The question as to Caichu may still be
settled, as it must be possible to ascertain where the Kin resided."[2]
[Mr. Rockhill writes (Land of the Lamas, p. 17): "One hundred and twenty
li south-south-west of the city is Kiai Chou, with the largest salt
works in China." Richthofen has estimated that about 150,000 tons of salt
are produced annually from the marshes around it. - H.C.]
NOTE 3. - The eight days' journey through richly cultivated plains run up
the basin of the Wei River, the most important agricultural region of
North-West China, and the core of early Chinese History. The loess is
here more than ever predominant, its yellow tinge affecting the whole
landscape, and even the atmosphere. Here, according to Baron v.
Richthofen, originated the use of the word hwang "yellow," as the symbol
of the Earth, whence the primeval emperors were styled Hwang-ti, "Lord
of the Earth," but properly "Lord of the Loess."
[The Rev. C. Holcombe (l.c. p. 66) writes: "From T'ung-kwan to Si-ngan
fu, the road runs in a direction nearly due west, through a most lovely
section of country, having a range of high hills upon the south, and the
Wei River on the north.
