Mu Wan Qing was dressed as cannon fodder playing a female supporting role in a book about a reborn female protagonist.... more>>

The heroine was her amazing and talented cousin. She was reborn on the way to exile, and she devoted all her clan to help her ascend to the backyard of the Emperor.

And Mu Wan Qing’s whole family was used as a stepping stone and was destroyed on the road of exile.

Mu Wan Qing: I am so tired, let’s destroy it.

In the chaos of the house raiding scene, Mu Wan Qing hurriedly grabbed the marriage certificate with a swoosh.

During the breaking up of the marriage, Mu Wan Qing exchanged the marriage certificate for a mule cart and twenty taels of silver and started a long journey of exile.

In order to survive, she resorted to roasting pig trotters, making fried chicken, farming cotton, and breeding sheep.

Engaged in building water power, building cities, building cement roads, and creating a prosperous fortress in the south.

Accidentally played a big game, and the plot was really shifted…

The Reborn Cousin: Everyone is concentrating on building infrastructure, how can I play the script of the palace fight?!

At the palace banquet, the arrogant and arrogant frontier master sat alone while pouring the drink. There was a commotion at the door, and the beautiful and heroic first female assistant, Mu Wan Qing walked in surrounded by everyone.

The man put down the wine glass and quickly ran over, with his eyes full of love, he said, “Madam, I can’t eat without you.”

There was an uproar at the scene. <<less

When Tang Shuyi is transported to another world, she finds herself in the body of the wife of Marquis Yongning in the Daqian Dynasty. With wealth, power, and status, and without in-laws or a living husband, she seems to have hit the jackpot of transmigration. Just as she begins to relish her life as a wealthy and noble lady, she discovers she's actually in a novel - as its greatest villain.... more>>

Not only does she possess wealth, power, and status, but she also has three unruly children. The eldest is lovesick, the second a notorious playboy in the capital, and the youngest daughter is arrogant and domineering. She herself is destined to die soon, leading to the fall of the marquis' title and a tragic end for her children.

Tang Shuyi takes a deep breath, rolls up her sleeves, and gets to work!

We follow her journey as she disciplines her wayward children and navigates life as a noblewoman in ancient times, balancing wealth and leisure. <<less

Fu Ningrong, whose identity had been discovered by His Highness, the Crown Prince, did a terrible thing in order to get rid of him: she drugged him.
—And she also tried to send a maidservant to his bed.... more>>

She naively thought that if he had someone else, Xie Yu would not touch her.

The storm was coming.

The maidservant failed to be the sacrifice.
Instead, Fu Ningrong was pinned down by the waist, and he straightened his back. Like a leaf, she was f*cked to the point where everything was swaying. He vigorously penetrated to the deepest part, thrusting hard into her again and again until her soul collapsed.

Her whole body was covered by the man’s breath.

The man was like a devil from hell. The scorching breath landed on Fu Ningrong's ear, as if he was burning her. Every word made her tremble in fear.

“Want to get rid of me?!”

“It will be impossible in this life.” <<less

According to popular legend, the war god of Da Liang Huo Wujiu was once captured by the enemy country. His meridians were severed and both his legs broken before he was thrown into prison. In order to humiliate him, that dissolute ruler even gifted him to his cutsleeve brother as a concubine.... more>>

General Huo suffered a great deal of humiliation and insult. He bided his time for three years before the cicada shed his skin and he escaped back to Da Jing. After treating his crippled legs, he led his army in three months to storm the enemy’s capital, slaughter its emperor, raze its capital, and finally beheaded that garbage cutsleeve, hanging his head on the city walls for three whole years.

Since then, the world has been united.

——

Jiang Suizhou, a history department graduate advisor at a certain university, received a dissertation which used these unofficial histories of Huo Wujiu as their basis, and criticized the student to no end.

When he opened his eyes again, he had transmigrated into that cutsleeve prince from the stories.

There were lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere. A servant came, sending word that the disabled general of the enemy state had already entered the prince's manor in his wedding sedan.

Facing down General Huo, who had been tortured to the verge of death, dressed in red wedding clothes, glaring balefully, Jiang Suizhou only then knew - these wild stories could also come true.

And cause him to be beheaded for public display, his head hung on the city walls for three years.

Jiang Suizhou’s only option was to provide for General Huo well.

