act like a buffoon

before long(in what a short space of time; it was not long before)

cannot hide one's greed

desolated and incomplete land

be plagued by imaginary fears

well…arranged

undisturbed either by favour or disgrace

of bad reputation

contrary to one's expectations

carry on the ancestral line

learn lessons from the past and keep an eye on the future

criticize unfairly

to be delivered from oppression

emerge one after another

gang(band together)

come and go unpredictably

in hundreds and thousands(many thousands)

as one's wishes

speak rudely

brave countless dangers