pair of dragons and a pair of phoenixes were also cast； the dragons forty feet high and the birds thirty。 These were placed in front of the Hall of Audience。
Moreover； in the Fragrant Forest Park the Ruler of Wei planted wonderful flowers and rare trees； and he also established a menagerie of strange animals。
Yang Fu； Assistant Imperial Guardian； remonstrated with the Emperor on these extravagances in a memorial：
〃As is well known； King Yao preferred his humble thatched cottage； and all the world enjoyed tranquillity； King Yu contented himself with a small modest palace； and all the empire rejoiced。 In the days of Yin and Zhou Dynasties the hall of the ruler stood three feet above the usual height and its area was nine mats。 The sage emperors and illustrious kings had no decorated chambers in lofty palaces built with the wealth； and by the strength； of a worn…out and despoiled people。
〃Emperor Jie built a jade chamber and elephant stables； Emperor Zhou erected a surpassingly beautiful palace plex and a Deer Terrace。 But these lost the empire。 King Ling of Chu built beautiful palaces； but he came to an evil end。 The First Emperor of Qin made the Epang Palace； but calamity fell upon his son； for the empire rebelled and his house was exterminated in the second generation。
〃All those who have failed to consider the means of the people and given way to sensuous pleasures have perished。 Your Majesty has the examples of Kings Yao； Yu； Shun； and Tang on the one hand； and the warnings of Kings Jie； Zhou； Ling； and the First Emperor on the other。 To seek only self…indulgence and think only of fine palaces will surely end in calamity。
〃The prince is the first and the head； his ministers are his limbs； they live or die together； they are in