Korla, the capital of the Bayingolin Mongol Administrative Region, is a flat, grey sprawl of low buildings and a few ostentatious new hotels, nestled in the armpit of the Tian and Kuruktagh mountains. It is marked by industry. The natural gas fields have brought money since the 1950s and with it a massive influx of Han Chinese. No one nationality appears to be in the absolute majority, resulting in the undefined ugliness caused by lack of pride or urban planning. Korla is a place of transit. Everyone stops here. It is the terminus of the railway, and a nodal point for the roads from Urumgi, Kashgar, Ruogiang and the East.

By the time that our troops had taken a little refreshment, a quantity of intrenching tools were brought a-shore, and the regiments were employed in redoubting our ground, and landing some cannon and ammunition.

Then oft, by night, bombase hare-hearted fools, By tumbling down their cupboards, chairs, and stools. Whate'er's in spells, or if there witches be, Such whimsies seem the most absurd to me.

Episode 16 The pair parted company and Stephen rejoined Mr Bloom who, with his practised eye, was not without perceiving that he had succumbed to the blandiloquence of the other parasite. Alluding to the encounter he said, laughingly, Stephen, that is: