Vocabulary

freshly drawn bath; (taking) a bath before anyone else

a single tree or blade of grass; every stick and stone (of a place)

(people) working together with one mind

rags to riches; overnight millionaire

contest decided by a single round (bout); contest decided by a single roll of dice; one-shot game (contest); make-or-break game

killing two birds with one stone; serving two ends

rise and fall; frequent fluctuations (of the market price)

hourly; from hour to hour; moment by moment; momently; from one minute to the next; with each passing moment

(possession of) one feudal domain and one castle; being independent (acting without compromise or assistance)

breaking off short (in one's speech); rendered speechless for a moment

one reading (of a poem aloud) leaves one with ceaseless sighs of admiration

a smile of a beautiful woman is worth a thousand pieces of gold; enchanting smile of a glamorous woman

(strict) observance of the Buddhist precept of lifelong celibacy

ruling the times; holding sway over the minds of the people

it is justifiable to kill one person to save the lives of many

(when) danger threatens; should an emergency occur

combined (concerted) efforts; solidarity; joining forces (with)

(when) the time of need arises; should an emergency occur

stubborn and short-tempered

the dots of i's and the crosses of t's; (not neglecting) the slightest details

to the limit; to the fullest extent; absolutely the limit; the best one can do; breaking even

contest decided by a single round (bout); contest decided by a single roll of dice; one-shot game (contest); make-or-break game

success on the first try (attempt)

this will just be a short note; I'm writing to tell you

a life given up to pleasure; pleasure-seeking lifestyle

rusticity; provincialism

provincial (country) millionaire

the barbarians beyond the borders of old China

awe-inspiring; majestic; commanding; stately; with an imposing air; in a stately (dignified) manner

feelings of dread and aversion

strange stories and curious tales

repeated reading; close (careful) reading; careful perusal

full of zeal; highly motivated; very eager

strange-looking creatures; spirits and goblins

cause and effect; karma; retribution; an evil cause producing an evil effect

the swiftness of retributive justice

post-retirement job; work done by a retired person where earning an income is not a primary concern

polite and courteous

evil heresies

conventional morality; conventional morals