School?

Why bother with school? Seriously, you have to spend a good eight hours a day trudging into some old building filled with obnoxious children of varying ages only to come home at the end of it with a stack of homework. It's annoying, it's boring, and you actually have to put in a lot of effort. However, school is still important; if it weren't, why would your parents push it down your throat so hard? If you don't go to school, then you'll be missing out on a lot in life, so before you get all bent out of shape over the negatives that come with school, consider the positives.

Firstly, knowledge is power. If you acquire information pertaining to people, literature, history, mathematics, or other subjects, then you're a more powerful person because you can use that information with (and against) other people. For example, you have a better chance of calculating your taxes properly if you take the time to learn math, and you have a better chance of being the center of attention at a party if you know what the other people are talking about. Learn as much as you can so you can get involved in as much as you can.

Additionally, going to school helps you get into college. Yes, this is a learn so you can learn sort of thing, but you probably won't get very far unless you have at least a high school diploma on your wall. But why go to college? Why, so you can succeed, of course. Going to college helps you get a job, which helps you provide a better life for you and a family, if you choose to have one. You need to use high school as a starting point for your academic career; without it, you won't be able to make much of a living for yourself unless you're one of the few exceptions.

Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: 清朝; pinyin: Qīng Cháo; Wade-Giles: Ch'ing ch'ao; IPA: [t͡ɕʰíŋ t͡ʂʰɑ̌ʊ̯]; Manchu: , Von Möllendorff: Daicing gurun), also known as the Manchu Dynasty, was the last ruling dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 (with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917). It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.

The dynasty was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro in what is today northeast China (also known as Manchuria). Starting in 1644 it expanded into China proper and its surrounding territories, establishing the Empire of the Great Qing (simplified Chinese: 大清国; traditional Chinese: 大清國; pinyin: Dà Qīng Guó; Wade-Giles: Ta Ch'ing Kuo, or simplified Chinese: 大清帝国; traditional Chinese: 大清帝國; pinyin: Dà Qīng Dì Guó; Wade-Giles: Ta Ch'ing Ti Kuo). Complete pacification of China was accomplished around 1683 under the Kangxi Emperor.

Originally established as the Later Jin Dynasty (simplified Chinese: 后金; traditional Chinese: 後金; pinyin: hòu jīn) Amaga Aisin Gurun () in 1616, it changed its name to "Qing", meaning "clear" or "pellucid" in 1636. In 1644 Beijing was sacked by a coalition of rebel forces led by Li Zicheng, a minor Ming official turned leader of the peasant revolt. The last Ming Emperor Chongzhen committed suicide when the city fell, marking the official end of the dynasty. The Manchus then allied with Ming Dynasty general Wu Sangui and seized control of Beijing and overthrew Li's short-lived Shun Dynasty.

During its reign the Qing Dynasty became highly integrated with Chinese culture. The dynasty reached its height in the 18th century, during which both territory and population were increased. However, its military power weakened hereafter and faced with massive rebellions and defeats in wars, the Qing Dynasty declined after the mid-19th century. The Qing Dynasty was overthrown following the Xinhai Revolution, when the Empress Dowager Longyu abdicated on behalf of the last emperor, Puyi, on February 12, 1912.

Voyages of Cheng Ho

Cheng Ho, or Zheng He, was born in Kunyang, Yunnan province, China, in 1371. Originally named Ma Sanpao, he was captured and sent to the Chinese army under Chu Ti in 1382. There he helped Chu Ti become Emperor Yonglo of the ming Dynasty. In thanks, he was made Grand Imperial Eunuch and his name was changed to Zheng He. Yonglo chose Zheng to head a series of naval expeditions to ports all over the Indian Ocean. Zheng had diplomatic, scientific, and commercial goals, while traveling farther than any other admiral in history at the time. He visited more than 35 countries during his voyages.

Zheng took more than 100 ships and about 28,000 men in his Grand Fleet. The largest vessels were the treasure ships, each 444 ft. in length - more than all of Columbus’ ships put end to end. The fleet visited most of southern Asia in the first voyage and, by the seventh and last voyage, Zheng had been to east Africa, the Persian Gulf, Egypt, and Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka). Almost 30 countries sent envoys back to China to give homage to the emperor, and all of the countries eagerly welcomed Zheng and traded for Chinese goods. He set up diplomatic relations in all the countries he visited and received tribute from most rulers that he met. When in Ceylon, Zheng helped restore the legitimate ruler to the throne. In Indonesia, the fleet defeated a powerful Chinese pirate who was later brought back to China for execution. Zheng’s voyages not only established Chinese trade routes throughout Asia and Africa, but also established China as the dominant power in the known world. China was far more technologically advanced than any other culture on the planet, even those in Europe. It had no contact with Europe, but none of the European fleets could have successfully challenged China’s authority.

Unfortunately, Emperor Yonglo died in 1424, ending all naval expeditions until 1431. Between two and five years after Yonglo’s death, Cheng Ho himself died during a trip home from India, ending the seventh and final voyage of the Grand Fleet. China again banned all naval expeditions, this time indefinitely. Future emperors practiced strict isolationism and burned all records of Cheng Ho’s voyages. Chinese influence on the world ceased, thus opening the door for the rise of European superpowers . By the year 1500, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese sailor, had entered the Indian Ocean and laid the groundwork for an era of Asian colonization by European naval powers.

Legendary Of Ma Chao

Ma Chao is well known for his goal of a land of justice. When his family is destroyed by Cao Cao, he often leads a resistance against their killer at Tong Gate. After the conflict, he wanders and eventually meets Liu Bei at Cheng Du. Though they are enemies during their struggle, he is impressed by their valiant spirit and capable warriors. He joins Shu from then on and participates in their Southern or Northern Campaigns.

His Legend Mode in Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends happens after the battle at Jia Meng Gate. Ma Chao has just been recruited by Liu Bei, who accepts him as an equal. However, to appease disbelievers, Liu Bei asks him to undergo a short trial against his army. When the time limit ends, Ma Chao is fully accepted into Shu's ranks and is congratulated by the other Five Tiger Generals.

In Dynasty Warriors 5, Ma Chao is a warrior of Xi Liang who is trained by his father since his youth. He joins his father's campaign to drive Dong Zhuo away from their lands. After the battle, Ma Teng and his clansmen are invited to attend to the emperor and are executed for treason by Cao Cao. Enraged and vilifying Wei, Ma Chao pacifies Quanzhong for his clansmen and rallies with Han Sui at Tong Gate. In his story, he claims victory but loses many friends and comrades in his quest for vengeance. Left with nothing but hatred, his meeting with Liu Bei changes the youth's outlook with his vision of unity. Feeling in debt to his new liege and emphasizing with his loss, Ma Chao aids the front at Yi Ling. When Liu Bei dies, he believes in the hopes of his fallen comrades and defends their dreams at Jie Ting and Bai Di Castle. With Wei their only opposition remaining, he feels no spite for his enemies and only desires to deliver justice in the name of Shu. In his ending, he challenges Cao Pi and Sima Yi to an unknown conclusion.

He shares his Legend Mode in Xtreme Legends expansion with Pang De and the duo work together to reclaim Ji Castle. Driven to end Cao Cao's claim in his homeland, he leads his army to reclaim Liang. He leads a no-nonsense, frontal assault against many powered up Wei generals. Since he is influenced by revenge and hatred, he loses Pang De's trust and his comrade deserts him. Recruiting him for Shu is also one of the objectives in the Jia Meng Gate Legend Mode.

During the following title, Ma Chao appears in the battle of Cheng Du as a reinforcements for the defending army. In Zhao Yun's story, he is disgruntled when Liu Bei rides into battle in the name of vengeance, saying that his lord's choice is not one of justice. Zhao Yun restores his faith in Liu Bei by reasoning that, though their lord's delivery may be flawed, he is still staying true to his beliefs.

In Dynasty Warriors 6: Special, he begins his story by trying to avenge his father's death at Tong Gate. Once he's betrayed by Han Sui and many of his officers, Ma Chao realizes he was believing in a tainted justice and wanders to find a new life for himself. He successfully defends Cheng Du but once again suffers betrayal when Liu Zhang joins Cao Cao. Remembering his enemies' valor during battle, he joins Liu Bei and becomes a zealot for their army at Jing Province and Mt. Ding Jun. When Liu Bei loses Guan Yu, Ma Chao tries to convince his lord to avoid seeking vengeance since it will only repeat the cycle of hatred. Though Zhao Yun tells him that it is a honorable deed, his view of a virtuous Shu pales after they take Sun Quan's life at Yi Ling. Even so, he participates at the Battle of Jie Ting to aid Ma Su and to repay his debt to Shu. No longer clouded by anger, he takes Cao Cao's life. With the land united, Ma Chao sells his sword to purchase a new horse and rides freely towards the horizon.

Presented Zhuge Liang

Zhu Ge Liang (A.D.181 - A.D.234)

Zhu Ge Liang has another name “Kong Ming”. Zhu Ge Liang is a remarkable politician, strategist, diplomat, astrologer and inventor in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Zhu Ge Liang is a prime minister of Shu Kingdom. He is well-read and has miraculous intelligence. He assists the emperor of Shu Kingdom. In China, Zhu Ge Liang is widely known. It is said that Zhu Ge Liang is a versatile man, he masters Chinese handwriting, painting, music, astronomy, astrology, strategy, military science. Meanwhile, Zhu Ge Liang is a famous inventor too. There is much inventions in all his life.

