脱脱 Tuotuo

[BaiYingying]

Hi guys,

back again with some more doubts concerning my translation:

极力主张修的是元朝的著名宰相脱脱，他可以说是元朝的最后一个名臣，实行了很多的改革政策，为政清廉，而且十分能干（宋史就是他主持修的) [...]

So, I thought that Tuotuo did what he did so that the Yuan government was free from corruption and completely autonomous, but I guess I was wrong..... What does this sentence mean..?

Thank you in advance!

[lcq]

It was Tuotuo that argued strenuously for the revision of History of Song Dynasty, who was the last famous prime minister in Yuan Dynasty, remained uncorrupted and competent and carried out many policies.

[BaiYingying]

Thank you LCQ! This is the rest of the sentence, feel free to contribute:

[...] 可是他没有想到的是，他的极力主张，已经给元朝埋下了一个大大的炸药包，拉好了引线，只等着那微弱的火光。

[skylee]

But what he hadn't expected was that what he advocated had become a big bulk of dynamites for the Yuan Dynasty. The fuse had been laid and all there was lacking was a sparkle.

More or less that is the meaning. But did you find the original text difficult to understand? What do you think is your main problem in understanding the story? I ask because you have asked a number of questions about this novel already, and you do not seem to be making fast progress.

[BaiYingying]

Well, I think I've understood the main part. All the questions I'm asking are the points I'm having difficulties with. My professor (who teaches translation) said that some points weren't clear to her as well, so I guess I'm not the dumbest translator ever. Plus, have you ever tried translating a novel for real?

It may seem easy, but it's not, and there's a long process of analysis that involves understanding the slightest detail.

So please, don't just assume that I'm not making progress: a book so rich in contents, grammar constructions, phrases and characters and just 7 topics started doesn't seem like I'm not willing to try, does it..? ;)