CHAP. III.
The number of such subiects as doo pay vnto the king tribute in all these fifteene prouinces.
Vnderstanding the greatnesse of this kingdome of China, and the infinite number of people that is therein, it is an easie thing to bee beleeued, the number that euery prouince hath of such as do pay tribute, as is taken out of the booke that the officers haue, whereby they do recouer that tribute: and it is affirmed, that there are as many more, such as are free and do pay no tribute. The loytians and ministers of iustice, all sorts of soldiers, both by sea and land (which is an infinite number), are free and do pay nothing; the number as followeth.
The prouince of Paguia[80] hath two millions seuen hundred and foure thousand that doth pay tribute to the king.
The prouince of Santon, 3 millions and 700 thousand tributers.
The prouince of Foquien, two millions foure hundred and seuen thousand tributers.
The prouince of Olam, two millions two hundred and foure thousand tributers.
The prouince of Sinsay, three millions three hundred and foure score thousand.
The prouince of Susuan, two millions and fiftie thousand.
The prouince of Tolanchia, there where as the king is resident, and is the biggest of them al, sixe millions fourescore and ten thousand.