to settle a dispute through an authoritative third party, or the process of doing so

Eucommia ulmoides, a deciduous tree whose bark is used in traditional medicine and for producing rubber-like gum; the wood is valued for its toughness in construction

The second month of summer, which is the fifth month of the lunar calendar.

Famous politician of the State of [[齐|齊|qi2]] during the Spring and Autumn period (died 645 BC) who served as prime minister to Duke Huan of Qi; also known as [[管子|管子|guan3 zi3]] and [[管夷吾|管夷吾|guan3 yi2 wu2]]

(literary) describes people or things that are equal in talent, quality, or ability, making it difficult to distinguish which is better

Fan Zhongyan (989–1052), a famous scholar, statesman, and military strategist of the Northern Song dynasty known for his concern for the people, most famous for writing [[岳阳楼记|岳陽樓記|yue4 yang2 lou2 ji4]]

Dong Zhongshu (179-104 BC); a Han dynasty scholar-statesman and philosopher who was instrumental in establishing Confucianism as the official state ideology and promoting the civil service examination system.

renowned physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty and author of the medical classic Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases

almost on a par; neck and neck; referring to two people or things whose ability or quality is nearly identical

An agent, broker, or mediator who acts as a go-between for buyers and sellers

the second month of autumn, specifically the eighth month of the lunar calendar

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), the French writer of "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo"; he is called "père" (the father) to distinguish him from his son [[小仲马|小仲馬|xiao3 zhong4 ma3]]

Zhongchang Tong (179–219), a political philosopher of the late Eastern Han dynasty, known for his frank criticism and his work "Chang Yan" (Frank Words).

(literary) brothers; a respectful way to refer to someone else's brothers

The second month of spring; specifically the second month of the lunar calendar

(literary) Large stone statues of people or animals placed at the entrance of tombs or palaces. Originates from historical legends of a giant warrior in the Qin Dynasty, later used to describe bronze or stone human figures placed at gates or buried for spiritual protection.

Alexandre Dumas (1824-1895), French author of The Lady of the Camellias and son of the author of the same name

A famous strategist from the state of Qi during the Warring States period, known for solving disputes and refusing rewards; his name is used figuratively for someone who resolves conflicts for others.

A low-ranking official from the Eastern Han dynasty who is a central character in the famous narrative poem [[孔雀東南飛|孔雀東南飛|kong3 que4 dong1 nan2 fei1]]; he committed suicide after his wife, [[刘兰芝|劉蘭芝|liu2 lan2 zhi1]], was forced into a second marriage by their family.

The second month of winter; specifically the eleventh month of the lunar calendar.

(old name) The [[布依族|布依族|bu4 yi1 zu2]] ethnic group, also including parts of the [[壮族|壯族|zhuang4 zu2]] people in Yunnan.

Zhongba County in Shigatse prefecture, Tibet; Tibetan name is 'Brong pa rdzong

Zhongba county in Shigatse prefecture, Tibet

professional who facilitates the buying, selling, or renting of real estate

Zhong You (542-480 BC), also known as [[子路|子路|zi3 lu4]] or [[季路|季路|ji4 lu4]], a famous disciple of Confucius known for his courage and filial piety.

Historical figure of the late Shang Dynasty; second son of King Tai of Zhou and younger brother of [[泰伯|泰伯|tai4 bo2]], with whom he founded the state of Wu after leaving to allow their younger brother to inherit the throne.

legendary figure and younger brother of Taibo, also known as Zhongyong, credited with helping to establish the state of Wu during the early Zhou dynasty

Zhonggong (name), a disciple of [[孔子|孔子|kong3 zi3]] known for his moral character and leadership potential; also known as [[冉雍|冉雍|ran3 yong1]].

Another name for the famous statesman [[晏婴|晏嬰|yan4 ying1]] (also known as [[晏子|晏子|yan4 zi3]]) who served the state of [[齐国|齊國|qi2 guo2]] during the Spring and Autumn period.

Xu Zhonglin (c. 1567-c. 1620), also known as Chen Zhonglin ([[陈仲琳|陳仲琳|chen2 zhong4 lin2]]); a novelist during the Ming dynasty widely considered the author of the classic fantasy novel [[封神演义|封神演義|feng1 shen2 yan3 yi4]] together with [[陆西星|陸西星|lu4 xi1 xing1]]

one's second son; the second oldest among brothers

A legendary calligrapher, likely from the Qin or Han Dynasty, credited with developing the clerical script or 'eight-part' style from older seal scripts.

(idiom) to be equally matched; to be so similar in talent or ability that it is impossible to distinguish a winner; literally "unable to distinguish the eldest brother from the second brother"

A comedy by William Shakespeare, first published around 1600, featuring stories of lovers, fairies, and comedic performers; also used to describe bizarre or dreamlike situations.

a Chinese compound surname

the courtesy name for [[孔子|孔子|kong3 zi3]]

(literary) uncle, specifically the elder of a father's younger brothers

A person appointed to settle a dispute; someone who performs the work of arbitration.

(idiom) The sequence of seniority for brothers in ancient China, where [[伯|伯|bo2]] is the eldest, [[仲|仲|zhong4]] the second, [[叔|叔|shu1]] the third, and [[季|季|ji4]] the youngest.

(literary) polite way to address or refer to another person's brothers

Chen Zhonglin (c. 1567-c. 1620), Ming novelist, to whom the fantasy novel [[封神演义|封神演義|feng1 shen2 yan3 yi4]] is attributed; also known as [[许仲琳|許仲琳|xu3 zhong4 lin2]]