month: Imperial wedding of Emperor Wu and Empress Yaoguang, Chu Luo and a royal decree of forgiveness of all crimes is issued. Thereupon, a sacrifice is offered at the ancestral temple and Bai Yan is honored as Founding Emperor.

Imperial concubines have their own ranking. This is a fictional dynasty set within ancient China, but this provides some background on the ranking systems, which varied by dynasty.

冷宫 ‘Leng Gong’. Literally means “cold palace’ and it is where imperial concubines or empress who have fallen out of the emperor’s favour are sent.

风起天阑 Feng Qi Tian Lan [The Wind Rises Up at Tianlan]

This is one of my favourite songs. The lyrics create such a mournful story of a female general dying in battle rather than surrendering and the man she loves remembering that fateful day. The instrumentals conjure up the feeling of battle drums, despair that one feels in the brief times of silence, wind whistling through abandoned alleys. Simply brilliant. The MV I linked for this song actually tells the story in the lyrics. To explain the title a bit better: Tianlan is the name of the northern city that was the first one attacked by the rebel army, but Tianlan also means “the sky’s edge.” The “wind” in the title is calling up images of the sand swirling up over the battle, chaos breaking out. The chaos rises up and starts at the city of Tianlan, over at what seems like the sky’s edge, and signals the beginning of the end of an era and dynasty. (Four characters in Chinese and it takes me so many words to explain… I love the Chinese language.)

背景

……崇宁七年七月，白炎军攻城，是为乱始。守将谢婉率众苦战，不得援。七月廿六，城破，婉力竭被擒，不肯降，为炎军枭首。八年春，炎夺王城天岁，鸩敬帝，清朝堂，废宫室。二月即位，定国号周，改元永初。永初十年冬，周帝崩，朝野翻覆，诸王皆谋自立。时有乱军夜袭，见婉披发执枪于城上，肝胆俱裂，乃退。十一年，新帝彻平乱登基，改元太业。太业后，城中始有谣歌传唱。歌曰：安危何所系，天阑谢将军。太业三年，城东设谢婉衣冠祠，祭拜者众，香火终年不绝。 ——《天阑城志·谢婉传》
Background:

In the seventh month of the seventh year of Chongning, the Bai Yan army attacks the city, initiating the rebellion. The general of the city troops, Xie Wan, leads the people in a desperate resistance, but they receive no aid. On the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the city falls and Xie Wan, exhausted from her efforts, is captured. Refusing to surrender, the Bai Yan army beheads her and hangs her head on the city walls. In the spring of the eighth year, Bai Yan gains control of the capital city, Tiansui, bestows poison to Emperor Jing, purges the imperial court, and deposes the imperial family. In the second month, he ascends the throne. The new dynasty is given the name Zhou and his era title is Yongchu.

In the tenth year of Yongchu, the emperor of Zhou dies. The imperial court is thrown into chaos, and the various princes all rise up to declare their independence. Rebel armies that laid assault in the middle of the night, though, would account that they saw Xie Wan, her hair falling over her shoulders, standing upon the city walls with spear in hand. Fear would strike into the soldiers’ hearts, and they would retreat. In the eleventh year, the new emperor ascends the throne and changes the era title to Taiye.

From Taiye onward, a song starts to be sung within the city. This is what is said in the song: Where is safety to be found? With Tianlan’s General Xie. In the third year of Taiye, a temple dedicated to Xie Wan is erected. Worshippers are many and the incense burns there without ceasing.

— excerpt from “The Records of Tianlan: Xie Wan”

[0:36] 火光凄厉地照亮夜城破时天边正残月

那一眼你笑如昙花转眼凋谢

[0:52] 血色的风把旗撕裂城头的灯终于熄灭

看不到你头颅高悬眼神轻蔑
I cannot see your head hanging high with eyes filled with contempt

[1:07] 焚成灰的蝴蝶断了根的枝叶

挣脱眼眶前冻结的悲切

鲜血流过长街耳畔杀伐不歇

守护的城阙大雨中呜咽
The guarded watchtower seems to sob in the heavy rain

[1:22] 多年后史书页还把这夜撰写

青石长阶染尽生离死别

耳闻的像终结眼见的都毁灭

温柔的最决绝坠落的曾摇曳
What once was gentle is the most resolute. What has fallen had once been free and unfettered.

