Song Xingzhi lived during the reign of Emperor Huizong

Chapter 40

After they finished speaking, the two discussed in hushed tones. Su Chen's interest was piqued. Seeing that Cui's mother hadn't noticed what was happening, he casually lifted the curtain on the right and peeked out to try and get a glimpse of the legendary city wall from a thousand years ago.

This is the city wall...

That was Su Chen's first impression.

Although I only saw a part of it, it didn't seem much different from other pictures I'd seen before.

She glanced around at the scenery of the outskirts, which was much more beautiful than the city walls—fields, rice paddies. She turned around inadvertently and saw many people carrying loads on shoulder poles behind the carriage, presumably going into the city to do business or search for relatives. She quickly turned back. Just as she lowered the curtain, she saw Mother Cui looking at her with a smile.

"Guazi has never been on a long trip, has he? It's pitiful, he was so uncomfortable the whole way."

Su Chen blushed slightly and mumbled a reply.

Mother Cui added, “The city walls of this capital are quite a sight, not because they are tall and magnificent, but because of the legend that they contain bricks that have been used to build the city.”

City-stabilizing bricks? What are those?

Seeing that she was interested, Cui's mother told her the story.

Legend has it that during the Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period, there was a gate-building craftsman named Yi. He was proficient in the multiplication table and the I Ching divination. When the Liang Dynasty first established its capital in Dongjing (Kaifeng), he was summoned to design and calculate the materials and labor required. While mediocre talents are rarely envied, his simple yet remarkably accurate and quick calculations eventually aroused the jealousy of his colleagues, who slandered him, saying that Yi boasted he could calculate exactly how many bricks were needed, no more, no less, a miraculous skill. The emperor was overjoyed upon hearing this and ordered the gate-building craftsman to calculate the required materials, not a single brick more or less.

The craftsman calculated that 999,999 bricks were needed. However, when the construction was completed, one brick was still missing. His colleagues hastily submitted a memorial accusing the craftsman of deceiving the emperor, and the emperor actually issued an edict to punish him.

The craftsman submitted a memorial to defend himself, saying that the brick was placed by the gods and that if it were moved easily, the city wall would collapse. Therefore, he petitioned the emperor to place it on the eaves behind the city gate and never allow it to be moved again.

These are what are known as the "city-stabilizing bricks".

After hearing this, Su Chen felt that the emperor had something wrong with his head. No wonder the Liang Dynasty collapsed so quickly. If this was true, if the craftsman hadn't been quick-witted, he probably wouldn't have escaped being killed.

After finishing her sentence, Cui's mother continued, "Speaking of which, these Dingcheng bricks are quite rare. Although we don't know if they were really left behind by immortals, everyone who comes to the capital will inevitably want to see them. Since this is Guazi's first time here, I'll take you and Shige'er to see them together."

Su Chen found it amusing, but thought the craftsman was truly remarkable. Compared to modern calculations where building a small house often requires half a truckload of bricks, half a truckload of cement, and half a truckload of tiles, this was simply divine skill. Although perhaps some modern calculators intentionally make homeowners buy more materials to earn more kickbacks.

However, she had heard countless examples like this in class. Using ancient myths, love stories, and celebrities as inspirations were all good ways to increase the value of a tourist attraction and attract visitors. But it was just a brick in the wall, and she wasn't interested in any of them, let alone He Su Shi.

She was too embarrassed to say it aloud, so she just mumbled a few words to brush it off. Madam Cui looked at her thoughtfully with a smile, and didn't bring it up again. The maidservant beside her quickly got up to tidy up.

After the car had traveled for another half an hour, the convoy suddenly stopped. Cui Shiran said from outside, "Grandma, we've arrived. We're checking the vehicle registration documents now."

Mrs. Cui said she knew and then ignored it, seemingly very familiar with the process. However, after a long time, the convoy still didn't move, and the commotion at the front continued. Mrs. Cui sat for a while longer, chatting idly with Su Chen, while the outside remained still.

She frowned, rang the bell, and the guards outside the carriage, hearing the sound, rode over and asked what her orders were. Madam Cui said with a hint of displeasure, "Why so slow? Didn't you show the city guards an ultimatum?"

The guard outside respectfully reported, "Madam, several children have been abducted in the capital recently. Princess Zhenzhu was kidnapped by villains while strolling through the night market, and the young master of Duke Xiangmin is also missing. They are currently searching in Tongcheng, though the security is a bit tight. The young master has just gone to speak with the soldiers guarding the city. I am incompetent and have kept you waiting."

Mother Cui opened her eyes and said with even greater displeasure, "Why did you send Shi'er? Was Fang Da useless?"

The guard hurriedly explained, "It was originally Chief Steward Fang who went, but today the city guard has been replaced by Commander Xiao, so it's not appropriate to neglect him. Young Master is also going to catch up with Chief Steward Xiao."

After thinking for a moment, Madam Cui said, "I understand. You may leave now." The guard acknowledged and withdrew.

Chapter Two: The Bustling City

The promotional function is now open! What are you waiting for? Join us now! </A> Mother Cui gestured to the pastries on the table, urging Su Chen to eat. Su Chen couldn't refuse, so he took a piece of plum cake. Then he heard Mother Cui say, "The capital has been unstable lately. The newcomers have arrived. We must be careful."

Su Chen nodded shyly, "I just arrived and have been staying at home without going out, so I don't think it will cause any problems."

Hearing her say that, Cui's mother couldn't help but laugh. She moved closer, gesturing for Su Chen to come closer, and Su Chen obediently moved closer. Cui's mother gently patted her head and said with a smile, "Good child, you were seriously ill a few days ago, but you're much better now. It's kind of you to stay with me all this time."

