#大军师司马懿之军师联盟

[mademoiselle-red]

作为曹操粉，真的很喜欢军师联盟第一季的前一半，呈现了我心目中最有魅力的曹操形象。但作为亮粉，真的很恨第二季，特别是穿女装读出师表那场戏，很low很low，抹黑了司马懿、低估了诸葛亮的心里素质、也侮辱了观众。还有空城计、阿斗的形象、李严都处理得很low

新三国相比之下好很多。但是，貂蝉巾帼英雄女中豪杰被改成恋爱脑证明了编剧没品味。刘葛东征问题上公开争执、先帝公开冷落丞相这种阴谋论也大可不必。其实这部剧的刘备形象塑造是有问题的。备备枭雄的一面、脾气暴躁的一面体现的很到位，而大宝贝亲和仁厚，温柔体贴的一面、让那么多英雄豪杰不为权利和财富誓死追随的魅力没有演到位。看完新三国还是get不了为什么刘备白手起家还能聚集并号令季汉众英才。看了老版三国秒get，终于get到了皇叔的魅力。老版备就是有一股魅力让人有追随他、信任他、亲近他的冲动。

[la-muerta]

five people I'd like to get to know better

Tagged by @rose-tinted-vision and @howdaretrashships, thank you! ❤️

🎶 Last song I listened to: One Night in Beijing by 信樂團

📺 Currently watching: The Advisors Alliance 大军师司马懿之军师联盟 (yes I'm watching it for Shunyao lol)

🌶️ Sweet/Savory/Spicy?: Savoury but sometimes I do get a craving for something spicy.

❤️ Relationship status: married for 15 years

🤩 Current obsession: Mysterious Lotus Casebook and Dihua. Look, the way I fandom is just to latch onto a OTP and go insane about them lol

No pressure tagging: @cheetahing @yletylyf @the-wintry-mizzenmast @omgpurplefattie @kingsandbastardz

[beehunni62]

The Advisors Alliance Translation Post 2: “Husband, don’t cross the river. Husband, nonetheless, crossed the river.”

The Advisors Alliance 大军师司马懿之军师联盟 is a 2017 two-part Chinese TV series depicting the life of Sima Yi, a government official and military strategist who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty 东汉 (25 CE - 220 CE) and the Three Kingdoms Period 三国時代 (220 CE - 280 CE). [Wikipedia of the show’s first season]

The second part is titled Growling Tiger Hidden Dragon 虎啸龙吟 and keeps following Sima Yi’s life as he matures and becomes wiser [Link to the show’s second season’s MyDramaList page].

The Weibo account [Link] of the show made a series of posts in the style of small encyclopedias explaining different historical and cultural facts that where included in the series. The user @moononmyfloor compiled the 50 posts and asked me to translate them. This will be an ongoing series where I will do just that.

The posts are not in order of the episodes but I will provide the episode and season number to avoid confusion. If there are any mistakes in translation, do let me know in the comments or privately message me and I will do my best to fix them. Although I tried to stay as close as possible to the original text, I had to take some liberties in some posts to get the meaning across better. On the side, I have included extra information from personal research that explains certain things better.

If it is difficult to read the letters, tap or click on the image to expand it. Without more preamble, here you go.

Extra information:

Yuefu (乐府), literally Music Bureau, are a genre of ancient Chinese folk songs that, either imitate the style of, or are from the Imperial Music Bureau. The latter was an institution in charge of collecting and writing lyrics to folk songs. Yuefu are known for having strict syllabic rules that change from dynasty to dynasty.

《公无渡河》 is also known as Kong Hou Yin (箜篌引). Konghou is an ancient Chinese stringed instrument similar to a harp. A Yin (引), in this context, is another type of ancient music poetry that has a freer syllabic structure and is characterized by long syllables that go well with the melody of the konghou. Below is a picture of the instrument:

Vertical konghou 箜篌 in exhibit at the Gansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou, China. Taken on May 10, 2013 by Gary Todd [image source].

Allow me to clarify something. The folk song 《公无渡河》 was recorded by Cui Bao in "Notes on Ancient and Modern Times" to be of Gojoseon origin. As such, Koreans consider it to be their oldest surviving folk song.

The Chinese consider it a Chinese Han Dynasty song on account of the tale being set and song created in the Lelang Commandery [108 B.C.E. - 313 C.E.] which is one of the four regions Gojoseon was split into while under Han rule. Koreans consider the residents of Lelang, and the other commandaries, to be Gojosen Koreans who retained a separate culture to the Han Chinese. If you wish to conduct further research into the song, don’t get surprised if you read different names for the characters that appear in the story.

Koreans call the song "Gongmudohaga (공무도하가)” and the ferryman Gwaklijago (곽리자고). The Korean folk tale differs from the Chinese retelling in that the Korean name of Gwaklijago wife, who is credited with creating the actual song, according to certain Chinese and Korean retellings, is Yeo-ok (여옥) rather than Li Yu (丽玉). In Cao Yong and Cui Bao’s retellings, the wife of the drowned drunk man created the song while, in the Korean version, it was the wife of the ferryman who, upon learning about what had transpired from her husband once he came home, created the song on her harp, called in Korean gonghu (공후).

