#character: deng hao ran

[nemainofthewater]

Welcome to the 'Best Character with [X] surname' polls!

This is where I take several characters from different Chinese media (mostly cnovels and cdrama) and run a poll on which one is the 'best'. What does best mean? It's up to you! Whether you love them, are intrigued by their characters, love to hate them, or they're your '2 second blorbos whose personality you made up wholesale', these are all reasons for you to vote for your favs!

NB: the surnames are not exactly the same in all the cases, as often they will be a different character. I am, however, grouping them all together otherwise things got more complicated.

If you can't find a surname, it's because I couldn't find enough candidates (at least 3 from 3 distinct medias) to compete. Feel free to submit candidates!

I will be posting several polls at a time, so do come back and check this masterpost to remember which polls are ongoing, who the winners are, and who's coming up next!

Finished polls: Xing/Rong/Nan/Ren/Pan/Qu/Fu/Sui/Tan/You/Sima/Xuan/Chang/Xun/Shangguan/Jian/Qian/Shu/Xi/Yuwen/Cai/Sha/Yin/Ceng/Helian/Zeng/Lou/Mi/Ji/Ping/Tong/Tuoba/Ge/Murong/Hei/Niu/Tao/Si/Pang/Zi/Gongsun/Mao/Qing/Lian

Chi/Shan/Tian/Dao/Chao/Xin/Ran/Sang/Cang/Miao/Yao/Zang/Chong/Nangong/Kong/Hai/Deng/Kang/Jun/Chun/Gui/Peng/Gong/Dai/Bao/Bian/Leng/Xian/Kan/Hou/Shao/Kou/Zuo/Lai/Tie/Huan/Min/Xiong/Cen/Dou/Misc

There's only a certain number of hyperlinks that can be added per post, so the rest of the completed polls can now be found here

All the details of the individual polls under the readmore

An - posted 15/03/24 WINNER An Zhe

Bai - posted 28/02/24 WINNER Bai Fengxi

Baili - posted 22/03/24 WINNER Baili Qingmiao

Bao - posted 1/05/24 WINNER Bao Rongxing

Bi - posted 26/03/24 WINNER Bi Changfeng

Bian - posted 1/05/14 WINNER Bian Cheng

Cai - posted 7/04/24 WINNER Cai Quan

Cang - posted 23/04/24 WINNER Cang Jiumin

Cao - posted 8/02/24. WINNER - Cao Weining

Cen - posted 7/05/24 WINNEER Cen Xiao

Ceng - posted 8/04/24 WINNER Ceng Aiyu

Chang - posted 3/04/24 WINNER Chang Geng

Chao - posted 21/04/24 WINNER Chao Zi

Chen - posted 9/02/24 WINNER Chen Qingxu

Cheng - posted 10/03/24 WINNER Cheng Shaoshang

Chi - posted 19/04/24 WINNERS Chi Zhanggui and Chi Xiaochi

Chong - posted 25/04/24 WINNER Chong Ming

Chu - posted 12/03/24 WINNER Chu Wanning

Chun - posted 28/04/24 WINNER Chun Shen

Cui - posted 11/03/24 WINNER Madam Cui

Dai - posted 30/04/24 WINNER Dai Mubai

Dao - posted 20/04/24 WINNER Dao Mingsi

Deng - posted 27/04/24 WINNER Deng Kuan

Di - posted 16/02/24 WINNER Di Feisheng

Ding - posted 7/03/24 WINNER Ding Rong

Dong - posted 21/03/24 WINNER Dong Yi

Dongfang - posted 25/03/24 WINNER Dongfang Qingcang

Dou - posted 7/05/24 WINNER Dou Cheng

Du - posted 26/03/24 WINNER Du Cheng

Duan - posted 23/03/24 WINNER Duan Baiyue

Fan - posted 27/02/24 WINNER Fan Xian

Fang - posted 24/02/24 WINNER Fang Duobing

Fei - posted 20/03/24 WINNER Fei Du

Feng - posted 28/02/24 WINNER 'Other'

Fu - posted 31/03/24 WINNER Fu Yao

Gao - posted 13/02/24 WINNER Gao Xiaolian

Ge - posted 13/04/24 WINNER Ge Chen

Gong - posted 30/04/24 WINNER Gong Yu

Gongsun - posted 17/04/24 WINNER Gongsun Heng

Gu - posted 7/03/24 WINNER Gu Xiang

Guan - posted 17/03/24 WINNER Guan Hemeng

Gui - posted 29/04/24 WINNERS Gui Wen, Gui Yang, Gui Bai and 'Other'

Guo - posted 9/02/24 WINNER Guo Changcheng

Hai - posted 26/04/24 WINNER Hai Lanshi

Han - posted 17/03/24 WINNER Han Ying

Hao - posted 16/03/24 WINNER Hao Du

He - posted 22/03/24 WINNER He Xuan

Hei - posted 14/04/24 WINNER Hei Xiazi

Helian - posted 9/04/24 wINNER Helian Yi

Hong - posted 8/03/24 WINNER Hong Qigong

Hou - posted 3/05/24 WINNER Hou Bin

Hu - posted 6/03/24 WINNER Hu Tianying

Hua - posted 21/02/24 WINNER Hua Cheng

Huan - posted 6/05/24 WINNER Huan Xiaoyan

Huang - posted 20/03/24 WINNER Huang Shaotian

Huo - posted 25/02/24 WINNER Huo Xiuxiu

Ji - posted 11/04/24 WINNER Ji Xue

Jia - posted 18/03/24 WINNER Jia Kui

Jian - posted 4/04/24 WINNER Jian Buzhi

Jiang - posted 12/02/24 WINNER Jiang Cheng

Jiao - posted 27/03/24 WINNER Jiao Liqiao

Jin - posted 29/02/24 WINNER Jin Ling

Jing - posted 14/03/24 WINNER Jing Beiyuan

Jun - posted 28/04/24 WINNER 'Other"

Kan - posted 3/05/24 WINNER Kan Jian

Kang - posted 27/04/24 WINNER 'Other'

