#caos chapter thirty-four: the returned

[thesevenwondersofawitch]

SPOILERS FOR CAOS PART 4

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Returned, episode reaction.

Sabrina looking at herself in the mirror hoping for a sign from Sabrina Morningstar makes me chuckle.

Would it kill Nick to put on a shirt? I'm getting tired of seeing him without a shirt so much.

Prudence is so sweet.

Hilda coming in to see Lilith and her holding a bundled up doll makes my heart hurt.

Lilith really did kill Adam. 😭

It's time for the Battle of the bands.

Oh my God oh my God oh my God oh my God IT'S BABY VINNIE TOM!!!!!!!!!

Sabrina asking the real questions.

Zelda not caring at all about how is back makes me sad because that shows just how much she missed him.

Marie is shookith.

Zelda is not pleased.

Excuse you Marie you're leaving your girlfriend? Rude.

Da f*** is that?

Harvey's not even questioning where the guitar came from?

I really hope that Tommy isn't coming back from the dead. Again.

Harvey's dad is weird.

The dude that wearing glasses that said that he doesn't want to be humiliated by Fright Club looks familiar, was he in Riverdale?

And the band just killed the other band, what is this, an episode from American Horror Story?

I'm getting bad vibes from that board game.

WELL IF IT ISN'T ME JERK HIMSELF, EDWARD SPELLMAN.

Shit, he doesn't remember he died, so Sabrina can't tell him she's his daughter.

Oh God she's haunted by her baby.

NO!

POOR LILITH!

Dorcas!!! Yay!

Uh oh, Hilda is meeting her in-law.

Awkward.

All of these bands dropping out in years past, that is not good.

Mr. Kindle was part of the band! And he looked like Harvey. 😂

Oh god, Lucifer. Again with the dead virgins.

R.I.P Peggy.

Satanic Panic burned to death. Damn.

Peggy's dad did it!

Hilda's mother in-law is embarrassing but should stop talking 'cause she's making my baby Hilda uncomfortable.

Well that escalated quickly.

Run Hilda.

Run.

Lazarus vs. Mambo Marie, woo!

Sabrina why are you showing a picture to Edward.

DO NOT BE A MORON.

Aw, baby Sabrina.

Sabrina, you're being a moron talking about how your mother died and that he has been dead for 16 years.

Ouch, Edward what the f*** you're calling your daughter an abomination. Oh right, daughter not by blood.

Did he seriously just call Diana a whore?

The fuck.

Ed just said Diana was a monster fucker, not nice, writer of this show, not nice at all.

RUN SABRINA!

Yay Aunt Zelda!

Agatha, stop singing about Lizzie Borden, and also by implication killing Dorcas.

Three blind mice.

I missed The Weird Sisters so much.

Oh lordy, Hilda's mother in-law is messed up.

YOU TELL HER HILDIE!

OH SABRINA! 😭

They put Kenny's mom in a cabinet?(or fridge?)

Either way I here for it.

He wants her dead again. 😂

Oh no, back to Lilith. 😭

FUCK YOU CALIBAN THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!

Lilith deserved better.

GIVE HER BACK HER BABY!

The cain pit!!! If only she had used it when they still had time.

Shit, Satanic Panic have Mr. Kinkle.

How awkward would it be if Robin was showering when Sabrina summons him?

Lucifer laughing about Satanic Panic makes me smile. But now I am sad because of how Sabrina can't seem to win in the dad department.

LILITH NO!

ZELDA STOP LILITH!

WAIT, LILITH GET LAZARUS TO BRING BABY ADAM BACK TO YOU!

PEGGY LOU, WOOHOO BRING HELL UPON THOSE MURDERERS!

Oh shit, Mr. Kinkle is in a cage.

Lucie you awful boatman, you! 😂

Luke Cook is a gem.😂

I thought Satanic Panic would be better then they are.🧐

Spot Elsbeth in the front of the crowd.

FRIGHT CLUB SLAY THAT SONG, AND JAZ AND ROSS, WOW.😍

Dark Mothers, cool.

LILITH!

DID YOU HEAR THAT? THAT WAS MY HEART CONSTRICTING AND BREAKING.

Is she gonna do what I think is is gonna do?🤔

YEAH! HE IS A BASTARD, LILITH!

Yeah, she didn't do it for you, Mambo Marie.

I'm not a fan of Dark Mothers.

PEGGY LOU IS HERE FOR BLOOD ANF SATANIC PANIC IS GONNA TURN TO ASHES!

Yay! She's got her revenge and gotten to have peace!

Sabrina really sad fuck you to her dad.

"Well done, false daughter." "Go to hell false father." I LOVE IT!

WAIT WHAT, MARIE WHAT DO YOY MEAN?

Poor Zelda.

Baron, you jackass how could you lie to Zelda all this time.

Zelda was a straight up savage and Baron deserved it.

Dorcas breaks my heart! 😭

DORCAS KISSED AGATHA!

WHAT DID SHE WHISPER!

Prudence 😭

AGATHA IS AGATHA AGAIN! DORCAS JUST HAD TO FORGIVE HER!

Agatha doesn't remember. 😭

Jaz looks so gorgeous. 😍

ROBIN IS STAYING WITH THEO!!!

Lilith no!

ADAM?

Zelda waved goodbye to Baron!

Vinnie gets to stay? YAYAYAYAYYAYAYAY!

AT LEAST HE DID THAT! YAY! ALMOST MAKES UP FOR THE HEARTACHE.

#thesevenwondersofawitch watches #the chilling adventures of sabrina pt 4 #caos netflix #caos part 4 #caos chapter thirty-four: the returned #miranda otto #lilith caos #madam spellman #zelda spellman #sabrina spellman #nick scratch #hilda spellman #mambo marie #ambrose spellman #lilith and adam #dorcas night #the weird sisters #agatha night #roz walker #prudence blackwood #harvey kinkle #theo putnam #zelda x marie #vinegar tom #vinnie t #lucifer morningstar #satanic panic #Greendale #The Eldritch Terror #the Eldritch

[bookofjin]

Siege of Luoyang, 309

So this something I have been working on for some time, and ended up much longer than planned.

This post discus the attempts in 309 to take Luoyang by the armies of Liu Yuan. Liu Yuan had proclaimed himself Emperor of Han in 308 and now hoped to capture the capital of the crumbling Western Jin empire.

The sources

The two main extant sources for the so-called Sixteen States period are the Book of Jin (Jinshu晉書, JS) by Fang Xuangling et al, finished in 648 during the Tang empire, and the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government by Sima Guang (Zizhi tongjian資治通鑑, ZZTJ), finished 1084 during the Song empire.

The JS is written in the biographic-thematic style. The book's 130 scrolls are divided into four sections, the first three are the standard Basic Annals (benji本紀), Treatises (zhi志), and Biographies (liezhuan列傳). The fourth, the Yearly Annals (zaiji 載記), covers the last 30 scrolls of the book

The JS throughout treats the Jin rulers as the legitimate rulers, their northern rivals are all false usurpers, the titles and ranks they grant to their followers bogus pretensions. The zaiji hence cover those fourteen of the Sixteen States who claimed Heaven's favour to declare themselves kings and emperors in defiance of the Jin. The rulers of the last two maintained nominal allegiance to the Jin court, and so are rewarded with a place among the ordinary Biographies.

The JS is essentially a composite text created by selecting from and editing together older texts, now mostly lost. Most likely the main, if not the only, source for the zaiji was the Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States (Shiliuguo chunqiu 十六國春秋, SLGCQ) by Cui Hong of the Northern Wei era (386 – 534). This book, in 100 scrolls, seems to have been written in basically a chronicle style (with some biographical elements), with a separate chronicle for each of the sixteen states. The SLCQ is no longer extant except in excerpts or indirectly through its use as a source by later books.

The ZZTJ is a universal history written in the chronicle style, the Jin are covered in Scrolls 79 – 118. Similarly to the JS, the ZZTJ has been created by abbreviating and editing together older texts. In his notes to his text, Sima Guang names several of the sources he has used, these include the JS and the SLGCQ, but also other now largely lost books such as Xiao Fangfeng's (528 – 549) Spring and Autumn of the Thirty States (Sanshiguo chunqiu 三十國春秋,SSGCQ) in 31 scrolls, and Sun Sheng's (302 - 373) Autumn of Jinyang (Jinyang qiu 晉陽秋, JYQ) in 22 scrolls. The JYQ, a chronicle of the Jin down to Emperor Ai (r. 361 – 365), was also used by the authors of the JS.

The ZZTJ also treat Jin as legitimate, following the so-called “line of abdication”, but the rulers of the Sixteen States are treated more neutral than the JS. Liu Yuan referred to in the text as the “Ruler of Han” (hanzhu漢主), and his family and followers by the ranks and titles they held under Han.

Comparing the JS and ZZTJ it is obvious that they share much of the same source material, but they have selected and abbreviated the material in different ways. The result is that some details have been preserved in one book but not the other. To get a comprehensive overview of the surviving source material it is therefore necessary to consult both.

The longest and most detailed by descriptions on Liu Cong's attempt to take Luoyang in 309 are found in the Yearly Annals of Liu Yuanhai in JS101 and a series of entries in ZZTJ87, we can probably assume the majority of these texts come from the SLGCQ. More summary accounts are found in the Basic Annals of Emperor Huai, JS005, and the Biography of Wang Mi, JS100, but these often contradict JS101 and ZZTJ.

Situation and opposing forces summer 309

In 309 the ruler of the Jin empire was Sima Chi, posthumously Emperor Huai, who had succeeded his brother Emperor Hui in 306. Real power was however in the hands of Sima Yue, King of Donghai, who had won the civil war among the Jin princes only to see the slide into chaos continue, and control of the provinces slipping away. In 307 Sima Yue had made his three brothers the military commanders of Xiangyang, Ye and Chang'an, but by summer 309 only one of these were still alive: Sima Mo, King of Nanyang, headquartered at Chang'an.

Liu Yuan is claimed by the sources to have been the grandson of the Xiongnu Southern Shanyu Yufuluo, but this seems questionable. We need not doubt though that he belonged to the Xiongnu royal clan, which had taken the Liu family name based on their past marriages with Han princesses. During the Jin civil wars he served Sima Ying, King of Chengdu. In 304 when Sima Ying was hard-pressed by his enemies' Xianbei cavalry, Liu Yuan offered to go back home and raise an army of Xiongnu in support of Sima Ying. Once back he initially took the title of Grand Shanyu, later the same year he proclaimed himself King of Han as the successor of Liu Shan.

Liu Yuan initially controlled a fairly limited territory, but in August 308 his forces captured Pingyang and Hedong commanderies. Liu Yuan then transferred his capital to Pingyang and proclaimed himself Emperor of Han. In the first half of 309 the armies of Han conquered Shangdang commandery from Jin's Inspector of Bing province, Liu Kun.

By this time Han's chief field commander seems to have been Liu Yuan's fourth son, Liu Cong, King of Chu. Among his subordinate generals the most notable was Wang Mi, a native of Donglai on the eastern coast (and so not a “barbarian”). In 306 Wang Mi had joined the local rebellion of Liu Bogen. When Bogen was defeated, he took refuge in the mountains and became a bandit leader. In 308 Wang Mi led his army west across the plains, sacked Xuchang and attacked Luoyang. When his attack on Luoyang failed, he crossed the He and pledged allegiance to Han. Liu Cong's other chief supporters tended to come from either the royal Liu clan, or the Huyan clan. Liu Yuan's mother came from the Huyan, and clearly this was an important clan, tightly connected with the Liu.

Launch of the first? campaign, defeat of Cao Wu.

Jin's 3rd Year of Yongjia, Han's 1st Year of Herui, 8th Month (21 September – 19 October 309), Liu Yuan ordered Liu Cong to attack Luoyang (ZZTJ) together with Wang Mi, and with his cousin Liu Yao and Zhao Gu as rear support (JS101, Note 1). The Han armies were by this point plundering Henei and Ji commanderies on the north bank of Yellow River, but attempting to cross the river here would have been too difficult in the face of the imperial Jin armies. Instead Liu Cong would cross closer to Pingyang, and then descend through the mountain passes to attack Luoyang from the west.

Sima Yue dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu (JS101, ZZTJ), with Generals Song Chou and Peng Mo (JS101), to stop him. Cao Wu positioned at Dayang (JS100) near the Shan pass, presumably to prevent Liu Cong from crossing. However Liu Cong defeated Peng Mo, who was killed (JS100), and the Jin army withdrew (JS100, JS101, ZZTJ).

(Note 1: Liu Cong is the only Han commander named by ZZTJ for this campaign. JS101 states the Han army was commanded by Liu Cong and Wang Mi, with Liu Yao and Zhao Gu as rear support. However JS100 states that while Cao Wu was at Danyang to confront Liu Cong, Pei Xian was at Baima to confront Wang Mi. One possibility is that Wang Mi only joined up with Liu Cong later.)

Battle at Yiyang, Liu Cong defeated in night attack, as told by JS101 and ZZTJ

After routing Cao Wu, Liu Cong crossed the He and advanced eastwards to arrive at Yiyang. Yiyang  was located on the Luo river west of Luoyang.

Sima Mo (Note 2) dispatched an army from Chang'an commanded by Chunyu Ding and Lü Yi to stop Liu Cong, but in a battle at Yiyang they were also defeated (JS101). Liu Cong grew lax from his continuous victories, and failed to put his army camp in proper readiness.

In the 9th Month (20 October – 18 November) (ZZTJ), Jin's Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, feigned surrender, and attacked Liu Cong in a night raid. Liu Cong was greatly defeated and forced to withdraw (JS101, ZZTJ). It is said that Liu Yuan greeted the returning army clad in white (i.e. mourning) clothes (JS101), which implies that Liu Cong had retreated all the way back to Pingyang.

(Note 2: JS101 calls titles Sima Mo as Duke of Pingchang. This seems to be a simple mistake. Sima Mo had earlier been titled Duke of Pingchang, but in 306 was advanced to King of Nanyang.)

Junyi besieged by Liu Cong, conflicting information from JS005

JS005 has no entries for the 8th Month of Yongjia 3, which does not necessarily mean anything, as the benji chapters are very concise.

Under the 9th Month JS005 states that on 20 October), Liu Cong besieged Junyi. Cao Wu was dispatched to deal with him. On 31 October, the Jin army was defeated (JS005). JS005 then moves on to Liu Cong's siege of Luoyang, described in detail further below.

Junyi is a county in Chenliu, to the east of Luoyang. While it is not explicitly stated by JS005, 20 October was the first day of the 9th Month. Liu Cong could of course have moved east from Yiyang and bypassed Luoyang, but how does this fit in with his supposed defeat by Yuan Yan? I don't known. ZZTJ ignores these entries entirely.

Launch of the second campaign

In winter, the 10th Month [19 November – 17 December], Liu Yuan again sent Liu Cong together with Wang Mi, Liu Yao, Dragon Galloping General and King of Shi'an, and Liu Jing, King of Ruyin, to attack Luoyang with a cavalry army (Note 3). Huyan Yi, Great Minister of Works and Duke of Yanmen, with an infantry force was to provide rear support (JS101, ZZTJ). Based on later events, it seems he was stationed at Dayang. His task was probably then to protect Han communications across the He.

On 9 December Liu Cong once again arrived at Yiyang with his army, causing consternation in the Jin capital where they had not expect him to return so soon (ZZTJ). From Yiyang, Liu Cong continued east to Henan where he defeated a Jin army (JS101). It must have been around this time that Sima Yue returned to Luoyang from Puyang to defend the imperial capital. (JS005)

(Note 3: JS101 and ZZTJ call it 50 000 of the finest cavalry, JS100 puts it at 10 000 cavalry. It is probably best not to focus too much on these numbers.)

A long digression on Liu Tun, JS045 and JS100

Wang Mi's biography does not mention any reversals for the Han armies, or any need to relaunch the campaign, one possibility is that these details have been omitted from JS100's much briefer treatment. Instead JS100 simply states that Liu Cong, after defeating Cao Wu, crossed the Yellow River. Jin armies under the Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, General Song Chou and others were sent against him without success. Liu Cong and Wang Mi then attacked Luoyang with 10 000 cavalry, and burnt the Two Schools.

Liu Tun had been Minister of Retainers since the time of Emperor Hui. As already described above, JS101 states that Liu Cong at the beginning of the first campaign defeated an army led by Cao Wu, Song Chou and Peng Mo. JS101 states Liu Cong that first defeated Cao Wu and Peng Mo, and Peng Mo was killed, and then defeated Liu Tun and Song Chou. It is possible that JS101 has merged the defeat of Cao Wu and Peng Mo and the defeat of Liu Tun and Song Chou into the common defeat of Cao Wu, Song Chou and Peng Mo. In this case Liu Tun's defeat must have taken place early in the first campaign before Liu Cong arrived at Yiyang. On the other hand I don't think there is any real reason why Song Chou could not have served under Cao Wu first, but being omitted from JS100, and then under Liu Tun later. In that case Liu Tun's defeat could have come much later.

Liu Tun has his own biography in JS045, but the relevant sections are difficult to reconcile with the other texts. First there is a story that Liu Tun once set off with a large retinue of guests and relatives for a visit to the family grave. The Prefect of Luoyang, Wang Leng, told Sima Yue that Liu Tun was planning to defect to Wang Mi, who came from the same commandery, Donglai, as him. Sima Yue sent some cavalry to chase after Liu Tun, to his shame when the truth came to light.

This episode is dated by JS045 to the time when Liu Cong and Wang Mi were in Hedong, which should place it somewhere between Han's capture of Hedong and Liu Cong's crossing of the Yellow River. One potential issue with the historicity of the whole episode is that it seems to require Sima Yue to have been in Luoyang. However JS005 gives the impression that Sima Yue was at Puyang for this whole period and only returned to Luoyang when the city was directly threatened.

JS045 follows this story with a summary of Liu Tun's career during the remainder of Emperor Huai's reign. When Liu Yao threatened Luoyang, Liu Tan was appointed General who Consoles the Army and commander of the capital's defences. Liu Yao withdrew. Liu Tun then moved to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, but was shunted off by a suspicious Sima Yue into an essentially honorary court position. Later on he was restored to Minister of Retainers by Emperor Huai.

On first impression this straightforward enough, but again there are some issues. First of all I am not aware of any operations against Luoyang led by Liu Yao before the summer of 311, by which time Sima Yue was dead. It could of course refer to something otherwise unrecorded, but I think it is possible that it actually refer to Liu Cong's attack on Luoyang in 309, which Liu Yao took part in. It would make sense for someone like Liu Tun to be made commander of the defence of the capital in Sima Yue's absence. It would also fit with JS100's statement that Liu Cong defeated Liu Tun after crossing the He, JS045 has just omitted Liu Tun's defeat as irrelevant. I don't think it is a problem either that JS100 titles Liu Tun as Minister of Retainers rather than General who Consoles the Army, since his generalship was an emergency appointment.

This theory is however contradicted by JS005. According to JS005, Sima Yue's brother, Sima Jian, King of Gaomi and military commander at Xiangyang, died on 5 April 309. The court appointed the Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing, Shan Jian, as military commander at Xiangyang to replace Sima Jian, and the Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, as Supervisor of the Left to replace Shan Jian. If Liu Tun became Supervisor of the Left already in April 309, then he cannot have been Minister of Retainers when Liu Cong invaded in December 309. What I am not certain about is how soon after Sima Jian's death Liu Tun's appointment took place. Surely should have taken some time to pick a successor for Sima Jian and then for Shan Jian?

My theory is therefore, though involves a large amount of speculations and is also partly contradicted by the sources, that when Liu Cong unexpectedly appeared at Yiyang on 9 December, the court turned to Liu Tun to lead the defences. And it was an army under Liu Tun's command that Liu Cong defeated at Henan.

Siege of Luoyang, first phase

On 14 December, Liu Cong arrived with his army before Luoyang and camped outside the Ximing Gate (JS005, JS101, ZZTJ). That night the Jin launched a night attack, either led by the Army Protector Jia Yin (JS101) or Beigong Chun (ZZTJ). The Jin forces set out from the Daxia Gate (JS101) and attacked the Han encampments (ZZTJ) where they killed Han's General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Huyan Hao (JS101, ZZTJ, Note 4).

Next day, 15 December, Liu Cong withdrew south to the Luo river where he made a fortified camp (JS101, ZZTJ). On 18 December (Note 5) Huyan Yi was killed by his own men, and his forces dispersed from Dayang (ZZTJ). According to ZZTJ, Huyan Yi received the posthumous title of “Stern and Solemn” (guangmu), he might not have been the ideal boss.

After these reversals Liu Yuan ordered the army to return, however Liu Cong successfully argued that the Jin forces were small and that they should not let the deaths of Huyan Hao and Huyan Yi deter them from continuing the attack.

(Note 4: JS101 states that Huyan Hao's forces dispersed as a result, but this seems to be a conflation with the fate Huyan Yi's army, as described by ZZTJ.)

(Note 5: ZZTJ dates Liu Cong's move south to the Luo to renxu (day 59 in the 60-day cycle), Huyan Yi's death to yichou (day 2) and Liu Cong's excursion to Mount Song to wuyin (day 15), all in the 10th Month. However there was no yichou or wuyin days in Yongjia 3, Month 10, which should have ended on jiazi (day 1). I think the explanation for this is simply that Sima Guang's source has failed to record the start of the 11th Month between renxu and yichou. The first date actually recorded in the ZZTJ under the 11th Month is Liu Cong's return to Pingyang on jiashen (day 21). Everything fits perfectly if Huyan Yi's death and the trip to Mount Song are assumed to have taken place in the 11th Month.)

Siege of Luoyang, second phase

After presumably reorganizing his forces, Liu Cong returned to the renew the attack. This time he made camp outside the Xuanyang Gate, Liu Yao camped outside the Shangdong Gate, Wang Mi outside the Guangyang Gate, while Liu Jing attacked the Daxia Gate (JS101). Based on the positions of these gates, it seems the Han armies were now threatening Luoyang from all sides.

On 31 December Liu Cong went to personally pray at the holy Mount Song, he left behind Liu Li, King of Anyang and General who Pacifies the Jin, and Huyan Lang, General of the Best of the Army, to command the Han forces in his absence (JS101, ZZTJ). While this is not explicitly stated, I assume they were only put in command of the forces directly under Liu Cong at the Xuanyang Gate, and that Wang Mi and Liu Yao were still in command and present at their own camps.

Jin's Army Advisor to the Grand Tutor, Sun Xun suggested to Sima Yue that this would be the perfect opportunity for a counter-attack (ZZTJ). Sima Yue ordered Sun Xun, together with Generals Qiu Guang and Lou Pou, to sally out with a force of 3 000 men from his personal retinue (JS101). They set out from the Xuanyang Gate, and routed the Han army camped outside it. Huyan Lang was killed  (JS005, JS101, ZZTJ), making him the third Huyan to fall. Liu Cong hurried back but it was too late. Liu Li feared he would take the blame and drowned himself in the river. (JS101, ZZTJ)

Wang Mi now, according to the common account of JS101 and ZZTJ, advised Liu Cong that it would be best to abandon the attack on Luoyang for now. The Jin defenders were still strong, provisions were few and the supply train was still at the Shan pass. Instead Liu Cong should return to Pingyang with Liu Yao and prepare a new army. Meanwhile Wang Mi would stay behind in Yan and Yu provinces and store up provisions, presumably by plundering. (JS101, ZZTJ) Liu Cong however, because his earlier request to continue, was reluctant to give up (ZZTJ).

Meanwhile back in Pingyang, Liu Yuan's astrologer Xuanyu Xiuzhi had divined that Luoyang would only fall in a xinwei year, and that the Han army would be defeated if it did not return. Liu Yuan then sent out his Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, Fu Xun, to summon Liu Cong to come back.

Siege of Luoyang, third phase? More contradictions from JS005

JS101 and ZZTJ end their account with Xuanyu Xiuzhi's prophecy and the summons from Liu Yuan. Liu Cong and Liu Yuan returned to Pingyang on 6 January 310 (ZZTJ). Based on JS005 however, it seems fighting might continued for a while after the battle at Xuanyang Gate. The author JS101 and ZZTJ's source might have left this out to not detract from Wang Mi's practical and Xuanyu Xiuzhi's mystic advise, or authors of JS005 might just have been confused and muddled things together.

JS005's treatment of the whole siege is as expected quite brief. According to it, sometime after Sima Yue's return to the capital, Liu Cong arrived at the Ximing Gate. Sima Yue and Liu Cong fought a battle outside the Xuanyang Gate and Liu Cong was defeated. As a brief summary nothing here contradicts JS101 or ZZTJ.

JS005 then says that the Jin sent the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, and the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, against Liu Cong. However the Jin army was defeated and Wang Kan fled back to capital. Cao Wu certainly gets defeated a lot! Now I suppose if Liu Cong had moved some distance away from Luoyang, it would make sense to speak of his return to the capital afterwards. But it is more tempting to speculate that defeat is the same as Jin defeat dated to 31 October by JS005, and that this entry is a duplicate. However as discussed above, that battle is also difficult to fit in.

Next, says JS005, Liu Cong attacked Luoyang's Ximing Gate but did not prevail. Ignoring Wang Kan, if Liu Cong continued the siege after being defeated at Xuanyang Gate, he could certainly have moved his camp back outside the Ximing Gate. But if Wang Kan's defeat is a duplicate, this could be as well.

JS100 treats the whole siege very briefly. When Liu Cong and Wang Mi showed up outside Luoyang, Sima Yue resisted them at the Ximing Gate. The Han army was defeated and left. This suggest that the final battles of the siege took place at the Ximing Gate. However since the battle at the Xuanyang gate is ignored, it might as well refer to Liu Cong's arrival at the Ximing Gate at the beginning of the siege.

JS005 then says that in the 11th Month the Beg-to-Live leaders Li Yun and Bo Sheng led their army to the relief of Luoyang, and Liu Cong then withdrew and left. And with this we seem to be on safer ground.

Wang Mi defeated at Xinji. Li Yun and Bo Sheng's role in the end of the siege.

As he had advised, when Liu Cong abandoned the siege, Wang Mi did not accompany him back to Pingyang, but instead set out south through the Huanyuan pass to start the work of piling up provisions (JS101, ZZTJ). However Sima Yue sent out an army led by either Bo Sheng (JS101) or Li Yun (JS005) (Note 6), and they defeated Wang Mi at Xinji in Yingchuan (JS005).

If, as JS101 says, Sima Yue could sent Bo Sheng to chase after Wang Mi, it makes sense, as JS005 claims, that Li Yun and Bo Sheng had come to Luoyang with a relief army before Liu Cong's withdrawal. If this was the case, then real reason why Liu Cong had to retreat was the arrival of enemy reinforcements rather than Xuanyu Xiuzhi's prophecy. This however makes for less neat and instructive to the story.

(Note 6: Since Li Yun and Bo Sheng were both commanders in the same army, the disagreement between JS005 and JS101 on who led the Jin army at Xinji does not seem a critical problem.)

Postscript

Liu Yuan died of illness in 310. His oldest son and chosen successor, Liu He, ruled for only a few days before Liu Cong deposed him and enthroned himself as Emperor of Han. Liu Cong ruled until his own death in 318.

Sima Yue died 23 April 311 and what remained of the Jin empire crumbled quickly after that. On 13 July 311 Wang Mi and Liu Yao entered Luoyang, which by this point was ravaged by famine and almost undefended. They plundered the city and brought Emperor Huai a captive back to Pingyang. 311 was a xinwei year, so everything had predictably gone just as as Xuanyu Xiuzhi had predicted. Emperor Huai was eventually executed by Liu Cong in 313.

Following the fall of Luoyang, Wang Mi fell out with Shi Le, and was killed by him at a banquet in November 311.

Translations

Note that JS refers to Liu Yuan劉淵 as Liu Yuanhai 劉元海, his courtesy name, to observe the Tang taboo on 淵, the name of Tang Gaozu.

JS005, Basic Annals of Emperor Huai

9th Month [20 October – 18 November], bingyin [20 October 309], Liu Cong besieged Junyi. Dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu to punish him.

On the day dingchou [31 October], the royal regiments achieved defeat.

The King of Donghai, Yue, entered to defend the capital city. Cong arrived at the Ximing gate. Yue defended against him, and in a battle outside the Xuanyang Gate greatly routed him.

…

Sent the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, and the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, to punish Liu Cong. The royal regiments achieved defeat. Kan fled and returned to the capital.

…

Liu Cong attacked Luoyang's Ximing gate, but did not overcome [it].

Winter, 11th Month, the Beg-to-Live leaders, Li Yun, Bo Sheng, and others led the multitudes to aid the Imperial Capital. Cong withdrew and left.

Yun and others again routed Wang Mi at Xinji.

九月丙寅，劉聰圍浚儀，遣平北將軍曹武討之。丁丑，王師敗績。東海王越人保京城。聰至西明門，越禦之，戰于宣陽門外，大破之。… 使車騎將軍王堪、平北將軍曹武討劉聰，王師敗績，堪奔還京師。… 劉聰攻洛陽西明門，不克。

冬十一月 … 乞活帥李惲、薄盛等帥眾救京師，聰退走。惲等又破王彌於新汲。

JS045, Biography of Liu Tun

Tun's wife had previously passed on, and was first buried in an accompanying tomb. His son Gengsheng [?] was newly married. In the family law, the wives had to do obeisance at the grave. The guests and relatives who followed along had several tens of vehicles. They loaded alcohol and food, and went.

Before this, the Prefect of Luoyang, Wang Leng, was trusted by Yue, and made light of Tun. Tun always desired to restrain him. Leng considered him an enemy. At the time Liu Cong and Wang Mi garrisoned Hedong, the Imperial District was endangered and in fear. Leng reported to Yue, stating Tun was a countryman of Mi and desired to throw in with him. Yue made ready cavalry wanting to pursue Tun. The Senior Clerk of the Right, Fu Xuan clarified Tun would not do so. Tun heard about it. He had not yet reached the grave when he turned around, and accordingly with proper righteousness called Yue into account. Yue was considerably ashamed.

