Illustrated Investigation of the Names and Realities of Plants, Volume 7

Volume 7

Astragalus

Mountain Herbs, Volume 7

Hiding their goods and not daring to sell them to city dwellers, the people’s fear of officials is truly like their fear of ghosts and gods! I have observed that when local gazetteers zhisheng; historical records of a specific region list local products, they either say the land is barren and produces nothing, or they say, "it existed in the past but is gone now." This is because they fear that higher-ranking officials will consult the gazetteer and demand these items as tribute. Their intentions are indeed born of hardship.

However, I believe this does not address the root of the problem; it is like "giving up eating because of a choking hazard" original: "yin ye er fei shi" (因噎而廢食). A Chinese idiom meaning to abandon a necessary task due to a minor risk.. The "Local Products" section of a county gazetteer is not intended to be a mere commentary on the Erya The oldest surviving Chinese encyclopedia, often used by scholars to prove their erudition. to show off one's extensive research. Nor should it be like the "Poetic Expositions on the Capitals" original: "Fu Jingdu zhe" (賦京都者). A reference to the Han dynasty literary genre that used grand, often exaggerated lists of resources to praise a capital city’s wealth., which borrow exotic items from other regions just to boast of local riches.

By examining the forests, rivers, and plains, we learn what the land is suited for. By knowing what is suitable, we can understand whether the people are poor or wealthy, diligent or lazy. The Bureau of Maps original: "Zhifang Shi" (職方氏). An office described in the Rites of Zhou responsible for mapping and regional production. states: "Its benefits include gold, tin, bamboo, and arrows; its livestock is suitable for the six domestic animals; its soil is suitable for the five grains." These records were not meant to be diminished or hidden just because later generations might have corrupt officials tanmo; literally "greedy for ink," a term for corruption.

Nevertheless, there have indeed been instances where gazetteers have brought burdens upon both officials and the people. Rice is the same all over the world, yet the Gazetteer of Yiyang claims that its rice is unique and cannot be found in other counties. In the past, this led to the heavy burden of officials specifically demanding "Yiyang Rice." Pigs are the same all over the world, yet the Gazetteer of Ganzhou claims that "Dragon Pigs" cannot be found in other prefectures...