proof; testimony; demonstration; verification; certification
last resort; desperate measure taken under pressure of necessity
measure; step; countermeasure; counterplan; countermove; strategy
(good) result; outcome; fruits (of one's labors); product; accomplishment
influence; power; might; strength; potency; force
nonexistent; not being (there); not having; not
tea (usu. green); tea break (at work); tea ceremony
to make (tea, coffee, etc.); to brew a beverage (with hot water)
to grumble; to gripe; to complain
iron (Fe); strong and hard (as iron); railway; railway enthusiast
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
great antiquity; old-fashioned; long ago
divide and rule; divide and conquer
et cetera; etc.; and the like; the likes of; something like
hard to reach place; remote place
plot of land; lot; soil; locality; region; place
reclamation (e.g. wasteland); cultivation; development; pioneering; opening up (e.g. new market); breaking new ground
to the end; to the bitter end; to the last; after all; it must be remembered; only
treatment; service; handling (of a machine, tool, etc.); operation; treating as; treating like
snakeheads; Chinese criminal gangs, esp. for smuggling Chinese immigrants
the front; honesty; uprightness; decency; normality
smirkingly; broadly (grinning)
unless one ...; if one does not ...
armed might; military power; the sword; force
dotage; feeble-minded old man; senile old fool; dotard
worth; merit; value; good point; redeeming feature; saving grace
quickly; at once; right away; hurriedly
to kick the bucket; to drop dead; to die; to be pooped; to be exhausted; to be knackered
fresh (e.g. fish); lively; spirited; animated
to be saved; to be rescued; to escape harm; to be spared damage; to be helped; to be saved trouble
and yet; despite this; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless