["It Is Interesting To Note," Writes Mr. Rockhill (Rubruck, P. 22),
"That In A.D. 981 The Chinese Envoy, Wang Yen-Te, Sent To The Uigur Prince
Of Kao-Chang, Refused To Make Genuflexions (Pai) To Him, As Being
Contrary To The Established Usages As Regards Envoys.
The prince and his
family, however, on receiving the envoy, all faced eastward (towards
Peking) and made an obeisance (pai) on receiving the imperial presents
(shou-tzu)." (Ma Twan-lin, Bk 336, 13.) - H. C.]
(Gaubil, 142; Van Braam, I. 20-21; Baber, 106; N. et E. XIV. Pt.
I. 405, 407, 418.)
The enumeration of four prostrations in the text is, I fancy, quite
correct. There are several indications that this number was used instead
of the three times three of later days. Thus Carpini, when introduced to
the Great Kaan, "bent the left knee four times." And in the Chinese bridal
ceremony of "Worshipping the Tablets," the genuflexion is made four times.
At the court of Shah Abbas an obeisance evidently identical was repeated
four times. (Carp. 759; Doolittle, p. 60; P. Della Valle, I. 646.)
[1] Gaubil, cited in Pauthier's Hist. des Relations Politiques de la
Chine, etc., p. 226.
CHAPTER XVI.
CONCERNING THE TWELVE THOUSAND BARONS WHO RECEIVE ROBES OF CLOTH OF GOLD
FROM THE EMPEROR ON THE GREAT FESTIVALS, THIRTEEN CHANGES A-PIECE.
Now you must know that the Great Kaan hath set apart 12,000 of his men who
are distinguished by the name of Keshican, as I have told you before;
and on each of these 12,000 Barons he bestows thirteen changes of raiment,
which are all different from one another:
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