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earthpodd · 6 years

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Chapter 4 – Ea, the Sword of Rupture

This is the last instalment in the Sword of Rupture arc. Next chapter we will start with a new arc, and the plot thickens, guys. Also, sorry for the wait.

Prologue, Parts I, II, III.

Read on AO3.

Here we go, @bl-gifs , @andwebegin .

After Kun Lun left his house that evening, Shen Wei was left alone with his thoughts. He was a man of eccentric beliefs, but none of them were exactly related to a divine figure, rather they were tied to the webs of destiny. This time, though, he wondered if there was someone pulling the strings, making all of this into a big plot for amusement. The archaeologist couldn’t explain what he saw, couldn’t make sense of it, in truth, he couldn’t even believe it and all of that was driving him to the edge of a breakdown, which was uncharacteristic of him. He had always been a composed man, able to face anything with a gentle smile and a clear mind, no matter how troubling things got. Scolding himself for his thoughts, the male moved to stand in front of the bookshelf in his bedroom. His digits skimmed through the spine of the books as he read the titles looking for a specific one, ‘The Order of the Guardian’. The book told tales of a war that happened over ten thousand years in the past between humans and Dixing-ians, a species that looked just like humans, but came from another planet and could develop abilities beyond the human capabilities. Despite most people’s belief that the tales in this were all truthful, Shen Wei had always treated it as a work of fiction. To him, it sounded more like the town’s biggest market strategy to attract tourists. He didn’t know why he felt like reading it all of sudden, but maybe it was his subconscious plagued by wishful thinking, believing that it would provide him with answers.

Removing the book from where it was located, Shen Wei returned to the couch where he and Kun Lun had previously been seated in and reclaimed his spot on it, opening the book to read. He was not really in-depth with the story, just merely passing the pages to see if there was any mention of the Sword of Rupture. It could help if he knew more about the relic, but what he found instead was the mention of a familiar name, Kun Lun. That could be a mere coincidence, but seeing the detective’s name being mentioned in the book made Shen Wei’s eyes widen slightly. The male pushed the frame of his glasses further up his nose, adjusting them against his face, so he could properly read what was being said on the book and try to make any connections. Sadly, for him, the story didn’t delve much into the personal stories of anyone, it just told their deeds and how the war was ended with the agreement between humans and Dixing-ians.

Seeing no more mentions of Kun Lun in the book, the archaeologist decided to drop the reading and get some rest. He was not one to ever go to bed early, but he felt drained with everything that had gone down since he met the detective. With a sigh, Shen Wei changed into his pyjamas and fell onto the bed, wrapping the covers around himself as he laid on his back, staring at the ceiling. His glasses were removed when he turned off the light of the lamp on his bedside table. Despite his best efforts, the man couldn’t bring himself to fall asleep immediately, which was why he grabbed his phone to shoot a text to the other man.

From: Shen Wei

To: Detective Kun

We will talk to Huang Jin tomorrow. I have a plan.

11:35 p.m.

From: The Great Kun Lun

To: Xiao Wei <3

why r u still awake

did u miss so much u couldn’t wait till tmr

11:36 p.m.

From: Shen Wei

To: Detective Kun

I just wanted to inform you, so you wouldn’t make any plans.

11:35 p.m.

From: The Great Kun Lun

To: Xiao Wei <3

im sleepy now

we can talk abt out daet tmr

11:36 p.m.

It took Shen Wei some time to decipher Kun Lun’s texts, but once he did, he decided to stop bothering the man, who was probably only half awake at the moment. Not everyone had the same sleeping habits as he did. The archaeologist placed his phone back on the bedside table and turned to lie on his side. His efforts were directed towards trying to fall asleep. Like the detective had said, they could discuss all of this in the morning. There was no reason to overthink. With that in mind, the male finally managed to fall into the warm embrace of slumber.

⥲⍟⥳

“Hello!” The voice greeted, making Chu lose his composure for an instant. “So, you are the famous Chu Shu Zhi. Changcheng has good taste.” The female was quite humorous and chuckled delicately as she stepped aside to welcome her guest inside. “Are you disappointed that he wasn’t the one to greet you first?” The boxer was yet to say something, but once he recovered from the momentary stupor, Shu Zhi subtly shook his head, features hardening to cover any trace of embarrassment the woman’s question could have caused on him. “You must be his aunt. The one that was asleep when I came here to drop him off last night.” His tone was not outright rude, but it was laced with suspicion. A mere defence mechanism against the nervousness he was feeling. Guo Li Min chuckled again and nodded. One of her palms came to press against the male’s shoulder blade, urging him inside. “Come on, the dinner is not ready yet, but everyone is waiting in the living room.” The auntie smiled and then pointed in the direction of the room where Chu had been with Guo and his uncle the night before. As if only now remembering the box in his hand, he extended it towards Li Min. “I brought dessert.” The message was delivered straight to the point, and finally, he cast his gaze elsewhere. “I’ll go put in the fridge. You go on along first.” Once again the woman gestured towards the living room and then left the boxer alone. Shu Zhi took a deep breath and only then did he force himself to move towards where the hosts were waiting for him.

When Chu entered the room, Guo was the first to stand up to greet him. The boy rushed to his side as if they were long friends who had not seen each other in ages. It was strange, but he didn’t stop Changcheng as the writer came closer, welcoming him. “Chu Ge, you really came.” He said, as if he had spent the whole day doubting the boxer would stay true to his word. “Didn’t I say that I was going to come?” Shu Zhi looked at Guo in a stern way now, and then looked away to greet the boy’s uncle with a glance and a nod of his head. When he made to move and take a seat by Guo Ying’s side, Chu felt a tug on the bag of his shirt and found Changcheng looking shyly at him, and despite the huff he released, the boxer still followed the writer into the couch opposite Guo’s uncle. They sat side by side with not much space between them, since this couch was smaller than the other one. Shu Zhi was about to comment on that when Guo Li Min entered the room, sitting beside her husband. Her gaze was friendly when it landed on him again. “So, Chu Shu Zhi, tell me more about yourself.” Chu didn’t have much to say about himself, and if he were to be honest, that was never something he had had to do before, so he was a little lost on what to say, something that was probably translated to his expression. “I’m a boxer, I work at Dragon City Boxing Academy, I live at Crown Street and that’s about it. There is not much to tell.” A shrug is added to the end of his sentence, and despite not having said anything exciting he can see how giddy Guo has become by his side, so he glances at the boy questioningly. Before any of the two can say anything, Li Min continues her quest of getting to know Shu Zhi. “What about your family?” The boxer instinctively swallowed in dry when he heard the question. His expression soured visibly and he avoided looking anyone in the eye, even if they had no way of knowing how sensitive of a topic that was. “They are all dead.” He said, in a voice that sounded more scolding than anything else. It would probably ruin his image in the eyes of Guo’s family, but he couldn’t help himself.

A long moment of silence passed between them, and from the corners of his eyes, Chu could see Changcheng hesitantly reaching for him and with brimming tears in his eyes. What is this dumbass even crying for? It’s not his family, he thought, but even then he could feel something softening inside of him at the sight. The quiet was disturbed by the voice of the maid, announcing that the food was ready. They didn’t touch the subject of the conversation again, but also didn’t say anything else as they made their way over to the dining room. The room was actually kind of cosy, Shu Zhi noticed as he took his place by the table beside Changcheng and facing the writer’s uncle and aunt. There was still tension in the air and no one seemed to want to address the elephant in the room, so they just proceeded like that. Food was served, all delicious looking food. “You know, Changcheng helped me cook all of this.” Guo Li Min said after a little while, trying to bring the mood back to a lighter tone. Chu turned his gaze to look at Guo again, only to see that the boy was wearing a proud, albeit shy smile. It made him feel some kind of weird palpitations inside of his chest. “You helped make all this?” He asked, in a faked tone of disbelief, just so he could tease the younger male. The writer eagerly nodded to indicate that yes, he had helped make the food. The boxer wondered if it was because of him. “Let’s eat!” Guo Ying said at least, bringing everybody’s attention back on the food. And then they started digging in.

⥲⍟⥳

When they met up the next day it was already past noon. Shen Wei had been busy all morning running errands for the museum, even though he had asked for a leave. Kun Lun on the other hand slept late until he got a call from the other male asking him to meet at the archaeologist’s workplace at one in the afternoon, which gave him about half an hour to get ready and presentable enough for them to meet with Huang Jin, though this time he didn’t bother wearing a suit, just a button up and pants should be enough. Shen Wei was waiting for him at the museum’s entrance, he was dressed in a different suit than the day prior, but this one didn’t seem as new, that wasn’t to say that the man didn’t look just as stunning, though. The detective had to take a double take, his breath catching as he gazed at the man who had plagued his dreams, though in those dreams there was far less clothing involved. “You look too handsome, Xiao Wei. Are you trying to seduce me?” Those were the first words to leave Kun Lun’s mouth when the archaeologist approached him. He loved how the other male would always discreetly avert his gaze and shy away whenever he complimented him. “Are you ready to go?” Shen Wei asked and only then did the detective notice that the other man was not wearing glasses. “Say, Shen Wei, why do you not have your glasses on today?” He asked in curiosity, though he was a little distracted by how long the archaeologist’s eyelashes were. Shen Wei seemed like he was caught by surprise and instinctively smiled, shyly, lowered his head slightly and directing his gaze to the ground. “I seem to have scratched them somehow, so I had to wear contacts today.” Kun Lun, for his part, just nodded along, finally turning to walk back into the car, though not without commenting first. “You look good without them, too.” The archaeologist stopped at the car’s door, looking at Kun Lun at the other side, though he didn’t really say anything, even if words were at the tip of his tongue, ready to come out, but he swallowed them down. The detective looked back at him, chuckling faintly for a moment before opening the door to the driver’s side. “Aren’t you getting in Xiao Wei?” Shen Wei smiled, perhaps a bit timidly, but did exactly that.

Just like the last time, the drive to Huang Jin’s place didn’t take long. The only difference was that this time around the vendor was not expecting them, so when the maid welcomed them at the door, they were made to wait in the living room while she checked if her boss could meet with them at that moment. Kun Lun looked around them at the room with an analytical gaze, though he didn’t seem to be very appreciative of the decoration, that is, until his gaze landed on Shen Wei and he delivered that mischief filled smile that was one of his trademarks. “These rich people spend too much money on stupid things.” And with that he fished a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapping and then immediately sticking the candy between his lips as he kept looking at the archaeologist. “Some people compensate the emptiness of the house with decoration.” Shen Wei states matter-of-factly, but his attention is drawn to the way Kun Lun’s tongue is seemingly caressing the underside of the lollipop in slowly timed leaps. The detective doesn’t stop there, not now that he got the other male in a trance, so he circles the round candy with the tip of his tongue between wrapping his lips around it. Kun Lun applies light suction to the lollipop, only interested in the sound his action triggered and in the way the archaeologist seemed to swallow hardly while watching him. Sadly, they are interrupted by Huang Jin who came to greet them in person. “Gentlemen! I didn’t expect to see you two again so soon.” The vendor said, walking towards the two males and offering his hand in a greeting. “What can I do for you?” At first, both men remained silent, but then Shen Wei stood up, getting at eye level with Huang Jin and smiled reassuringly. “We would like to take another look at the sword.” The vendor looked at him in suspicion. He no longer seemed all that friendly. “Why? I thought everything was settled yesterday.” His tone was more accusing than inquisitive, but the archaeologist didn’t let himself be intimidated by that. “Mr Jiang said he has received another offer for the sword, but there can’t possibly be two Ea’s, so one of them must be a copy.” Shen Wei used the name of the owner of the museum to draw credibility into his words, but he also used all of his confidence into his speech, seeming apologetic at the proper time, as if he was ashamed of having to do such a thing. Huang Jin didn’t seem pleased, but he still conceded in the end. “Of course, of course.” He said, in a tone that made it obvious that it was against his will.

Anticipation had built inside of Shen Wei, and as they walked up towards Huang Jin’s office, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would have the same reaction upon touching the sword. Or even if Kun Lun, who had stayed silent during the conversation downstairs, would see anything. Upon entering the room they were told to sit while the vendor went to retrieve the sword. Not long after that Ea was brought to them. As they had agreed before, Shen Wei would be the first to touch the Sword of Rupture, pretending to be analysing it, and if he saw anything he would pass the sword over to Kun Lun to see if the detective would have the same reaction. So when Huang Jin opened the lid of the box where he kept Ea, the archaeologist approached the desk and took the relic into his hands. Even though he was more prepared for it this time around, it still took him a second to compute when his sight was suddenly replaced by that of a vision of the past.

Shen Wei was laid on a stretcher inside of what seemed to a laboratory. The archaeologist had wires attached to his body and looked like he was unconscious. Zhao Yun Lan was bent forward his nose almost touching the other male’s own as he smelt the unconscious man. The Chief was startled when the professor suddenly opened his eyes and then tried to play nonchalant, leaning back and looking sheepishly as if what he had done wasn’t completely weird, and even creepy in a way.

As he turned the sword over in his hands, the scene changed.

It was evening and they were inside a taxi. Zhao Yun Lan seemed like he was intoxicated, either that or profusely sleepy. The Chief dropped his head to Shen Wei’s shoulder, seeming comfort for a nap, but the professor didn’t allow it to go on for long, he gently extracted himself from the contact and place the other male’s head in an upright position, though he kept watching Yun Lan with contained adoration. Finally taking pity on the man, he went and pulled the Chief’s head back on his shoulder, which caused warmth to spread across his cheeks.

Shen Wei gulped soundlessly and bobbed his head in a nod, which was the planned signal for Kun Lun. His sight didn’t get back to the present time until the sword was off his grasp, but then his gaze was automatically directed to the detective, whom had an unreadable expression upon his features. In order to not let Huang Jin become suspicious, the archaeologist turned to him with a small smile. “It seems to be legitimate.” He said, nodding his head at the vendor, but Huang Jin didn’t seem to be looking at him, but rather at Kun Lun. “Why is he crying?” He asked, forcing Shen Wei’s head to quickly whip around to look at the detective. A sudden protectiveness broke inside of him, making him quickly unbutton and remove the top of his suit, so he could use it to take the sword from Kun Lun. The archaeologist rushed to deposit Ea back in the box where it was kept. “What happened to him?” Shen Wei ignored the vendor for the moment and, instead, walked back to the detective’s side. “What did you see?” He asked, face full of concern as one of his thumbs brushed against the corner of Kun Lun’s eyes, wiping the tears from there. “You were hurt… on the ground… There was… a lot of blood… I was chained to a pillar and… and there was someone hurting me, but then you got up… and stood in front of me to… protect me. I think you… died. I couldn’t see the rest.” The detective’s sentences were fragmented, as if he couldn’t say it all in one go. He also seemed so hurt. Huang Jin cleared his throat behind them. “What’s happening here?” He demanded, bringing the attention onto himself. Shen Wei turned to face him with a serious expression. “Let me ask you something.” He started, taking a couple steps closer to the vendor, features hardening. “Do you see anything when you touch this sword?” This time around the archaeologist was the one using an accusing tone. He demanded the answers as if entitled to them. Huang Jin seemed caught off guard by the way he cowered back closer to his desk, sweat pooling at his forehead all of sudden. The vendor raised a hand, using a single finger to tug at his collar, as if the shirt was suffocating him. “W-What kind of things?” The attempt at playing dumb only earned him a glare from Shen Wei. “Who sold you the sword?” He asked, taking another step closer to force a response out of Huang Jin. “His name is…”

⥲⍟⥳

The rest of the meal was spent with light conversation going around them. Sometimes either Guo’s uncle or aunt would ask something about Chu’s life, but they steered clear of the family subject in order to not make him upset. Another thing was how much happier Changcheng looked. Even if the two men before them were really not together, Guo Ying and Guo Li Min that it would be just a matter of time before they delved into that kind of relationship. The writer had clear adoration and admiration for the older man, which he displayed without an ounce of shame. Shu Zhi, for his part, seemed very protective of Guo, even if he played the part of a cold and distant person. The boxer never allowed any of the elders to look down on the boy, no matter what, but he was also not directly nice towards Changcheng either, it was all in the small things. Eventually, Guo Li Min got up to fetch the dessert, and they kept chatting for a little while longer before finishing their meal and returning to the living room.

“Wait here. I have a surprise for auntie.” Guo Ying said as they arrived at the living room, leaving the others to make themselves comfortable. Guo Li Min seemed happy with the news, so she was wearing a smile on her delicate features, and her tone was light and laced with excitement when she talked. “I wonder what he got this time.” She started, and then gestured towards some of the decoration, as if to bring attention to them. “Auntie likes collecting antiquaries, so uncle always brings her new things when he comes across them.” Guo explained, looking at Chu, who had his eyebrow raised, waiting for an explanation. The boxer then took a better look at the items around. They went from antique vases to painting and other stuff he couldn’t exactly name. It didn’t take long for Guo’s uncle to come back with a packet in hands. Standing up, Changcheng took the packet from his uncle, opening it curiously. “What is this?” The boy asked as he glanced at the golden shard, which was heavier than it looked. “It’s a piece of King Arthur’s Round Table.” The older male replied, full of pride in his voice. The writer’s eyes instantly widened and he quickly picked up the relic from the packet. In an instant, everything around him shifted, and Guo was no longer among his family, but instead, in a place he didn’t know. He was seeing himself walking by the riverside, a bag hanging to his side, but the weirdest part of the vision was the faint smile on Chu’s face and the way the boxer pulled him into a tight hug. Flabbergasted, Changcheng yelps loudly, hands being thrown up in the air, dropping the shard of the Round Table, but luckily for him, Shu Zhi’s reflexes were fast enough to catch it before the relic hit the ground. Just like the boy, the boxer was plagued with a vision from the past. Chu saw himself seated on a leather couch, a genuine smile playing on his lips as he looked at Guo, who had a similar expression on his face. Their hands were linked in a discreet hold that made him feel warm on the inside. The vision was broken when the golden piece slid from his hand to the floor, but the boxer picked it up again, not caring that he was basically lying on the ground by this point. He wanted to see what would happen next, but this time the shard showed him something different. He was seated behind a desk, looking at three other people. One of them was Changcheng, lying on a leather couch, different from the one in the last vision. There was a man he didn’t know talking to Guo, but next to them was Shen Wei, the man that had helped him a few years back, when he didn’t know what to do with his life. This time what pulled him from the past was a hand shaking his shoulder. Shu Zhi looked up at the owner of the palm touching him, it was the writer. The realisation that such a weird thing had happened made him scan the room around him. Both the boy’s uncle and aunt were staring at them in confusion, and even concern, but he didn’t have time for that. The boxer stood up in a single move, and then his fingers came around Changcheng’s wrist, tugging the younger male with him as he left the living room. The shard was left on a cushion on the sofa. He heard voices calling for them from behind, but paid them no mind.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Chu released Guo from his grasp. He could see the writer was slightly scared by his sudden action, but decided to brush it off for the moment. He had more concerning matters at hand. “You saw something when you touched the shard of the Round Table, didn’t you!?” His words were more of a statement than a question, but still, he was pleased by the fast response when he saw Changcheng nodding slowly. “I-I s-saw us h-hugging, b-but we looked d-different.” The boy seemed to still be in a state of shock, but Shu Zhi couldn’t blame him. “I saw weird things as well, but I know someone that might be able to give us answers.” The boxer was staring blankly at nothing as he said that, and it made Guo worry for him, but instead of saying anything, the boy just tugged on Chu’s shirt to keep himself grounded. This dinner had taken a turn of events he had not expected, and he also wondered who Shu Zhi was talking to. He figured he would find out soon, seeing as the boxer was now tugging him towards the front door.

⥲⍟⥳

Zhang Shi. That was the name that Huang Jin had given them, causing a bolt of rage to fall upon Kun Lun, because that was the same person that had hired him to investigate the stolen sword. Shen Wei tried to calm him down, but in the end, it was to no avail and they just ended up leaving the vendor’s house to go after Zhang Shi. The detective was particularly not fond of being played like that and he wanted answers as to why that… psycho would do such a thing. Despite his best efforts, the archaeologist didn’t let him drive, which was why he was currently seated on the passenger’s seat, face closed off and forehead resting against the closed glass. It had started raining, which was such a cliché thing that it made him feel like he was in some sort of Korean drama. “Are you sure he really lives there?” Shen Wei asked, throwing a glance at him, but Kun Lun didn’t bother looking back when he responded. “I met him there three times already. I think he was just waiting for when I was going to find out about his little game.” His voice became progressively angrier by the end of the sentence and he even slammed the side of his fist against the car window. “Huang Jin has probably already called him, so we need to be careful when we get there.” The archaeologist reasoned, though deep down he was more concerned about how the detective was feeling. Kun Lun had been in a bad state ever since he touched the sword. The detective just opened the glove compartment of the car, exposing a gun. “I can use that if he tries anything.” Shen Wei didn’t like the idea of that, so he decided that he would do everything possible to make sure things wouldn’t escalate to that point.

The rest of the ride was made in silence and Shen Wei almost missed the light banter Kun Lun would always bring up or the way in which the detective would find ways to shamelessly flirt with him. This change was not one he appreciated, it made his heart feel tight and filled him with worry. When they pulled up in front of a modern mansion in the richer side of town he noticed how Kun Lun didn’t even think twice before picking up the weapon and exiting the vehicle, leaving him to emit a deep sigh and then follow behind the other male. He was sure things were not about to go well in this meeting.

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badmovieihave · 6 years

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Bad movie I have Journey to the West or Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 2013 Original Title Xi you: Xiang mo pian

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movielosophy · 3 years

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Word of Honor | Co-parenting.

