Before God, were such property, that
has been struck by the divine wrath, to enter into his Treasury.[NOTE 1]]
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.