Kong - posted 26/04/24 WINNERS Kong Xiu and Alexis Kong

Kou - posted 4/05/24 WINNER Kou Baimen

Lai - posted 5/05/24 WINNER Lai Zhongshu

Lan - posted 23/02/24 WINNER Lan Wangji

Lei - posted 12/03/24 WINNER Lei Wujie

Leng - posted 2/05/24 WINNER Leng Yue

Li - posted 18/02/24 WINNER Li Lianhua

Lian - posted 18/04/24 WINNERS Lian Yufan and Lian Qiao

Liang - posted 13/03/24 WINNER 'Other'

Lin - posted 14/02/24 WINNER Lin Chen

Ling - posted 6/03/24 WINNER Ling Wen

Liu - posted 16/02/24 WINNER Liu Qingge

Long - posted 23/03/24 WINNER Long Zhi

Lou - posted 10/04/24 WINNER Lou Yao

Lu - posted 5/03/24 WINNER Lu Guang

Luo - posted 24/02/24 WINNER Luo Binghe

Ma - posted 13/03/24 WINNER Ma Xiuying

Mao - posted 17/04/24 WINNER Mao Panfeng

Mei - posted 14/02/24 WINNER Mei Changsu

Meng - posted 29/02/24 WINNER Meng Zhi

Mi - posted 10/04/24 WINER Mi Chong

Miao - posted 23/04/24 WINNER Miao Renfeng

Min - posted 6/05/24 WINNER Min Yunzhong

Ming - posted 26/02/24 WINNER Ming Yi

Misc - posted 7/05/24 WINNER Gongyi Xiao

Mo - posted 18/02/24 WINNER Mo Xuanyu

Mu - posted 22/02/24 WINNER Mu Nihuang

Murong - posted 13/04/24 WINNER Other

Nan - posted 29/03/24 WINNER Nan Feng

Nangong - posted 25/04/24 WINNER Nangong Si

Nie - posted 15/03/24 WINNER Nie Huaisang

Ning - posted 19/03/24 WINNER Ning Yingying

Niu - posted 14/04/24 WINNER Niu Chunmiao

Ouyang - posted 5/03/24 WINNER Ouyang Zizhen

Pan - posted 30/03/24 WINNER Pan Zi

Pang - posted 16/04/24 WINNER Pang Yizhi

Pei - posted 20/02/24 WINNER Pei Ming

Peng - posted 29/04/24 wINNER Peng Sanbian

Ping - posted 11/04/24 WINNER Ping An

Qi - posted 22/02/24 WINNER 'Other'

Qian - posted 5/04/24 WINNER Qian Jin

Qiao - posted 10/02/24 WINNER Qiao Wanmian

Qin - posted 16/03/24 WINNER Qin Banruo

Qing - posted 18/04/24 WINNER Qing Ge

Qiu - posted 25/03/24 WINNER Qiu Congxue

Qu - posted 30/03/24 WINNER Qu Lingfeng

Ran - posted 22/04/24 WINNERS Ran Lin and Ran Yun

Ren - posted 29/03/24 WINNER Ren Ruyi

Rong - posted 28/03/24 WINNER Rong Changqing

Ruan - posted 21/03/24 WINNER Ruan Nanzhu

Sang - posted 22/04/24 WINNER Sang Zan

Sha - posted 7/04/24 WINNER Sha Hualing

Shan - posted 19/04/24 WINNER Shan Gudao

Shang - posted 3/03/24 WINNER Shang Qinghua

Shangguan - posted 4/04/24 WINNER Shangguan Qin

Shao - posted 4/05/24 WINNER Shao Lin

Shen - posted 23/02/24 WINNER Shen Wei

Sheng - posted 4/03/24 WINNER Sheng Minglan

Sima - posted 2/04/24 WINNER Sima Yi

Shi - posted 8/03/24 WINNER Shi Qingxuan

Shu - posted 5/04/24 WINNER Shu Yanyan

Si - posted 15/04/24 WINNER Si Yilin

Song - posted 19/02/24 WINNER Song Lan

Su - posted 13/02/24 WINNER Su Zhe

Sun - posted 15/02/24 WINNER Sun Wukong

Sui - posted 31/03/24 WINNER Sui Zhou

Tan - posted 1/04/24 WINNER 'Other'

Tang - posted 12/02/24 WINNER Tang Fan

Tao - posted 15/04/24 WINNER Tao Ran

Tian - posted 20/04/24 WINNER Tian Qi

Tie - posted 5/05/24 WINNERS Tie Yinyi and Tie Miansheng

Tong - posted 12/04/24 WINNER Tong Lu

Tuoba - posted 12/04/24 WINNER Tuoba Yan

Wan - posted 24/03/24 WINNER Consort Wan

Wang - posted 26/02/24 WINNER Wang Pangzi

Wei - posted 8/02/24 WINNER Wei Wuxian

Wen - posted 2/03/24 WINNER Wen Kexing

Wu - posted 15/02/24 WINNER Wu Xie

Xi - posted 6/04/24 WINNER Xi Ping

Xia - posted 11/03/24 WINNER Xia Dong

Xian - posted 2/05/24 WINNERS Xian Ge and Xian Qing

Xiang - posted 19/03/24 WINNER Xiang Liu and Xiang Nanfang

Xiao - posted 20/02/24 WINNER Xiao Jingyan

Xie - posted 21/02/24 WINNER Xie Lian

Xin - posted 21/04/24 WINNER Xin Ziyuan

Xing - posted 28/03/24 WINNER Xing Zhi

Xiong - posted 7/05/24 WINNERS Xiong yipei and Xiong Chumo

Xu - posted 25/02/24 WINNER Xu Da

Xun - posted 3/04/24 WINNER Xun Feizhan

Xuan - posted 2/04/24 WINNER Xuan Shen'an | The Empress

Xue -posted 11/02/24 WINNER Xue Yang

Yan - posted 19/02/24 WINNER Yan Wushi

Yang - posted 3/03/24 WINNER Yang Wuxie

Yao - posted 24/04/24 WINNER Yao Zhen

Ye - posted 10/02/24 WINNER Ye Baiyi

Yi - posted 9/03/24 WINNER Yi Bichen

Yin - posted 8/04/24 WINNER Yin Yu

Ying - posted 17/02/24 WINNER Ying Hecong

You - posted 1/04/24 WINNER You Huo

Yu - posted 11/02/23 WINNER Yu Ziyuan

Yun - posted 1/03/24 WINNER Yun Biqiu

Yuan - posted 27/02/24 WINNER Yuan Boya

Yue - posted 4/03/24 WINNER Yue Qingyuan

Yuwen - posted 6/04/24 WINNER Yuwen Xuan

Zang - posted 24/02/24 WINNER Zang Ming

Zeng - posted 9/04/24 WINNER Zeng Xiangdong

Zhan - posted 10/03/24 WINNER Zhan Yunfei

Zhang - posted 17/02/24 WINNER Zhang Qiling

Zhao - posted 1/03/24 WINNER Zhao Yunlan

Zhen - posted 24/03/24 WINNER Zhen Ping

Zhi - posted 14/03/24 WINNER Zhi Xiu

Zhong - posted 27/03/24 WINNER Zhong Li

Zhou - posted 2/02/24 WINNER Zhou Zishu

Zhu - posted 9/03/24 Winner Zhu Hong

Zhuge - posted 18/03/24 WINNER Zhuge Liang

Zi - posted 16/04/24 WINNER 'Other'

Zuo - posted 5/05/24 WINNER Zuo Ran

[yeonchi]

Warriors Orochi: The Recollective Redux Part 4.1: Wu Story A

Here we go again with the Wu story!

Initial characters: Sun Ce, Lu Su, Han Dang, Hanzō Hattori, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Naotora Ii, Naomasa Ii

Chapter 1: Battle of Mt. Dingjun 定軍山の戦い

Orochi Army and Xu Huang Army vs. Resistance Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Han Dang Third-party characters: Xu Huang, Yue Jin Enemy characters: Ma Chao, Ranmaru Mori, Yueying, Jiang Wei, Ma Dai, Zhang Bao

Unlocked characters: Zhou Yu, Ranmaru Mori

The officers of Wu were defeated by Orochi at Hefei and Dingtao. Many of their officers, including their leader, Sun Jian, were captured as prisoners-of-war. Sun Ce was then forced to join the Orochi Army and fight the Resistance Army, with his father’s life at threat. However, for every unit they suppress, one hostage will be freed.

Ma Chao banded together some scattered units and led them to Mt. Dingjun. Sun Ce was sent there to suppress this Resistance unit. Though he does not like the prospect of fighting for Orochi, he does so both to protect his family and friends and to test his skill on some worthy opponents.

In the aftermath, Ranmaru is captured by Sun Ce, but he lets him go. Confused at Sun Ce’s actions, Ranmaru decides to join him. Ma Chao escapes the battlefield and Zhou Yu is freed by Orochi.

Chapter 2: Battle of Changban 長坂の戦い

Orochi Army and Da Ji Army vs. Resistance Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Ranmaru Mori, Naotora Ii Third-party characters: Da Ji (withdraws) Enemy characters: Lu Xun, Gan Ning, Zhu Ran, Motochika Chōsokabe, Ling Tong, Sakon Shima

Unlocked characters: Taishi Ci

Orochi orders Sun Ce to wipe out another Resistance unit in Changban. The officers in the unit included Lu Xun, Zhu Ran, Gan Ning and Ling Tong, all officers of Wu. This was a test devised by Da Ji to measure Sun Ce’s loyalty by having him fight against his former allies.

Naotora Ii will appear as an additional officer advancing to the centre of the battlefield. Motochika Chōsokabe will appear in the northwest of the battlefield.

Defeat all officers to win this battle. In the aftermath, Taishi Ci is released from imprisonment.

Chapter 3: Battle of Odani Castle 小谷城の戦い

Orochi Army and Sakon Shima Troop vs. Resistance Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Lu Su, Han Dang, Naomasa Ii Third-party characters: Sakon Shima Enemy characters: Xingcai, Yoshihiro Shimazu, Ling Tong, Gan Ning, Toyohisa Shimazu

Unlocked characters: Lu Meng, Sakon Shima

Sun Ce was ordered to supress the Resistance again, this time at Odani Castle. They were led by Xingcai, with assistance from Gan Ning and Ling Tong, who had fled from Changban. Just as Sun Ce was about to set off, he receives a letter from Sakon, who he met at Changban. He has information concerning Sun Jian that he wants to give to Sun Ce at Odani Castle. However, when they arrive, Sakon has not arrived yet, so they decide to supress the Resistance.

Lu Su replaces Ranmaru Mori in this battle and he will take Zhou Yu’s line about stopping the enemy reinforcements. Toyohisa Shimazu replaces Zhang Bao as well (Zhang Bao will have been captured in Chapter 1), with his place in the Shimazu reinforcements taken by Toshihisa Shimazu.

In the aftermath, Lu Meng is released from imprisonment. Sakon tells Sun Ce that his father is being held at Ōsaka Castle. Sun Ce asks Sakon for his help to guide them there.

Chapter 4: Battle of Ōsaka Castle 大坂城の戦い

Coalition Army and Sun Jian Army vs. Orochi Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Sakon Shima, Ranmaru Mori Third-party characters: Sun Jian Enemy characters: Cao Ren, Pang De, Yue Jin, Yu Jin, Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, Zhuge Dan, Chen Gong

With the information of his father’s whereabouts gained from Sakon, Sun Ce decided to defect from Orochi and rescue his father.

Yu Jin replaces Hao Zhao and Zhong Hui replaces Zang Ba in the main keep of Ōsaka Castle. Deng Ai replaces Hognose, Zhuge Dan replaces Boomslang and Chen Gong replaces Mamushi as you escape Ōsaka Castle.

To win the battle, Sun Ce and Sun Jian need to reach the escape point (which is basically where you started, but once the father and son are about to escape, more Orochi defence units confront them. Sun Jian offers to stand his ground to allow Sun Ce to escape.

