needle (compass, gauge, etc.); hand (clock); indicator; guiding principle; guideline; guide
chain of command; line of command; command structure; command system
unification; centralization; integration; drawing things together; working out a common policy; consolidation
raid; military attack by a mobile unit; hit-and-run attack; shortstop; short
friction; rubbing; chafing; discord; friction
sum; harmony; peace; Japan; Japanese-style
to get worse; to deteriorate; to go from bad to worse; to spoil (of food); to go bad; to perish
staunch; hardcore; dyed-in-the-wool; metal reinforcement
lonely (place); remote; in the middle of nowhere
to live through; to survive
teacher; master; religious leader; specialist; five-battalion brigade comprising 2500 men (Zhou dynasty Chinese army)
book; document; calligraphy (esp. Chinese); penmanship; handwriting; letter
nature; natural constitution; innate disposition
(large) parrot (incl. the cockatoo)
to exploit; to extort; to squeeze (someone); to squeeze (e.g. oil, juice); to wring out; to press out
losing one's virginity; defloration
quick-tempered; impatient
close; intimate; on good terms
what?!; what did you say?!; why?; what for?; anyone; anything
to sum up; to summarize; to summarise
to break down; to collapse; to fall apart
guarantee; security; assurance; pledge
to take to defending oneself above all; to save one's skin
great person; great figure; person of great character
great emperor; ... the Great
supreme ruler; autocrat; dynast; high king
to lead (an advance); to spearhead (a campaign, attack)
(taking an) objective point of view; viewing objectively
to swing; to sway; to shake; to waver; to feel shaken; to become unstable
overlooking; looking down at; having an overhead view; having a bird's-eye view; having a high-angle view
inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation; unfavourable situation
means of survival; means of escape; way out of a difficulty
to be based on; to take into account; to build upon; to have one's feet firmly planted on; to plant oneself on
anxiety (about the future)
hardly any; almost nonexistent; very little
conclusion; decision; end; settlement
rule; reign; government; governing
hit it off with (a person); find a kindred spirit in (a person); sympathy; mutual understanding
instantly; immediately; equals; means; oneness (of two opposing things); inseparability
inattention; absent-mindedness
seeing (someone) off; send-off; deferment; postponement; letting a pitch go by; wait-and-see attitude
seeing off; sending off; funeral; escapement