The overt and covert attacks of the imperial court, the witless ruler's every possible humiliations -- he grit his teeth and absorbed it all, all in the hopes that in three years time, he could but keep this head of his.

Of course, he didn’t dare to even dream of asking this 9 ci* tall “concubine” to actually serve him.

However, before the three years was up, General Huo’s legs actually healed on their own.

Not only did he slaughter the useless ruler and unified the country, but he also forcefully blocked him in the room and insisted on fulfilling his duty as "concubine."

----------------------------------------------------------
*approx 6ft 10in in today's measures <<less

Gu Mingzhu transmigrated into a novel–a Mary Sue novel.... more>>

She was neither the female lead or the supporting female lead. She did not even have a name in the entire novel.

Gu Mingzhu was very happy about it. She was very honest and respectful, so she might even be able to live a peaceful life!

However, a blind date banquet caused her to encounter the villainous male supporting character from the novel: the Prince of An, Han Min. When she looked at his face, she instantly only had one thought in her mind:

Little brother, I can!

**********

Han Min was a typical beautiful, strong, and miserable villain.

He was a prince, but he had never been favored. His biological mother was just a dancer and passed away early, and his adoptive mother was a madwoman who likes to mistreat the weak. It was not until he grew up and sided with the Crown Prince that he was living a decent life.

But those days did not last long. He nearly lost his legs to save the Crown Prince and his side concubine. From that point on, he became a useless person.

Han Min never gained anything in life, and ended up losing in life.

Han Min became increasingly gloomy, and thought that since he couldn’t live well, then no one else could either!

However, in that same moment, he had a startling realization that he did not lose everything. He still had his face, which could attract a dazzling ‘pearl’(Mingzhu means pearl)!

**********

Small Theater One:

Gu Mingzhu felt that things keep going wrong. Her husband didn’t seem to love the female lead, and he was not very devoted to the female lead. Does that mean he is going to have a bunch of concubines in the future…

Before Gu Mingzhu could finish thinking through her wild thoughts, Han Min leaned over, and his handsome face was all she could see. He smirked and chuckled lightly, “Mingzhu’er, it’s already late, we should go to sleep.”

Gu Mingzhu, whose thoughts became all jumbled up, didn’t even know what he was saying when she agreed.

Han Min knew that when he did that, it would capture her attention. While he was feeling proud, he also felt a bit scared. He had to ask the imperial physician to make him something to avoid losing his beauty one day.

Gu Mingzhu, who knew nothing about this, thought: Oh, my husband is so good looking. I can look at him for the rest of my life!

**********

Small Theater Two:

Han Min sat on the Dragon Throne and looked down condescendingly at the official who placed third in the exams and was kneeling in the center of the hall. He watched the handsome man’s pale face tremble since he did not know what wrong he had committed.

Han Min: “Tsk.”

The next day, the official was appointed a position outside of the capital by the Emperor, and it would be more than ten years before he could finally transfer back to the capital.

Han Min sat on the Dragon Throne with great satisfaction. However, his expression did not change at all as he examined the immense changes that occurred in the official. Han Min’s attitude was so gracious that the man wept and vowed to die for Da Sheng and Han Min.

Han Min continued to watch as the man left. He took out a small mirror from under his chair and murmured:

“This is wonderful. I am still the most beautiful man in the world.”

CP: Typical Beautiful, Strong, and Miserable Villain X Beauty Loving and Naturally Seductive Pearl <<less

It's laughable that after a century of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it crumbled due to the decline of the royal heirs. Not only did a fool ascend the throne, but also a eunuch seized great power.... more>>

Wu Jing found himself in the shoes of the last imperial son of the Great Zhou, a recently crowned emperor who was perceived as a fool. He watched as people took advantage of his ignorance, serving him a meager meal of vegetables and plain rice.

Fists clenched, he grew angry.

Outside the palace hall, palace maids gossiped:
"That little emperor is quite handsome."
"If only he weren't a fool."
"The Ninth Thousand Years probably won't tolerate the restored normal emperor sitting in this position."

Wu Jing felt deflated.
He had to swallow his pride and continue pretending to be a fool.

Until one day, as he passed by the imperial garden, he accidentally saw the unpredictable and ruthless Ninth Thousand Years, known for killing without blinking, wearing a crane-patterned court robe. The red sleeves draped gracefully on the ground.

