A Series of Encounters with Old Acquaintances

Dusk had fully settled, and the Drum Tower in the inner city had just struck the watch for the Xu hour.

This Prince of Prince Ying's Estate wore a brocade-cloud cloak, and the jade pendant at his waist swung back and forth beneath the lanterns.

The two guards behind him were clearly no good-for-nothings.

Since they could not talk him out of it, they had to ensure his safety.

Whenever they passed through a dim street, they kept their hands on their sword hilts, their gazes sweeping the alley mouths around them like hawks.

The layout of the Divine Land's capital was generally governed by strict principles.

The Artificers' Record in the Rites of Zhou stated: "The artisans build the capital, nine li square, with three gates on each side. Within the capital are nine vertical and nine horizontal roads, each broad enough for nine chariots. The ancestral temple stands to the left, the altars of soil and grain to the right; the court faces the front, and the market lies behind. The court and the market each occupy a hundred paces square."

In essence, a capital nine square li in area was to be built, with three gates opened on each side.

Within the city, nine roads ran lengthwise and nine crosswise, each wide enough for nine carriages to travel abreast.

The ancestral temple stood to the left of the royal palace, the altars of soil and grain to the right, the imperial court in front, and the market behind, each occupying a hundred paces square.

Later capitals grew larger and larger, but all followed similar rules.

After the Great Xuan established its dynasty, however, it broke with the tradition of "court in front, market behind." Around the Front Gate, brothels stood beside shops and teahouses. With the court