1. Repeating Crossbow

This is a kind of fight weapon that Zhu Ge Liang invented. Generally speaking, the crossbow can only shoot an arrow once, it is very discommodious. However, the Repeating Crossbow can shoot ten arrows once that Zhu Ge Liang invented. The Repeating Crossbow is wider than the general crossbow, when the horizontal shooting, the range can reach 50 meters, lethality is extremely strong. The Repeating Crossbow’s arrow is arranged longitudinally in the arrow box, just like the modern pistol box magazine. Trigger once and shoot an arrow, this saves time, it can shoot the intensive arrow in a short period of time. Therefore, the lethality of the Repeating Crossbow is very great.

2. Battle Array of the Eight Diagrams

The historical data records, a kind of magical battle array which Zhu Ge Liang created, it is named the Battle Array of the Eight Diagrams. The soldiers arrange into shape of the Eight Diagrams. It is said that the Battle Array of the Eight Diagrams is changeable, the might is infinite, Once defeated 100,000 picked troops of the Wu Kingdom. But this tactics have already been lost now. Only drawing in now, but no one knows its meaning and tactics method.

3. Kong Ming Chess

In order to call away the soldier’s blues mood, Zhu Ge Liang has invented a kind of chess game — Kong Ming Chess. Kong Ming Chess rule is simple, it is a kind of intelligence game.

4. Kong Ming lamp

It is a kind of military transmission information’s lamp which Zhu Ge Liang invented. It can float in the sky. It utilizes the principle of the hot-air balloon. So, Zhu Ge Liang is the first man who finds the principle of the hot-air balloon in the world. Kong Ming lamp has been spreading till now, the purpose that the modern use Kong Ming lamp is that pray for blessing. People write down the wish of the blessing on Kong Ming lamp, and then let it fly away, symbolize the happiness, lucky and success.

Legendary Wukong Son

Sun Wukong, known in the West as the Monkey King, is the main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West (西遊記). In the novel, he accompanies the monk Xuanzang on the journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India.

Sun Wukong possesses an immense amount of strength, being able to lift his 13,500 jīn (8,100 kg or 17,881 lbs) Ruyi Jingu Bang with ease. He also has superb speed, traveling 108,000 li (54,000 kilometers or 33,554 mi) in one somersault. Sun knows 72 transformations, which allows him to transform into various animals and objects; he is, however, shown with slight problems transforming into other people, since he is unable to complete the transformation of his tail. He is a skilled fighter, capable of holding his own against the best generals of heaven. Each of his hairs possesses magical properties, and is capable of transforming into a clone of the Monkey King himself, or various weapons, animals, and other objects. He also knows various spells in order to command wind, part water, conjure protective circles against demons, and freeze humans, demons, and gods alike.^[

About Three Kingdom

Myths from the Three Kingdoms era existed as oral traditions before written compilations. With their focus on the history of Han Chinese, the stories grew in popularity during the reign of the foreign Mongol emperors of the Yuan Dynasty. During the succeeding Ming Dynasty, an interest in plays and novels resulted in further expansions and retelling of the stories.

The earliest attempt to combine these stories into a written work was Sanguozhi Pinghua (三國誌評話，三国志评话; Sānguózhì Pínghuà), literally "Story of Sanguozhi", published sometime between 1321 and 1323. This version combined themes of legend, magic, and morality to appeal to the peasant class. Elements of reincarnation and karma were woven into this version of the story.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is traditionally attributed to Luo Guanzhong, who lived sometime between 1315 and 1400 (late Yuan to early Ming period). Some scholars argue for an origin from around the second half of the fifteenth century (mid-Ming) based on characteristics of the text. This theory is extensively developed in Andrew Plaks' Four Masterworks of the Ming Novel.^[3] It was written in partly vernacular and partly Classical Chinese and was considered the standard text for 300 years. The author made use of available historical records, including the Records of the Three Kingdoms compiled by Chen Shou, which covered events from the Yellow Turban Rebellion in 184 up to the unification of the three kingdoms under the Jin Dynasty in AD 280. The novel also includes material from Tang Dynasty poetic works, Yuan Dynasty operas and his own personal interpretation of elements such as virtue and legitimacy. The author combined this historical knowledge with a gift for storytelling to create a rich tapestry of personalities, and initially published it in 24 volumes. It was copied by hand until first printed in 1522^[4] as Sanguozhi tongsu yanyi^[5] In the 1660s, during Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, Mao Lun (毛綸; 毛纶)^[2] and his son Mao Zonggang (毛宗崗; 毛宗岗) significantly edited the text, fitting it into 120 chapters, and abbreviating the title to Sanguozhi yanyi^[5]. The text was reduced from 900,000 to 750,000 characters; significant editing was done for narrative flow; use of third party poems was reduced and shifted from conventional verse to finer pieces; and most passages praising Cao Cao's advisers and commanders were removed.^[6] Scholars have long debated whether Mao's viewpoint was anti-Qing (identifying Southern Ming remnants with Shu-Han) or pro-Qing.^[7] The previous version was almost completely supplanted by Mao's edition, which is considered to be the superior literary work.^[8]

This novel reflects the Confucian values that were prominent at the time it was written. According to Confucian moral standards, loyalty to one's family, friends, and superiors are important measures for distinguishing good and bad people.