Chapter Seven March Third

  "That's... Dongshi, right?! It is Dongshi! One of the most lively places in Chang'an City, with many interesting gadgets for sale!" He Lan Minzhe peeked out from under the carriage curtain, very curious, and glanced at He Lan Minyue, who was also poking her head out to take a look, and replied uncertainly.

  "Dong City? Brother, I know Dong City! Dong City and Xi City are the two most bustling places in Chang'an City," He Lan Minyue excitedly replied to her brother, not noticing his hesitation at all, staring eagerly at He Lan Minzhi, "Brother, when will you take Minyue to Dong City and Xi City next time? I want to see what kind of new and interesting things they sell!"

  Facing his sister's request, He Lan didn't have any idea of refusing and agreed without hesitation: "Okay! Brother also wants to go to Dongxi City to take a look, next time we'll find an opportunity to go together and buy many new and interesting things back!"

  The East and West Markets of Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty were really famous in history, and He Lan Minzhi of later generations also knew about these two places. It is said that the word "things" originated from the legend of the East and West Markets: In ancient times, people needed to go to the East and West Markets to buy things, and later going shopping gradually became buying "things", which means going to the East and West Markets to shop.

  According to historical records, there were many shops in both cities, and merchants came from all over the world. There were also many foreigners, especially women, who sold all sorts of things. Inside the market, there was a tavern called Huji Jiu where many beautiful and wild foreign women gathered, along with various kinds of fine wines. Such an attractive place, how could one not want to take a look?

  Unfortunately, today is March 3rd, they want to go to the banks of the Ba River to join in the excitement, otherwise we could have gone now.

  "That's great!" Hearing her brother agree to take her out, He Lan Minyue almost cheered and jumped up with excitement, revealing a mischievous expression. "Brother, then you have to bring Minyue out early, Minyue wants to buy lots and lots of fun things..."

  "Be careful not to spend all your private money!" Looking at He Lan Minyue's adorable appearance, He Lan Min couldn't help but reach out and gently scratch her straight nose. Amidst He Lan Minyue's scolding, he burst into laughter and continued to take in the scenery outside.

  He Lan Min Yue also stopped talking, and together with He Lan Min, curiously looked at the street scene. After a while, she opened her mouth again to ask about He Lan Min's affairs. Apart from asking about what she saw, she asked most about how lively it would be outside the city on March 3rd today.

  He Lan Minzhi, of course, did not know that there would be such a lively scene on the banks of the Zhe River on March 3rd. His understanding of the third day of March in the Tang Dynasty was mainly based on Du Fu's poem, which told him that on this day, there were many beauties by the river in Chang'an, and this was the most important reason for him to join in the excitement. As for other details, he was not clear, but he did know about the allusion of March 3rd.

  March 3rd, also known as Shangsi Festival, refers to the first Si day of the third month of the lunar calendar. Since the Han Dynasty, it has been designated as a festival with the custom of spring bathing on Shangsi. Every year on this day, people flock to the rivers and lakes to wash away impurities with spring water, in order to eliminate the diseases accumulated throughout the winter, known as exorcism. The "Han Book" states: "On the upper Si day of this month, officials and civilians all gather at the east-flowing water to bathe and exorcise, to remove the accumulated dirt and filth, for a grand cleansing."

  Because the third day of the third month often coincides with the Dragon Day, since the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Shangsi Festival has been changed to March 3rd. The celebration content of this day, in addition to the purification ritual, also includes other programs, making March 3rd a day for drinking and feasting by the water, outing to enjoy the spring scenery, and an opportunity for young men and women to find their soulmates, truly an ancient Valentine's Day.

  Since he had traveled back in time to ancient times, and coincidentally it was March 3rd, Valentine's Day, He Lan Min would not miss such a lively holiday. For him, on this day, the East and West markets were far less attractive than going to the Ba River to join in the excitement.

  Li Zhi and Wu Zetian's imperial carriage had already gone to the eastern capital of Luoyang. Although He Lan Minzhe still didn't understand why he had a dispute with his mother about whether or not to go to Luoyang, but his mother did not go to Luoyang and stayed in Chang'an. Her mental state had recovered quite well, so he was temporarily at ease. Thinking that the imperial carriage would not return from Luoyang for several days, at least it would take a few months, during which there wouldn't be any major events happening, he could relax a bit and didn't need to worry about anything. This period of time should focus on adapting to the environment and life in this era. He Lan Minzhe thought of going out to play by the Chan River outside the city, taking a look at the scenery of Chang'an during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and experiencing the atmosphere of ancient Valentine's Day. After reporting to his mother Wu Shun, he brought his sister He Lan Minyue, as well as several maidservants, under the escort of a group of family servants led by He Lan Anhong, to head towards the Chan River outside the city.

  Wu Shun was originally unwilling to let He Lan Minzhi and He Lan Minyue go out for a stroll, but she couldn't resist He Lan Minzhi's requests, so in the end she had no choice but to agree. However, she also specifically instructed that when He Lan Minzhi went out for a stroll, he was not allowed to cause trouble, nor was he allowed to flirt with young women, and he was not allowed to ride horses, he had to take a carriage, and he had to bring enough guards to protect He Lan Minyue. He Lan Minzhi agreed to all of this.