Many Chinese poets have retold the story in their own ways and added, omitted, or reinterpreted content. Some of said poets are Li Bai and Chen Shou of Shu Han. On top is Li Bai's version which lacks strict syllabic structure, a signature of his style and, on the bottom, Chen Shou's more structured one:

This expression 《公无渡河, 公竟渡河》 is often used as an allegory to satirize someone who is heading into clear danger but is too stubborn or obsessed to listen. If this person doesn't listen, then they are sure to run into trouble.

Catalogue (find the rest of the posts):

[joys-of-everyday]

I was tagged by @stardust-falling ^.^ Thank you!

1. three ships: T_T choosing from my babies. Hualian (TGCF). They invented love with their godly powers or smth. 9S/2B (Nier Automata) The inherent eroticism of killing someone over and over. ...and omg this is going to get me killed, but Cao Cao and Guo Jia as a semi-platonic ship for their redonkulus chemistry in 三国机密/Secret of the Three Kingdoms (and others).

2. first ever ship: Killugon from HunterxHunter way way back now. Had such importance to me growing up. Nostalgia U-U

3. last song: Focus, by Liu Yu

4. last movie: Honor Among Thieves (twas great. Recommend for all dnd fans and non-fans)

5. currently reading: Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil (An excellent book if you want to know in greater detail to what extent algorithms screw people over. tl;dr is 'far more than you would expect')

6. currently watching: 大军师司马懿之军师联盟/Advisors Alliance and Foundation (Apple TV). Two extremely different flavours of Empire politics.

7. currently consuming: supermarket brand British tea with milk XD

8. currently craving: something spicy

if you want to do it and haven't done it yet (or want to do it again!) @meridissa @rainy-days-and-cabbage @lryghe @slytherinzidian @zykamiliah @settlein4580

[ittybittyhuac]