Su Chen smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. Grandma told me to treat Grandma Cui as my own grandmother." Upon hearing this, Madam Cui's lips curved into a smile and she said, "You can talk nonsense as you please, but our two families are indeed different. Even if you treat me as your own grandmother, I will still do so."

After saying that, she narrowed her eyes and added, "Your mother will tell you when you get back to the manor, but I will also give you some pointers." She pulled open the left curtain of the carriage with one hand. There were rows of bamboo strips sticking down at an angle above the left window frame, allowing you to see outside but not inside. "Look outside," she said.

Su Chen did as she was told and peeked out. She saw a long line of people not far from the convoy outside. People carrying vegetables, carrying cloth and silk, holding children or carrying only small bundles were all gathered together waiting to pass through the city gate. The endless line made her heart tremble.

It does indeed have a similar feel to the train stations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou during the Chinese New Year.

Without closing the curtain, Cui's mother said directly, "Although there are routine inspections, they are never this strict. Although Princess Zhenzhu is the daughter of Prince Cheng, and the prince's child was born in the residence of Duke Xiangmin, if he goes missing, it will be extremely difficult to find him. For a prince of such high status to be kidnapped at this time, no one will believe it."

She paused, then continued, "Right now, the two factions in the capital are fiercely fighting. Although your father doesn't take sides, it's hard to say what the outcome will be. You're new here, so you shouldn't accept invitations from others. If you're invited to a gathering by someone you know, you should carefully consider it. If something goes wrong, it will be too late to regret it." Madam Cui said with disgust, "It's only been a short time since I came back, and the capital has already reached this point, using other people's children as pawns!" She turned to Su Chen with affection, "At least we've gotten through this period. In a few days, I'll take your brother and Ran'er out to the night market; it'll help them relax."

Su Chen didn't know who Prince Cheng and Duke Xiangmin were, so he only agreed, unaware of the gravity and scope of the matter. He was secretly shocked that there were even cases of child abduction in the capital, and he had heard that Princess Zhenzhu was over thirteen years old. If she were abducted, her reputation would be completely ruined in this era, and even if she were rescued, her life would inevitably be tarnished.

She vaguely understood the implication in her mother's words and was also extremely shocked. The factional strife had spread to her family so rampantly; just how chaotic was the capital? As she thought this, a hint of fear crept onto her face. Seeing this, her mother comforted her, "Your father is a smart man; he would never wrong you. I doubt anyone else will act rashly. Just rest at home for a few months. With things getting this out of hand, someone must be coming to intervene. Things will get better after this."

As they spoke, the carriage swayed slightly, and finally passed through the city gate, slowly moving forward.

Bianjing (Kaifeng) had been the capital since the Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period, and it served as the capital for three dynasties. By then, commerce was already highly developed. After the Song Dynasty established its capital in Kaifeng, the Grand Canal was unimpeded. "It first connects to the Yellow River, then to the rivers and lakes, and finally to the South China Sea. Half of the country's wealth and all kinds of goods from the rivers and lakes are transported through this route." Kaifeng had become the political and economic center of the country.

The Cui family's entourage entered through the Nanxun Gate and passed by the Imperial Academy and the Zhuque Gate. They were originally supposed to pass by the Xiangguo Temple, but because there were too many people, and Cui's mother had specifically instructed them not to compete with the people for the road, they had to take a detour.

Su Chen heard the bustling noise outside from inside the car and looked out the window. He saw people making clay figurines, selling snacks, flowers, and candied hawthorns, others carrying toys for children, some playing an unknown instrument and wandering around with a basket on their backs, others fighting cocks, playing crickets, walking birds, and so on. It was a real bustling market, even more lively and interesting than those in later generations.

Just as I was enjoying the sight, I suddenly heard someone sing in a high-pitched voice—"Look at the fresh and beautiful fruits of my family, there are blue, red, purple, green, square, red, dragon tooth, ox heart, premium red, and big clove, there are tiger skin grapes, tortoiseshell red, white, and yellow general lychees..."

Su Chen listened with bated breath as she continued singing. It was a woman standing in front of a fruit stall who sang in a high-pitched voice. The names strung together rhymed and had a lingering quality. Although it was almost impossible to make out what each name was, the rise and fall of the song actually had a melody with rhyming notes, and it was made in the style of a folk tune!

The woman sang for a good quarter of an hour before finally taking a breath. Su Chen heard her voice gradually lower and breathed a sigh of relief, but then the tune suddenly rose several inches higher. Finally, she finished singing, and the people next to her went over and bought things with smiles on their faces.

Wow, amazing... such powerful vocal strength! A non-professional female singer from the Song Dynasty...

She quickly grasped Cui's mother's hand and exclaimed, "Grandma Cui, did you hear that? What an amazing person!" Cui's mother laughed, "She's just a merchant's daughter, yet she's made you so happy. Don't let people laugh at you for being so naive." She continued, "When you get to the manor, if you're so capable, get your father to sing you a song. That'll be truly impressive. When your father was young, he got drunk at the Qionglin Banquet and sang 'Nian Nu Jiao' while striking a clay pot in front of the emperor and his ministers. It's said that the lingering sound lasted for three days..."

She suddenly stopped, turned to look at Su Chen with a puzzled expression, and asked, "Can you understand Mandarin? I don't remember teaching you sisters at home."

Su Chen's forehead broke out in a few beads of sweat, his fingers tightened, and he quickly came up with a clever idea: "My brother said we would come to the capital sooner or later, and he has taught us that since we were little." Mother Cui believed him and then told him about the customs and culture of the capital.

Su Chen smiled and exchanged a few words, but when he put his hand behind his back, he immediately felt that his thin summer clothes were soaked with sweat.