Due to their large population, human labor is an issue that remains a part of Chinese culture today. In the Years of Rice and Salt, Robinson describes how there were no animals to be found doing labor when Bold and Kyu came ashore. Part of the reason for not using animals for labor purposes is because
“in the Buddhist texts animals are always treated with great sympathy and under standing (Francis Story of the Palace Animals in Buddhism).”

“FRANCIS STORY THE PLACE OF ANIMALS IN BUDDHISM.” 26 Feb 2008 <http://web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/fstory4.htm>.