to strive; to endeavour; to endeavor; to make an effort; to be zealous
master; expert; mansion; large house; rich family; distinguished family
to stop writing; to put down one's pen; to close (a letter)
Censorate (Later Han and Song-dynasty surveillance agency)
impeachment; denunciation; accusation; censure
all; everything; entirety; absolutely (not); (not) at all; (none) whatsoever
administration; governance; the authorities; authority
engine; agency; organisation; system; facility
enforcement of official discipline; tightening of discipline; eliminating corruption among government officials
by means of; due to; because of; according to
to employ; to hire; to charter
thief; robber; burglar; bandit
to attack; to assail; to succeed (someone in a post, role, etc.); to make a sudden visit
to kill; to slay; to suppress; to block; to suppress (a voice, feelings, etc.); to hold back
income; receipts; revenue
usurer; usury; loansharking
astonishing; amazing; surprising; wonderful
draft (for a speech, bill, etc.)
to think, feel, consider, know, etc.
to bend; to curve; to bend (the truth); to falsify; to corrupt; to sully
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
that way; that direction; there; that (one); you; your family
carpenter's square; instigation; suggestion
outline; summary; gist; roughly; about; nearly
to crush (with one's hands); to kill a proposal; to shelve; to table (remove from consideration)
(moral) backbone; spirit; soul; grit
hostility; antagonism; opposition
some; few; somewhat; to a certain extent; (arch.) many; (arch.) a lot
to float; to become merry; to be cheerful; to become loose; to become unsteady; to feel out of it; to be cut off (e.g. from those around you)
friend; ally; supporter; taking sides with; supporting; standing by
chance; start; cue; excuse; motive; impetus
close investigation; careful examination; scrutiny
disquieting; threatening; turbulent; restless; unsettled; disturbing
to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to ascertain; (arch.) to stab to death
one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; No. 18; eighteenth; repertoire of 18 kabuki plays
hobby; pastime; tastes; preference; liking
Ministry of Personnel (Tang-dynasty China)
clearing one's throat; cough