The Ninth Thousand Years squatted down, revealing a side profile with a smiling expression, extending a slender hand, feeding... a wild cat!

This cat was one of the wild cats in the imperial garden.
The next day, at the same spot, he saw the Ninth Thousand Years feeding a limping stray dog.

The third encounter was in the imperial study.
Wu Jing sat stiffly on the grand dragon throne, with a eunuch beneath his feet, a ten-year-old who accidentally spilled tea on the Ninth Thousand Years' robe, now frantically bowing.

Blood streamed down his face.

After a moment, someone came to take the little eunuch away, but the man sitting in the chief minister's chair suddenly spoke in a gentle tone, "Forget it, he's just a child."

Wu Jing shifted his black eyes.
Ning Qinghong turned his gaze, "Your Majesty, please let me review your lessons during this time."

"Gurgle—"
Wu Jing awkwardly looked at his stomach, a sudden insight striking him. The semi-grown teenager tilted up a pretty little face, his black eyes innocent, "Brother, I'm hungry."

Ning Qinghong narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up a pastry, "Come here." He fed the little emperor like he was feeding a kitten, coaxing him to finish.

Rumors spread that the Ninth Thousand Years suffered from a mental illness.
Sometimes smiling, sometimes cruel and tyrannical.

Wu Jing, who regretted hugging this thigh too late, hid in the wardrobe of the sleeping palace, hearing calls from outside.

Ning Qinghong, with a cold face, spoke in an oddly soft tone,
"Wu Wu, aren't you hungry?" <<less

Rain droplets danced in the gentle breeze; in a quaint little store adorned with vibrant blue emblems, stood a charming young lady.... more>>

Exquisite taste of Xinfeng County's finest liquor, perfectly complemented by the freshness of okra, the tenderness of bamboo shoots, and other refined delicacies.

***

Lin Yan, the capital city’s Deputy Magistrate, cast his gaze at the fair-skinned and almond-shaped eyes proprietress.

Alas, how unfortunate it was for such a noble lady to find herself ensnared in the clutches of this predicament, compelled to partake in the humble trade of selling food for her livelihood...

Shen Shaoguang: Surrounded by mouth watering cuisines and exquisite wines all day, and to top it all off, there’s occasional eye candies passing by, satisfying my every need! Ah~ my life is too good to be true~

Lin Yan's expression darkened. The young people in this city seemed to be consumed by their superficial appearances, indulging in frivolous activities like c*ckfighting and dog hunting. It was high time for them to undergo a transformation and embrace more meaningful pursuits! <<less

The Marquis Yunyang was deposed by the Emperor and his family ended up in dire straits overnight. As such, the Third Miss of the Shen Household, her family’s most precious jewel, found herself abandoned by all with a sick brother on her hands. Having no other choice, she set up a cosmetics shop in Chang’an.... more>>

But to the eyes of all, especially her relatives’, she had become nothing but an alluring flower any man could pick at will.

Passing by her Baixiang Pavilion, the heir to the Grand Duchy of Zhen, Lu Yan, witnessed her being harassed by the idle sons of Chang’an’s leading class. Her appearance reminded him of dreams that had been plaguing him lately, revealing to him a past with her and the sultry love affair they had shared in a previous life.

With shaking fingers, he also remembered the bitter taste of heartbreak when she left him to marry another man.

Thus, in this life, he decided to save her once more, lure her into an affair, install her as his mistress and never let her escape his sphere of influence again.

However, to keep Shen Zhen by his side, finding her a place to stay and caring for her brother was not enough. Little did Lu Yan know he would be pulled into the darkest corners of Chang’an and take part in games of power that at times implicated the Main Gentleman of the Empire, the Emperor himself. Selling what he held dearest in the process: his integrity as an official.

All for the sake of Chang’an’s First Beauty. <<less

The mighty official, Huo Jue, wields immense influence.... more>>

People who sent him money, jewels, and various rare items wanted to cross his threshold.

Of course, some also sent him women.

One day, someone happily presented him with a married woman, “It’s said that this woman was once engaged to the Lord. Later, when the Lord’s family fell into misfortune, she married someone else. Now she’s sent to the Lord. Lord can do as he pleases.”

