NOTE 1.—­The Chinese author already quoted as to Kublai’s character (Note 2, ch. xxiii. supra) says:  “This Prince, at the sight of some evil prognostic, or when there was dearth, would remit taxation, and cause grain to be distributed to those who were in destitution.  He would often complain that there never lacked informers if balances were due, or if corvees had been ordered, but when the necessities of the people required to be reported, not a word was said.”

Wassaf tells a long story in illustration of Kublai’s justice and consideration for the peasantry.  One of his sons, with a handful of followers, had got separated from the army, and halted at a village in the territory of Bishbaligh, where the people gave them sheep and wine.  Next year two of the party came the same way and demanded a sheep and a stoup of wine.  The people gave it, but went to the Kaan and told the story, saying they feared it might grow into a perpetual exaction.  Kublai sharply rebuked the Prince, and gave the people compensation and an order in their favour. (De Mailla, ix. 460; Hammer’s Wassaf, 38-39.)]

CHAPTER XXVIII.

HOW THE GREAT KAAN CAUSES TREES TO BE PLANTED BY THE HIGHWAYS.

The Emperor moreover hath taken order that all the highways travelled by his messengers and the people generally should be planted with rows of great trees a few paces apart; and thus these trees are visible a long way off, and no one can miss the way by day or night.  Even the roads through uninhabited tracts are thus planted, and it is the greatest possible solace to travellers.  And this is done on all the ways, where it can be of service. [The Great Kaan plants these trees all the more readily, because his astrologers and diviners tell him that he who plants trees lives long.[NOTE 1]

But where the ground is so sandy and desert that trees will not grow, he causes other landmarks, pillars or stones, to be set up to show the way.]

NOTE 1.—­In this Kublai imitated the great King Asoka, or Priyadarsi, who in his graven edicts (circa B.C. 250) on the Delhi Pillar, says:  “Along the high roads I have caused fig-trees to be planted, that they may be for shade to animals and men.  I have also planted mango-trees; and at every half-coss I have caused wells to be constructed, and resting-places for the night.  And how many hostels have been erected by me at various places for the entertainment of man and beast.” (J.  A. S. B. IV. 604.) There are still remains of the fine avenues of Kublai and his successors in various parts of Northern China. (See Williamson, i. 74.)

CHAPTER XXIX.

CONCERNING THE RICE-WINE DRUNK BY THE PEOPLE OF CATHAY.

Most of the people of Cathay drink wine of the kind that I shall now describe.  It is a liquor which they brew of rice with a quantity of excellent spice, in such fashion that it makes better drink than any ther kind of wine; it is not only good, but clear and pleasing to the eye.[NOTE 1] And being very hot stuff, it makes one drunk sooner than any other wine.