"Kill them with kindness" Wrong. CURSE OF QIN SHI HUANG

的是不我一有大在人了中到资要可以这个你会好为上来就学交也用能如文时没说他看提那问生过下请天们所多麽小想得之还电出工对都机自後子而讯站去心只家知国台很信成章何同道地发法无然但吗当於本现年前真最和新因果定意情点题其事方清科样些吧叁此位理行作经者什谢名日正华话开实再城爱与二动比高面又车力或种像应女教分手打已次长太明己路起相主关凤间呢觉该十外凰友才民系进使她着各少全两回加将感第性球式把被老公龙程论及别给听水重体做校里常东风您湾啦见解等部原月美先管区错音否啊找网乐让通入期选较四场由书它快从欢数表怎至立内合目望认几社告更版度考喜头难光买今身许弟若算记代统处完号接言政玩师字并男计谁山张党每且结改非星连哈建放直转报活设变指气研陈试西五希取神化物王战近世受义反单死任跟便空林士台却北队功必声写平影业金档片讨色容央妳向市则员兴利强白价安呵特思叫总办保花议传元求份件持万未究决投哪喔笑猫组独级走支曾标流竹兄阿室卡马共需海口门般线语命观视朋联参格黄钱修失儿住八脑板吃另��即象料录拿专远速基帮形确候装孩备歌界除南器画诉差讲类英案带久乎掉迷量引整似耶奇制边型超识虽怪飞始品运赛费梦故班权破验眼满念造军精务留服六图收舍半读愿李底约雄课答令深票达演早卖棒够黑院假曲火准百谈胜碟术推存治离易往况晚示证段导伤调团七永刚哥甚德杀怕包列概照夜排客绝软商根九切条集千落竟越待忘尽据双供称座值消产红跑嘛园附硬云游展执闻唱育斯某技唉息苦质油救效须介首助职例热毕节害击乱态嗯宝倒注停古输规福亲查复步举鱼断终轻环练印随依趣限响省局续司角简极干篇罗佛克阳武疑送拉习源免志鸟烦足馆仍低广土呀楼坏兵显率圣码众争初误楚责境野预具智压系青贵顺负魔适哇测慢怀懂史配呜味亦医迎舞恋细灌甲帝句属灵评骑宜败左追狂敢春狗际遇族群痛右康佳杨木病戏项抓徵善官护博补石尔营历只按妹里编岁择温守血领寻田养谓居异雨止跳君烂优封拜恶啥浪核聊急状陆激模攻忙良剧牛垒增维静阵抱势严词亚夫签悲密幕毒厂爽缘店吴兰睡致江宿翻香蛮警控赵冷威微坐周宗普登母络午恐套巴杂创旧辑幸剑亮述堂酒丽牌仔脚突搞父俊暴防吉礼素招草周房餐虑充府背典仁漫景绍诸琴忆援尤缺扁骂纯惜授皮松委湖诚麻置靠继判益波姐既射欲刻堆释含承退莫刘昨旁纪赶制尚艺肉律铁奏树毛罪笔彩注归弹虎卫刀皆键售块险荣播施铭罗汉赏欣升叶萤载嘿弄钟付寄鬼哦灯呆洋嘻布磁荐检派构妈蓝贴猪策纸暗巧努雷架享宣逢均担启济罢呼划伟岛歉郭训穿详沙督梅顾敌协轮略慧幻脸短鹰冲朝忍游河批混窗乡蛋季散册弃熟奖唯藏婚镜紧猜喝尊乾县伯偏偷秋层颗食淡申冠衣仅帐赞购犯敬勇洲束��徒嘉柔绩笨拥漂狮诗围乖孤姓吸私避范抗盖祝序晓富译巨秀馀辉插察庆积愈端移宫挥爆港雪硕借帅丢括挂盘偶末厅朱凡惊货灭醒虚瑞拍遗忠志透烈银顶雅诺圆熊替休材挑侠鸡累互掌念米伴辅降豪篮洗健饭怜疯宏困址兮操临骗咧药绿尼蔡玉辛辈敏减彼街聚郎泡恨苏缩枢碰采默婆股童符抽获宇废赢肯砍钢欧届禁苍脱渐仙泪触途财箱厌籍冰涛订哭稳析杰坚桥懒贤丝露森危占茶惯尘布爸阶夏谊瓶哩惨械隐丰旅椰亡汽贝娘寒遭吹暑珍零刊邮村乃予赖摇纳烟伦尾狼浮骨杯隔洪织询振忽索惠峰席喵胡租款扰企刺芳鼠折频冒痴阴哲针伊寂嘴倚霸扬沉悔虫菜距复鼓摩郑庄副页烧弱暂剩豆探耐祖遍萧握愁龟哀发延库隆盟傻眉固秘卷搭昭宁托辩覆吵耳閒拨沈升胖丁妙残违稍媒忧销恩颜船奈映井拼屋乘京藉洞川宪拟寝塞倍户摆桌域劳赚皇逃鸿横牙拖齐农滚障搬奶乌了松戴谱酷棋吓摸额瓜役怨染迫醉锁震床闹佩牠徐尺干潮帽盛孙屁净凯撞迴损伙牵厉惑羊冬桃舰眠伍溪飘泰宋圈竞闪纵崇滑乙俗浅莲紫沟旋摄聪毁庭麦描妨勒仪陪榜板慕耀献审蟹巷谅姊逐踏岸葛卧洽寞邦藤拳阻蝎面殊凭拒池邪航驱裁翔填奥函镇丌宽颇枪遥穹啪阅锋砂恭塔贺魂睛逸旗萨丸厚斋芬革庸舒饮闭励顿仰阁孟昌访绪裕勿州阐抢扫糊宙尝菩赐赤喊盗擎劝奋慈尽污狐罚幽准兼尖彰灰番衡鲜扩毫夸炮拆监栏迟证倾郁汪纷托漏渡姑秒吾窝辆龄跌浩肥兽煞抹酸税陷谷冲杜胸甘胞诞岂辞墙凉碎晶邱逻脆喷玫娃培咱潜祥筑孔柏叭邀犹妻估荒袋径垃傲淑圾旦亿截币羽妇泥欺弦筹舍忌串伸喇耻繁廖逛劲臭鲁壮捕穷拔于丑莉糟炸坡蒙腿坦怒甜韩缓悉扯割艾胎恒玲朵泉汤猛驾幼坪��弯胆昏鞋怡吐唐悠盾跃侵丹鑑泽薪逝彦后召吕碧晨辨植痴瑰钓轩勤珠浓悟磨剪逼玄暖躲洛症挡敝碍亨逊蜜盼姆赋彬壁缴捷乏戒憾滴桑菲嫌愉爬恼删叹抵棚摘蒋箭夕翁牲迹勉莱洁贪恰曰侨沧咖唷扣采奔泳迹涯夺抄疗署誓盃骚翼屠咪雾涉锺踢谋牺焦涵础绕俱霹坜唬氏彻吝曼寿粉廉炎祸���炮啡肚贡鼻挖貌捐融筋云稣捡饱铃雳鸣奉燃饰绘黎卷恢瞧茫幅迪柳瑜矛吊侯玛撑薄敦挤墨琪凌侧枫嗨梯梁廷儒咬岚览兔怖稿齿狱爷迈闷乔姿踪宾家弘韵岭咦裤壳孝仇誉妮惧促驶疼凶粗耍糕仲裂吟陀赌爵哉亏锅刷旭晴蝶阔洩顽牧契轰羞拾锦逆堕夹枝瓦舟悦惹疏锐翘哎综纲扇驻屏堪弥贯愚抬喂靖狠饼凝邻擦滋坤蛙灾莎毅卒汝征赠斗抛秦辱涂披允侦欲夥朗笛劫魅钦慰荷挺矣迅禅迁鹿秤彭肩赞丙鹅痕液涨巡烤贱丈趋沿滥措么扭捉碗炉脏叔秘腰漠翅余胶妥谣缸芒陵雯轨虾寸呦洒贞蜂钻厕鹤摔盒虫氛悄霖愧斜尸循俩堡旺恶叉燕津臣丧茂椅缠刑脉杉泊撒递疲杆趁欠盈晃蛇牡慎粒系倦溜遵腐疾鸭璃牢劣患祂呈浑剂妖玻塑飙伏弊扮侬渴歪苗汗陶栋琳蓉埋叡澎并泣腾柯催畅勾樱阮斥搜踩返坛垂唤储贩匆添坑柴邓糖昆暮柜娟腹煮泛稀兹抑携芭框彷罐虹拷萍臂袭叙吻仿贼羯浴体翠灿敲胁侣蚁秩佑谨寡岳赔掩匙曹纽签晋喻绵咏摊馨珊孕杰拘哟羡肤肝袍罩叛御谜嫁庙肠谎潘埔卜占拦煌俄札骤陌澄仓匪宵钮岗荡卸旨粽贸舌历叮咒钥苹祭屈陋雀睹媚娜诱衷菁殿撕蠢惟嚣踊跨膀筒纹乳仗轴撤潭佛桂愤捧袖埃壹赫谦汇魏粹傅寮猴衰辜恳桶吋衫瞬冻猎琼卿戚卓殖泼譬翰刮斌枉梁庞闽宅麟宰梭纠丛雕澳毙颖腔伫躺划寺炼胃昂勋骄卑蚂墓冥妄董淋卢偿姻砸践殷��铜盲扎驳湿凑炒尿穴蟑拓诡谬淫荡鼎斩尧伪饿驰蚊瘟肢挫槽扶兆僧昧螂匹芝奸聘眷熙猩癢帖贫贿扑笼丘颠讶玮尹詗柱袁漆毋辣棍矩佐澡渊痞矮戈勃吞肆抖咳亭淘穗黏冈歧屑拢潇谐遣诊祈霜熬饶闯婉致雁觅讽膜挣斤帆铺凄瑟艇壶苑悬詹诠滤掰稚辰募懿慨哼汁佬纤肃遨渔恕蝴垫昱竿缝蹈鞭仆豫岩辐歹甄斑淹崎骏薰婷宠棵弓犬涂刹郁坎煎螺遮枯台昔瘾蒂坠唔瞎筝唇表吁冤祷甩伞酱范焉娇驼沦碳沾抚溶叠几蜡涌氧弦娱皓奴颓嘎趟揭噹剥垦狭魁坊盐屎郝佩摧栗菊瘦钧匿砖嘘缚嘟盆债霞挽逍畔蕴颈获畏喂脾姬赴囊噪熄锡诀肇璋晕浊伐峡窃枕倘慌垮帕莹琦厢渺脏削锣虐豔薇霉衍腊喧娶遂睁裙韦矢伺钉婴蓄奸廿堵葬蓬鸦尝挨蕾璿挚券厨醇呻霍剃浆葡暨滨履捞咕耕棉烁尉艰妓棺鹏蒸癌纬菌撇惩绑甫崩魄拂汰氓歇萝呒萄蕃曝疋向胏烛腻襄妆髓朴薯颂薛滩橘贰嘲叹枚侮豹巢酬碑翩蚕辽矿屡谴卵撰攀肌冯宴盏阪浦迦颁炼尬胀辟艘株只湘饲爹梨喽侍疫雕黯并铝弗爪鄙钗栽狸谘柄悸喉擅劈秉芷裸锵贾逗寓咚璞烫铅啸炳屿竖惶仕挪栅迄顷窄鸥鲢郊倩兜茧磊抒夷绰溯拙僚芙杖溃凶鸽妒沌祺呐卦聆栖蝇佮唾汇楣匠蛛悼舜耿瞄芋瞒竭茵吼苛浸拯克豆沛掠廊凸搅俺酌倡朦蕉暱焕掏蝉焰狄绳惰芽裹宛御赎燥滔贬悍袂坟颉啤押尴颤钝腥缔粮哑槟簿斧肿纶僵齣辖蹲敷喘扎酿佑肖愈隧嗜檬迳碌襟凋圭寇污哨倪筠桦诈姜旬秃脂噢撼衅庚炫谭惭涩崔贷胡晒琉捏绮膝拭暗醋膨杠鑫瀑喃剖袜逾涅扳惘凳呃掘捍榔窍蜗旷梵暇稻柠抉辗蔚钩卜莺匡蜘祯哔窟亟谛溢黛晦伶逮傍葱刁堤恍匣谍禧轿耸瀚斐忿泓拐驴罕沫绽刃窈渝仄瑛葵噜绣奕窥浏隶蔽仟敛丞诘鳖疤膏锥窕皱晰晖舅孰煽姚钞袱绊焚芦咸沮呕瞪淳丐茹盘菱篠涕衬蚀溉瑄翟怠钰躯肺掷丑奢荫靶纱芸佰峻阱哄肾庄囡阑戳腕菸凹蟾蒐呱巾雏螃盯馈垄毓犀逞姨穆樵阀弥跷搁隙疵憧忏琨阙萱怅辄搏榕饥捣渣眺虞俯绅谤珑咫俏淆蜀楠乞诅匀貂寰迋敞跪囚溺骆憬苇脊瑶疆乍杆眸窜孽卅夭簧徘馒趴鎚啼冗缉絮啄沸萃嘶鸳禽惫徨屐舆邂掀嫖苟檯矫铎棱哗徊拱蕙徬滞吠妞氾芹叩朽侪赦汐丰虔茅棠仑膳魉儡鸯懦渗邵筱畜崖瑕蕊揣擒挂屯莽矽侏弧澈饺奎裘塌饵偎泻蔓彗樽衔茍磋萎廓悯铸茎歼壤浇蚤恃瞻拚汀椒嚼粥磅佫勘脖吨澜锻笙厄嚷伽徽隅寥缤簾烘茜驯噎厦闰煤链锈诫颊俐曳蓓暧郤淌喀昆蔑峙躁菇逅雇殴泌酥缮莓辕骇巍糗扛杏茁琵礁秽岔僻焊嗡诵瞌捌遁赃涡琮卯锯扔苏邹莅隘蹋湛昼岫蛰桩藐汲禄皂濑绒耽粪粤卤曜懋咎痘聂垢瞳闵睿跤鉴躬斟淇莒毯幸骋岱庐殃橄恤叽鳞蒙芥榄楷硫苔麒椎禹喙厘袅亥倌吭诃裔梓蓦岩帜瓣狡惕蒙怯嫩龚嚎豚埠暸唆妃瓢蹄厮讥啃琶愿噱狷搪氢橙咆靡砌筷兑溼呸镀踹冢祟懈术搓攸橡膛俞祉冀炊瓷遐揽鹭茄蜢塘郡韬挟牟糙阎旻赘霆呎炭霄媳瘤猿颺煚铠蝠钜苓傀烬墅璇困愣恬嫉琐嫂淼梳憎搂藻酵屉陡摺箫飨桐蚱曦璧偈蹦昶咙铮嗤戌屌耘裳啾嵘胺笃烹巩厝疚鸶汹蔷沐咽烙畸讳揍曙铐朔涓睬矶岐凄鲫楞鲤荆偕徜饥肮蔼辙恁霈诛鞠茉煜傭嗓酹昙铨艳绷峨揉珈鹃诲臆焰隽熔堇韧扒憨舵肛戊坝抠骷碘鞍冕榨肘羔哺霓巳铲蚵惆驹撷稽羹纺蜕趾吊豁褪癸眨臻慷蝙胧沼舱柚抨葭枷靥硝绚绞缆讪褚砗嫣蒲丫鹦��憩懊聋盎婊盔峦矜凛铺鹉蜴惚畴羁媛堑泛疮韶憋祁诟搔蜥袒奄忱玖拌悴祠扼髅筑蛤茱骐捶须亢葔艸筛岳岳慵戮跎砰仑炜篱笈瘫吏痊庶厥棘娑沁窘鲸缕硷俨栈蔬鸠闲迢恣昀泠涟眩噫娥荼鳄镖侃虏俾樟榴咛炬窦笠翱莘躇翡姜枭匕藩徉觞拣吱皈墉傌梢巅踌萌幌杭侥栾奠痲夸瘖芯蟀驿耨禾瑾