Everyone thought that the woman who had abandoned Huo Jue would meet a bad end in his hands.

No one knew that ten years ago, a girl traveled thousands of miles alone just to tell her former fiancé, who had suffered palace punishment, “In this life, there is more than one path to take. It’s just a matter of choosing another path. It’s difficult, but you must keep going and live your own life.”

Her former fiancé said, “Okay.”

The girl cried and said, “Then I’ll go back and get married.”

Her former fiancé said, “Okay.”

Since then, she has been the cinnabar mole on his heart, unfathomable and untouchable.

It hurts when thinking of her, and pain by touching her. <<less

After crossing over, facing a regent who claimed to hate him to the bone yet overwhelmed him when he least expected it, Liu Yu Zhen, an international detective, had only one thought in mind: to fight back, fight back, and definitely fight back!!!... more>>

However, he was not only excellent in martial arts skills but also had numerous admirers. He didn’t want to be bend by this scoundrel. Retreat is the best strategy among the Thirty-Six Stratagems!

King Yan, this persistent pest, held his chin and asked: Yuzhen, would you like to be mine?

He pointed his finger at his opponent and said, …Let me think about it.

So, King Yan’s so called “be mine” is not actually “be his prime minister”?!

Scoundrel, had he grown tired of living, to dare to toy with this detective?! <<less

Gao Lingfeng traverses into the Great Qian Dynasty and becomes the Emperor, gaining the most powerful "Supreme Foolish Emperor System."... more>>

Ruining the national fortune will lead to ascension to immortality? Well, then, being an Emperor is not so bad after all!

What? The Cabinet wants to force the Emperor by submitting resignation together? Sure, Bye-bye!

What? The Eighth Uncle wants to rebel? Quick, open the gates of the imperial palace wide! Today, he will surely succeed in rebellion, and no one can stop him.

What? My father-in-law is a treacherous minister? Quickly issue a decree to appoint him as the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat!

What? Eunuch Xiao Dezhi is a cunning villain? From today, you shall be the Director of the Eastern Bureau of Surveillance!

Eighth Uncle, hurry up and rebel! Father-in-law, hurry up and usurp the throne! Zhao Gao, hurry up and cause chaos in the court!

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler for all eternity. I, as a humble subject, am willing to devote myself until death!"

Gao Lingfeng: "???"

How am I supposed to ascend to immortality now?! <<less

A story about an emperor shou with righteous three views being pushed down by a group of gongs.

Duke of Yongning’s heir, Jun Huailang was reborn and found that he was a cannon fodder N in a xiaoma literature*.... more>>

The male protagonist, Xue Yan, who was originally an unfavored prince, was ostracized and persecuted since he was a child. After the blackening, he formed a private party to support his younger brother to the throne and became a sovereign regent.

He also slaughtered the young Empress Dowager’s whole family, forcing the Empress Dowager to stay with him. The Empress Dowager fell in love with him and was willing to be his plaything.

The whole book was full of an indescribable scene between the two of them. It made Jun Huailang tremble in anger.

Because this Empress Dowager was not someone else, but his own biological younger sister. It was not someone else’s family that was slaughtered, but his family.

After rebirth, facing a younger sister who was only six years old, Jun Huailang, the gentleman of Qianqian, made up his mind for the first time.

He’s going to kill that beast for his sister.

Note:
Xiaoma literature: A novel in which the male protagonist ’s father married a young and beautiful young mother (stepmother). <<less

Chen Hui had traveled through the passage of time, but – when she woke up, there wasn’t even a single female servant surrounding her who exclaimed her return to consciousness.... more>>

Instead, the only person standing in front of her was an exasperating eunuch who pinned her with a malicious glare whilst remarking sarcastically, “Since Lady Chen despises and shuns lowly eunuchs such as myself, I won’t force myself upon you.

But, if you’re hoping for me to release and return you back to your family, then my only advice is for you to give up all such hopes! You will never be able to leave my household for the rest of your life, so you have little choice but to stay here till you die!”

Chen Hui: …

It turns out, that Chen Hui had time travelled, and awoken in the body of a lady who had attempted to commit su*cide (by ramming her head against the pillar) to display her staunch refusal to marry an exasperating eunuch.

