Translation Story Hour with abadidea:
During the Warring States era, the King of Qi dispatched a messenger to the State of Zhou. The Queen of Zhou asked the messenger: βHow is the harvest in Qi? How are the people faring?β
When at last she inquired after the king, the messenger complained: βMilady, you did not first ask about milord, but about crops and commoners. Doesnβt milady think that a bit backwards?β
The Queen of Zhou replied: βIf there are no crops, then what commoners are there to speak of? And if there are no commoners, then what exactly is he king of?β