Changjing

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Changjing (长京)
Type	Capital city
Affiliation	Great Yan
Status	Extant; later seized by Prince Shun amid a succession struggle 492
First Appearance	58

History

Changjing is an ancient capital that has served several dynasties. Its orderly grid of avenues and lanes was inherited from earlier regimes. 138

During the late reign of Great Yan's founding emperor, the city suffered from severe disorder, with powerful people and criminal forces acting openly. Gu Shou transferred Pingdu constable captain Zhou Kangbo to Changjing as chief constable; Zhou suppressed criminal networks, punished corrupt officials and tyrants, and publicly executed harmful yao and evil spirits. He was later murdered in retaliation, after which Changjing's people revered him as the Thunder God. 100

Song You reached Changjing in the fourth year of Mingde, reuniting with Heroine Wu at the western gate after she had waited for him over two years. 105 106 His arrival coincided with recurring demon and ghost incidents, a night curfew, and heightened activity by the City God's officials. 110 111

After the bamboo demon case and a broader sweep against evil spirits, the court lifted the curfew and Changjing's night markets resumed. 130 Song You later left the capital for the north, expecting that he would eventually return. 207

Three years later, Song You returned to find General Chen Ziyi—newly titled Marquis of Wuan after his northern victories—waiting outside the city each day. 326 327 The capital subsequently became embroiled in a succession conflict between the Crown Prince and Prince Shun; Prince Shun took control of Changjing and much of the capital-region garrison force. 489 492

Period	Event	Notes
Ancient dynasties	Changjing develops as an imperial capital.	Its straight, intersecting street grid descends from previous dynasties. 138
Late founding era of Great Yan	Zhou Kangbo restores public order.	His posthumous worship establishes him as the Thunder God. 100
Fourth year of Mingde	Song You arrives in Changjing.	He reunites with Heroine Wu at the western gate. 105 106
Song You's first stay	Demon incidents lead to a curfew.	The curfew is lifted after the bamboo demon's destruction and subsequent anti-demon measures. 130
After the northern campaign	Chen Ziyi returns in triumph.	He receives the title Marquis of Wuan, an exceptionally high military honor. 326
Succession crisis	Prince Shun occupies Changjing.	The city becomes the center of conflict between the two princes. 489 492
Divine Path reforms	The old Changjing City God accepts a Hall Lord position.	Song You entrusts him with helping establish and register City God temples and officials throughout the realm. 499

Cityscape

Changjing is described as the foremost city under heaven and the greatest, most prosperous city of its age. Its broad streets remain densely crowded with pedestrians, carts, horses, scholars, guards, merchants, and visitors from distant lands. 64 106

• Towering city walls and heavily used gates surround the capital. 106
• The city follows a clear grid plan: broad avenues and narrow lanes run straight and intersect systematically. 138
• The Jade Belt River flows from the east past Changjing before turning southwest; its year-round emerald waters give it its name. 141
• Changjing draws people from the Western Regions and farther abroad, including residents and travelers with visibly different appearances and origins. 106
• Its prosperity also attracts yao, spirits, monsters, and other supernatural beings. 103 106

Districts and Notable Locations

• Western City Gate — The meeting place where Song You and Heroine Wu fulfilled their promise to reunite. 106
• Western District — Home to Public Housing Bureau residences and Song You's rented storefront, marked with a “Dao” banner and a sign offering to “Rid Your Rats, Banish Your Worries.” 195
• City God Temple — The seat of Changjing's City God and his civil and martial officials. 111
• Crane Immortal Tower — Lady Wanjiang's zither tower, renowned for her extraordinary qin music. 147 159
• Cloud Spring Tower — A lavish restaurant known for its banquets; General Chen later hosts Song You there. 126 327
• Changjing Ghost Market — An underground market in a deep fissure, with stalls built into stone walls and trade conducted by humans and supernatural beings. 168 169

Society and Culture

Changjing is the political and cultural center of Great Yan. Storytellers, scholars, martial artists, aristocrats, officials, foreign visitors, demons, and ordinary laborers all share the city. 105 106 507

Martial World

The capital hosts the Cloud Crane Sect, one of the three major martial sects recognized by storytellers. Its court connections and high profile lead some jianghu figures to dismiss its reputation, but it is still widely promoted as the foremost martial sect. 105 274

Changjing also draws independent martial artists, many of whom became involved in the struggle over the Cangshan Painting and attempted to ambush Song You when he left the city. 154 202 207

Nightlife

Changjing formerly enforced a curfew due to demon and ghost disturbances. Once the curfew was lifted, its streets and night markets became active late into the evening, with food stalls, drink, and crowds of residents enjoying the city after dark. 130 131

Commerce and Entertainment

• Restaurants such as Cloud Spring Tower serve wealthy residents and visitors. 126
• The Ghost Market trades in unusual and illicit goods under its own customs and rules. 168 169
• Street performances attract large crowds, including animal acts featuring rhinoceroses, elephants, iron-eating beasts, lions, tigers, and leopards. 507
• Harmless demons and ghost officials are known to mingle among human crowds during major public spectacles. 507

Supernatural Affairs

Changjing's prosperity makes it a gathering place for demons, ghosts, cultivators, Buddhist masters, Daoists, and hidden experts. 103 106 The city is protected by a City God, but his ability to maintain order initially suffered from the absence of Orthodox Gods of the Thunder Department in the north and insufficient incense support for his military officials. 111

Song You provided talismans and encouraged the City God to actively protect the populace, arguing that divine beings must benefit the people in order to sustain their incense and fire. 116 The City God's officials subsequently cooperated with Song You in investigations, including the hunt for a demon capable of escaping through bamboo. 128 129

By Song You's later return, Changjing contained far less demonic and malevolent aura than during his first arrival, a change attributed in part to the City God's efforts. 329

City God Administration

• The City God personally patrols Changjing twice monthly. 329
• Civil and martial divine officials assist in investigating demons, ghosts, and threats to the city. 111 128
• Ghost messengers and ghost soldiers later escort virtuous or meritorious souls into Changjing to report to the City God. 507
• The old City God later becomes a Hall Lord in the Ghost City's hierarchy and helps establish City God temples and register divine officials across the realm. 499

Political Significance

Changjing is Great Yan's imperial center and the focal point of court politics. The emperor, Imperial Preceptor, nobles, military leaders, and powerful families all compete for influence within or around the capital. 138 155

General Chen Ziyi's victories and growing prestige made him a particular object of court scrutiny after he was created Marquis of Wuan. Every visitor and supply entering his residence was reportedly watched by Changjing's nobility through formal and informal channels. 326

The aging emperor's failure to clearly establish an heir intensified divisions between the Crown Prince and Prince Shun. The dispute eventually developed into open turmoil, with Prince Shun taking Changjing while the Crown Prince departed with the emperor and several officials. 489 492

Trivia

• Changjing lies approximately 9,900 li east of the westernmost edge of the Western Regions reached by Song You. 544
• The city has been called both the pinnacle of civilization in its era and a place where “fish and dragons are mixed together,” reflecting its simultaneous prosperity, diversity, and hidden dangers. 64 344
• A writer of miscellaneous tales recorded Three Flower Lady's refusal to steal the cured meat hanging outside Song You's shop as one of Changjing's curiosities. 195