12. 24. The ruler of a state, in the spring hunting,
will not surround a marshy thicket, nor will Great
officers try to surprise a whole herd, nor will (other)
officers take young animals or eggs. 25. In bad
years, when the grain of the season is not coming to
maturity, the ruler at his meals will not make the
(usual) offering of the lungs[1], nor will his horses be
fed on grain. His special road will not be kept clean
and swept[2], nor even at sacrifices will his musical
instruments be suspended on their stands. Great
officers will not eat the large grained millet; and
(other) officers will not have music (even) at their
drinkings. 26. Without some (sad) cause, a ruler will
not let the gems (pendent from his girdle) leave his
person, nor a Great officer remove his music-stand,
nor an (inferior) officer his lutes.
13. 27. When an officer presents anything to the ruler of his state, and another day the ruler asks him, "Where did you get that?" he will bow twice with his head to the ground, and afterwards reply[3].
14. 28. When a Great officer wishes to go beyond the boundaries (of the state) on private business, he must ask leave, and on his return must present
some offering. An (inferior) officer in similar
- ↑ The offering here intended was to "the father of cookery;" see the first note on p. 80. Such offering, under the Kâu dynasty, was of the lungs of the animal which formed the principal dish. It was not now offered, because it was not now on the ground, even the ruler not indulging himself in such a time of scarcity.
- ↑ The road was left uncared for that vegetables might be grown on it, available to the poor at such a time.
- ↑ The offering must have been rare and valuable. The officer had turned aside at the time of presenting it to avoid any compliment from his ruler.