Chapter 5: Battle of Sekigahara 関ヶ原の戦い

Coalition Army vs. Orochi Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Taishi Ci, Naotora Ii, Han Dang, Lu Su, Naomasa Ii Enemy characters: Ina, Sun Shangxiang, Daqiao, Ding Feng, Sun Quan, Zhou Tai, Lianshi

Unlocked characters: Ina, Sun Shangxiang

The morale of the Wu Army was damaged after the failed rescue of Sun Jian. Sun Quan and Sun Shangxiang were obliged to continue their service to the Orochi Army. Sun Ce was declared a traitor, with his punishment tasked to Sun Quan. The three siblings meet at Sekigahara for a confronting showdown.

Naotora Ii and Lu Su appear in place of Zhu Zhi and Cheng Pu in this battle. Naomasa Ii will appear later in place of Tadayoshi Matsudaira when allied reinforcements arrive. Lianshi will appear in place of Zhuge Jin, who in turn will appear in place of Zhuge Ke (Luo).

In the aftermath, Ina tells Sun Shangxiang that Sun Ce is a good man who is concerned for his family. They decide to join Sun Ce’s army.

Chapter 6: Battle of Hefei 合肥の戦い

Coalition Army vs. Orochi Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Lu Meng, Hanzō Hattori, Ina, Naomasa Ii, Naotora Ii Enemy characters: Sun Quan, Zhou Tai, Lianshi, Cao Ren, Keiji Maeda, Zhenji, Ding Feng, Lu Lingqi, Hisahide Matsunaga, Munenori Yagyū, Yoshitsugu Ōtani

Unlocked characters: Zhou Tai

Orochi sends Sun Quan to attack his brother once more at Hefei, supported by Cao Ren and Keiji Maeda.

On the Coalition Army side, Ina will appear in place of Han Dang, Naomasa Ii will appear in place of Naotaka Ii and Naotora Ii will appear in place of Tadaoki Naitō in the ambush attack.

On the Orochi Army side, Lianshi will appear in place of Sun Shao, Lu Lingqi will appear in place of Yue Jin, Hisahide Matsunaga will appear in place of Cao Zhang and Munenori Yagyū will appear in place of Hiroie Kikkawa.

In the aftermath, Zhou Tai helps Sun Quan escape before he reveals (via Lu Meng) that Sun Quan has been blackmailed by Orochi into fighting for him. Sun Ce asks Zhou Tai to join him.

Chapter 7: Battle of Komaki-Nagakute 小牧長久手の戦い

Coalition Army and Sun Jian Army vs. Orochi Army Allied characters: Sun Ce, Sun Shangxiang, Lu Su, Han Dang Third-party characters: Sun Jian, Sun Quan, Lianshi Enemy characters: Da Ji, Sima Yi, Dong Zhuo, Zhuge Dan, Sima Shi, Zhang Chunhua, Ding Feng (defects to Sun Jian after his rescue)

Unlocked characters: Sun Jian, Sun Quan, Lianshi, Ding Feng

Sun Quan returned to Orochi, aware that he would be punished for his repeated failures to subdue his brother’s rebellion. The news filtered through to Sun Ce that his father, brother and sister-in-law would soon be executed at Komaki-Nagakute, under the direction of Dong Zhuo and Da Ji. Sun Ce quickly assembles an army and sets off. With the help of Hanzō, Sun Jian, Sun Quan and Lianshi have escaped execution, but they are trapped within the enemy camp. Sun Ce and Sun Shangxiang will move to rescue their family, while the other officers act as decoy units.

Lu Su replaces Dong Xi as he heads north alongside Jiang Qin while Han Dang and Cheng Pu head to the centre. Lianshi will appear with Sun Jian and Sun Quan in the southwestern garrison.

Zhuge Dan appears in place of Zhang He, Sima Shi appears in place of Sima Zhao and Zhang Chunhua appears in place of Guo Huai in this battle.

In the aftermath, Ranmaru finally understands that Sun Ce and Sun Quan’s actions were done out of consideration for the future of Wu.

Chapter 8: Battle of Koshi Castle 古志城の戦い

Coalition Army vs. Orochi Army Allied characters: Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Sun Shangxiang, Zhu Zhi Enemy characters: Orochi, Da Ji, Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo, Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, Diamondback

Some variations have been made to the Chapter 8 Koshi Castle battles. In each faction’s version, they will fight one of Orochi’s main generals with the exception of Da Ji and Lu Bu, who will appear in each version. In this version of the battle, that general will be Dong Zhuo (because of an event in the original where he traps Sun Shangxiang in the southeastern garrison).

In the southern cannon garrison, Deng Ai appears in place of Yellowbelly, who will appear later to fire the cannon again on allied units inside Koshi Castle upon entering the inner sanctum. Inside Koshi Castle, Zhong Hui and Diamondback will respectively defend the main gate and the inner gate.

Defeat Orochi to win the battle.

[movielosophy]

Sweet Teeth - When I was 22 years old, I planned to get married at 26. It was my insecurity that urge me to get married so I can bind my other half.  Now I'm 27. I don’t think every relationship should lead to marriage.

[the-archlich]

Is there anyone who's playable in Dynasty Warriors now you think spouse (By spouse I mean being married to someone) should also be playable who is not? Also same question with children who should be playable?And with that I think I want out a family.

Of the Cao, I think Cao Cao’s wife Lady Bian (mother of Pi, Zhi, and Zhang) would be an excellent addition, particularly if she’s the one responsible for Cao Cao’s more merciful decisions in the narrative (like sparing former enemy officers such as Zhang Liao and Jia Xu). I think his daughter Cao Jie would be a solid character, being Han’s last empress and known for a fiery display of defiance against her brother. I also think there’s to be gained by including the martial Cao Zhang, and perhaps even the drunken poet Cao Zhi, although I’ve never been fond of the latter.

I also think that Cao Rui (son of Cao Pi and Madam Zhen) is a natural choice, given that an appreciable portion of the narrative takes place during his reign (namely Zhuge Liang’s various campaigns).