[1:39] 恍然间已诀别正褪色的长夜

破晓之前洗去所有罪孽

有人喊你名字直到声嘶力竭

若魂魄能知觉黄泉下不忘却
If your soul is still conscious, then in the underworld, please do not forget

(interlude)

[2:32] 不记得阴晴或圆缺我看过花开和花谢

渐渐地回忆起喜悦与恨有别

王城的姓氏都改写我还在这里守着夜

等什么从灰烬里面破茧成蝶
Waiting for something to rise up from the ashes and break forth, like a butterfly from its chrysalis

[3:03] 是命运在轮回熟悉得像幻觉

火烧破天空星辰都倾泻

马蹄踏碎落叶四方边角不绝

血滚落尘土像那瞬艳烈

[3:19] 太遥远的岁月看不清的眉睫

回忆尽头风声依旧凛冽

埋下的骨和血早沉没在黑夜

逝去的已冰冷飘零的未了结
The one who has passed away has grown ice cold. The one who has been drifting aimlessly still cannot settle down.

[3:35] 记得城中日月蝉鸣后又初雪

屋檐细雨停在初见季节

用最平淡话语藏住旧日誓约

春风绿过柳叶你曾笑得无邪
There, in that spring breeze, in the green of the willow leaves, you had laughed so purely and innocently

[4:11] 太遥远的岁月看不清的眉睫

回忆尽头风声依旧凛冽

埋下的骨和血早沉没在黑夜

逝去的已冰冷飘零的未了结
The one who has passed away has grown ice cold. The one who has been drifting aimlessly still cannot settle down.

[4:27] 记得城中日月蝉鸣后又初雪

屋檐细雨停在初见季节

用最平淡话语藏住旧日誓约

春风绿过柳叶你曾笑得无邪
There, in that spring breeze, in the green of the willow leaves, you had laughed so purely and innocently

[4:43] 逆风穿越荒野来不及去告别

破晓之前忘记所有胆怯

从此用我双眼替你看这世界

云万里山千叠天尽头城不夜
Thousands of miles of clouds. Mountain ranges formed by thousands of folds. The farthest reaches of the sky. Cities that never sleep.

[4:59] 依稀是旧时节城门上下弦月

白色身影夜色如水清冽

借我一刻光阴把你看得真切

身后花开成雪月光里不凋谢
Behind you, the blossoms seem like snow and, in the moonlight, will never wither away

山河永慕 Shan He Yong Mu [A Country Forever to be Admired]

A song of a young man who would leave and go against his family to pursue what he believed to be right. This young general, his heart filled with fervour, honour, brotherhood, and friendship, fought for his country while at the same time, endured the loneliness of having to ensure that his friend, the emperor, would not become jealous of his accomplishments and turn any suspicions onto him. So when the dust settled, he bowed out of the limelight to protect his family. The title of the song can mean a country forever to be admired or a country where “Mu (i.e. Mu Qinghe) has forever left his mark. This is not the typical ancient-style music and the rock style was kind of off-putting at first to me. But, the more I listen to it, the more I find that this fast-paced tempo captures the passion in Mu Qinghe’s heart so well.

文案

七年七月，白炎以和为将，兵发北岭，攻北方第一城天阑，是为崇宁之乱。八年元月，炎军临帝都天岁。国师巫晟以一人之力阻其于帝都外三日，后不知所踪。昭贵妃朱砂堕城殉国。白炎鸩敬帝容熙。城陷之日，京中王公多死伤，唯慕氏为和力护不失。八年二月，白炎即位，定国号周，改元永初。

永初元年四月，和以将印换取慕氏平安百年之帝王承诺，自此远走海外。太业后，犹有人言其踪迹，曰：战船结队，只身海上。

——《卫史·慕清和列传》

Mu Qinghe; second son of the Left Prime Minister, Mu Wenyuan; younger brother of Mu Qingping, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War. His mother had died early, his father has an honorable reputation, and his brother is a talented military strategist. Only Mu Qinghe has been stubborn and disobedient since childhood. In the fifth month of the fourth year of Chongning, the eldest daughter, Xie Wan, of Xie Huaijin, the governor of Tianlan, ascends to the position of General of Tianlan after taking first place in the martial arts demonstration held before the emperor. When Mu Qinghe sees this, he realizes something. In the seventh month, he encounters Bai Yan in the outskirts outside of the capital city, Tiansui, and the two feel like old friends even at this first meeting. For three years, Emperor Jing dotes on his imperial consort and excessively taxes the common folk. Cries of complaint rise up. In the fourth month of the seventh year, Mu Qinghe has another discussion with Bai Yan and states his aspirations. In the sixth month, an uprising led by the civilians of the northern mountain ranges occurs. Bai Yan takes advantage of this opportunity to rise in revolt and declare war against the government. Mu Qinghe leaves a note and departs his home to join Bai Yan’s army. His father and elder brothers cut off all ties with him.

