"No mystery, your Highness," replied Ch'ing; "and yet there is something.
"When I am about to make such a stand, I guard against any diminution of my vital power. I first reduce my mind to absolute quiescence. Three days in this condition, and I become oblivious of any reward to be gained. Five days, and I become oblivious of any fame to be acquired. Seven days, and I become unconscious of my four limbs and my physical frame. Then, with no thought of the Court present to my mind, my skill becomes concentrated, and all disturbing elements from without are gone. I enter some mountain forest. I search for a suitable tree. It contains the form required, which is afterwards elaborated. I see the stand in my mind's eye, and then set to work. Otherwise, there is nothing. I bring my own natural capacity into relation with that of the wood. What was suspected to be of supernatural execution in my work was due solely to this."
To obliteration of self in the infinite causality of God.
Tung Yeh Chi exhibited his charioteering skill before Duke Chuang.
"Of Lu," says one commentator. But another points out that Yen Ho (infra) is mentioned in chapter iv. as tutor to the son of Duke Ling of Wei, which would involve an anachronism.
Backwards and forwards he drove in lines which might have been ruled, sweeping round at each end in curves which might have been described by compasses.
The Duke, however, said that this was nothing more than weaving; and bidding him drive round and round a hundred times, returned home.
Yen Ho came upon him, and then went in and said to the Duke, "Chi's horses are on the point of breaking down."
The Duke remained silent, making no reply; and in a short time it was announced that the horses had actually broken down, and that Chi had gone away.
"How could you tell this?" said the Duke to Yen Ho.