adversary; opposition; hostile forces
tense relationship; tense relations; strained relations; strained ties; tension
firm; strong; solid; stable
at the time; in those days; then
clean sweep; purging; doing away with; eradication
to engage in prostitution
secret accounts; second set of accounts
self-interest; personal profit
storekeeper; shopkeeper; proprietor of a shop
portrait; likeness; picture
charm against evil spirits; talisman; amulet
trick that may deceive a child; transparent ploy; mere child's play; trivial (e.g. scheme); transparent; trifling (e.g. matter)
dissidents; troublemakers; disturbing elements
in one's lifetime; (while) in life
retention; maintenance; preservation
kernel; core; nucleus; center; centre
to pass down (a story) from generation to generation; to hand down
advocate; proponent; supporter
to plan; to form a plan; to scheme; to envision; to intend to do
to resonate emotionally (with one); to strike a chord in one's heart
ironically enough; as irony would have it; in a nice little twist
boldly; bravely; resolutely; determinedly
informer; informant; betrayer; snitch
to set up shop; to open a store
closing up shop (for the day); stopping business; going out of business
prosperity; bustle; activity; crowd; turnout
checking answers (e.g. to homework problems); verifying one's answers
enmity; antagonism; hostility; feuding (with); being at odds (with)
estrangement; alienation; disaffection; (customer) churn; attrition
dagger; stiletto; confidant; right-hand man
peerless; matchless; unparalleled; unrivalled; unequalled; incomparable
moderate faction; moderates
to meet; to assemble; to congregate
rivalry of local warlords; a number of powerful (talented, influential) persons standing by themselves in a given field
to be extremely difficult; to present a major challenge
control; bringing under control; settling (a matter); putting in order
to take advantage of; to follow blindly; to multiply
detection; sense (e.g. sensor)
regularization; regularisation; getting up speed; proceeding at full tilt
to create (a sensation); to cause (a commotion); to give rise to (controversy); to raise (a cloud of dust); to kick up (dust)
to cause casualties; to result in deaths
being under the rule of; being under the government of