#word of honor #cdrama #zzs is the nicest master i ever seen in wuxia drama #he treats ZCL like he was just a baby #the kid is already 14!!!#but as long as everyone happy #zhang zhe han #character: zhou zi shu #gong jun #character: wen ke xing #sun xi lun #character: zhang cheng ling #cdramanet

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baoshan-sanren · 3 years

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Best dramas I’ve watched in 2020 so far (and some not so good ones) Part II

part 1 here

Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain - based on Once Upon A Time, There Was A Spirit Sword Mountain by 国王陛下 (translation dropped at chapter 50 out of 884 back in 2017). A combination of satire/comedy with complex themes. The emotional investment sneaks up on you out of nowhere and hits you like a sack of bricks. An interesting twist on the master/disciple relationship. Meh on the special effects. Excellent female characters. Solid plot, endless fanfic potential, all the found family your heart desires. Much more gay than you’d think. Needs Season 2, but Season 1 can be watched over and over again. 9/10

Handsome Siblings - based on Twin Heroes by Gu Long. Feel good ending. A decent amount of angst. The most heartwarming drama I’ve watched all year. Funny and insightful and a joy to experience. Meh on the special effects. They don’t know they’re brothers. Plot drags only in a few places, and not for very long. A variety of female characters, but mediocre on their portrayals. A sect comprised of only female disciples - I would like to see it. Contains one of the three het couples whose happiness mattered to me in the entirety of 2020. An endless well of hilarity and angst. Can be watched over and over again. 8/10

Love and Redemption - based on The Glass Maiden by Shi Si Lang (translation ongoing). A wild ride from beginning to end. Intentionally and unintentionally funny. Gay subtext. Contains one of the three het couples whose happiness mattered to me in the entirety of 2020. A plethora of excellent and complex side characters. A feral bottom snake god. A merman who gets kidnapped once a week. Buckets of angst and frustration and misunderstandings. Gorgeous aesthetics. The male lead is tortured more often than all the other characters combined, but he looks hot while going through it. A+ for the sheer wildness of the plot, C- for all the misunderstandings; there has to be a limit somewhere. 7.5/10

The Rise of Phoenixes - based on The Rise of Phoenixes by 天下归元 (translation ongoing). Contains one of the three het couples whose happiness mattered to me in the entirety of 2020. If you judge the seriousness of the drama by the relative hotness of the Emperor, casting Ni DaHong should tell you everything you need to know. An abundance of court intrigue, suspense, and humor. Complex themes, steady plot progression, no scene time wasted. Costumes and set design out of this world. Smart and witty. The most thought provoking drama I’ve watched all year. Ni Ni is a goddamn goddess and should be worshipped daily. 10/10

Legend of Two Sisters In the Chaos - based on a novel I can’t seem to track down anywhere. Meng ZiYi must have some serious back pain from carrying all forty episodes on her shoulders. Interesting premise, shaky execution at best. Main het relationship did not excite, nor were the acting skills comparable; Meng ZiYi deserved better. Wang ZhuoCheng gives a decent performance. The drama does pack an emotional punch if you stick around long enough to get invested. Forty episodes long, but sometimes seemed twice that. Definitely entertaining, but not engaging. 6/10

The Wolf - also based on a novel I can’t track down. Too much romance, then angst, then romance. The dreaded love triangle. Dropped the drama three times, then went back because Xiao Zhan. Darren Wang gives decent performance, but does not have much to work with. Li Qin’s skills utterly wasted on this role. If you’re not invested in the love story, you’ll get bored. If you’re invested, you’ll be emotionally numb half-way through. Good fight scenes. Not so good special effects. 5/10 for the actors doing their best with what they had.

Dance of the Phoenix - based on Dragons Flies Phoenix Dances by 明月听风 (translation dropped at chapter 27 out fo 85 in May of 2020). Yu Mingye deserved better. Female main character + mostly female side characters. Excellent + complex villains, also female. Judging by the costumes + special effects, not much of a budget to work with. Cop-out in the last few episodes to neatly tie up the plot that was... not very intricate to begin with. Vastly entertaining but not that deep. Buckets of angst, but plenty of humor to ease the pain. Lan JingYi fights with a fan. Good fanfic potential. Godawful ending. 7/10 for the best villain I’ve encountered all year.

Legend of Fei - based on Bandits by Priest (translation ongoing). Zhao Liying slays. A variety of compelling female characters. Excellent fight choreography. Interesting premise, steadily progressing plot. Potential for many disaster bisexuals. May contain the fourth het romance I’m invested in this year, but it's still too early to tell. Wang Yibo in his element as Xie Yun, may even produce a better performance than his role in The Untamed. The drama is still only 7 episodes in, will give ranking when finished. ?/10

Looking forward to:

Immortality - based on danmei novel The Husky and His White Cat Shizun by 肉包不吃肉 starring Chen Feiyu and Luo Yunxi

Winner Is King - based on the danmei novel Sha Po Lang by Priest starring Tan Jianci and Chen Zheyuan

A Tale of The Wanderers - based on danmei novel Faraway Wanderers by Priest starring Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun

Douluo Continent - based on xuanhuan novel Soul Land by 唐家三少 starring Xiao Zhan and Wu Xuanyi

Step By Step Lotus - based on historical novel Return to Ming Dynasty as Prince by 月关 starring Zhang Binbin and Luo Yunxi

Feng Qi Long Xi - based on historical novel of the same name by Ma Bo Yong starring Zhu Yilong and Deng Lun

Sword Snow Stride - based on the xuanhuan novel The Snowy Path of the Heroic Blade by 烽火戏诸侯 starring Zhang Ruoyun and Hu Jun

Heaven Official's Blessing - based on danmei novel of the same name by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu - cast unknown

Thousand Autumns - based on danmei novel of the same name by Meng Xi Shi - cast unknown

Joy Of Life Season 2 - based on wuxia novel of the same name by 猫腻 starring Zhang Ruoyun and Li Qin

A League of Nobleman - based on danmei novel The Society of Four Leaves by Da Feng Gua Guo starring Song Weilong and Jing Boran

Flying Phoenix - based on danmei novel of the same name by 風弄 starring Dai Jingyao and Shu Yaxin

#cdrama #cdrama recs #long post #m

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kimmy-trans · 3 years

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'Word Of Honor' related translations

I'll put all the interviews, posts related to Word Of Honor that I've translated in this post. (There might be spoilers if you haven't watched the drama yet)

210317 Zhang Zhe Han @ Big Eye Idol Max 大眼星推荐

210320 Zhang Zhe Han & Gong Jun Interview @ 会火短视频 Hui Huo Short Video

210323 Zhou Ye Interview @ 戏客 Seeker

210324 Gong Jun interview @ 同道大叔 Tong Dao Da Shu

Huang Youming talks about NGs with Gong Jun & Zhang Zhehan: 1, 2

Huang Youming says the entire world knows that Zhang Zhehan is lao po

210407 Sun Xi Lun Interview @ 浮夸情报站 more reserved than Cheng Ling, plays golf w/ Zhang Zhe Han in the hotel?

210408 Zhang Zhehan’s interview with Elle Magazine

210410 桃叨叨 Tao Dao Dao Interview with Wang Ruo Lin, who plays Zhao Jing in Word of Honor

210413 Gong Jun's Horoscope File @ 同仔社同道大叔 Tong Dao Da Shu

210415 Gong Jun talks about preparing for the SHL concert @ YouKu Annual Press Conference (优酷年度发布会)

210423 Gong Jun @ Fresh Live Broadcast cut

210501 Zhou Ye @ Gentle Monster event (concert preparation)

210502 before the SHL Concert @ Suzhou, China (fan accounts)

210503 GJ & ZZH @ Warming Up Livestream translations

The 3 actors at the back holding their whiteboards with “Lao Wen ❤️ Lao Zhou” written on it

Liu Qianqiao presented 嗑 upside down which is phonetically “嗑到了/ kdl” and it means my ship (cp) is sailing