“kill them with kindness” Wrong. CURSE OF RA 𓀀 𓀁 𓀂 𓀃 𓀄 𓀅 𓀆 𓀇 𓀈 𓀉 𓀊 𓀋 𓀌 𓀍 𓀎 𓀏 𓀐 𓀑 𓀒 𓀓 𓀔 𓀕 𓀖 𓀗 𓀘 𓀙 𓀚 𓀛 𓀜 𓀝 𓀞 𓀟 𓀠 𓀡 𓀢 𓀣 𓀤 𓀥 𓀦 𓀧 𓀨 𓀩 𓀪 𓀫 𓀬 𓀭 𓀮 𓀯 𓀰 𓀱 𓀲 𓀳 𓀴 𓀵 𓀶 𓀷 𓀸 𓀹 𓀺 𓀻 𓀼 𓀽 𓀾 𓀿 𓁀 𓁁 𓁂 𓁃 𓁄 𓁅 𓁆 𓁇 𓁈 𓁉 𓁊 𓁋 𓁌 𓁍 𓁎 𓁏 𓁐 𓁑 𓀄 𓀅 𓀆

[moononmyfloor]

Watching ep 23 of Advisors Alliance, I caught a small detail. This lady-like lamp in the corner of the room. It's based on an actual historical artifact.