However, in order to fill her belly full and keep her body warm, Chen Hui had no choice but to continuously think of different ways and means to approach the exasperating eunuch, to get to know more about the exasperating eunuch, to please and bootlick the exasperating eunuch, and to seduce… No, wait, forget about seducing that exasperating eunuch.

The eunuch Li Youde had spent his entire life being a callous, deceitful, and sly person. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that all he could think about during his most desperate hour was – how the mischievous, pampered, trouble-making enchantress at home would be able to continue living a worry-free and comfortable life without him by her side. <<less

Gu Yuanbai transmigrated into a BL novel as a weak, sickly emperor who barely had any sense of presence in the plot. The novel was a story of the struggle to gain the political power and love between the future regent and the first beauty in the capital, and he was supposed to serve just as a backdrop board.... more>>

Gu-wildly ambitious-Yuanbai: Don’t make me laugh.

He was the emperor—why would he let go of his power instead of expanding the national borders and leaving his name in the annals of history?

*

Xue Yuan, the son of the current supreme general and the future regent, hiding a burning ambition, accompanied his father into the palace for the first time. That day, he looked up, hidden among the crowd of courtiers, and caught a glimpse of the young emperor’s face.

Naturally rebellious, he sneered, thinking contemptuously that the little emperor looked prettier than the palace ladies. With this too-beautiful appearance and weak body, how was he planning to rule the country?

By making people take pity on his frailty? <<less

After six years of war, my fiancé returned.... more>>

With a woman and his child in tow.

While saying that he couldn’t leave her.

The same irresponsible fiancé who forced on me the duties of a duchess.

“Leila, you’re not the duchess yet.”

Hearing those words, I decided to break my engagement.

*

“How far can I go?”

There was a moment of silence. Realizing that I said something strange, I hurriedly spoke up.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I wasn’t trying to ask this, but that…”

"Anything," Kalian replied, cutting off my words.

It wasn’t an angry tone. I’d rather say that he… was smiling.

"If you’re not selling the kingdom, you can do anything. Because you are my agent now."

...

What are you going to do if I really do sell the kingdom? <<less

Ji-Yeon Woo is a 33 year old scriptwriter that dies after trying to save an old lady from some thugs.... more>>

She transmigrates into her author friends’ novel as the fifth daughter of the Elias Family: Tara Elias.

Except her new family is doomed to be executed for treason after being set up!

Now she just has 3 years to change her and her families’ fate.

And everything may have gone smoothly if she hadn’t met the 2nd Prince, Kyle Amure!

Can Yeon Woo escape death this time around? <<less

It was 1068, Year 1 of the Xining era. Emperor Zhao Xu had recently ascended the throne of the Song dynasty. The widely respected old-guard of civil officials, Ouyang Xiu, Han Qi, and Fu Bi, were in their twilight years. The unorthodox reformer Wang Anshi was full of vigor, wishing to reverse the tide of decline sweeping over the empire. The stubborn Sima Guang would rather leave imperial government than give up on proper orthodoxy. The literary Su Shi watched from the sidelines, unable to pick a side. ... more>>

With such a talented crop of civil officials, the Song dynasty should have shone brightly. Instead, these geniuses embarked on a mutually destructive course, leaving the Song empire with a gaping, irreparable wound, and leaving future students of history with regret and controversy.

But the sudden arrival of a junior lawyer opens a new path for the Song dynasty. Reformers and conservatives, civil and military officials, domestic and foreign affairs, all shall come under the Law. <<less

"There are four sights most deserving of praise in the world; that of the snow, the moon, the wind, and the bloom. Yet their beauty only hides an invariable truth, that nothing gold can stay."... more>>

"These stories have been written countless times by the scholar’s brush. People come and people go, but the lament remains the same; no joy is greater than a promise made, no pain deeper than hope betrayed."

A collection of four independent tragedies on the themes of snow, moon, wind and bloom. Inspired by Ming Dynasty history; written and translated in the huaben style. <<less

He became the Emperor when he was just a boy and was beheaded before reaching adulthood. It was a tragedy brought about by his fate as the first noble wizard.... more>>

"Ian, don't be born in your next life."

He thought everything was over, listening to the traitor's heartless words. He knew, but...

“You are a symbol of peace. Where else would you find such honor as a lowly one?”