210503 Didi Wu Yu Heng sending a ❤️

210503 My favorite moments & translations of the SHL Concert including the Warming Up Livestream

210504 My favorite moments & translations of the SHL Concert Day 2

210504 GJ & ZZH bickering with HYM like 3-year-olds @ SHL Concert Day 2

210504 GJ 'complimenting' HYM @ SHL Concert Day 2

210504 GJ & ZZH cut @ backstage translations

210504 ZZH talks about last night’s singing @ One Leaf Livestream

210504 ZZH reads fan letter & talks about bidding farewell on the stage as ZZS @ One Leaf Livestream

210504 ZZH watching GJ learning how to rap with MSK fancam

210504 Gu Xiang & Cao Wei Ning's sweet moment fancam

210504 GJ & ZZH turned around when ZJ said to steal someone's love fancam

210504 SHL’s celebratory dinner - GJ has the WKX plush doll hanging on his bag

Heizi laoshi comments about GJ & ZZH on his livestream

Heizi laoshi compliments GJ on his livestream

CZH says she ships Zhang & Gong

Poetry, verses used in WOH ep 1, ep 2

#word of honor #shan he ling #zhou zishu #wen kexing #gong jun #zhang zhehan #龚俊 #张哲瀚 #山河令 #shl #shl cast #chinese translation

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wuxia-indonesia · 2 years

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Top Drama China Historical yang akan Datang

serial drama historical andalan 4 jaringan china yang akan datang. 腾讯 (tencent) 1.梦华录 Meng Hua Lu - A Dream of Splendor - Crystal Liu Yi Fei , Chen Xiao, Jelly Lin 2.玉骨遥 The Longest Promise - Xiao Zhan, Ren MIn, Wang Chu Ran, Han Dong, Alen Fang 3.星汉灿烂 Love Like The Galaxy - Zhao Lusi, Leo Wu, Zeng Li 4.春闺梦里人 Romance of a Twin Flower - Ding Yuxi, Peng XiaoRan 5.重紫 Chong Zhi - Yang Chao Yue, Jeremy Tsui, Zhang Zhi Xi 6.说英雄谁是英雄 Heroes - Joseph Zeng, Yang Chal Yue, Liu Yu Ning, Baron Chen, Meng Zi Yi, Sun Zu Jun 7.雪鹰领主 Lord Eagle - Sheng Ying Hao, Sun Rui, Fei Qin Yuan 8.乐游原 Wonderland of Love - Xu Kai, Jing Tian, Zhao JIa Min, Gao Han, Zheng He Hui Zi, He Feng Tian 9.长相思 Lost You Forever - Yang Zi, Deng Wei, Zhang Wan Yi 10.天行健 Heroes (judul rencana akan diubah biar ga tabrakan) - Qin Jun Jie, Maggie Huang, Liu Yu Ning 11.飞狐外传 - The Young Flying Fox - Qin Jun Jie, Liang Jie, Xing Fei, Peter Ho, Sarah Zhao, Lin Yu Shen, Hei Zi, Yvonne Yung 12.只此江湖梦 - Love and Sword - Gao Wei Guang, Xuan Lu, Jia Nai, Martin Zhang, Yuan Yu Xuan, Ren Hao 爱奇艺 (iqiyi) 1.月歌行 - Song of the Moon - Vin Zhang, Xu Lu 2.云襄传 - The Ingenious One - Chen Xiao, Rachel Momo, Tang Xiao Tian 3.显微镜下的大明 - Great Ming Under Microscope - Zhang Ruoyun, Qi Wei, Wang Yang 4.明月入卿怀 - A Forbidden Marriage - Mao Zi Jun , Zhou Jie Qiong , Zhang Xin ,Li Jiu Lin, Eddy Ko 5.请君 - Welcome - Ren Jia Lun, Li Qin 6.七时吉祥 - Love You Seven Times - Ding Yu Xi, Yang Chao Yue ,Yang Hao Yu, Dong Xuan, Hai Lu 8.倾城亦清欢 - The Emperor's Love - Wallace Chung, Yuan Bing Yan, Jason Gu, Zhang Yue 9.九霄寒夜暖 - Warm Cold Night in the Nine Heavens - Li Yi Tong, Bi Wen Jun, Chen He Yi, He Rui Xian, Ma Yue 10.苍兰诀。 - Eternal Love - Yu Shu Xin, Dylan Wang, Cristy Guo, Xu Hai Qiao 11.花溪记(分销) - Love Is An Accident - Xing Fei, Xu kai Cheng, Wang Yi Nuo 12.花戎。 - Hua Rong - Ju Jing Yi, Guo Jun Chen, Liu Dong Qin, Lu Ting Yu, Ma Yue 优酷 (youku) 1.长月烬明 - Till The End of The Moon - Luo Yunxi, Bai Lu, Chen Du Ling, Deng Wei, Sun Zhen Ni, Wang Yifei 2.星河长明 - Novoland: The Princess From Plateau - Feng Shao Feng, Peng Xiao Ran, Cheng Xiao Meng, Zhu Zheng Ting, Liu Meng Rui, Kim Jin 3.沉香如屑。- Immortal Samsara - Yang Zi, Cheng Yi, Ray Chang, Meng Zi yi, Yang Xizi, Hou Meng yao 4.星落凝成糖 - Love When the Stars Fall - Chen Xing Xu, Landy Li, Luke CHen, He Xuan Lin 5.郎君不如意。- Go Princess Go 2 - Wu Xuan yi, Chen Zhe Yuan, LQ Wang 6.隐娘 - The Assassin - Qin Lan, Zheng Ye Cheng, Hu Lian Xin, Du Chun 7.��乐传 - Legend of Anle - Dilraba Dilmurat, Gong Jun, Liu Yu Ning, Xia Nan, Tim Pei, Chen Tao 芒果TV (mango tv) 1.落花时节又逢君 - Love Never Fails - Yuan Bing Yan,Liu Xue Yi, Xu Xiao Nuo, Ao Rui Peng 2.覆流年 - Lost Track of Time - Xing Fei, Zhai Zi Lu, Jin JIa Yu, Cheng Yu Feng, Zhan Jie, Han Ye catatan: nanti saya update judul resmi inggris dan siapa aktor aktrisnya. sumber: artikel topik upcoming chinese drama di cerita-silat.net dan Weibo

#wuxia #jinyong #theyoungflyingfox #heroes2022

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ruanbaijie · 3 years

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I got tagged in a bunch of tag games recently but I’ve been putting the off for a loooooonnnnggg time because a certain drama (hint: the abbreviation is three letters long, the last character rhymes with “ring”) has been occupying every single second of my free time (눈_눈)

but now that I have some pockets of time to spare! I’m just gonna club all the tag games together into a monster post ( ` ω ´ )

a big thank you to everyone who tagged me!!!!! (*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡

tag game #1

tagged by @tiesanjiao @sillyfanturtle

recreate your blog’s aesthetic as a drink 🍸

make one here

this one was so fun! the number of choices omg I was spoiled and I took so long to decide which to go with lol. I don’t really know what this monstrosity is??? I just picked these for the pinks/ muted reds and greens

but my irl aesthetic is more something like this below. and my dumb gothic-loving ass thought that background was a graveyard and it took me a closer scrutiny to realise it’s a bar... (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)

tag game #2

tagged by @linglynz

I don’t know what this one’s called, but I guess it’s something along the lines of recreating a mouse here!