Xun Yu’s son Xun Yi was a major figure in Western Jin. He was a longtime friend of the Sima brothers, a close confidant who helped orchestrate their rise to power and reaped the rewards of doing so. Intelligent but corrupt, he’d be a fun contrast to his father.

Sun Jian’s wife, Lady Wu, could also be a fantastic inclusion. She was a strong-willed and level-headed woman who provided sound advice to her husband and suns prior to her death. She could be a great contrast to her fiery husband and eldest son.

Sun Luban, the daughter of Bu Lianshi and Sun Quan, was an extremely influential figure in Wu during the final years of Sun Quan’s reign, and during the time of the three regents (Zhuge Ke, Sun Jun, and Sun Chen). Her sister Sun Luyu might also be a worthwhile addition, as the two fought for years until Luban arranged for her sister’s death.

Lu Xun’s sun Lu Kang was a talented official who was arguably the paramount figure of Wu’s final years, though I think that if the story isn’t extended until Jin’s conquest of Wu he loses a lot of his relevance.

The same can be said of Zhu Ran’s son Shi Ji, one of Wu’s leading figures during the reigns of Sun Xiu and Sun Hao. 

Liu Bei’s wife Lady Mi and concubine Lady Gan (Liu Shan’s mother) could both be interesting inclusions but it would require the story to spend more time on Liu Bei’s early years than DW usually wants to. There’s potential there but I doubt it’d be realized.

Zhuge Zhan, son of Zhuge Liang and presumably Lady Huang (Yueying) seems like a natural choice. He was one of Shu’s leading figures during its final years and famous led the final failed defense against Deng Ai at Mianzhu. I’m surprised he’s not in these games already.

I personally don’t have much faith in this, but theoretically Guan Yu’s wife (named Hu Jinding in Hua Guan Suo Zhuan and that seems as good a name as any) could add a lot to their family dynamic. If Guan Yu has three sons and a daughter, adding his wife is logical.

Sima Shi had two wives who could be interesting although it depends on the narrative. His first wife Xiahou Hui (who he allegedly murdered) was the daughter of Xiahou Shang and sister of Xiahou Xuan, and I’d be happy to see all three of them given the spotlight. His third wife Yang Huiyu (sister of Yang Hu), was an influential woman much loved by his family. Sima Yan even honored her as though she was his own mother. Aside from her relationship with Sima Shi (and potentially Yang Hu) she’d presumably bring a new dynamic to Wang Yuanji as well, and she could really use it.

As for the Others, I think Yuan Shao has potential. His wife Lady Liu was a very sinister woman, one who had several of his concubines murdered and desecrated after his death to prevent them from meeting in the afterlife. She also helped arrange for Yuan Shang to inherit control instead of the older Yuan Tan. A sinister power player would be an interesting character to add. Related to that, I think there’s an argument for including Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang as well; particularly the former. Yuan Tan was one of his father’s most accomplished generals; he defeated Liu Bei to seize much of Qing province and led the retreat form Guandu, during which he captured a number of cities in southern Ji who defected to Cao Cao. 

Those are the ones who come to mind, though I’m sure someone else is likely to chime in with their own ideas.

PS it’s still weird to me that Chen Tai is not in these games.

[fuyonggu]

Lu Ji’s “Discourse on the Fall of Wu (Part 1)”

Lu Ji was the grandson of Lu Xun and the son of Lu Kang; he was noted as being a literary genius, along with his younger brother Lu Yun.

以孫氏在吳，而祖父世為將相，有大勳於江表，深慨孫皓舉而棄之，乃論權所以得，皓所以亡，又欲述其祖父功業，遂作《辯亡論》二篇。其上篇曰：昔漢氏失禦，奸臣竊命，禍基京畿，毒遍宇內，皇綱弛頓，王室遂卑。於是群雄蜂駭，義兵四合。吳武烈皇帝慷慨下國，電發荊南，權略紛紜，忠勇伯世，威棱則夷羿震盪，兵交則醜虜授馘，遂掃清宗祊，蒸禋皇祖。于時雲興之將帶州，猋起之師跨邑，哮闞之群風驅，熊羆之族霧合。雖兵以義動，同盟戮力，然皆苞藏禍心，阻兵怙亂，或師無謀律，喪威稔寇。忠規武節，未有如此其著者也。

Lu Ji considered how, during the reign of the Sun clan in Eastern Wu, his grandfather and father had served that state as generals and chief ministers and had performed great deeds on its behalf. He bitterly lamented his family's loss of status after Sun Hao came to power. Thus Lu Ji wrote an essay in two parts on the rise and fall of Eastern Wu, in which he extolled the deeds of Sun Quan (who had employed his grandfather Lu Xun) and castigated the errors of Sun Hao, as well as glorifying the achievements and the efforts of his father and grandfather. This essay was titled Thoughts on the Fall of Wu.

In the first part, he wrote, "Many years ago, the Han dynasty lost control of the realm, as a wicked subject (Dong Zhuo) grasped for power. The disaster reached even the capital region, the foundation of the state, while the poison spread all throughout the realm. The imperial laws were ignored with impunity, and the royal family was reduced to a pitiful state.

"Our Emperor Wulie (Sun Jian), who sympathized with the plight of the state, set out like a flash of lightning from the south of Jingzhou (at Changsha). In planning and strategy he was meticulous and thorough; in courage and loyalty he was an exemplar for the age. With a mere display of strength, the barbarians cowered in fear of him; at the first clash of arms, the despicable villains surrendered their heads. Thus he purged and swept clear the temples and shrines of the Han dynasty and offered prayers and sacrifices to the imperial ancestors.

"There were other men of fortune in those days, to be sure, who likewise called for uprisings on every side. Some of their hosts were like clouds gathered across several provinces, and others were like whirlwinds which engulfed entire cities; some conjured their swarms like billowing gales, and others came into being like so many bears and beasts. But though all these forces claimed to serve a righteous cause and swore to unite their efforts under one banner, yet there was evil within their hearts, for they sought only to take advantage of the chaos through the power of their armies. Indeed, some of these leaders had no greater design than to deepen the turmoil and seize whatever they could. Who among them was loyal or chaste, disciplined or dutiful? Not a one could measure up.

