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“a brown carp cleared the final gate of the city’s dams and became a calico dragon.”
this is a really interesting story in chinese mythology!! the story goes that when yu the great was regulating the flow of rivers and watercourses, he cleaved apart the mountains with an axe, creating what's known today as the jinshaan gorge between shaanxi and shanxi, which is the narrowest part of the yellow river. but what he didn't know was that the carp in the yellow river were swept downwards with the new currents that were created, and were unable to return to their home upriver.
these carp then went to tushan jiao, the wife of yu the great, and begged her to help them; upon hearing their plea, she pointed out the breach in the gorge to them, and told them that if they could leap across the breach, they would transform into dragons and ascend into the heavens. as promised, those who succeeded turned into dragons, but those who didn't were marked with a black scar on their heads. that's how the story of 鲤跃龙门/鲤鱼跳龙门 / the carp leaping over the dragon gate became an idiom to describe rapid advances in one's career and/or accomplishments.
fun fact: in journey to the west, 龙肝凤胆 / dragon liver and phoenix gall is a popular dish at the jade emperor's many banquets. this is a dish that, in the real world, is usually made with carp 😂
edit: forgot to link the videos i found!! here's one of a swarm of carp trying to swim upriver, and another higher-quality video here of a single carp and the butterfly that pointed the way for it
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The Empress of Salt and Fortune (The Singing Hills Cycle, #1)
Nghi Vo
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My kid got this book from his older sibling and asked me to read it. I had a good time and will probably read more in the series.
The art work is great and I enjoyed the subtle jokes.
I have not listened to the podcast, but I wouldn't rule it out after enjoying this book.
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The Adventure Zone Vol.1: Here There Be Gerblins
Clint McElroy
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The Adventure Zone Vol.1: Here There Be Gerblins
Clint McElroy
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The Adventure Zone Vol.1: Here There Be Gerblins
Clint McElroy
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Swordcrossed
Freya Marske
tSubhDearg wrote a review...
I loved this story! So sweet, so heartbreaking in places. I guessed at the twist pretty early on, but I loved the way it unfolded in the narrative.
Christopher was just the most wonderful, caring dumpling and I wish we could be friends, since he desperately needs them! The only thing I would have liked was a little more Étienne 😄
This was my first book by TJ Alexander but it definitely won’t be the last.