Cannon Fodder: No, I’m not looking for fishes. After more than a month, the mighty waters of the Qing River came into view again. It's called a ferry, but it resembles a small town, complete with inns, tea houses, and restaurants. There are places frequented by wealthy merchants, as well as tea stalls for the… Continue reading Fish 173: Governing Brings Order, Chaos Brings Disorder

Mo Li: I won't ask; troubles are bound to arise anyway. The Vice Minister of War left in a disheveled state, with the onlookers busy discussing among themselves, hardly anyone noticed the unfortunate scholar who fell off the carriage. The scholar twisted his right foot, he endured the pain and got up, trying hard to… Continue reading Fish 172: Roadblocks for the People

Only this one path exists OR blocked on the road After about an hour of "fierce struggle," the crowd gradually thinned, and Lu Min couldn't help but wipe away a cold sweat, his previous longing for the civilian life of the capital turned into horror. Along this road, the carriage moved through perilous situations. The… Continue reading Fish 171: Where Profits Are, There Is But One Road

Yet the world's frivolity blinds. On the third day of March, the weather anew, by the waters of Chang'an, beauty in view. Carriages adorned with spring blossoms of every hue meander by the river's side, where willows weep and kites in the sky glide. From afar, the pavilions and screens, like clouds in colorful dreams,… Continue reading Fish 170: The Desires of the People Are Vast

Yet Gong Jun had already seen through everything. Mo Li entered the hall with a composed expression. Although he saw Liu Dan and Gong Jun, he did not show any surprise. His gaze swept over them and moved on as if he did not recognize these two. A shadow flashed by his feet, and watching… Continue reading Fish 169: The Form of Power

One Hundred Ways to Leverage Threats for Advantage The medicinal scent was thick in the sleeping chamber. Lu Min reclined against the soft pillow, half-closing his eyes as he drank the medicine. When he placed the bowl down, his hand was somewhat unsteady, and the bowl nearly knocked against the lacquered tray. The palace servant,… Continue reading Fish 168: What’s Going To Happen

Paying for the Bed In this sleep, Mo Li slept very deeply. It had been a long time since he had been able to lie down on a bed and rest properly, and sleepiness clung to him like a quagmire, refusing to let go. In his dream, he was still in Zhushan County, with the… Continue reading Fish 167: Moved By A Sense of Nostalgia

Regardless, one must seek a position by the nobleman's side, even if it means feigning sleep to secure it. According to the habit of historians, this night must be described in vivid detail, starting from the bombardment of the inner city palace gates, to the death of the Qi Emperor, Lu Zhang, under chaotic blades,… Continue reading Fish 166: Achieving a Position by Improper Means and Adorning It with Empty Arguments

Third Prince, you're missing the point, aren't you? The Crown Prince quickly noticed something hard inside the Third Prince's sleeve. Not long, and slightly curved, it pressed closely against the inside of the elbow. Could that be—a dagger? The Crown Prince's expression shifted subtly. The Third Prince lurking near the sleeping chambers was not surprising,… Continue reading Fish 165: Plotting Regicide and Usurping the Throne

The malaise of the court and country today To threaten someone by holding their family's lives hostage is somewhat indecorous to discuss, yet it proves exceedingly effective. A person who refuses to save even their closest kin, regardless of their loyalty, will be scorned by others. For example, generals who command tens of thousands of… Continue reading Fish 164: The Maladies of Qi Today