武烈既沒，長沙桓王逸才命世，弱冠秀髮，招攬遺老，與之述業。神兵東驅，奮寡犯眾，攻無堅城之將，戰無交鋒之虜。誅叛柔服，而江外底定；飭法修師，則威德翕赫。賓禮名賢，而張公為之雄；交禦豪俊，而周瑜為之傑。彼二君子皆弘敏而多奇，雅達而聰哲，故同方者以類附，等契者以氣集，江東蓋多士矣。將北伐諸華，誅鉏幹紀，旋皇輿於夷庚，反帝坐於紫闥，挾天子以令諸侯，清天步而歸舊物。戎車既次，群凶側目，大業未就，中世而殞。

"Though Emperor Wulie soon met his end, our King of Changsha (Sun Ce) proved himself to be an exceptional talent and a master of the age. His brilliance emerged even in the bloom of youth, and he beckoned forth the aged veterans of his father and set out on his enterprise with them. He charged to the east like some god of war, leading a mere handful to smash great multitudes. When he assaulted a city, no sturdy walls could stop him; when he faced a foe in the field, no fierce vanguard could withstand him. He punished the rebellious and soothed the submissive, thus the lands beyond the Yangzi became peaceful and tranquil; he observed the laws and enforced military restraint, thus he won acclaim both for his power and his virtue.

"The King was courteous and respectful to those of fine reputation and worthy conduct, and so Lord Zhang (Zhang Zhao) regarded him as a hero; he was welcoming and receptive to those of good families and great talents, and so Zhou Yu considered him to be a marvel. And were those two gentlemen not men of broad intellect and ingenious designs, refined character and profound thinking? Encouraged by their example, everyone within the same region attached themselves to the King's cause; he gained a host of accomplished servants like a gathering of the winds, for the Southland had many worthy fellows indeed.

"It was the King's desire to lead a northern campaign into the lands of the Hua (the Central Plains), to bring fire and sword to the evildoers and outlaws there. He aimed to place the imperial carriage in the hands of a loyal adherent and return the imperial throne to the Purple Palace (the Emperor's residence); with the Son of Heaven under his control, he could issue orders to the feudal lords, purify the path of Heaven, and restore things to their former state. In fact he went so far as to assemble his army and chariots and advance towards the north, and the villains were all gazing sideways towards him out of sheer terror at his approach. Yet before this grand cause could reach fruition, the King was cut down in his prime.

用集我大皇帝，以奇蹤襲逸軌，睿心因令圖，從政咨於故實，播憲稽乎遺風；而加之以篤敬，申之以節儉，疇諮俊茂，好謀善斷，束帛旅於丘園，旌命交乎塗巷。故豪彥尋聲而響臻，志士晞光而景騖，異人輻輳，猛士如林。於是張公為師傅；周瑜、陸公、魯肅、呂蒙之儔，入為腹心，出為股肱；甘甯、淩統、程普、賀齊、硃桓、硃然之徒奮其威，韓當、潘璋、黃蓋、蔣欽、周泰之屬宣其力；風雅則諸葛瑾、張承、步騭以名聲光國，政事則顧雍、潘浚、呂范、呂岱以器任幹職，奇偉則虞翻、陸績、張惇以風義舉政，奉使則趙咨、沈珩以敏達延譽，術數則吳范、趙達以禨祥協德；董襲、陳武殺身以衛主，駱統、劉基強諫以補過。謀無遺計，舉不失策。故遂割據山川，跨制荊、吳，而與天下爭衡矣。魏氏嘗藉戰勝之威，率百萬之師，浮鄧塞之舟，下漢陰之眾，羽楫萬計，龍躍順流，銳師千旅，武步原隰，謨臣盈室，武將連衡，喟然有吞江滸之志，壹宇宙之氣。而周瑜驅我偏師，黜之赤壁，喪旗亂轍，僅而獲免，收跡遠遁。漢王亦憑帝王之號，帥巴、漢之人，乘危騁變，結壘千里，志報關羽之敗，圖收湘西之地。而我陸公亦挫之西陵，覆師敗績，困而後濟，絕命永安。續以濡須之寇，臨川摧銳；蓬蘢之戰，孑輪不反。由是二邦之將，喪氣挫鋒，勢<血醜>財匱，而吳莞然坐乘其弊，故魏人請好，漢氏乞盟，遂躋天號，鼎峙而立。西界庸、益之郊，北裂淮、漢之涘，東苞百越之地，南括群蠻之表。於是講八代之禮，搜三王之樂，告類上帝，拱揖群後。武臣毅卒，循江而守；長棘勁鎩，望猋而奮。庶尹盡規于上，黎元展業於下，化協殊裔，風衍遐圻。乃俾一介行人，撫巡外域，巨象逸駿，擾於外閑，明珠瑋寶，耀於內府，珍瑰重跡而至，奇玩應響而赴；輶軒騁于南荒，沖輣息於朔野；黎庶免干戈之患，戎馬無晨服之虞，而帝業固矣。

"However, we were blessed with the presence of our Grand Emperor (Sun Quan). Through his unique talents, he picked up and followed the trail that had been lost; through his farsighted heart, he continued the lapsed mandate. He adopted wise policies to give substance to the government; he gathered sage ordinances to emulate the spirit of the ancients. And he enhanced these things through sincerity and respect and conveyed them through dutifulness and frugality. He was discerning in soliciting the advice of the wise and the talented, and he was an adept thinker and a decisive leader. He distributed silks and grains through the hills and parks, and he displayed his banners and his commands throughout the roads and streets.

