Inch and length

offer advice

shaking heaven and earth

as close to each other as the lips are to the teeth

sorely wounded and deeply pained

Chu Yun Wu Yun

broken chapters and paragraphs

survival or not

stare dumbfounded

remnant soldiers and generals after defeat

A long story

raise oneself above the crowd

beat the breast and stamp

be haunted by a pint-up feeling of anxiety

More sacks to the mill!

be partially literate

Over and over

exploit a loophole or watch for an opening

be surrounded by ladies decorated with pearls and jade

like a long serpent and a big boar--rapacious and ruthless