The Tai Sui is the overlord of the world and possible herald of calamity. Born in relative historical anonymity on the plains to the east of modern-day Xi’an, this year’s office holder is the Mongolian-era official Li Cheng. He began his career on the southwestern side of the twisting and turning Liupan mountain range, where he worked in the local surveillance commission. He rose to finish his career as a district magistrate in an urban setting near Xi’an. Known for his filial piety at home and his probity in office, he was assiduous but lenient; he rooted out wickedness in society and went after lawbreakers. With a reputation for supporting farmers and other local workers, he would only demand goods and services for the state according to what each could give. On a chilly day before the new year, we found his gruff presence back in the Liupan Mountains, checking on some local villages to see how they were getting through a cold winter. Generous to a fault, he gave up some of his lunch break to chat about the upcoming year. Despite his longstanding attraction to local affairs, he was also pleased to be of assistance in the higher echelons of the spirit world. His advice for the year: 'Embrace me, and come to me with an honest heart. I shan’t forget, nor shall I punish those with good intentions.' A true northerner, he carried a flask of milk and some dried beef and lamb and offered to share his meal. All along the watchtowers, we heard him referred to as honest and impartial and a terror to those who cause harm. A figure who could ferret out the smallest details of any affair - best to hide nothing from him, they said. Look for him this year in the southeast.