"Thus the leaders and gentry of the region heard the call and came to join him, and the ambitious gentlemen of the land wept at his splendor and were glad to be his shadows. Outstanding figures surrounded him like spokes round a hub, stalwart warriors flanked him like a great forest. So it was that Lord Zhang (Zhang Zhao) became his teacher and tutor; so it was that Zhou Yu, Lord Lu (Lu Xun), Lu Su, and Lü Meng became his four champions, serving as his heart and lungs within and his arms and legs without. Such men as Gan Ning, Ling Tong, Cheng Pi, He Qi, Zhu Huan, and Zhu Ran gave him their courage; such figures as Han Dang, Pan Zhang, Huang Gai, Jiang Qin, and Zhou Tai lent him their strength. For culture and refinement, he had Zhuge Jin, Zhang Cheng, and Bu Zhi, whose reputation and influence glorified the state; for administrative skill, he had Gu Yong, Pan Jun, Lü Fan, and Lü Dai, who were credits to their ranks and masters of their roles; for scintillating talents, he had Yu Fan, Lu Xu, and Zhang Dun, whose lofty and righteous spirits uplifted the government. Zhao Zi and Chen Hang had he for envoys, and their nimble tongues and quick wit secured the state's reputation; Wu Fan and Zhao Da had he for mystics, whose divinations and omens ensured the state's blessings. Dong Xi and Chen Wu kept him from harm with vigorous efforts; Luo Tong and Liu Ji steered him from error with forceful remonstrations. In planning, nothing was overlooked or left out; in action, no aspect of strategy was forgotten. And it was for these reasons that the Grand Emperor was able to carve out and occupy the mountains and rivers of his domain, straddling and controlling the regions of Jing and Wu and contending for control of all the realm.

"The lord of Wei (Cao Cao), riding high on his string of victories, led forth an army of a million soldiers against us. He sailed a great fleet through the Deng Narrows and descended upon the south bank of the Han River with a massive host; his feathers and oars numbered in the tens of thousands as he swept down the rivers like a dragon. Fierce cavalry he had by the thousands, while his tiger infantry strode through the plains and marshes. His advisors and strategists filled entire rooms; his officers and generals rode in rows of war carts. He proclaimed his ambition to swallow up all the lands of the lakes and streams and unite the entire realm under his sole dominion. Yet Zhou Yu led forth a meager force to smite this foe at Chibi. The enemy was put to flight and thrown into total confusion; it was only by a narrow escape that he got away with his life, and he scampered far away and fled back where he came from.

"The King of Han (Liu Bei) too claimed the title of sovereign. At the head of an army of the men of Ba and Han, he courted danger and invited calamity, laying out his camps and ramparts across a distance of a thousand li. He sought to avenge the defeat of Guan Yu and reclaim the lands west of the Xiang River. But our Lord Lu (Lu Xun) gave him the same treatment, thrashing him at Xiling (Yiling); the King's army was broken and destroyed, only with great difficulty did he break free from our pursuit, and in the end he expired at Yong'an (Baidicheng).

"Though Wei sought to invade us at Ruxu, we stood firm upon the bank and crushed them; though they attacked us at Penglong, we fought them off and did not yield.

"Thus did we destroy the forces and shake the morale of these our two rivals; their blood and treasure were greatly spent, while Wu stood smug to take advantage of their weakness. So the people of Wei asked us for a peace agreement, and the leaders of Han begged us for an alliance. And by the time our lord had claimed the heavenly title, the realm had settled into a tripartite division.

"To the west we encroached upon the borders of Yong and Yi (Yizhou); to the north we occupied the lines of the rivers Huai and Han; to the east we conquered the lands of the Yue peoples; to the south we bought the Man tribes under our control. The Grand Emperor discussed the rites of the Eight Monarchs (the Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns) and sought out the music of the Three Founders (of Xia, Shang, and Zhou), and he announced his affairs to the Supreme Deity and paid his respects to the various nobles. Our martial servants and valiant soldiers stoutly guarded the Yangzi; with their long lances and strong spears, they zealously seized the spirit of the whirlwind. The subjects of the state observed full propriety above, and the common people practiced their livelihoods below; moral transformation spread to every corner, and good culture touched every place. Envoys and agents were sent out to comfort and inspect the furthest regions. Enormous elephants and incredible horses swarmed about in the outer stables; bright jewels and precious treasures glittered in the inner storehouses. Again and again, wondrous baubles were sent to us; time after time, strange trinkets arrived at our court. Carriages aplenty swiftly brought word from out of the southern wastes; convoys of carts quickly brought news from out of the northern wilds. The people were spared from the terrors of warfare, and the warhorses had no need for morning exercises. The imperial legacy was secure.

大皇既沒，幼主蒞朝，奸回肆虐。景皇聿興，虔修遺憲，政無大闕，守文之良主也。降及歸命之初，典刑未滅，故老猶存。大司馬陸公以文武熙朝，左丞相陸凱以謇諤盡規，而施績、範慎以威重顯，丁奉、鐘離斐以武毅稱，孟宗、丁固之徒為公卿，樓玄、賀邵之屬掌機事，元首雖病，股肱猶良。爰逮末葉，群公既喪，然後黔首有瓦解之患，皇家有土崩之釁，曆命應化而微，王師躡運而發，卒散于陳，眾奔於邑，城池無籓籬之固，山川無溝阜之勢，非有工輸雲梯之械，智伯灌激之害，楚子築室之圍，燕人濟西之隊，軍未浹辰而社稷夷矣。雖忠臣孤憤，烈士死節，將奚救哉！

"Once the Grand Emperor left us, the Young Lord (Sun Liang) sat the throne for a time, while miscreants flaunted their cruel and wicked power. After them came Emperor Jing (Sun Xiu), who brought the laws back into their proper form. He was devoted to and restored the old order of things, and he committed no great faults in his governance of the state. He was a good leader who maintained what was right. But next was the Marquis of Guiming (Sun Hao).

"At the beginning of the Marquis' reign, the laws and canons had not yet been dispensed with, and the veteran servants of the previous rulers were still in place. The Grand Marshal, Lord Lu (Lu Kang), did honor to the court with his civil talents and his martial prowess; the Prime Minister of the Left, Lu Kai, ensured integrity through his forthright and honest admonitions. There were Shi Ji and Fan Shen, conspicuous for their valor and gravity, and Ding Feng and Zhongli Fei, acclaimed for their might and resolve; there were people like Meng Zong and Ding Gu to act as great ministers and fellows like Lou Xuan and He Shao to handle the state's affairs. Though the head of the state was sick, still the limbs remained healthy and strong. Alas, in the end they were still only the branches and leaves of the state, and after their demise, Wu came to grief.

