[1] Even now there are at least eight different taels (or liangs) in
extensive use over the Empire, and varying as much as from 96 to 106;
and besides these are many local taels, with about the same limits
of variation. - (Williamson's Journeys, I. 60.)
[2] [The Archimandrite Palladius (l.c., p. 50, note) says that "the ting
of the Mongol time, as well as during the reign of the Kin, was a unit
of weight equivalent to fifty liang, but not to ten liang. Cf.
Ch'u keng lu, and Yuen-shi, ch. xcv. The Yuen pao, which as
everybody in China knows, is equivalent to fifty liang (taels) of
silver, is the same as the ancient ting, and the character Yuen
indicates that it dates from the Yuen Dynasty." - H. C.]
[3] This is also, as regards Customs payments, the system of the
Government of modern Italy.
[4] The first edition of this work gave a facsimile of one of this unlucky
minister's notes.
[5] On both sides, however, was the Mahomedan formula, and beneath that
the words Yiranjin Turji, a title conferred on the kings of Persia
by the Kaan. There was also an inscription to the following effect:
that the Emperor in the year 693 (A.H.) had issued these auspicious
chao, that all who forged or uttered false notes should be summarily
punished, with their wives and children, and their property
confiscated; and that when these auspicious notes were once in
circulation, poverty would vanish, provisions become cheap, and rich
and poor be equal (Cowell). The use of the term chao at Tabriz may
be compared with that of Banklot, current in modern India.
CHAPTER XXV.
CONCERNING THE TWELVE BARONS WHO ARE SET OVER ALL THE AFFAIRS OF THE GREAT
KAAN.
You must know that the Great Kaan hath chosen twelve great Barons to whom
he hath committed all the necessary affairs of thirty-four great
provinces; and now I will tell you particulars about them and their
establishments.
You must know that these twelve Barons reside all together in a very rich
and handsome palace, which is inside the city of Cambaluc, and consists of
a variety of edifices, with many suites of apartments. To every province
is assigned a judge and several clerks, and all reside in this palace,
where each has his separate quarters. These judges and clerks administer
all the affairs of the provinces to which they are attached, under the
direction of the twelve Barons. Howbeit, when an affair is of very great
importance, the twelve Barons lay in before the Emperor, and he decides as
he thinks best. But the power of those twelve Barons is so great that they
choose the governors for all those thirty-four great provinces that I have
mentioned, and only after they have chosen do they inform the Emperor of
their choice.
