316 CHINESE LITERATURE
The Ching Hua Yuan is a less pretentious work than the preceding, but of an infinitely more interesting char- acter. Dealing with the reign of the Empress Wu, who in A.D. 684 set aside the rightful heir and placed herself upon the throne, which she occupied for twenty years, this work describes how a young graduate, named T'ang, disgusted with the establishment of examinations and degrees for women, set out with a small party on a voyage of exploration. Among all the strange places which they visited, the most curious was the Country of Gentlemen, where they landed and proceeded at once to the capital city.
"There, over the city gate, T'ang and his companions read the following legend :
' Virtue is man's only jewel /'
"They then entered the city, which they found to be a busy and prosperous mart, the inhabitants all talking the Chinese language. Accordingly, T'ang accosted one of the passers-by, and asked him how it was his nation had become so famous for politeness and consideration of others ; but, to his great astonishment, the man did not understand the meaning of his question. T'ang then asked him why this land was called the ' Country of Gentlemen,' to which he likewise replied that he did not know. Several other persons of whom they inquired giving similar answers, the venerable To remarked that the term had undoubtedly been adopted by the in- habitants of adjacent countries, in consequence of the polite manners and considerate behaviour of these people. ' For,' said he, ' the very labourers in the fields and foot-passengers in the streets step aside to make room for one another. High and low, rich and poor,
�� �
