rid the emperor of "evil" ministers(clear the court)

penniless loafer(poor wretch)

Skeletons

Even woods have ears.

scavenger

get cocky

outsider(laymen)

one of the eight pillars used to prop up the sky

fence-sitter(fence rider)

pretext for retire from work of ancient Chinese office

kick the bucket

back somebody up

as thick as thieves

reach the end of the rope

give a strained interpretation

resort to sophistry

touch on lightly

darned(how unreasonable)

over a great distance

innumerable hardships