14 Results in the "Call to Arms" category
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Chapter
The Playfulness of the Opera
In the span of twenty years, I've only had the chance to watch Chinese opera twice. For the first decade, I steered clear of it, lacking both the desire and the opportunity. Both experiences occurred in the latter half, yet neither left a lasting impression before I departed. The first encounter was in the inaugural year of the Republic when I first set foot in Beijing. A friend, keen on sharing the city's cultural offerings, suggested that I broaden my horizons by experiencing a performance. Intrigued…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
The Playful Ducks
After the Russian poet, Mr. Elroy Shanko, who was blind, arrived in Beijing with his six-stringed lyre, he soon complained to me, "Lonely, so lonely, a loneliness akin to that of a desert!" His words likely reflect a profound truth, yet I, having grown accustomed to the city, have not felt this solitude. Instead, I find Beijing to be quite bustling. However, the very noise I perceive might be the loneliness he speaks of. It seems to me that in Beijing, spring and autumn are but a fleeting moment.…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
Rabbits and Cats
In the rear courtyard of our residence, the Third Mistress, during the summer season, acquired a pair of purebred white rabbits as a delightful spectacle for her children. These rabbits, not long separated from their mother, radiated an innocence that, despite the species barrier, was palpable. Their tiny, bright red ears perked up, they sniffed the air, and their eyes betrayed a flicker of apprehension, likely sensing the unfamiliarity of their new environment compared to the comfort of their original…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
Bai Guang
Chen Shicheng, after viewing the county examination results, made his way home in the afternoon. He had set out early, his eyes keenly scanning the list for the character "Chen," which appeared frequently, yet none were followed by "Shicheng." He meticulously searched through the twelve circular charts, but as the crowd dispersed, his name remained elusive. Alone, he stood before the examination hall's reflecting wall. A gentle breeze toyed with his grizzled hair, while the early winter sun offered a…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
Dragon Boat Festival
Fang Xuanchao has lately been fond of the phrase "almost the same," which has become his catchphrase, deeply ingrained in his thoughts. Initially, he said "exactly the same," but feeling it was a bit too absolute, he opted for "almost the same," a phrase he's stuck with. Since he latched onto this unremarkable adage, it has sparked many new reflections, yet it has also brought him a sense of solace. For example, he used to be incensed when he saw the elderly bullying the young, but now he reassures…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
Homecoming
I defied the piercing cold to return to my hometown, a place over two thousand miles away and separated from me by more than twenty years. It was the heart of winter, and as I drew near to my hometown, the skies turned gloomy. A cold wind howled through the cabin of my boat, and through a gap in the canopy, I gazed out at a desolate landscape under the sallow sky. A few scattered villages lay lifeless in the distance, devoid of any vitality. My heart was overcome with a profound sense of…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
Storm in a Teacup
As the sun dipped below the horizon, its golden hues began to wane over the riverbank. The leaves of the Chinese tallow trees, just released from their parched state, were abuzz with a few mosquitoes dancing beneath them. The smoke from the farmhouse chimneys started to thin, signaling the end of the day's cooking. Women and children sprinkled water on the earthen courtyards outside their homes and arranged small tables and low stools, a clear indication that dinnertime had arrived. Elders and men…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
The Story of Hair
On a serene Sunday morning, I peeled away the calendar's worn page to reveal the fresh date, and upon a second glance, I mused, "Ah, October 10th—why, today is National Day. Yet, there's no trace of its mention here." As fate would have it, my elder acquaintance, Mr. N, was paying me a visit for a casual chat. Upon hearing my observation, he responded with a tinge of irritation, "They're correct! If they choose to forget, what can you do? And if you remember, what does it change?" Mr. N has…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
A Small Incident
For six years, I've been in the capital, having journeyed from the countryside, and I've witnessed a fair share of what are considered major national events. Yet, these events have left no lasting impression on me. If I were to articulate their impact, it's simply that they've fueled my growing disdain—truth be told, they've taught me to despise people more with each passing day. However, one minor incident stands out as significant to me, pulling me away from my cynicism, and it's one that I've never…-
179.1 K • Completed
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Chapter
Tomorrow
"No sound, what's happened to the little one?" Old Arch, with the red nose, held a bowl of yellow wine and nodded towards the next room as he spoke. Blue-skin Ah Wu then put down his wine bowl and gave him a hard slap on the back, mumbling: "You... you're lost in thought again..." Lu Town, a secluded place, still held onto some of its old customs: by the first watch, everyone would close their doors and retire for the night. The only two households awake in the deep of the night were the Xianheng…-
179.1 K • Completed
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