Chapter 27: Eastern Capital

Wei Renshi had been to Luoyang before, but that was more than twelve hundred years later.

Naturally, many things were different, but the splendor remained unchanged.

This city possessed a peculiar magic—it had weathered countless upheavals and yet, each time, had returned to dazzling prosperity.

Just like this country, just like this people.

Or perhaps, it was precisely because this country existed, because these people thrived here, that no matter how many times turmoil struck, it could always rise again toward flourishing.

He wondered if the scenes he had once seen in the Ancient Tomb Museum might, perhaps, be occurring right now in some corner before his eyes.

That sense of time and space converging would not leave him, and it made Wei Renshi feel almost detached, regarding the multitudes around him as if from above.

Just as he felt his perspective drifting further away, becoming estranged from the world before him, a voice suddenly called him back, pulling him from the sky of his reverie to the solid ground of reality.

“Master, this is Luoyang City!” Xi’er’s voice was brimming with excitement, her bright eyes darting everywhere, unable to take it all in.

The Eastern Capital, Luoyang, and a small city like Fuchang seemed to belong to two entirely different worlds.

Carriages flowed like water, horses like dragons; flowers and moonlight, all accompanied by the tender spring breeze.

By Wei Renshi’s side were Xi’er, Li He, and Li He’s young attendant, Li Rong. Li He, eager to reach the Hall of Literary Excellence Academy, barely glanced at Luoyang’s splendor and urged, “Renshi, let’s hurry to the Academy!”

Wei Renshi shook his head and replied, “No need to rush. It’s nearly dusk; let’s first find a place to stay and tidy ourselves up before going tomorrow. Otherwise, with all this travel dust, how could we blend in at the Academy?”

Li He considered this and nodded. “That’s true. We can go to the South Market; it’s lively there and we can find lodgings.”

“Alright,” Wei Renshi agreed.

Li He glanced around and suddenly asked, “Li Rong, which way to the South Market?”

Wei Renshi couldn’t help but grin. Li Rong stepped forward to look and said, “Master, this way!”

Following Li Rong, they soon reached the South Market. Though the sun was nearly set, the place was still bustling. Amid the clamor, if not for the distinctive attire of the passersby, Wei Renshi might have believed himself back in some modern marketplace.

“There are three markets in Luoyang, and the South Market is the busiest,” Li Rong explained as he noticed Wei Renshi’s curious gaze. “Even goods brought from the distant west can be found here and in the North Market.”

“Then there must be foreign traders in these markets as well?” Wei Renshi asked.

Li Rong pointed. “Isn’t that them, right there?”

Wei Renshi followed his gaze and indeed saw several Arab-looking men, seated and selling their wares.

Since he had Jiao Haiqing’s letter, Wei Renshi wasn’t in a hurry to seek out the foreign merchants himself. The group found an inn and settled in for the night. The next morning, after tidying up, they left the inn, and Li He was eager to head straight for the Academy.

But for Wei Renshi, the Academy was only a pretext, so he decided to part with Li He for the moment.

“Changji, you go ahead to the Academy. I have some things to take care of and will find you there once I’m done,” Wei Renshi said.

Li He knew that Wei Renshi had not come to Luoyang solely for the Academy, so he didn’t press for details. He nodded and replied, “Very well. If you can’t find me there, just return to the inn.”

“Alright,” Wei Renshi agreed.

Once Li He and Li Rong had gone, Wei Renshi looked around the lively South Market and spotted an old man selling steamed buns. He approached, bowed, and asked, “Excuse me, sir, how do I get from the South Market to the North Market? Oh, and I’ll have two of your buns, please.”

“You must be new to Luoyang, young master,” the old man replied, wrapping the buns with a smile. “The South and North Markets are separated by the Luo River—quite a walk. You can go to the canal and, for a few coins, take a boat across.”

“There are boats?” Wei Renshi was a little surprised.

“You must not know, young master. All three markets in Luoyang are built along navigable canals, connected to the Grand Canal. Cargo boats can sail right into each market. Thanks to these waterways, you can travel between the markets by water,” the old man explained.

Wei Renshi paid him, smiling. “Thank you, sir.”

He handed one bun to Xi’er and, biting into his own, they set off in search of the canal.

As they walked, Xi’er complained, “His buns aren’t very good—there’s a sour taste. Your flatbreads never taste like that!”

The buns were much like the steamed buns of later times. Wei Renshi chuckled, “I was just gathering information. If you don’t like it, give it to me, and I’ll buy you something else later.”

Xi’er shook her head. “I never used to get treats like this. No need to buy anything else!”

Nevertheless, she ate her bun, bite by bite.

They soon found the canal, asked for directions, paid a few coins, and boarded a cargo boat bound for the North Market.

Traveling by boat took a longer route than going on foot, but the canal was wide and the current faster than a walking pace. The days were growing warmer and it was far more pleasant to ride the breeze on the boat than to trudge through the heat.

Much of the cargo had already been sold in the South Market, making the boat lighter and swifter, and since it was not a large vessel, they slipped quickly through the waterways.

Before long, Wei Renshi and Xi’er arrived at the North Market.

Following the name given by Jiao Haiqing, they found a certain shop and went inside.

Behind the counter sat an old man, who glanced up at them and then returned to his work, ignoring Wei Renshi.

Wei Renshi stepped forward and asked, “Greetings, sir. May I ask where the proprietor is?”

“You wish to see the proprietor?” The old man looked him up and down and asked, “What business do you have with him, young master?”

“I have a letter for him,” Wei Renshi replied.

“Give it to me,” the old man said, extending his hand.

Wei Renshi shook his head. “Unless you’re the proprietor yourself.”

“I am,” the old man said, setting down his brush. “Where have you come from, young master?”

“From Fuchang.” Wei Renshi handed him the letter. “Haiqing sent me.”

“Oh?” The proprietor quickly took the letter, opened it, and after reading a few lines, his expression brightened with a smile. “So you are the honored guest of the Second Young Master! Please, Master Wei, come and sit!”

He came out from behind the counter, ushered Wei Renshi to the back, and once they were seated, called for tea to be brewed and water poured.

“The Second Young Master says you have matters to attend to and asked me to give you my full assistance. Whatever you need, just say the word and I will do my utmost to help,” the proprietor said eagerly once they were settled.