He became the Margrave's bastard son, whose family went extinct 100 years ago.
A lowly, unsophisticated one, destined to be sold as a hostage to the barbarians across the border. <<less

When he was young, Fang Linyuan entered the palace. He saw a graceful figure in a single glance, and fell deeply in love. He was in unrequited love with Princess Huining for many years. ... more>>

Afterwards, he followed his father to guard the borders, and captured eighteen Beijiang cities, despite his young age. He returned in victory. All of it was for the sake of asking for Princess Huining’s hand in marriage.

Before, Huining’s mother had been ruined. Huining was thin and reclusive, having suffered neglect and humiliation. Yet she was still cold and unbending, like a pearl fallen in the mire.

Now, she was in the bloom of youth, striding through the palace with a vibrant crown. Her suitors filled the palace to bursting, yet no one could catch her eye.

That day, an imperial edict was declared to the realm, and the princess’s refusal was not allowed.

That night, the light of the red candles swayed, and a razor-sharp dagger met Fang Linyuan’s neck.

“Listen to my orders, or you’ll die without a complete corpse.”

Beneath the veil sounded the cold and unfamiliar voice of a young man.

***

Fang Linyuan received his long-sought wish, but the angel he dreamed of marrying as a boy turned out to be a man.

It turned out that Princess Huining, Zhao Chu, had been in disguise for many years, enduring humiliation and trials, just in order to protect himself in a den of tigers. He was waiting for a chance to take power and steal the throne.

And his marriage was nothing more than another layer of his disguise.

Fang Linyuan had nowhere to express his bitterness. He could only swallow his resentment and tuck away the sincerity he had paid in vain, wanting nothing more than to never see the false princess again.

But the marriage certificate was already written, and not only did he have to see Zhao Chu day after day, but he also had to put on a show of harmony and mutual respect with the false princess.

Fang Linyuan could only suffer patiently, being Zhao Chu’s false husband on one hand while waiting for war to arise on the other. Once it did, he would lead an army out of the capital, never to return.

But before the fires of war arose, there came the day when Princess Huining took power.

The throne was beneath him, and the officials bowed to him. Zhao Chu no longer needed to be Madam Fang.

Fang Linyuan offered him divorce papers, intending to retire from the capital and guard the borders.

Yet he saw Zhao Chu rip the divorce papers into tiny pieces with a cold expression, his eyes forbidding. Zhao Chu asked him why he started this mess only to abandon it at the end.

“But you’re a man,” Fang Linyuan explained.

Beneath the red candles, Zhao Chu’s face was luminous, just as when he had first seen him.

“Men have their good points.” <<less

From the awkward extra luggage from her mother’s first marriage, to the wife of the treacherous minister whose power could overturn the world, Yu Lingxin... more>> whose every step was filled with difficulties finally exhausted herself out, closing her eyes with regrets. But, who knew, when opening her eyes once again, she actually returned to her thirteen year old days in the boudoir again. Wait, a certain someone at this time, shouldn’t he be bedridden, how come just this shameless, unable to get rid of? <<less

The story, which takes place in the fictional medieval empire of Saiunkoku, follows the adventures of Shūrei Kō, a descendant of a noble family that has fallen on hard times.... more>>

Her father works as a librarian in the Imperial palace, a post which offers prestige and respect, but little compensation. Shūrei teaches in the temple school and works odd jobs to make ends meet, but her dream is to pass the imperial examinations and take a post in government, a path forbidden to women.

Shūrei's plans come to an abrupt halt when the Emperor's Grand Advisor makes a startling offer, which is joining the imperial household for six months as the young Emperor's consort, and teach the Emperor to be a responsible ruler. If she succeeds, the financial reward will be great.

The story details Shūrei's growing relationships with the Emperor and other members of the court, the intrigues that surround imperial politics, and her commitment to better herself and her country. <<less

I got s**ked into a novel full of villainesses, and taming them is the only way to survive!

An ambitious man walking on a path of tactics that are filled with sharp knives,... more>>

A nobody cutting his way through thistles and thorns on a path of salvation,

A scholar-official who is always vigilant during his journey of managing disorders.

An idealist who is ready to risk any danger to reach his goals during his journey of salvation.

This is a story about power and conspiracy, the battlefield of the imperial court, love and hate, ideals and beliefs first broken and then established. <<less