Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/53

Rh endure privation of all kinds." The Japanese, in short, are a fighting race who have scorned the haggle of the market and sworn fealty to the god of war. The character of the Chinese is in this respect the antithesis of the character of the people of Japan. "Tzu Kung asked for a definition of good government. The Master (Confucius) replied: It consists in providing enough food to eat, in keeping enough soldiers to guard the State, and in winning the confidence of the people.—And if one of these things had to be sacrificed, which should go first?—The Master replied: Sacrifice the soldiers." The high standard of commercial morality attaining in China is admitted on all hands, and their reputation for integrity in all matters appertaining to trade is in strong contrast to the ill odour in which Japanese traders are held among European merchants carrying on their business in the Far East. A German merchant told me that he frequently entered into contracts with Chinese merchants involving as