When Liu Yao robbed the Imperial Capital, used Tun as General who Consoles the Army, Acting with the Tally, Commander-in-chief of All Army Affairs of the City Defences. Yao withdrew. He moved to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.

Yue dreaded Tun for his long-time duties in supervision and managing, and also that he was admired in the multitudes' feelings, therefore used him as Brilliantly Blessed Grandee of the Right, acting Junior Tutor to the Heir-Apparent, concurrently Cavalier in Regular Attendance. Outwardly he showed honour and advancement, but in truth he took away his authority. Emperor Huai again decreed Tun to act as Commandant of Guards, concurrently Specially Advanced. Later he then used Tun as Minister of Retainers, concurrently Palace Attendant. Tun for five [times?, years?] was Minister of Retainers, he indeed united the reasons of matters and feelings [?].

暾妻前卒，先陪陵葬。子更生初婚，家法，婦當拜墓，攜賓客親屬數十乘，載酒食而行。先是，洛陽令王棱為越所信，而輕暾，暾每欲繩之，棱以為怨。時劉聰、王彌屯河北，京邑危懼。棱告越，云暾與彌鄉親而欲投之。越嚴騎將追暾，右長史傅宣明暾不然。暾聞之，未至墓而反，以正義責越，越甚慚。

及劉曜寇京師，以暾為撫軍將軍、假節、都督城守諸軍事。曜退，遷尚書僕射。越憚暾久居監司，又為眾情所歸，乃以為右光祿大夫，領太子少傅，加散騎常侍。外示崇進，實奪其權。懷帝又詔暾領衛尉，加特進。後復以暾為司隸，加侍中。暾五為司隸，允協物情故也。

JS100, Biography of Wang Mi

Emperor Huai dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Pei Xian to stay at Baima to punish [Wang] Mi, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, to stay at Dongyan to punish [Shi] Le, the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu to stay at Dayang to punish [Liu] Yuanhai. Wu's section General Peng Mo was defeated by Liu Cong and murdered. The multitude armies all withdrew.

Cong crossed the Yellow River. The Emperor dispatched the Colonel Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, General Song Chou, and others to resist him. None were able to withstand. Mi and Cong used 10 000 cavalry to reach the Imperial Capital, and burnt the Two Schools. The King of Donghai, Yue, resisted in battle at the Ximing Gate. Mi and others were defeated and left.

懷帝遣北中郎將裴憲次白馬討彌，車騎將軍王堪次東燕討勒，平北將軍曹武次大陽討元海。武部將軍彭默為劉聰所敗，見害，眾軍皆退。聰渡黃河，帝遣司隸校尉劉暾、將軍宋抽等距之，皆不能抗。彌、聰以萬騎至京城，焚二學。東海王越距戰於西明門，彌等敗走。

JS101, Yearly Annals of Liu Yuanhai

Hence he instructed his son Cong and Wang Mi to advance and rob Luoyang, Liu Yao with Zhao Gu and others to be their rear support. The King of Donghai, Yue, dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, and Generals Song Chou, Peng Mo, and others to resist them. The kingly host achieved defeat. Cong and others pushed deep to reach Yiyang.

The Duke of Pingchang, Mo, dispatched generals Chunyu Ding, Lü Yi and others from Chang'an to punish them. They fought at Yiyang, Ding and others achieved defeat. Cong relied on continuous victory, and did not make preparations. The Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, feigned surrender. In a night raid, Cong's army was greatly defeated and turned back. Yuanhai in white clothes greeted the host.

That winter, he then greatly sent out soldiers. He dispatched Cong and Mi, with Liu Yao, Liu Jing and others to lead 50 000 of the finest cavalry to rob Luoyang. He sent Huyan Yi to lead foot soldiers to support them. They defeated the kingly host at [or “in”] Henan. Cong advanced to garrison at the Ximing Gate. The Army-Protector Jia Yin at night pushed [?] him, They fought at the Daxia Gate. He beheaded Cong's general Huyan Hao. His multitudes thereupon dispersed.

Cong turned around the army and went south. He walled up at the Luo river, and soon after advanced to garrison at the Xuanyang Gate. Yao garrisoned at the Shangdong Gate. Mi garrisoned at the Guangyang Gate. Jing attacked the Daxia Gate. Cong personally prayed at Song Peak, and ordered his generals, Liu Li, Huyan Lang, and others, to direct and stay with the army.

The King of Donghai, Yue, instructed Army Advisor Sun Xun, Generals Qiu Guang, Lou Pou, and others to lead 3 000 strong soldiers beneath the tent. They struck Lang from the Xuanyang Gate, and beheaded him. Cong heard and hurried back. Li feared Cong would punish him, took himself into the river and died.

Wang Mi spoke to Cong, saying:

Now [we] have already lost the advantage, Luoyang is still strong. Your Highness, it is not as good as turning back the host, and calmly be raising up in the rear. Your Subordinate will gather troops and store up grain in Yan and Yu. [I will] humbly listen for [?]  and make ready for the rendezvous.

Xuanyu Xiuzhi again talked to Yuanhai, saying:

[When] the year is xinwei, [we] will obtain Luoyang. Now the airs of Jin are still abundant. [If] the Great Army does not return, it will surely be defeated.

Yuanhai swiftly dispatched the Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Fu Xun to summon Cong and others to turn back with the host.

Wang Mi set out from Huanyuan. Yue dispatched Bo Sheng and others to pursue and strike Mi. They fought at Xinji. Mi's host achieved defeat. Hence he gathered in the guard posts of Puban, and turned back to Pingyang.

於是命其子聰與王彌進寇洛陽，劉曜與趙固等為之後繼。東海王越遣平北將軍曹武、將軍宋抽、彭默等距之，王師敗績。聰等長驅至宜陽，平昌公模遣將軍淳于定、呂毅等自長安討之，戰于宜陽，定等敗績。聰恃連勝，不設備，弘農太守垣延詐降。夜襲，聰軍大敗而還，元海素服迎師。

是冬，復大發卒，遣聰、彌與劉曜、劉景等率精騎五萬寇洛陽，使呼延翼率步卒繼之，敗王師於河南。聰進屯于西明門，護軍賈胤夜薄之，戰于大夏門，斬聰將呼延顥，其眾遂潰。聰迴軍而南。壁於洛水，尋進屯宣陽門，曜屯上東門，彌屯廣陽門，景攻大夏門，聰親祈嵩嶽，令其將劉厲、呼延朗等督留軍。東海王越命參軍孫詢、將軍丘光、樓裒等率帳下勁卒三千，自宣陽門擊朗，斬之。聰聞而馳還。厲懼聰之罪己也，赴水而死。王彌謂聰曰：「今既失利，洛陽猶固，殿下不如還師，徐為後舉。下官當於袞豫之間收兵積穀，伏聽嚴期。」宣于脩之又言於元海曰：「歲在辛未，當得洛陽。今晉氣猶盛，大軍不歸，必敗。」元海馳遣黃門郎傅詢召聰等還師。王彌出自轘轅，越遣薄盛等追擊彌，戰于新汲，彌師敗績。於是攝薄阪之戍，還於平陽。

ZZTJ87, Yongjia 3

Autumn, 8th Month [21 September – 19 October], the Ruler of Han, Yuan, instructed the King of Chu, Cong, and others to advance and attack Luoyang. Decreed the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, and others, to resist him. All were defeated by Cong.

