A blue and white 'Bing Ji and the buffalo' sleeve vase, Ming dynasty, Chongzhen period

New York Private Collection.

The vase illustrates a story from the Hanshu (Book of Han) about Bing Ji, a Prime Minister of the Western Han Dynasty. While traveling outside the capital, Bing Ji encountered a scene of people fighting and bleeding in the streets. Surprisingly, he neither stopped nor intervened. Instead, he focused his attention on an ox standing by the roadside, inquiring whether it was ill. His attendants were puzzled by his seemingly misplaced concern. Bing Ji explained that managing street fights was the responsibility of local officials, and it would be inappropriate for him to interfere. However, the ox was intended for use in a state ritual—if it were sick, it could jeopardize the entire ceremony and cast a negative reflection on the empire. This story highlights Bing Ji’s keen sense of duty and his ability to prioritize responsibilities wisely.