1. The duke Gae inquired of Yew Jǒ, saying, "The year is one of scarcity, and the returns for expenditure are not sufficient;—what is to be done?"

Yew Jǒ replied to him, "Why not simply tithe the people."

"With two tenths," said the duke, "I find them not enough;—how could I do with that system of one tenth?"

4. Yew Jǒ answered, "If the people have plenty, their prince will not be left to want alone. If the people are in want, their prince cannot enjoy plenty alone."

9. LIGHT TAXATION THE BEST WAY TO SECURE THE GOVERNMENT FROM EMBARRASSMENT FOR WANT OF FUNDS. 2. By the statutes of the Chow dynasty, the ground was divided into allotments cultivated in common by the families located upon them, and the produce was divided equally, nine tenths being given to the farmers, and one tenth being reserved as a contribution to the state. This was called the law of 撤, which term=通, 'pervading', 'general', with ref., apparently, to the system of common labour. 3. A former duke of Loo, Seuen (B.C. 608-590), had imposed an additional tax of another tenth from each family's portion. 4. The meaning of this par. is given in the transl. Literally rendered, it is,—'The people having plenty, the prince—with whom not plenty? The people not having plenty, with whom can the prince have plenty?' Yew Jǒ wished to impress on the duke that a sympathy and common condition should unite him and his people. If he lightened his taxation to the regular tithe, then they would cultivate their allotments with so much vigour, that his receipts would be abundant. They would be able, moreover, to help their kind ruler in any emergency.