Cong pushed deep to reach Yiyang. He himself relied on continuous victory, he was negligent and did not make preparations.

9th Month [20 October – 18 November], the Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, feigned surrender. [He made] a night raid on Cong's army. Cong was greatly defeated and turned back.

…

Winter, 10th Month [19 November – 17 December], the Ruler of Han then dispatched the King of Chu, Cong; Wang Mi; the King of Shi'An, Yao; and the King of Ruyin, Jing, to lead 50 000 of the finest cavalry to rob Luoyang. The Great Minister of Works, Duke Gangmu of Yanmen, Huyan Yi, to lead foot soldiers to support them.

On bingchen [9 December], Cong and others reached Yiyang. The Imperial Court, due to the Han troops being recently defeated, did not expect them to arrive again and was greatly fearful.

On xinyou [14 December], Cong garrisoned Ximing Gate. Beigong Chun and others at night led more than a thousand brave soldiers to set out and attack Han's fortifications. He beheaded their General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Huyan Hao.

On renxu [15 December], Cong went south to garrison at the Luo river.

[11th Month,] On yichou [18 December], Huyan Yi was killed by his followers, his multitudes dispersed from Dayang and returned home.

Yuan commanded Cong and others to turn back with the host. Cong petitioned claiming that the Jin troops were few, that he could not for the reasons of Yi and Hao's deaths turn back the host. He firmly requested to stay and attack Luoyang. Yuan allowed it.

The Grand Tutor, Yue, defended himself in the encircled Luoyang [?].

On wuyin [31 December], Cong prayed at Song Mountain. He kept the General who Pacifies the Jin, King Ai of Anyang, Li, and the General of the Best of the Army, Huyan Lang, to direct and administer the staying army. The Army Advisor to the Grand Tutor, Sun Xun persuaded Yue to exploit the absence to set out and strike Lang. He beheaded him. Li took himself into the river and died.

Wang Mi spoke to Cong, saying:

Now the army has already lost the advantage. The defenders of Luoyang are prepared and still strong, the transport chariots are at Shan, the provisions and food do not provide for several days. Your Highness, it is not as good as to turn back to Pingyhang with the Dragon Galloping [General, Yao], bundle up food and send out soldiers, and furthermore be raising up in the rear. Your Subordinate likewise [will] gather soldiers and grain, and await instructions in Yan and Yu. Can it not likewise be done?

Cong himself, due to requesting to stay, did not yet dare to turn back.

Xuanyu Xiuzhi talked to Yuan, saying:

[When] the year is xinwei, then [we will] obtain Luoyang. Now the airs of Jin are still abundant. [If] the Great Army does not return, it will surely be defeated.

Yuan therefore summoned Cong and others to turn back.

…

11th Month, jiashen [6 January], Han's King of Chu, Cong, and King of Shi'an, Yao, returned home to Pingyang.

Wang Mi to the south set out [from] Huanyuan.

秋，八月，漢主淵命楚王聰等進攻洛陽；詔平北將軍曹武等拒之，皆爲聰所敗。聰長驅至宜陽，自恃驟勝，怠不設備。九月，弘農太守垣延詐降，夜襲聰軍，聰大敗而還。

…

冬，十月，漢主淵復遣楚王聰、王彌、始安王曜、汝陰王景帥精騎五萬寇洛陽，大司空鴈門剛穆公呼延翼帥步卒繼之。丙辰，聰等至宜陽。朝廷以漢兵新敗，不意其復至，大懼。辛酉，聰屯西明門。北宮純等夜帥勇士千餘人出攻漢壁，斬其征虜將軍呼延顥。壬戌，聰南屯洛水。乙丑，呼延翼爲其下所殺，其衆自大陽潰歸。淵敕聰等還師；聰表稱晉兵微弱，不可以翼、顥死故還師，固請留攻洛陽，淵許之。太傅越嬰城自守。戊寅，聰親祈嵩山，留平晉將軍安陽哀王厲、冠軍將軍呼延朗督攝留軍；太傅參軍孫詢說越乘虛出擊朗，斬之，厲赴水死。王彌謂聰曰︰「今軍旣失利，洛陽守備猶固，運車在陝，糧食不支數日。殿下不如與龍驤還平陽，裹糧發卒，更爲後舉；下官亦收兵穀，待命於兗、豫，不亦可乎！」聰自以請留，未敢還。宣于脩之言於淵曰︰「歲在辛未，乃得洛陽。今晉氣猶盛，大軍不歸，必敗。」淵乃召聰等還。

…

十一月，甲申，漢楚王聰、始安王曜歸于平陽。王彌南出轘轅，

#js005 #js045 #js100 #js101

[outpostsofbabel]

Demigods and Semi-devils, Chapter V (XIII)

The seven Boundless Sword disciples were piled one on top of the other, squeezed into the narrow doorway. Virtually buried beneath them was Duan Yu, who could barely draw breath under their weight. Seeing that the only way out of the mess would be to admit defeat, he cried out: “Alright, I won’t try to escape! Get off me!” 

Their internal energy was flooding into him, causing a heaviness in his belly. At the same time, he felt as though his chest was on the verge of splitting apart. He had long abandoned any idea of trying to pry Yu Guangbiao’s fingers off him, but now, the other man’s fingers were crushing his. He couldn’t move an inch. “You’re going to crush me to death!” he cried.

Yu Guangbiao and Wu Guangsheng were panting feebly, while the other five men had completely lost their heads in their panic. They desperately channelled more energy to their weakening limbs, only to have it flow away even more quickly.

Everyone was shouting, with no one able to hear what anyone else was saying. Gradually, the voices dwindled as their owners weakened, until only Duan Yu continued to shout: “Let go of me, you’re suffocating me, I won’t try to run!” With every shout, the heaviness in his chest seemed to ease slightly. Although his voice grew hoarse, his strength did not ebb. Each shout was filled with vigour and louder than the one before it.

Suddenly, another voice began shouting orders. “That evil witch has stolen my child! We need to stop her! You four, cut off the main exit. You three, up on the roof and keep watch. You four, block the east door. The five of you, block the west door. D-don’t let that woman get away with my child!” Although it seemed to be in charge, the voice was filled with anxiety.

Duan Yu recognised the voice as belonging to Zuo Zimu. What woman is he talking about? A strange thought surfaced. Ah, Miss Mu must have come to rescue me. She must have abducted his son and hopes to exchange him for me. What a great strategy. He stopped yelling and calmed down, realising as he did so that Yu Guangbiao’s grip on his wrist had loosened. He struggled hard and managed to get free.

Excellent. Their master’s son has been taken by Miss Mu, and everyone will be in too much of a panic to notice that I’ve slipped away. As he clambered out from under the pile of bodies, he wondered why they continued to lie so still. They must be afraid of getting admonished by their master, so they are pretending to be injured, he thought. He was too preoccupied with getting away to realise that this explanation made no sense at all. Even as he dashed to freedom, he would never have suspected that the internal energy of seven members of the Boundless Sword was now in his body.

---

Duan Yu made a mad dash to the back of the house. All his fancy footwork was completely forgotten, and the poetry of Cao Zhi was just so much nonsense at that moment. He ran like a dog that had just lost its masters, with all the panic of a fish that has just found itself in a net. Around him, the disciples of the Boundless Sword were running around with long swords in their hands. “Don’t let that witch go!” one shouted. “Get our little master back!” another yelled. “You go there, I’ll stay here!”

It seems that Miss Mu has changed her strategy, Duan Yu thought, his mind racing through the well-known principles of military strategy. She started with Swapping A Horse for a General, and now she’s using Baiting the Tiger off the Mountain. Amazing. Now, I must use the thirty-sixth strategem. He dived into a thicket of grass, crawling on his hands and feet. Now, isn’t this the definition of Lightly Crawling Over the Waves?