I’m... boring. hanyi’s motto in life, probably: make it black. there are little devil horns but they’re black too so they’re blending in...

tag game #3

tagged by @yibobibo

You can usually tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen to. Put your favourite playlist on shuffle and list the first ten songs then tag ten people! No skipping!

OHO favourite playlist you say........ okay I’ll have to find one of my favourites that has at least 10 songs ahaaa

SHI-KI (Atsushi Suemitsu) - from Shiki (this remains one of my favourite instrumental anime soundtracks to date it’s just so damn atmospheric and good)

Tian Wen (Liu Yuning) - from Shan He Ling (well...)

Ai Shang (Xiao Shi Gu Niang) - from Goodbye My Princess

Enigma (After Journey) - from My Roommate is a Detective

Chi Qing Zhong Instrumentals with Vocals Version (Deng Lun) - from Qing Ya Ji (*cough cough cough*)

Eau de Vie (Atsushie Suemitsu) - from Shiki

Huo Shui (Shu Linzuo) - from The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty

Chi Qing Zhong (Deng Lun) - from Qing Ya Ji

Be Ok (I’ll) - from Zombie Detective

Warriors (2WEI & Edda Hayes)

yeahhh I listen to a lot of soundtracks

tag game #4

tagged by @livenarrator

post the top 10 songs you’re currently vibing to

pretty similar to the one above! but here are another 10 anyways ehe

Bridge of Fate (Wang Leehong & Tan Weiwei) - from The Great Wall

Sheng Er Wu Wei (Wang Ziyi) - from S.W.A.T.

Fireworks Cool Easily (Jay Chou)

Diamond (Ha Hyun Woo) - from Itaewon Class

Yong Ye (Tan Weiwei) - from Ever Night

Awaken (Su Shiding) - from My Roommate is a Detective

Wu Bie (Jeff Chang) - from Tian Guan Ci Fu

Wu Ti (Hu Xia) - from Shan He Ling

Tian Ya Ke (Zhang Zhehan & Gong Jun) - from Shan He Ling

Gu Meng (Zhang Zhehan) - from Shan He Ling

and last but not least, tag game #5

tagged by @inessencedevided

rules: create your own post and tag 9 people to get to know better or catch up with

last song listened to: Tian Wen from Shan He Ling - because I was answering the tag game above alsdklflksdlkf (ง ื▿ ื)ว

last movie watched: The Yin Yang Master 2021 aka Shi Shen Ling - I got baited by (white) long-haired chen kun let’s just leave it at that

currently reading: just finished Po Yun by Huai Shang - IT’S SO DAMN GOOD PLEASE READ IT HUAI SHANG NEEDS MORE LOVE - next up probably 2ha reread

currently craving: travel - I think I’ve been saying I’ve been craving travel for the longest time now singapore is... damn small

current project: at work??? leisure project??? if it’s the latter, I probably have to get my ass cracking and start doing this week’s march gif challenge but I have Zero Inspiration (⇀‸↼‶)

current mood: pretty chill and relaxed bc finally I’m done with live giffing shl, but also nervous and ambivalent bc hyx is starting soon, and lastly excited bc tomorrow I’m gonna have my first bubble tea in three months (self-imposed diet, not related to any lockdown)

current wish: see “currently craving”

currently learning: nothing much?

something that makes you proud: how far I’ve progressed in giffing ever since january 2020 ฅ(^◕ᴥ◕^)ฅ

#tag game #SO MANY TAG GAMES #AHAHAH

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ydotome · 3 years

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64 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 3 years

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Rise of Sixteen States: 301

Li Te declares himself Great General who Garrisons the North.

Elsewhere around this time, Zhang Gui is appointed Inspector of Liangzhou while Liu Yuan gets a new job.

26 January 301 – 13 February 302

(Jin's 1st Year of Yongning)

1st Year of Yongning, Spring, 1st Month, yichou [3 February], the King of Zhao, Lun, usurped the throne.

3rd Month [26 March – 24 April], the General who Pacifies the East, the King of Qi, Jiong, rose with troops to thereby punish Lun, transmitting a call to arms to the provinces and commanderies, and garrisoning at Yandi.

The Great General who Conquers the North, the King of Chengdu, Ying; the Great General who Conquers the West, the King of Hejian, Yong; the King of Changshan, Ai; the Inspector of Yu province, Li Yi; the Inspector of Yan province, Wang Yan; the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the South, the Duke of Xinye, Xin; all rose with troops to obey him.

Summer, 4th Month, guihai [1 June], executed the King of Zhao, Lun and others of Lun's faction.

(Li Te)

1st Year of Yongning, Spring, 1st Month [26 January – 24 February], Zhao Xin feared the Imperial Court would chastise him. He dispatched the Senior Clerk Fei Yuan, the Grand Warden of Qianwei, Li Bi and the Controller-Protector Chang Jun to supervise more than ten thousand people to block the northern road, staying at Shiting in Mianzhu. Te covertly collected and gathered, and obtained more than 7 000 people (HYGZ08: more than 700 people). At night he assaulted Yuan's army. Yuan's army's greatly dispersed. Following that, he let lose fire and burnt them, the dead were eight or nine out of ten.

He advanced to attack Chengdu. Xin heard the troops had arrived, he was frightened and afraid and did not know what to do. The Palace Gentleman Chang Mei together Fei Yuan, Li, Bi, Zhang Zheng and others at night cut the gate bar, fled and set out. The civil and military officials altogether scattered. Xin on his own, together with his wife and children, sailed a small boat along the river until Guangdu, and was killed by his subordinate Zhu Zhu.

Xin, courtesy name Heshu, was originally a native of Anhan in Baxi. In his grandfather's generation they accompanied Zhang Lu to move inside, and had his family in Zhao. The King of Zhao, Lun, appreciated him. He was successively Prefect of Chang#'an, Grand Warden of Tianmen and Wuling, and came to preside over the province. His son Bing was in Luo, and also was executed.

Te and Liu arrived at Chengdu, they set the troops loose for a great plunder, murdered the Army-Protectors of the Western Yi, Jiang Fa and Gong Ni, and killed Xin's Senior Clerk (HYGZ: Prefect of Chengdu) Yuan Qia, and the wardens and chiefs set up by Xin. He dispatched his Serrated Gates Wang Lu and Li Ji to go to Luoyang and lay out the circumstances of Xin's crimes.

Earlier, the Inspector of Liang# province, Luo Shang, heard that Xin had rebelled, and petitioned:

Xin is not an outstanding talent, and also the people of Shu do not desire to make chaos, they certainly have nothing in common. The affair in the end will have no success. [We] can plan for the day of his defeat and destruction, and wait.

Emperor Hui following that designated Shang General who Pacifies the West, Acting with the Tally, Nominal Colonel who Protects the Western Yi, and Inspector of Yi province, looking after 1 000 tally guard troops, 2 000 Liang# province troops, and also matched with the Chief Commandant of Shangyong's right-principled section 1 500 people, for a combined 4 500 people. Moved the Grand Warden of Zitong,Xu Jian of Leling, to be Shu commandery, the General who Spreads Fervent, Xin Ran to be Grand Warden of Guanghan. Shang also petitioned to request the Commander of the Serrated Gates, Wang Dun, to enter Shu with 7 000 troops.

Te and others Shang was coming, and was very afraid. He sent his younger brother Xiang# to receive and welcome him on the road, and also offer as tribute precious things. Shang was very pleased, and used Xiang# as Cavalry Controller. Te and Liu then used cattle and wine and alcohol to entertain Shang at Mianzhu.

