marvellous flowers and rare plants

ignorant and ill-informed

regard money lightly and be enthusiastic over righteousness(treasure friendship more than wealth)

waste all the previous efforts

millions of troops

Keep one's mouth shut

grotesque in appearance

postman

No day without a line.

hold on to one job while seeking a better one

seek power and wealth by betraying one's country(turn traitor for personal gain)

with some drawing in the front and others pushing in the rear

give up the sword for the pen

attend all the housework personally

extremely rare

fawn on(frovel before)

seven sons and eight sons-in-law(many sons and daughters)

mean and distasteful language or conduct

spend lavishly(gamble at high stakes)

Nobody else attended his funeral.