This work shows the story of Bing Ji, a prime minister
of the Western Han. One day, while riding in his cart with attendants, they came across
brawling people by the road. He continued without concern. He then came across a man with
an water buffalo panting. He immediately stopped to ask how long they had been traveling.
His attendants were puzzled as to why he was more concerned about an ox than injured
people. He replied that fighting was a matter for local officials, but an ox panting in
early spring (if not traveling for long) suggested unusual heat, which could have
disastrous results for all. This muggy scene is rendered in ink and the drapery lines
quiver. Although attributed to a Sung artist, it is probably by a later hand. |