I'm so impressed and amazed by how they have included so thoroughly researched historical details but never flaunt them or draw attention to them, they are just... there in the background! If you are not knowledgeable on the subject you would never notice! I only recognised this because I've read about this lamp before, this makes me think there must be tons of other stuff I might have missed!

Things like this is why I keep an eye out for "historical details" in period dramas even though accuracy is not a thing one must demand from a drama. But hey, keeping the expectations low helps you admire and enjoy it even more whenever they do small things like this right!

[guzhuangheaven]

The Advisors Alliance

↳ Cao Cao

[mysone]

The Advisors Alliance (2017) thread

https://twitter.com/Guimi99/status/1155959582075654144?s=20 

This is a historical Chinese drama that is settled in the Three Kingdoms period. Btw I'm not Chinese, so I lack of historical knowledge and those are my personal thoughts on the show and the characters. 

[shenmeizhuang-blog]

current standing + ramblings

*I wanted to do a more official, “pretty” post but currently it’s a bit...inconvenient to fully use Tumblr. So, here goes:

The Advisors Alliance (大军师司马懿之军师联盟): I do have some catching up to do, as I’m currently only 22 episodes into the 42-ep Season 1, which just completed its run a few days ago. Admittedly, I’m slightly apprehensive as I’ve read complaints that the latter part of the show becomes a bit...illogical, but time will tell. 

Where I am currently, warlord/king of Wei Kingdom (despite the current “emperor” of Eastern Han still existing) Cao Cao is about to die; with the earlier eps essentially covering protagonist Sima Yi as he assists unfavored son Cao Pi to gain the position of Crown Prince and faces adversary Yang Xiu, the deaths of the recent characters mark a pretty obvious shifting point; while the earlier eps had that whole Nirvana in Fire vibe that came with an advisor placing an unfavored son on the throne (although frankly, I ship just about everything EXCEPT Sima Yi and Cao Pi), as well as Yang Xiu and Cao Cao’s dominating presences that assisted in holding the show together, the latter eps risk being somewhat messy. 

The first episode was somewhat of a challenge to complete, with me having to even reference a dictionary multiple times, but eventually it becomes not that hard. Additionally, I find this show freaking ADORABLE -- there are just so many brief breaks of humor, heartwarming domesticity, and the ridiculously shippy romance between Cao Pi and Guo Zhao. Easily the best thing about this show is simply the cinematography and execution, so even if events become messy/illogical (though this is a considerably smart show), this is an amazing show to dunk my eyes into simply for the pretty. 

Admittedly, I know next to nothing about Three Kingdoms history, except like the super super basic, so I can’t really comment on historical accuracy (the show does utilize historical events such as battles or someone’s ascension for time skips though). I KNOW that apparently Hua Too died way later than in the show, etc., but frankly I would rather see a well thought-out story than a dry retelling of history. 

But I’m also hypocritical, and find that the show wants to emphasize Sima Yi/ everyone’s connections a bit TOO much -- like, what is the point of having to make Guo Zhao related to the Sima family? I ship her with Cao Pi a lot, but so many times it feels like she’s there to assist in saving someone in the Sima family (’tis a time where people’s lives are endangered essentially every 30 seconds). Additionally, since my cousin was watching this on TV, I saw a scene far far later where Zhen Fu 被打入冷宫 and she needed assistance or something and she freaking asked for Sima Yi. Because, of course, EVERYTHING comes back to him. 

Acting-wise, everyone is quite solid, and very surprisingly I actually recognize a lot of the actors, which makes for a very nice viewing experience. (Admittedly Li Chen feels...like Li Chen rather than Cao Pi, though the mustache I think actually helps diminish that a bit. Wang Jinsong’s portrayal of Xun You blew me away, though I’m slightly irritated by the fact that he (among 崔尚书 and other characters) essentially served as sacrifices -- some of the more minor characters tend to serve purposes to push forward the plot or give some advice rather than actually be characters. (Although they do an amazing job portraying this show’s antagonists so far). 

I really do like Yu Hewei as Cao Cao, even if people say he’s essentially channeling Chen Jianbin’s performance in San Guo (which I DIDN’T see). Personally, I can’t shake away the image of Chen Jianbin as Emperor Yongzheng (in Zhen Huan), so if I watch 3K 2010 for whatever reason it’s all going to very peculiar for me.

But, overall: I like it! I love its dramatics, humor, and cuteness rather than find it off-putting, and no matter what’s stored for the future, I will still fondly look back upon the earlier episodes at least. 

Love Lost in Times (醉玲珑): Despite the more peculiar-looking hairstyles, surprisingly one of the biggest perks to this show is the gorgeous cinematography and directing. Everything is just so very pretty -- EVEN compared to The Advisors Alliance, making this a really nice show to just relax my brain with. This is a weekly show (the horror), airing only two days a week, so with me not completely invested yet but still enjoying, I’m not biting my nails and praying for new episodes/for Thursday to come yet can more easily stay on schedule. 

Located in the kingdom of Western Wei, which interestingly is the location of a whole lot of currently airing shows (even AA technically takes place in Wei, though in a much different context), this is a world where the royal family struck a deal with a clan of witches/sorcerers (although I’ve only seen a total of two magical males in the witch clan’s realm hehe). This entire high fantasy/alternate realms is a pretty unique concept, and nicely melds with simple palace politics. But despite all the wonder and pretty, it’s very clear that the main point is the star-crossed (literally, with Qingchen being this 阴星 who is actually fated to meet 阳星) love between our leads. So far the pacing is very nice, and four episodes in, there’s already a very clear set-up . . . that is, leading up to Qingchen resetting the universe, Yuan Ling forgetting like everything, and everything angsty all starting over again. 

Admittedly, if not for the unique high fantasy concept the entire royal-political arc would be very generic. And like...why Fourth Prince AGAIN? LOL. (People say that the original novel is essentially a rehash of BBJX, especially since the original saw our protagonist time traveling from the modern day, but the romance and political events at least in the drama feel WAY TOO DIRECT and simplified for me to even make a slight association. Also, the main point of BBJX is like the freaking time travel aspect . . . erm anyway, I could rant forever about BBJX so I won’t.)

Despite the quick and refreshing pace, the one thing I find difficult is shipping the OTP, and they’re getting married despite all odds like next episode. Because, already? 

My favorite thing about this show, prettiness aside, is actually this show’s main antagonist, the seventh prince Yuan Zhan -- 1) Xu Hai Qiao but 2) unlike the other Evil^TM characters, he feels like the most complex and multifaceted character compared to everyone else (including, and especially our likable but so far typical leads, though I do also enjoy seeing Yuan Ling’s stubbornness and resourcefulness that would’ve resolved all the issues of most star-crossed romances), and is, Yuan Ling aside, someone I would entrust as a ruler. He’s sly and definitely some parts morally dark, but I enjoy seeing his ambition, the facade he creates, as well as his own perspective the justifies his own actions. He isn’t inherently evil or anything, just has a different 立场 and different motives than our leads. It’s just that his headpiece looks like either a cake or a flowerpot XD. 

Acting: both Shi Shi and William Chan are mediocre, though I think nicely compliment each other in prettiness and mediocrity, but side characters such as Liu Yijun as the horrid and corrupt Emperor, Han Dong as Qingchen’s shifu, Han Xue, Xu Hai Qiao as Yuan Zhan, Zhang He as 9th all delivered solid performances. 

It’s still a largely simplistic show that’s largely about the romance (*coughs* the title), but if well-done I’m always here for the angst. Overall, given that I didn’t really anticipate this show or have that many expectations, it’s a good show so far. Okay and randomly the opening theme sounds rather off-putting -- I would suggest skipping over that. 

[mydaylight]

Hello! May i ask what shows did you use for the top 10 empresses post? I konky recognized some.

Sure!

Lv Zhi & Wang Zhi - Secret of the Three Kingdoms三国机密

Empress Xiaoding - Song of Youth 玉楼春

Empress Liu - Serenade of Peaceful joy 清平乐

Wu Zetian - Luoyang 风起洛阳

Xiao Chuo - Legend of Xiao Chuo 燕云台

Empress Qian - The Sword and the Brocade 锦心似玉

Empress Xiao - Stand by Me 与君歌

Empress Βian - The Advisors Alliance 大军师司马懿之军师联盟

Empress Xiaozhuangwen - Marvelous Women 当家主母

[beehunni62]

Advisors Alliance Mini Encyclopedia Translation Post 19: Dogwood

The Advisors Alliance 大军师司马懿之军师联盟 is a 2017 two-part Chinese TV series depicting the life of Sima Yi, a government official and military strategist who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty 东汉 (25 CE - 220 CE) and the Three Kingdoms Period 三国時代 (220 CE - 280 CE). [Wikipedia of the show’s first season]

The second part is titled Growling Tiger Roaring Dragon 虎啸龙吟 and keeps following Sima Yi’s life as he matures and becomes wiser [Link to the show’s second season’s MyDramaList page].

The Weibo account [Link] of the show made a series of posts in the style of small encyclopedias explaining different historical and cultural facts that where included in the series. The user @moononmyfloor compiled the 50 posts and asked me to translate them. This will be an ongoing series where I will do just that. Although I tried to stay as close as possible to the original text, I had to take some liberties in some posts to get the meaning across better. On the side, I have included extra information from personal research that explains certain things better.

The posts are not in order of the episodes but I will provide the episode and season number to avoid confusion. If there are any mistakes in translation, do let me know in the comments or privately message me and I will do my best to fix them.

If it is difficult to read the letters, tap or click on the image to expand it. Without more preamble, here you go.

