Urban Nomads (A Long Scroll of Urban Life in the Yuan Dynasty)

Author: Shi Weimin / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This book is part of the "Long Scroll Series on Ancient Chinese Urban Life," focusing on the capital of the Yuan Dynasty and some major cities, describing various aspects of urban life, including politics, economy, culture, religion, customs, and more. It is a history of urban life, woven together from seemingly insignificant and trivial life levels—such as the lives of emperors and concubines, officials and beggars, wealthy merchants and peddlers, and foreigners with diverse appearances alongside agricultural migrants carrying hoes and baskets.
There were two main commercial districts within the capital of Dadu (Beijing). One was around the Bell Tower, and the other was the Yangjiao Market in Anfu Lane, located inside Shuncheng Gate. The area around the Bell Tower was the most important and bustling commercial district in the city. In front of the Bell Tower, there were not only markets for food (such as the Rice Market, Wheat Market, and Duck Goose Market) and clothing (such as the Silk Market, Hat Market, and various miscellaneous goods shops, like the needle shop on the southeast corner street), but also a dedicated lumber market where materials like "large wooden beams, crossbeams, small and large cypress rafters, and old worn-out straw sandals" were sold, as well as bricks, lime, blue clay, and hemp fibers for construction. The blue clay sold in Dadu came from the Western Hills and was called "true blue clay," not a substitute made by mixing black charcoal with lime. The worn-out straw sandals were washed, dried, and then chopped into fibers similar to hemp, becoming usable construction materials. Additionally, there were specialized markets for high-end goods. West of the Bell Tower Street was the Pearl Market and the Coral Market (Sala), where "the entire lane sold gold, silver, pearls, and treasures," and all exquisite antiques and rare items were concentrated here for sale.
There were five "pauper markets" in Dadu, likely labor markets where those seeking work and offering labor gathered. Behind the Bell Tower stood the largest pauper market in the city, along with dedicated markets for firewood and charcoal, ironware, and boots. The boot market sold "sole leather and western leather, with all types of boot materials gathered in one place." Next to the sloping street by the Lihu Lake stood the Wanghu Pavilion, a famous scenic spot in the city, making the sloping street a hub for taverns, "mostly singing stages and wine houses." The doors of these taverns often featured portraits of the Four Scholars of the Warring States—Lord Chunshen, Lord Mengchang, Lord Pingyuan, and Lord Xingling—painted in red lacquered railings, with delicate and intricate decorations resembling palace roofs. On the large walls beside the doors, there were paintings of carriages, horses, attendants, umbrellas, and ceremonial staffs. The door arches were adorned with images of the Taoist deities Zhang Zhongli and Lu Dongbin. A golden signboard, shaped like a mountain with three layers, stood at the entrance, known as the "Huang Gong Lü."
The Yangjiao Market, also known as the "Yang Market Corner," was a bustling area where "people from all directions gathered," making it synonymous with a "busy market." The so-called Yangjiao Market was actually a general term for livestock markets, including sheep markets, horse markets, cattle markets, camel markets, donkey and mule markets, etc. Two of the five pauper markets in Dadu were located outside Shuncheng Gate, one next to the southern street of Shuncheng Gate, and another in the area called "Cao Daire" inside Shuncheng Gate. In the early years of the Yuan Dynasty, the Yangjiao Market also had a "human market" where livestock and servants were bought and sold, but it was later abolished by the Yuan court. However, the buildings were retained as a reminder. P42-43