"It has been said that a state need not fear 'a calamity of falling tiles' (an external threat), but what it ought to fear is 'a disaster of a collapsing mound' (an internal weakness). Our people had been ready to combat any danger of 'falling tiles', but the imperial family fell prey to a 'collapsing mound'. By the time the government army (of Jin) had seized the momentum and set out to attack, the Mandate had already passed from us and the legitimacy of the ruler had diminished. Our soldiers scattered from their formations, and our people abandoned their cities; our walls and moats proved less useful than mere barricades and fences, and our mountains and rivers were no greater obstacles than little hills and ditches. No one was prepared to face 'the cloud ladders of Gong Shu' or endure 'the floodwaters of Zhi Yao'; there was never a need for the enemy to emulate the Viscount of Chu by 'building houses at the siege lines' or the generals of Yan by 'routing us west of Ji'. Our army resisted for not even a fortnight before the altars of state collapsed. And though there were some generals who were loyal to the last and planned never to yield, or others who would die rather than abandon their duty, how could this mere handful have saved the state alone?

夫曹、劉之將非一世所選，向時之師無曩日之眾，戰守之道抑有前符，險阻之利俄然未改，而成敗貿理，古今詭趣，何哉？彼此之化殊，授任之才異也。

"The generals of the armies of Cao Cao and Liu Bei were not inferior to those of the recent invasion, nor was the enemy strength of former times less than in the late campaign; the methods of how to attack and how to defend had not been altered since before, and the natural defenses and terrain of our state were no less perilous to the foe. Yet we prevailed then and faltered now, which goes against reason and makes a mockery of sense. Why did it happen? Because of the difference in character between the ruler then and the one now, the distinction in talent between that granter of offices and ours."

[kimp05]

Firstly I want to say I love your blog. I just recently got into Chinese drama primarily because Ashes of Love was on Netflix, I was curious tries it and I devoured it all in 4 days. I love Den Lung, I've watched all of his stuff. But now I'm stuck I'm not sure where to go next. Of all of his works Ashes of Love was my favourite, but because of meeting you is a second close because of the romance there. What do you suggest?

Thank you for liking my blog! ^^ And WOW! You’ve finished Ashes of Love in 4 days!!! It took me half a year to finished it lol. I no longer have that extensive time to watch a drama in one sitting anymore…sighs. I love Deng Lun too! He was primarily the reason why I watched Ashes of Love, but then I fell in love with Yang Zi (Jin Mi). Such a gifted actress. I adore his character in Because of Meeting You and his chemistry with Sun Yi is not any less than Yang Zi.

As for recommendations, I’ve always recommended this drama first and foremost, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms/Eternal Love. It’s one of my all time favorite dramas. It’s quite similar to Ashes of Love but in my opinion better in content. Here’s some more of my favs: Love O2O (cute and fluffy), Sound of the Desert (Eddie Peng is a SNACK!!!), A Love So Beautiful (youth drama) (sweet as candy), Bu Bu Jing Xin/Scarlet Heart (a crazy mess but addicting with a great group of actors), With You (youth drama) (I just love Liu Hao Ran), My Mr. Mermaid (one word CUTE (the male lead TANG YI BAI is like the sweetest male lead I’ve ever encountered in a drama EVER) minus the creepy second male lead and his annoying sister….and a lot of half naked swimmer guys lol), Boss and Me/Shan Shan Comes to Eat (easy to watch, the couple is cute, office romance), Where the Lost Ones Go (youth/college drama) (such an underrated drama, I love everything about this drama), Pretty Li Hui Zhen (the meal lead is a walking brick, but still enjoyable. The Korean version is slightly better but I like the female lead adaptation of her character better in the Chinese version. The Korean female lead was annoying), Prince of Lan Ling (second lead syndrome was strong here but the drama itself was enjoyable)….that’s it that I can think of on top of my head. Of course there’s a lot more great ones, but I just don’t have the time to watch as many as I would like. I usually just stick to one at a time.

These are some that are relatively new, the oldest one among these are Bu Bu Jing Xin which I believe came out in 2010 or 2011. I didn’t suggested any older ones because there might not be subtitles available for them. Enjoy your journey in exploring Chinese drama! I hope you like these suggestions as much as I do. Have fun ^^

[siumerghe]

Characters of The Ravages of Time and their signs of Chinese Zodiac:

Horse - Lu Meng,  Taishi Ci, Jiang Wei, Ma Su, Liu Biao Goat - Sima Yi,  Cao Cao, Pang Tong, Sun Jian,  Zhuge Ke Monkey - Cao Zhi, Tao Qian,  Zhang Zhao,  Cao Ren Rooster - Zhuge Liang, Xun You, Hua Xin, Zhao Yun  Dog - Guo Jia, Sun Quan, Sun Hao, Zhu Ran, Xu Chu  Pig - Jia Xu, Liu Shan, Lu Xun Rat - Lu Su Ox - Liu Bei, Cao Chong, Deng Ai Tiger - Zhuge Jin, Li Dian Rabbit - Zhou Yu, Sima Zhao, Sun Ce, Cao Pi, Xun Yu, Ma Liang Dragon - Ma Chao, Fa Zheng Snake - Yuan Shao, Ling Tong,  Zhang Chunhua , Chen Deng

[movielosophy]

Sweet Teeth - Go on. Praise me more.

[movielosophy]

Sweet Teeth - I asked you to buy me cleansing milk. Why did you buy so many?

I just wanted to buy cleansing milk, but the salesperson told me about the package, the set and something. It's all good. I was thinking maybe I should just get them for you. Then the salesperson next to her talked to me. She said what I bought was for the summer. It's winter now. She recommended me another set again. When I was paying, I was thinking. I bought so many things for you. I had to get some for Ma Yi Yi and Wu Ying.