The shouts behind him grew fainter, and no one seemed to be in pursuit. Duan Yu stood up and sprinted towards the dense forest in front of him. After sprinting for some time, he found that he was not winded at all. Strange, he thought. I had better calm myself down, or I’ll run out of strength all too soon. He sat down beneath a tree to catch his breath, but found himself completely energised. In fact, he almost felt as though he had too much energy. What need did he have of rest?

When man encounters good fortune, his spirit is energised, Duan Yu thought Yet this is ultimately unsustainable. He considered the trigram Zhen, meaning to Shake. It is often said that he who does not chase after something, will gain it in seven days. This is the seventh day of my captivity. And the saying is clearly warning me that I should be cautious. Duan Yu channelled his inner energies towards his Yin and Lung Meridians, but there was simply too much of it. This is not good. There must be some great danger here.

As the weight in his chest had eased somewhat, Duan Yu got up to begin walking again. How am I going to find Miss Mu and let her know I’m free? I need to tell her that she can return Zuo Zimu’s son to him, so that he won’t have to keep fretting about it.

After walking several miles, Duan Yu heard a high-pitched chirping sound. As he looked up to see what it was, a grey shape darted across the path in front of him. It moved so swiftly that he didn’t have the chance to see what it was. But he knew that only one thing moved like lightning - Zhong Ling’s lightning marten.

Miss Zhong has gone all over the place looking for you! Duan Yu thought, delighted. And there you are at last. I’ll take you to your little mistress, she’ll be overjoyed to have you back. He pursed his lips and whistled just as Zhong Ling had. 

A little animal leapt down from a tree, landing several feet away from him on the broad path. Its restless eyes fixed on Duan Yu. It was the lightning marten. Duan Yu whistled again. The marten took two steps forward, then crouched on the ground unmoving.

“Good marten, nice marten,” Duan Yu called. “I’m going to bring you back to your mistress.” He whistled again, taking several steps forward. The marten remained motionless. Duan Yu had stroked the marten before, and he knew that even though it moved like the wind and had poisonous fangs, it was completely tame and docile with its owner. Its bright eyes were darting back and forth, and it looked adorable.

Duan Yu whistled again, advancing several paces. He crouched down, saying softly: “Good marten.” Then he slowly stretched out a hand to stroke the animal. It didn’t move. Brushing its shiny pelt with his fingers, Duan Yu said: “Good marten, let’s go home!” He reached out with his other hand, picking the marten up.

A split second later, his hands were knocked aside and he felt a sharp pain in his left leg. The marten, in a grey blur, had leapt several paces away and was now watching him curiously. “Ah! You bit me!” There was a little hole in his left trouser leg. Pulling the cloth aside, he saw two rows of teeth marks in the flesh of his thigh. The wound was already welling with fresh blood.

[mklopez]

I'm watching Chilling Adventures of Sabrina 2x14 "Chapter Thirty-Four: The Returned" #CAOS

#trakt

[tanishador-blog]

Ten Interesting Chinese Novels

 1) Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

“In this enchanting tale about the magic of reading and the wonder of romantic awakening, two hapless city boys are exiled to a remote mountain village for reeducation during China's infamous Cultural Revolution. There they meet the daughter of the local tailor and discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation. As they flirt with the seamstress and secretly devour these banned works, they find transit from their grim surroundings to worlds they never imagined.” (Goodreads)

2) The Joy Luck Club

“In 1949, four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and talk. United in shared loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club. With wit and wisdom, Amy Tan examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between these four women and their American-born daughters. As each reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined” ( Goodreads)

3) Waiting

“Ha Jin draws on his intimate knowledge of contemporary China to create a novel of unexpected richness and feeling. Waiting, PEN/Hemingway Award-winning author Ha Jin draws on his intimate knowledge of contemporary China to create a novel of unexpected richness and feeling. This is the story of Lin Kong, a man living in two worlds, struggling with the conflicting claims of two utterly different women as he moves through the political minefields of a society designed to regulate his every move and stifle the promptings of his innermost heart.

For more than seventeen years, this devoted and ambitious doctor has been in love with an educated, clever, modern woman, Manna Wu. But back in the traditional world of his home village lives the wife his family chose for him when he was young--a humble and touchingly loyal woman, whom he visits in order to ask, again and again, for a divorce. In a culture in which the ancient ties of tradition and family still hold sway and where adultery discovered by the Party can ruin lives forever, Lin's passionate love is stretched ever more taut by the passing years. Every summer, his compliant wife agrees to a divorce but then backs out. This time, Lin promises, will be different.

Tracing these lives through their summer of decision and beyond, Ha Jin vividly conjures the texture of daily life in a place where the demands of human longing must contend with the weight of centuries of custom. Waiting charms and startles us with its depiction of a China that remains hidden to Western eyes even as it moves us with its piercing vision of the universal complications of love.” (Goodreads)

4) Shanghai Girls

“Pearl and May are sisters, living carefree lives in Shanghai, the Paris of Asia. But when Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, they set out on the journey of a lifetime, one that will take them through the Chinese countryside, in and out of the clutch of brutal soldiers, and across the Pacific to the shores of America. In 1937, Shanghai is the Paris of Asia, a city of great wealth and glamour, the home of millionaires and beggars, gangsters and gamblers, patriots and revolutionaries, artists and warlords. Thanks to the financial security and material comforts provided by their father’s prosperous rickshaw business, twenty-one-year-old Pearl Chin and her younger sister, May, are having the time of their lives. Though both sisters wave off authority and tradition, they couldn’t be more different: Pearl is a Dragon sign, strong and stubborn, while May is a true Sheep, adorable and placid. Both are beautiful, modern, and carefree . . . until the day their father tells them that he has gambled away their wealth and that in order to repay his debts he must sell the girls as wives to suitors who have traveled from California to find Chinese brides. As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out on the journey of a lifetime, one that will take them through the Chinese countryside, in and out of the clutch of brutal soldiers, and across the Pacific to the shores of America. In Los Angeles they begin a fresh chapter, trying to find love with the strangers they have married, brushing against the seduction of Hollywood, and striving to embrace American life even as they fight against discrimination, brave Communist witch hunts, and find themselves hemmed in by Chinatown’s old ways and rules.” (Goodreads)

5) Peony in Love 

“In seventeenth-century China, three women become emotionally involved with The Peony Pavilion, a famed opera rumored to cause lovesickness and even death, including Peony, the cloistered daughter of a wealthy scholar, who succumbs to its spell only to return after her death as a "hungry ghost" to haunt her former fiancé, who has married another.” (Goodreads)

6) Big Breast and Wide Hips

“In a country where men dominate, this epic novel is first and foremost about women. As the title implies, the female body serves as the book's most important image and metaphor. The protagonist, Mother, is born in 1900. Married at 17 into the Shangguan family, she has nine children, only one of whom is a boy, the narrator of the book, a spoiled and ineffectual child who stands in stark contrast to his eight strong and forceful female siblings. Mother, a survivor, is the quintessential strong woman, who risks her life to save the lives of several of her children and grandchildren. The writing is full of life-picturesque, bawdy, shocking, imaginative. Each of the seven chapters represents a different time period, from the end of the Qing dynasty up through the Japanese invasion in the 1930s, the civil war, the Cultural Revolution, and the post-Mao years. In sum, this stunning novel is Mo Yan's searing vision of 20th-century China.” (Goodreads)

7) The Kitchen God’s Wife

“Winnie and Helen have kept each other's worst secrets for more than fifty years. Now, because she believes she is dying, Helen wants to expose everything. And Winnie angrily determines that she must be the one to tell her daughter, Pearl, about the past—including the terrible truth even Helen does not know. And so begins Winnie's story of her life on a small island outside Shanghai in the 1920s, and other places in China during World War II, and traces the happy and desperate events that led to Winnie's coming to America in 1949.” (Goodreads)

8) Empress Orchid

“To rescue her family from poverty and avoid marrying her slope-shouldered cousin, seventeen-year-old Orchid competes to be one of the Emperor's wives. When she is chosen as a lower-ranking concubine she enters the erotically charged and ritualised Forbidden City. But beneath its immaculate façade lie whispers of murders and ghosts, and the thousands of concubines will stoop to any lengths to bear the Emperor's son. Orchid trains herself in the art of pleasuring a man, bribes her way into the royal bed, and seduces the monarch, drawing the attention of dangerous foes. Little does she know that China will collapse around her, and that she will be its last Empress.”

