"NIRVANA IN FIRE"/"LANG YA BANG" GROUP READ: DISCUSSION POST FOR CHAPTERS 34 - 37

[x_los]

Week 9 of the "Lang Ya Bang" book club, chapters 34 - 37. This discussion will draw to a close, and the next session will open, on July 4th.

I'll be doing a weekly post with thoughts on this community. Feel free to join in/discuss. If you'd like to join the Discord, contact superborb for an invite.

Chinese text: https://sj.uukanshu.com/book.aspx?id=17338
English translation: https://merelhyn.tumblr.com/post/641747965727358976/the-langya-list-epubpdf

SPOILER POLICY: I personally don't give a fuck or even like to give unearned credence to the concept, so since I'm writing the post, anything's fair game.

(If anyone is interested in dankodes running further poetry content during or after NiF, please let me know what you'd be keen to discuss. I'm happy to work with you on that. I'll probably ask this again once NiF draws to a close.)

Comments

Chapter 36

[x_los]

The drama made it seem like Nihuang, Jing and Changsu all grew up together, but the book suggests a much briefer (one year?) acquaintance.

Oh yeah, this is Nihuang's new book!lover interest who's not in the drama for reasons of narrative economy, okay.

Oh is this 'drinking toasts for someone' thing what happens in the MDZS banquet scene?

This is really interesting attention to like, grief, work and expectation and how those play out with women.

I don't really like Royal Prince as a tl choice for this? If you need to gloss it because it's a distinction that makes no sense in English, and it's a title... at that point just go with Pinyin.

'and has not made a single mistake to this day' girl that--is never how it is

In a way we can see Jingyan's service as building up a strong alternative power-base, which perhaps the Emperor should be a bit more wary of. The common people know and like Jingyan because they've ever seen him/he's very active and competent. The military loves his ass.

Oh Xia Jiang is living in retirement in this? That's interesting. Takes him out of direct circulation.

The tl of this 'the loyal may not be loyal' paragraph is kind of clunky.

Re: Chapter 36

[dragonyphoenix]

Oh yeah, this is Nihuang's new book!lover interest who's not in the drama for reasons of narrative economy, okay. I'm so curious to see where that's going to go.

Re: Chapter 36

[superborb]

I do wonder about how the military power is structured here. Is it primarily at the level of Dukedoms? With a few other militaries? How many of these are permanent militaries, because that's... a lot of manpower to keep around when they're technically at peace.

Re: Chapter 36

[x_los]

We also have Prince Jing’s people, General Meng’s force, Chiyan (disbanded), and whoever supports Prince Yu—another capitol force + random lords?