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| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
440
MARCO POLO BOOK II.
Wassáf tells a long story in illustration of Kúblái'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 carne 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. Kúblái 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 'FREES 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.'
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 I.—In this Kúblái 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. 604.) There are still remains of the fine avenues of Kúblái and his successors in various parts of Northern China. (See lVilliamson, i. 74.)
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