There’s a typo. I meant “Ming Dynasty” not “Mind Dynasty”.

Extra information:

Double Ninth Festival, also known as Double Yang Festival and Chongyang Festival, is a Chinese holiday celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month in the traditional Chinese calendar. It’s called the Double Yang Festival 重阳节 [Trad. 重陽節] because nine, in Chinese culture, was regarded to be a Yang number (6 was Yin). As such, the ninth day of the nine month was considered to have very strong Yang energy and, thus, was auspicious. People celebrated it by climbing high places such as mountains (from there the festival also came to be known as the Height Ascending Festival 登高节), drinking chrysanthemum wine, eating chrysanthemum cakes, appreciating chrysanthemum flowers, wearing dogwood branches on the hair, and visiting the graves of ancestors to leave food, drinks, and gifts. The tradition of climbing mountains likely came from the worship of mountains as ancient Chinese people climbed them to pray and receive blessings from the gods and/or ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival predates the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Like all other traditional Chinese holidays, poets wrote poems dedicated to celebrating the auspicious days. The fragment of the poem that is mentioned at the beginning of the post is one taught to children in China in elementary school. It’s by the Tang poet Wang Wei 王维 and it’s titled 《九月九日忆山东兄弟》 [Trad. 《九月九日憶山東兄弟》]. Below is the poem in both simplified and traditional Chinese. I will leave a translation made by American Poet Witter Bynner below.

Traditional:

獨在異鄉為異客，

每逢佳節倍思親。

遙知兄弟登高處，

遍插茱萸少一人。

Simplified:

独在异乡为异客，

每逢佳节倍思亲。

遥知兄弟登高处，

遍插茱萸少一人。

Translation (On the Mountain Holiday Thinking of my Brothers in Shandong)

All alone in a foreign land,

I am twice as homesick on this day.

When brothers carry dogwood up the mountain,

Each of them a branch -- and my branch missing.

The three sacrificial animals 三牲 changed depending on the dynasty. For instance, nowadays, people associate the three sacrificial animals with chicken, pork, and fish. However, in the time of the Western Zhou Dynasty, people referred to the three sacrificial animals as cow, sheep, and pig. Variations also include chicken, duck (or geese), and fish. Another variation involves five animals instead of three: chicken, duck, pork, fish, and squid. The purpose of animal sacrifice was to ask the gods and ancestors for protection and/or blessings.

Picture showcasing the five animal sacrifices 五牲 of chicken, pork, fish, duck, and squid [image source].

Catalogue (find the rest of the posts):

[koocan-blog]

Hot Chinese drama #TheAdvisorsAlliance started air yesterday. Si Mayi's wife suffers from difficult labor and highly-skilled doctor Hua Tuo use cesarean to help her give birth to a baby safely.

[silvermantle]

Drama List 2018

1. I’m Not a Robot

2. Temperature of Love

3. Hwayugi

4. Radio Romance

5. Because This Is My First Life

6.  大汉情缘之云中歌

7. Love in the Moonlight

8. 大军师司马懿之军师联盟 The Advisors Alliance

9. Suits

10. 独步天下 Rule the World

11. The House Helper

12. Let’s Eat 3

13. 延禧攻略 Story of Yanxi Palace

14. Thirty but Seventeen

15. Mr Sunshine

16. The Beauty Inside

17. Where Stars Land

18.  如懿传 Ruyi’s Love in the Palace

19.  大军师司马懿之虎啸龙吟  The Advisors Alliance 2

20. Hello Monster (I Remember You)

21. The Hymm of Death

Wei Ying Luo and Ru Yi took my heart away~~~

[82xiaoaojianghu]

Top 10 Period Drama:

10: 2019 大明风華 Ming Dynasty

9: 2019 鹤唳華亭 Royal Nirvana

8: 2019 庆余年 Joy of Life

7: 2018 天盛长歌 Rise of Phoenixes

6: 2019 长安十二时辰 The Longest Day in Chang An

5: 2017 大军师司马懿 Advisors Alliance (上: 军师联盟.. 下:虎啸龙吟)

4: 2017 瑯瑘榜之风起长林 Nirvana in Fire: Wind over Chang Lin

3: 2017 大秦帝国之崛起 Qin Empire III

2: 2012 大秦帝国之縱横 Qin Empire II (2009 大秦帝国之裂变 The Qin Empire)

1: 2015 瑯瑘榜 Nirvana in Fire

[everonelove]

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老毕开讲 7 三国电视剧和大军师司马懿之军师联盟 Mr.Bi's Lecture 7 TV dramas of the three Kingdoms and the Alliance of military divisions of Sima Yi. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNt_oV-HHMo/?igshid=1lwbpvhug4zvk

[shouri-yumi]

倾城绝颜 回眸浅笑 拂乱江山万里 一梦华胥 明月初沉 此生已相许

～   甄宓 - The Advisors Alliance ～