Asia

Letter from Empress Wende to Emperor Taizong (Tang Dynasty) (circa 636 CE):

During my lifetime, I made no contributions to the people, and I should not harm them in my death. I hope that you will not build a tomb to cause the people to labour and the empire to waste resources. Make a hill my tomb, and only use brick or wooden implements in the tomb. I hope that Your Imperial Majesty will continue to be close to honest men and stay away from those lacking virtues; that you will accept faithful words and reject wicked flattery; that you will decrease [your personal] labours and stop [your personal] hunting. Even as I go into the underworld, if these things happen, I will have no regrets. It is not necessary to summon the sons and daughters back here; if I see them mourn and cry, I will only be saddened. (emphasis added)

I Kings 6:7

And the house, when it was built, was built of stone made ready before it was brought there, so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house. (emphasis added) (See also: Exodus 20:22; Deuteronomy27:5-6.)

Seth Barrett Tillman, ‘Asia,’ New Reform Club (Aug. 4, 2025, 1:51 PM), <https://reformclub.blogspot.com/2025/08/asia.html>;