交卸hand over official duties to a successor; unload and deliver the goods
任劳任怨willingly bear the burden of office
入木三分having forceful strokes; penetrating
和颜悦色wearing a pleasing and gracious face
宽厚thick and broad; tolerant and generous
挟hold something under the arm; coerce
搀support somebody with one's hand; mix
摧枯拉朽be like crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood
正人君子a man of honour/ integrity
正襟危坐straighten one's clothes and sit properly
狼藉scattered about in a mess; hopelessly discredited
督战supervise military operations
窒息suffocate; hinder the development of something
簌簌rustle; streaming/coursing down profusely
落第fail in an imperial examination at and above township level
藏污纳垢store dirt and accept filth—shelter evil people and countenance evil practices
诚惶诚恐in veneration and trepidation
轻盈slim and graceful; light-hearted
迂circuitous; clinging to outworn rules and ideas
连夜that very night; continue for several night in a row
鹤立鸡群like a crane standing among chickens -- stand head and shoulders above others