But in the region of the Central
Land there is no more wind and dust. Truly we should make a vast and
spacious capital and plan it great and strong.
"At present things are in a crude and obscure condition, and the
people's minds are unsophisticated. They roost in nests or dwell in
caves. Their manners are simply what is customary. Now if a great man
were to establish laws, justice could not fail to flourish. And even if
some gain should accrue to the people, in what way would this interfere
with the sage's action? Moreover it will be well to open up and clear
the mountains and forests, and to construct a palace. Then I may
reverently assume the precious dignity, and so give peace to my good
subjects. Above, I should then respond to the kindness of the heavenly
powers in granting me the kingdom; and below, I should extend the line
of the imperial descendants and foster rightmindedness. Thereafter the
capital may be extended so as to embrace all the six cardinal points
(_sic_), and the eight cords may be covered so as to form a roof. Will
this not be well? When I observe the Kashiha-bara plain, which lies
southwest of Mount Unebi, it seems the centre of the land.
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