To make or become smaller in size
The passage shows to the readers that there are multiple conclutions to the lack of money and jobs in the community
Jenny bird
Marry rat
Beach vacation
Dancer spinning top
Ran hide
We her
Friend mule
Lawn carpet
Hit mile
China.
The Silk Road is a trading route from the Middle East to China, and the ancient civilizaitons practiced ancestor worship. The Mandate of Heaven dictates that good weather and general prosperity are because of divine approval of the leader of China. If there is famine, invasion, or other natural disasters, it was interpreted as needing a new ruler, aka losing the mandate of heaven.