Wang Dun advised Shang, saying:

Te and others are robbing and plundering thieves from the frontier of Longshang. [We] ought when [we] meet to kill him, and the army will have no later worries.

(HYGZ08: Xin Ran had originally been employed by the King of Zhao, Lun, he was not depended on in turn and had been summoned to return back [?]. He wished to use chastising Xin to gain merit for himself, and also talked to him.) Shang did not accept. Ran previously had been familiar with Te, and following that spoke to him, saying:

When old acquaintances happen on each other, if it is not auspicious, it must be inauspicious.

Te was deeply wary and fearful for himself.

3rdMonth [26 March – 24 April], Shang arrived at the provincial seat. The Qiang of Minshan rebelled at Tianshi Mountain in Du'an. He dispatched Wang Dun to chastise them. [He? They?] killed several thousand people, and greatly took away women and youths as live captives. Dun galloped on a single horse, and was killed by the Qiang.

Soon after there was a tally sent down to Qin and Yong provinces, and all the drifting people who had entered Hanchuan had sent down to them where they were summoning them to return back. The Steering Clerks Feng Gai and Zhang Chang acted as Assistant Officials of Qin and Yong provinces, and supervising relocating back the drifting people. Those who were moved were more than ten thousand families.

But Te's older brother Fu, who was used to remaining behind at their home village, as pretext said he was welcoming his family, and then when he arrived in Shu spoke to Te, saying:

The Central States just now are in chaos, and are not fit to return back to.

Te considered it to be so, and therefore had thoughts of ruling and occupying Ba and Shu.

The Imperial Court for his merit in chastising Zhao Xin, designated Te General who Spreads Domination, ennobled Marquis of Changle district, and Liu as General who Arouses Domination and Marquis of Wuyang.

A letter with the imperial seal was sent down to Yi province, to list and classify those among the drifting people of the Six Commanderies who chastised Xin in cooperation and together with Te, wanting to add to them rewards for their merit. It happened that Xin Ran, since he had been summoned out of turn, did not look into responding to the summons, and also wished to use the wiping out of Xin to gain merit for himself. He therefore slept on the court's instructions, and did not actually send them up. The multitudes all resented it.

Luo Shang dispatched an Assistant Officer to urge on dispatching the drifting people, marking off the 7th Month for going up the roads. Te and others firmly requested, seeking to extend it until the autumn harvest. The drifting people were scattered around in Liang# and Yi, and had been hired by people to work. When they heard the provinces and commanderies were pressuring to dispatch them, everyone were anxious and resentful, and did not know what to do.

Again, when they knew Te and his brothers again and again had requested and sought a delay, everyone were moved and relied on them. Moreover the rains were about to come down, and the year's grain were not yet ripe. The drifting people had nothing to provide for them on the march, and thereupon went with each other to Te.

Te dispatched Yan Shi of Tianshui to frequently go to Shang to seek to loosen the guidance and argue it was opportune to delay until autumn. He also dispatched goods and gifts to Shang and Gai. They allowed it. Reaching autumn, he again sought to extend it until winter. Xin Ran and Li Bi considered it impossible, and certainly wished to relocate them.

Shi made the Separate Carriage Du Tao explain the gains and harms of forcing a relocation. Tao also wished to let go of and disperse the people for one year. Xin Ran and Li Bi considered it impossible, and Shang followed them. Tao delivered his Flowering Talent wood board and set out to return to his family, knowing the reasons for his plans and strategies not being acted on.

At the time there was a white nimbus, the head was in a well village, the tail was in the eastern mountains, and it trailed over the greater city. The Assistant Officer Within the Seat, Ma Xiu of Baxi asked Yan Shi about it, saying:

What omen is this?

Shi said:

The divination tells that below it there is a vapour of ten thousand corpses. Its very closeness to the city is not an auspicious response. Can a Heavenly affliction be disobeyed? If the [General] who Pacifies the West is able to let go of the dispersed people, the calamity will dissolve itself.

Xin Ran was by nature greedy and brutal, he wished to kill the drifting people's heads and leaders, acquire their wealth and goods. He therefore circulated incitements to send them out and dispatch them. He also ordered the Grand Warden of Zitong, Zhang Yan, to arrange for barriers at the various strategic places, and search out and exhort treasure and goods. Ran and Li Bi again declared to Shang:

The drifting people previously during of Xin's chaos very much were unjustly confiscating. [We] ought to take the opportunity with the relocating to build barriers to take away and seize it.

Autumn, 7th Month [21 August – 18 September], Shang sent a document to Zitong, for them there to hold close the barriers.

8th Month [19 September – 18 October], the barriers were all walled up. Li Te dispatched Yan Shi to go to Luo Shang, seeking to stretch out the date. When Shi had arrived, he saw Ran was keeping watch over and palisading the thoroughfares and strategic places, planning to ambush the drifting people. He sighed, and said:

When there are no bandits but there are walls, an enemy must be protecting them. Now he is yet speeding it up, chaos is about to be created.

He also knew that Ran and Li Bi's opinion could not be turn around, and therefore bid farewell to Shang to return back to Mianzhu. Shang spoke to Shi, saying:

You Sir are about to report to the various drifting people my thoughts, [I] am now accepting tolerance.

Shi said:

You, Enlightened Excellency, has been misled by perfidious advise, and [I] fear will have no tolerance and reason. Those who are weak but cannot be taken lightly are the hundred families, and now [you] press them unreasonably. The multitudes' anger is difficult to transgress, [I] fear there will be a disaster of no small depth.

Shang said:

However, I do no deceive you Sir. Sir should go.

Shi arrived at Mianzhu, and talked to Te, saying:

Even though Shuo stated this, he cannot necessarily be trusted, why so? Shang's authority to punish is not established, Ran and others each hold close strong troops, and in a single morning [can] make a mishap. They also are not someone Shang is able to control. [We] really ought to be prepared.

Te accepted it.

9th Month [19 October – 16 November], [Shang?] dispatched an army to Mianzhu, spreading word they were planting wheat, but in truth preparing for them to disperse and flee.

Te sent to Ran seeking extension for himself. Ran was greatly angered, he dispatched people to distribute placards and make public at the crossroads, putting a bounty of a hundred bolts for the heads of Te and Liu. Te saw it, and was greatly afraid. He thoroughly took them and brought them back. Together with Xiang# he changed their bounty to state:

[He who] is able to send off the Six Commanderies' great families, Yan, Zhao, Ren, Yang, Li, and Shangguan, and the marquises and kings of the Di Sou, Liang, Dou, Fu Wei, Dong, Fei, and others, for each heads a hundred bolts.

The drifting people were already unhappy about relocating, and all went to revert to Te. They galloped their horses and collected their quivers, and with a single voice assembled like clouds. Between a ten-day and a month the multitudes exceeded 20 000. Liu also gathered a multitude of several thousands.

Winter, 10th Month [17 November – 16 December], Te and Liu therefore guarded Chizu, and made two camps. Te resided in the eastern camp, and Liu in the eastern camp.

Ran and Bi planned with each other, saying:

Marquis Luo is greedy but makes no decisions, and from day to day the drifting people get to extend their perfidious schemes. Li Te and his brothers all have outstanding talent, we are about to be made captives by nobodies. We ought to make a decisive scheme, and not be satisfied again with asking about it.

