First Episode 32: ???? 1566

[mr tin]

A part of the Grand First Episode Project (http://www.chinese-forums.com/showth...5212).Overview (http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/f/dmwch/index.html) - Emule (http://www.verycd.com/topics/115508/) - youku (http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjg5Nz....html)Language difficulty level: AdvancedA historical show about the ?? era during the Ming dynasty, which documents the internal struggles and corruption which eventually led to the demise of the dynasty.Image: http://image2.sina.com.cn/ent/d/2006...1224191205.jpg I have to say that this show is beautifully filmed and really well-scripted and well-acted. The shots of the palace are majestic, and the tension within the court palace is palpable, and accentuated through interesting camera angles.It is quite complex, though. Not so much in language terms (though it's not really easy either), but in terms of the numerous characters which are introduced and their complex relation to each other. It is also slow, at least this episode, as a lot of time is spent at a fiscal meeting of the ministers as we watch them blame each other on the state of the economy. It is really good, but a bit heavy. I wonder if the following episodes are more dynamic, and if this one just sets the mood.I'm not going to describe the events in detail. The emperor is fasting in an attempt to please the heavens and call the snow, a eunuch is executed after he claims that the corruption in the imperial court and the resulting wrath of the heavens is the reason for the drought, there is a long and difficult session of the imperial cabinet in which the ministers are accusing each other of misappropriating money and treason, the situation is dire (Japanese pirates are plundering their ships, the Great Wall needs strengthening, money is short). The emperor gets a grandson and ultimately calls the cabinet to explain the situation to him.I will give a list of major characters and their positions, though. I'd be thankful for any help in correctly translating the titles, though. This is what I've been able to figure out. ? is the emperor, his sons are ?. ?? are eunuchs, ??? are cabinet advisors. I believe that ??? is king's personal aide*Characters*:?? ?????? (local head eunuch)??? ??????? ??????????? ????????? ????????? ???? (head cabinet advisor)?? ???? (deputy cabinet advisor)??? ??? (emperor)??? ?? (king, emperor's son)?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ??? *Important vocab* (some stuff is missing, I couldn't find all of it):?? an era (1522?-1566?) during the Ming Dynasty 39 ??? 29 -- Dec 29th, year 39 of the ?? era, so around 1561?? cháo tíng - court / imperial household / dynasty?? k?i zh? - expenditures / pay ?? wú dù - immoderate / excessive?? tài jiàn - court eunuch / palace eunuch?? gu?n f? - authorities / feudal official?? t?n mò - corrupt, I'm guessing?? héng xíng - rampage / riot?????? gu?n yuán - official (in an organization or government) / administrator?? zhì z? - (the dictionary says 'proton', but that can't be right)?? tíng zhàng - (scepter ???)? zhèn - I / we (imperial use)??? yù x? g?ng - Jade Palace (a palace within the Imperial City in Beijing)?? zh?i jiè - to fast?? qí xu? - pray for snow???? ái d? - take a beating / get a thrashing / come under attack ??? rén d?ng zh?ng - among the people??? - be unavoidable, be bound to?? xiáng ruì - auspicious / propitious?? nú bì - slave girl?? li? lie - to grin?? yì shì - to discuss official business?? shí chen - time / one of the 12 two-hour periods of the day?? k?ng sh?ng - to utter a sound?? g?n di? - godfather?? ch?i shi - errand / assignment???? ku? k?ng - in debt / in the red / in deficit???? tóng zh?u gòng jì - cross a river in the same boat (?? saw); / obliged to collaborate towards common goals?? gè bù - each ministry???? y?ng lài - to rely on?????? f?i bàng - slander / libel???? hù bù - feudal Chinese Ministry of Revenue?? g?ng bù - Ministry of Labour, I guess?? lì bù?? zhàng d?n - bill / check?? d?n wu - delay / hold-up / to waste time???? chè zhí - to sack?? piào n? - (this should be fiscal planning)?? niàn tou - thought / idea / intention?? chén z? - official in feudal court / subject?? qí su? - its place / one's appointed place???? yù suàn - budget?? hé duì - to check (figures) / to audit?? míng què - clear-cut / definite?? jì z?i - write down / record / written account????????? W? kòu - Japanese pirates (in 16th and 17th century)??????? jiè yòng - to borrow sth for another use / to borrow an idea for one's own use?? B? s? - Persia? z?o - meet by chance (usually with misfortune) / classifier for events: time, turn, incident?? hu? z?i - fire (that burns buildings etc)? m?n - abbr. for Fujian ?? province ?? fán shì - everything?????? z?o k?ng - chaff / grain husk ?? ti?o su? - to incite / to stir up / to instigate?? hòu tái - backstage / the area behind a theatrical stage / backstage supporter ???? rú ch? y? zhé - be precisely the same / be no different???? tòu chè - penetrating (analysis) / thorough (understanding of the situation)