NP PRC-related

[Scott Badger]

Charles:

> China has been involved in domestic and international trade for
> MILLENIA, they needed no coaching from any european colonialists
> to figure out that one does not engage in such activity for long
> unless one makes a "margin".....
>

Happened on this in the throne-room this morning...

"...[Jiji] made the following overture to purchase [Hohora's mouth's]
contents:  namely:  one tooth of the buyer's, for every three of the
seller's.  A proposition promptly rejected, as involving a mercantile
absurdity.

'Why?' said Babbalanja.  'Doubtless, because that proposed to be given, is
less than that proposed to be received.  Yet, says a philosopher, this is
the very principle which regulates all barterings.  For where the sense of a
simple exchange of quantities, alike in value?'"

Melville, _Mardi_