  At dawn, He Lan Minzhi got up early and was served by Qing Er and Xue Er. After washing and dressing, she was escorted by He Lan Anhong and others who had already prepared, and together with He Lan Minyue, who was dressed in men's clothing, they boarded a luxurious carriage.

  Due to Wu Shun's special instructions, coupled with He Lan Minzhi not wanting to see her younger sister He Lan Minyue being chased by lechers, she had her dress up as a man for the journey. Although He Lan Minyue was somewhat reluctant, after He Lan Minzhi coaxed her with a few words, she agreed.

  He Lan Minzhi's two maids, Qing'er and Xue'er, as well as He Lan Minyue's two maids, Cui'er and Ying'er, followed behind in a small, luxurious carriage. The dozen or so guards led by He Lan Anhong were all on horseback.

  Yesterday evening, a light rain fell, and the air was very humid when I got up early. It made people feel extremely comfortable, as if the sky and earth had been washed clean, and it was very clear and transparent. Sitting in the carriage with the curtains open, Hèlán Mǐnzhī's mood was good as he gazed at the street scene with Hèlán Mǐnyuè. He was so focused on looking at all the places they passed by that sometimes he even forgot to answer Hèlán Mǐnyuè's questions.

  The records in the history books are true, and the streets of Chang'an City are very straight and wide. Except for Zhuque Avenue, which is about 150 meters wide and admired by later generations, other major streets are also over 100 meters wide. The streets that are over 100 meters wide can accommodate many horse-drawn carriages running side by side, and even if you ride a horse galloping on the street, you don't have to worry about colliding with others.

  The streets are lined with neatly planted trees, and the roadside has a drainage ditch covered with bluestone slabs. The streets on both sides are lined with neat rows of courtyards, each occupying a large area, surrounded by walls, and the streets between the courtyards are also very wide. Inside the courtyard, various buildings are planned neatly. During the Tang Dynasty, the layout of the courtyards and markets were separated, except for some high-ranking officials and nobles, most people's houses had doors facing inward, which made it inconvenient for residents to travel, but also made the streets look extremely clean and tidy, without the messy scene of shops lining up in later generations. The only regret is that except for Zhuque Avenue and some streets near the Imperial City, which are paved with bluestone, most of the streets are exposed mud roads. If it rains or after a long period of sunny weather, the streets will be in a deplorable state.

  In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Chang'an, the capital city, was extremely flourishing. The wide streets were filled with people riding horses or walking, and carriages came and went without end. Near Dongshi, one of the two famous markets in Chang'an, it was even more bustling and lively, with crowds surging like a tide. Merchants and travelers from all over hurried to and fro, carrying large and small packages, and horse-drawn carriages loaded with various goods came and went constantly. Even foreigners wearing Han Chinese clothing could be seen frequently.

  Most people on the street are well-dressed and look healthy; it's rare to see anyone in tattered clothes with a pale complexion.

  On the streets, you can also see from time to time, lined up neatly, dressed in bright armor, riding high-headed horses, running through the ancient city of Chang'an, adding a special scenery, and attracting He Lan's gaze.

  In the midst of the horse-drawn carriage ride, He Lan Minzhi also caught a glimpse of the imperial palace. As their carriage passed by, they could see the south and east sides of the Taiji Palace, as well as the southern city wall of the Daming Palace. The high walls of the imperial palace and the flying eaves of the halls were visible from afar. Near the imperial city, beneath the tens-of-meters-high city walls, stood the majestic and orderly Forbidden Army soldiers guarding the area. The grandeur of the imperial city, combined with the numerous Forbidden Army soldiers surrounding it, exuded an aura of solemnity that inspired awe. This was a feeling that He Lan Minzhi had experienced before, one that the former imperial palace, the Forbidden City, could not compare to.

  The horse carriage passed through the East City and headed towards the Chunming Gate. He Lan Minyue, who was curious about everything, continued to ask questions about the scenery she saw on the street. He Lan Minzhi, who knew little about Chang'an, could only respond vaguely.

  March 3rd is a grand festival, and many people are rushing out of the city to join in the excitement. There are numerous horse-drawn carriages and young men and women on horseback, all heading towards the east of the city, in the direction of the Ba River. The streets leading out of the city are very congested, and when their carriages approach the Chunming Gate, the wide streets become somewhat jammed with traffic.

  He Lan Minzhi curiously looked at the people on the street wearing bright clothes, and the horses with different decorations and shapes. After a while, she found that many people were staring at them in surprise. Knowing that peeking out from behind the carriage curtain was not very dignified, He Lan Minzhi exchanged a smile with He Lan Mingyue before lowering the curtain.

  He Lan Minyue straightened her back, tilted her head and looked at He Lan Min for a while, then asked in confusion: "Brother, aren't you always going out to have fun? Why are you so curious today, staring at the scenery on the street all the time? You won't forget all these things, will you?"