Seventh month of the seventh year, Bai Yan, with Mu Qinghe as his general, moves troops to the northern mountain ranges. The first city he attacks in the north is Tianlan. This becomes known as the Chongning Rebellion. First month of the eighth year, the Bai Yan army descends upon the imperial capital, Tiansui. Teacher of the State, Wu Sheng singlehandedly holds off the army outside the capital for three days but after, disappears. Tiansui falls. Imperial Consort, Zhu Sha throws herself from the city walls to give her life up for her country. Bai Yan bestows death by poison to Emperor Jing, Rong Xi. On the day the capital city is captured, many princes, dukes, and aristocrats in the city were injured or amongst the dead, with the exception of the Mu family, who, under Mu Qinghe’s protection, was left unharmed. Second month of the eighth year, Bai Yan ascends the throne and decrees the new imperial dynasty as Zhou with the era title as Yongchu.

…… When Mu Qinghe was young, he and Chu Suxin, the youngest daughter of Chu Jiuling, the Right Prime Minister, had been betrothed in marriage. In the eleventh month of the seventh year of Chongning, Chu Jiuling is accused of treason, and the entire Chu family is executed, including Chu Suxin. ……

In the fourth month of the first year of Yongchu, Mu Qinghe surrenders his general’s seal in exchange for an imperial promise of one hundred years of safety for the Mu family and departs out to sea. In the Taiye era, there were people who had reports of his whereabouts, saying a fleet of battleships was assembled, and he traveled the seas alone [no family, close ones].

—— excerpt from “The Historical Records of the Wei Dynasty: Biography of Mu Qinghe”

[0:39] 是涅槃那瞬的颜色谁举旗比烈火炙热

抬眼间已换了山河

[0:48] 为你唱三百夜情歌尘与土飞扬成过客

远望时有没有不舍
When you looked off into the distance, were you willing to let go?

[0:56] 崇宁七年春天正惊蛰

白虎随行黑鸦在侧暗月下逆旅者

北斗星知道前路曲折

万人阵前一杯说奈何还得乡有几个
I stand before tens of thousands of people with cup in hand, but how many of them shall return alive to their homelands?

[1:21] 苍龙负图山巍峨九十九曲水清澈

问着荣耀背后荆棘血路值不值得

[1:39] 乱世慷慨我行歌千万人中有相和

所有人间烟火悲欢离合日月星辰会记得
All the daily things of life – joys and sorrows, partings and reunions – are not forgotten by the sun, moon, or stars

(interlude)

[2:15] 是指间渐冷的誓约谁紧握比生命殷切

不放开到星火熄灭

[2:24] 为你守十二夜圆缺青烟里隔了阴阳界

剩那年初见时一瞥
All that is left is the memory of that year, that first glance when we first met one another

[2:32] 长夜将尽黎明似铁

来也凛冽去也孤绝动如参商不须别

永安钟清正空响长街

昔日少年依旧思无邪一回望一拜谢
That youthful boy of the past is still pure and blameless as before. He turns to take one last look back, give one more expression of gratitude

[2:58] 苍龙负图山千叠九十九曲水不歇

正是朝阳万里点燃城阙远大这时节

[3:15] 一片柳叶吹成雪舟中温柔海上月

记得人间最好一笑照夜梦里失约歌里借
I remember, the most beautiful thing in the world is a smile that lights up the night. In our dreams, we missed each other. In the song, I will borrow a chance, then (to again be with you).

[3:32] 苍龙负图山千叠九十九曲水不歇

正是朝阳万里点燃城阙远大这时节

[3:50] 一片柳叶吹成雪舟中温柔海上月

倾尽天下 Qing Jin Tian Xia [Overturn the World]

Translation will come next update, but why was everyone so sure the next song would be this one? This particular album was very popular, and ancient-style music fans should be quite familiar with it and the backstory within it. Qing Jin Tian Xia is the second last song and the climax of the album. It is about Bai Yan, the man who overthrew the previous dynasty and “overturned the world,” and now, after the world has changed hands and he is emperor, what are his thoughts, what is his story? This is the logical concluding song to the medley. Also, the 倾 ‘qing’ in the title is the same as in 倾国倾城 “beauty/ability that causes the downfall of a country/city” (and what I have simplified as “unrivalled allure”), so what could be more suitable for Toupai to sing?

Chapter end

Report