9) Raise the Red Lantern: Three Novellas

“The brutal realities of the dark places Su Tong depicts in this collection of novellas set in 1930s provincial China -- worlds of prostitution, poverty, and drug addiction -- belie his prose of stunning and simplebeauty. The title novella, "Raise the Red Lantern," which became a critically acclaimed film, tells the story of Lotus, a young woman whose father's suicide forces her to become the concubine of a wealthy merchant. Crushed by loneliness, despair, and cruel treatment, Lotus finds her descent into insanity both a weapon and a refuge. "Nineteen Thirty-Four Escapes" is an account of a family's struggles during one momentous year; plagued by disease, death, and the shady promise of life in a larger town, the family slowly disintegrates. Finally, "Opium Family" details the last years of a landowning clan whose demise is brought about by corruption, lust, and treachery -- fruits of the insidious crop they harvest”(Goodreads)

10) Death of the Red Heroine

“A young “national model worker,” renowned for her adherence to the principles of the Communist Party, turns up dead in a Shanghai canal. As Inspector Chen Cao of the Shanghai Special Cases Bureau struggles to trace the hidden threads of her past, he finds himself challenging the very political forces that have guided his life since birth. Chen must tiptoe around his superiors if he wants to get to the bottom of this crime, and risk his career—perhaps even his life—to see justice done.” (Goodreads)

[thesevenwondersofawitch]

SPOILERS FOR CAOS PART 4

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Returned, episode reaction.

Of course Wardwell is continuing Faustus's work.

Nothing like a good ole scary movie to make out to.

Nick copying Harvey with the chasing Sabrina makes me mad.

Sabrina is acting like a cock blocker for herself. 😂

Annnnnnd she's dead.

WHAT DID SPELLMAN HAVE TO DO?!

I am disturbed by Sabrina preparing to bury her body.

TF FAUSTUS?

I'm not one to say I told you so, so- AMBROSE TOLD YOU SO, SABRINA! IT WOULD TEAR THE UNIVERSE APART, BIT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN, DID YOU? AND NOW THE WORLD IS ENDING (in Mrs. Weasley voice) IT'S ALL YOU'RE FAULT!

Well hello again, Mr. Trinket Man.

I was going to say it would be a bad idea to give him back the Imp, but then again, at least the world didn't try to collapse on itself when he had it in his possession. At least I hope not.

Sabrina, nothing good can come of Pandora's box. Keep your hands in your pockets and do not touch anything.

Oh it's empty.

Well she has to die.

THAT MEANS SALEM WILL DIE TOO! NOOOOOOOOOO!

It really says THE VOID. huh.🤔

Salem's come to tell them.

THEY CAN'T GET HER!

How are they gonna get her soul, I wonder.

THE VOID is talking to her. Cool. 🙂

Isn't Sabrina really just sucking the planets into Pandora's box?

AMBROSE NO!

IT'S NOT OVER, YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT HER THERE, YOU FOOLISH SENTIMENTAL WITCHES!😳

Lilith was watching Sabrina and Nick, creeeeepy.

Mary is sewing Faustus's head back on. Lovely.

Mary gets to be a preacher. Yay.

Vinegar Tom doesn't even like blueberries, and Zelda's love for him makes me so happy.

Lilith has a plan, and I'm here for it.

Caliban is so manipulative, and I am not here for that.

Lilith is suspicious, and that is good.

NOT MR. KINKLE AND HIS BUDIES!

Cool, the candy is gone.

THE CAKE IS GONE TOO.

Zelda has a sweet tooth, which I love.

LUCIFER HAS CONE FOR SABRINA'S BODY.

AND THE VOID HAS COME!

OH NO HARVEY'S DAD!

LILITH KNEW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, DIDN'T SHE!

YEAH STAB HIM WHERE IT HURTS!

Drinking his blood, cool cool cool.

OH SHIT SABRINA SENT PEOPLE AWAY!

Yasssss ALL HAIL QUEEN LILITH!

NOT TODAY SATAN!

Oh dear, Sabrina is a void.

But not void of emotions.

Annnnnnd she's gone.

Again with Ms. Wardwell.

Faustus, seriously?

Oh lord, he's manipulative. But that won't work in the end I shouldn't think.

You know what I would like, Blackwood, to punch you in the face.

Two weeks laterm

I KNEW IT WOULD BE PRUDENCE, AMBROSE! Thought it would also be Hilda and Zelda, but not disappointed to see Agatha and Roz.

SALEM!!😍

The bride of The Void?

I think Sabrina was just bidding her time, and is gonna take out Blackwood.

Is Sabrina gonna eat them.

Agatha has replaced Marie.

FUCK YOU FAUSTUS.

I think Sabrina knew what he was planning, but was bidding her time and when he went to do the sacrifice, she was gonna take him out.

Zelda and Hilda are moods when Ambrose talks to them about the timeframe.

Wtf Nick? What happened?🧐

Ohhhhhh right, I forgot he went to retrieve Sabrina and the box.

Wow, Faustus, so dramatic with that blade.

He's gonna stab Sabrina, fun.

Zelda is gonna get him distracted? Does she have the box?🤔

HE CALLED HER WIFE.

I forgot they were still married, in my mind it was annulled.🤷🏻‍♀️

Eat the dollhouse, Faustus. Eat it.

The box is a fake.😁

His greed got his face melted!

Yeah, Nick! Punch him hard!

THEY'RE INSIDE HER.

Zelda knows what Sabrina is planning, and is not happy about it, and Hilda just caught on.

But her Aunties are gonna help Sabrina.

Sabrina is gonna die, just know it.

Zelda looks ready to cry but is holding it all back.

Sabrina is bleeding milk.

INTO THE UNKOOOOOOOOWN, INTO THE UNKNOOOOOOOWN.

A banshee has come😭

Got rid of Mckenna Grace, did they?

NO SHE'S DYING.

Goodbye Aunt Zee😭

And Aunt Hilda.😭

Hilda knew that Sabrina knew she'd die to save everyone, and damn it all my heart hurts because of it.

Faustus knew all of this. Mary is making me annoyed.

LILITH! IS! WATCHING!

FOR THEY ARE BOTH OUR DAUGHTERS! WHY MUST YOU BREAK MY HEART IN THIS WAY!

And Sabrina has a statue at the academy.

And Hilda and Dr. Cee are moving back into the academy!

Aw Zelda.❤️

YAY PRUDENCE, CUT HIM UP AND SCATTER HIM!

Nick committed suicide? Intentionally? Unintentionally?

THAT'S IT?! That's really how they ended it?

What happened to Judas and Judith? What even was the point of their characters if this is how they were going to be treated. So many questions.

It was quite a lame ending with weak writing, honestly.

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