Complete collection of the prose of the Sui Dynasty, pre-Tang Dynasty prose

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-10-01
Features: Excerpt: Qi Mu Shi, Qi Mu Shi, lost her name. (Note: During the time of Emperor Hui of Jin, Lu Bao concealed his name when writing "The Argument for Money," saying: A young master of the Ministry of Works named Gu met the scholar Qi Mu, and thus Qi Mu Shi likely means "there is no such official." This text was probably written by someone after Lu Bao.) The Argument for Money The brass square in the middle kowtows and replies: I come from the Western Qi Xing and Yin, ruling over various states, present everywhere. Changsha and Yue Jun are the regions I guard. Gold is my father, silver is my mother. Lead is the eldest son, tin is the younger wife. By nature, I am tough and unyielding, requiring fire from beginning to end. My body is round, mirroring the sky, and my square holes reflect the earth. I was born in the late Zhou Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Jing, the world was governed, and large castings of me were made. Greedy people see me and feel as if they have found a cure. Even feasting on the grandest banquet cannot surpass me. (From "Collected Learning" Vol. 27, "Imperial Readings" Vol. 836)