Note 19 — CHAPTER FOUR The Drama under the Manchus and the Republic—1644 to the Present Day
Reading edition
One of the many complaints against Yang Kuei-fei was her fancy for fresh Li-chihs. She was so fond of these, that she had them, when in season, brought from the South to Ch’ang An daily, a distance of three thousand li. This apparently simple fancy was the cause of immense suffering, distress, and injustice; the messengers carrying the luxury, presuming on the protection of their mistress, committed all manner of depredation and violence.