They therefore dispatched the Chief Commandant of Guanghan, Zeng Yuan, the Serrated Gates Zhang Xian, and others to covertly lead 30 000 infantry and cavalry to assault Te's camp. Luo Shang heard about it, and likewise dispatched the Controller-Protector Tian Zuo and Serrated Gates Liu Bing to assist Yuan. Te habitually knew about it, he therefore repaired his armour and readied the troops, and warned them strictly to wait for it. Yuan and others arrived. Te calmly laid down and did not move. He waited for half of their multitudes to enter, and then issued out from the ambush to strike them, the killed and wounded were a considerable multitude. Zuo was also defeated.

He murdered Tian Zuo, Zeng Yuan, and Zhang Xian, and transmitted their heads to be shown to Shang and Ran. Shang spoke to his generals and aides, saying:

These miscreants had completely left, but Guanghan did not heed my words and so expanded the thieves' power. Now what should we do about it!

Hence the drifting people of the Six Commanderies pushed forward Te to be their ruler. Te instructed Controller of Private Troops of the Six Commanderies, Li Han, the Prefect of Shanggui, Ren Zang, the Prefect of Shichang, Yan Shi, the Remonstrant Grandee Li Pan, the Prefect of Chencang, Li Wu, the Prefect of Yinping, Li Yuan, the Chief Commandant Commanding Troops Yang Bao, and others to send up a letter, requesting to rely on the old affairs of Liang Tong serving Dou Rong, and push forward Te as Acting Great General who Garrisons the North, to carry on the authority to ennoble and designate, and his younger broth Liu to be Acting General who Garrisons the East, to assist in quelling and governing.

Te and others advanced the troops to attack Ran at Guanghan. Ran's multitudes set out to fight, Te routed them every time. Shang dispatched the Grand Warden of Qianwei, Li Bi, and Senior Clerk Fei Yuan to led a multitude and save Ran, but they dreaded Te and did not dare to advance. Ran put the blame on the Prefect of Mianzhu, Qi Bao of Nan commandery, and beheaded him. Then he broke through the encirclement and ran to Deyang (JS: Jiangyang).

Te entered to occupy Guanghan, and used Li Chao as Grand Warden. He advanced the troops to attack Shang at Chengdu. [Shang] wrote a note of denouncement and accusation to Yan Shi. Shi replied, saying:

Xin Ran pour out swindles. Du Jing [textual error for Zhang Xian?] set forth in madness. Zeng Yuan is a small upstart. Tian Zuo's blood and spirit is not in order. Li Shuping has not the spirit of someone commanding regiments. To chastise exhausted and poor Qiang can be said to be their strong point.

Shi previously was discussing with the Beneath the Tally and Du Jingwen [I.e Du Tao] the propriety of halting and migrating. People hold close their mulberry trees and catalpa trees, who do not wish for them? Moreover, formerly when they began to arrive, following the grain to work for hire, a single family would be divided in five. Then they were faced with torrential rain. They begged to wait for the winter harvest, and yet they were not heard. Certainly a destitute deer will defy a tiger.

Moreover [I] fear with the great excesses of the measures, the dispersed people will not willingly extend their necks and accept the blade, and perhaps the troubles will be later. Had [you] listened to Yan's words, and released them to make arrangements, it would not have gone past the 9th Month before they were fully assembled, on the 10th Month advanced on the road, and by now reached their home villages. Why would it have to be like this?

[You] courteously listened but did investigate, and empathized with others' excessive words. Now Xin Ran is an absconded slave, Shuping excels at hiding, [your] branches are divided and [your] might unravelled, affairs are gradually catching up with yourself. It is what is spoken of as not being aware of bending the smoke-hole and keeping distant the firewood, and having your guests be burnt by them.

(JS: Yan Shi conveyed a letter to Shang, calling him to account for his trust in and usage of slanderous plots, and wish for chastising the drifting people. He also put forth how Te and his brothers had established merit on behalf of the kingly house by soothing the lands of Yi.)

Shang looked at the letter, and understood Te and others were about to have great aspirations, he walled up the city and strengthen the defences, and sought help from Liang# and Ning provinces.

Te declared himself Envoy Holding the Tally, Great Commander-in-Chief, Great General who Garrisons the North (HYGZ: and [Inspector of] Yi province), to carry on the authority to ennoble and designate alone, relying on the former affairs of Dou Rong in Hexi. Liu became Great General who Garrisons the East. Their older brother Fu became General of Agile Cavalry, their younger brother Xiang# General of Valiant Cavalry, Te's oldest son Shi became General of Martial Domination, his second son Dang became General of the Garrison Army, his youngest son Xiong became General of the Van, Li Han became Colonel of the Western Yi, Han's sons Guo and Li, Ren Hui, Li Gong, Shangguan Jing, Li Pan, Fei Tuo (HYGZ: Fei Ta) and others became generals and leaders, Ren Zang of Tianshui, Shangguan Dun, Yang Bao, HYGZ: Yang Fa, Yang Gui, Wang Da, Qu Xin and others became claws and teeth, Li Yuan of Yinping, Li Bo of Wudu, Xi Bin of Lüeyang, Yan Cheng, Shangguan Qi, Li Tao, Wang Huai and others became staff members, Yan Shi became master of plans, He Ju and Zhao Su became belly and heart.

At the time Luo Shang was greedy and ruthless, and was a worry of the hundred families. Yet Te gave the people of Shu a moderate law in three chapters, gave alms and relieved debt, was courteous to the worthy and raised up the blocked, and his army and government were respectful. The hundred families made a song about it:

Li Te is still allowable, Luo Shang kills us.

Shang led his people to fully cross the Pi River and southward, blocking a long circumference and building camps hemming the river, from Du'an until Qianwei, 700 li. Te and others guarded Guanghan.

Yongning era (301 – 302)

(Liu Yuan)

The King of Chengdu, Ying, was headquartered at Ye. Beginning of Yongning [301 – 302], he petitioned for Liu Yuan to act as General who Soothes the Boreal and Overseer of the Army Affairs of the Five Sections.

(Murong Hui)

Middle of Yongning [301 – 302], Yan was on the brink of great floods. Murong Hui opened the granaries to relieve and provide, and You region obtained help. The Son of Heaven heard and praised him, and as commendation bestowed award clothes.

(Zhang Gui)

Zhang Gui considered the time was on the brink of many difficulties, and secretly plotted to guard and occupy Hexi, and pursue the former affairs of Dou Rong. He cast the diving slips and got Contentment and Surview. He therefore threw the slips and joyfully said:

The omens of a hegemon.

He then sought to become [Inspector] of Liang province. The excellencies and dignitaries also recommended Gui as talented and capable of steering far-away lands.

Beginning of Yongning [301 – 302], he set out to be Holding the Tally, Colonel who Protects the Qiang, and Inspector of Liang province.

At that time the Xianbei turn to rebellion, and robbed and stole everywhere. When Gui arrived in the province he promptly chastised and routed them, the cut off heads numbered more than ten thousand. Thereupon his domination was evident in the western provinces, and is reforms acted on in Heyou. He gave lessons in farming mulberry trees, and pulled up the worthy and talented.

He used Song Pei, Yin Chong, Fan Yuan and Yin Dan as thighs and forearms, and masters of planning. He summoned the head sons, 500 people, and established schools to teach them. He started to set up Libationers of Revering Culture, their ranks were treated as Separate Carriages. Spring and autumn they acted out the rites of district archery meetings.

The Overseer of the Private Writers, Mou Shizheng, and the Junior Treasurer Zhi Yu at night observed the star constellations. They talked to each other and said:

Under Heaven is just now in chaos, of states that are avoiding the difficulties there is just the lands of Liang, and that is all. Zhang of Liang province's virtue and capacity are not ordinary, he is likely that person.

#r16s

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