"It is jealousy rather than suspicion which attaches to us," reflected Wang the Ninth. "Among the Southern people it is said to be different, but here it would be easy to become involved in great difficulties."
From this incident the boy understood that if he identified himself with foreigners to the extent of eating their rice, he must share their trials. He was enfolded in a discipline and in customs different from those of his own people. But to him it seemed good because there was no want. Now that he was on a regular salary and allowed to ride a horse he did not care about the rest.
Sometimes he sat around and argued keenly with his fellows on this problem as he saw it. It attracted his active mind and greatly puzzled him.
"It is not only that their customs are different," he declared. "With them the family is different. See how many live unattached and alone. Also they have many conveniences, which make matters better regulated."
"There is less idleness among those who could be idle—that is how I measure it," affirmed the head-groom. "Among our people who are rich there is no desire to move or to seek distraction by travel. All time is consumed at home or in eating-houses. There are few who are rich who have not several wives. This is the explanation."
"Yet," objected the boy, "it is not the explanation. For what you say only applies to one category of our people. With those who work there are not these differences."
"Those of our people who have no learning follow those who have," replied the head-groom. "This is why scholarship is held in high consideration: it gives precept and guidance. Our book-learning is different from that of the foreigners. It takes no account of the things they study. Therefore there is opposition between the two. That is the second explanation."
"There is much convenience in many foreign matters," reflected the boy. "The foreign house—which is built up high, is convenient. If that were done by our people how much more accommodation would be secured."
"With us it is impossible," said the head-groom. "No roof may be higher than the Emperor's. By building their houses of religion higher than the Emperor's Palace the foreigners first incurred hatred. You do not know of these matters. I have been told about them by our scholars."
Thus did they argue from day to day, seeing matters from a standpoint only to be understood by their daily lives.