Many film and television dramas are accustomed to use Tang Dynasty as the background, and introduce suspenseful elements such as ghosts and gods to enhance the sense of mystery, such as the recently hit " Tang Dynasty Weird Stories ".
In the first episode of "Story of the Tang Dynasty", Hu Shangkang Yuanli mentioned " ghost city " when he introduced a kind of spice to prevent corpses from decaying, saying that a visit to that place would hurt a bit of yang, and if you don't go, you can Don't go. Seeing this,
believes that everyone will be curious about the "ghost city". may have such a picture in his mind: in the dark and mysterious night, there is a gloomy atmosphere everywhere, and ghosts walk at night and come out to trade.
What is the "ghost city"? Is it really a place where all kinds of bulls, ghosts, snakes and gods trade?
01
Actually, "ghost market" is a kind of street market.
When we mention the Tang Dynasty, we usually think of the prosperous appearance of the Tang Dynasty. For example, in the Chang'an City, there are many wine shops and shops, and there is an endless stream of merchants from all over the world, which makes future generations fascinated. However, the historical development of the economy in the Tang Dynasty was not as free as we imagined, but with many restrictions.
For example, for the development of commerce, the rulers of the Tang Dynasty formulated a relatively strict " square city system " and "curfew system" to restrict the free movement of urban residents and strengthen management.
First, what is the "square market system"?
The capital city of the Tang Dynasty Chang'an is prosperous, but it is also divided into many squares, such as Tonghua Square, which has the function of a post station and is only for official use, Yanshou Square, which is famous for jewelry stores, Xuanyang Square, which is famous for silk fabrics, and entertainment venues. Pingkangfang, which mainly gathers, etc. The "fang market system" divides Chang'an into two parts, east and west. There are nearly 100 such workshops in , and some of them have certain commercial functions.
In addition to the square, it is the "city". Chang'an is divided into east city, city and west city. Although the functions of these two "cities" are different, they both have relatively complete management institutions and systems. is the largest commercial block because of the "city", and it is also the main place for transactions and transactions in Chang'an City. For this point, it is also explained in the "Story of the Tang Dynasty" - there are many dignitaries in the east city, and there are many Hu merchants who travel from all over the world in the west city.
Then, apart from the "city" and a small number of allowed "squares", commercial activities are not allowed in other places without permission.
Second, what is the "curfew system"?
You must know that the ancient lighting technology was not developed, and the lighting cost was high. Once night falls, nothing can be done better than during the day. If people are allowed to move in the middle of the night, in case of disputes, it is difficult to handle, and the security will become very poor. What's more, it will also affect the production activities during the day.
Therefore, in order to strengthen the management of Chang'an City, generally when it gets dark, people and businessmen are no longer allowed to trade on the street. At the same time, will also have officials specially dispatched to inspect. If anyone finds that someone has violated the curfew, will be punished.
In the first episode of "Story of the Tang Dynasty", when Jin Wuwei Zhonglang Lu Lingfeng and Chang'an County Wei Su Wuming were looking for the murderer, there was a sentence that directly named the curfew system of the Tang Dynasty: "Chang'an curfew, those who do not return home at night, Only alcoholics and gamblers".
That is to say, under the curfew system of the Tang Dynasty, ordinary people will consciously abide by it, and they will not go out at night, but go home and sleep honestly. Only people like alcoholics and gamblers would go out late at night and not return home. It is worth mentioning that it is not at night, there is no one on the street. A few princes, nobles and dignitaries still have their "night life", and the curfew system restricts ordinary people. Although
has a system, can it guarantee 100% obedience of the common people? After all, compared to not earningMoney is about to starve to death, and there are always people who dare to give it a go. This is a phenomenon: there are always people who risk breaking the ban in order to make a living, and sneak out in the middle of the night to set up a stall.
02
So where do they go? If it is discovered, it will not be worth the loss. Over time, they found a place just right.
"Story of Tang Dynasty" explains the location of the "ghost market": There is a depression next to Xuandu Temple, the place of ninety-five, which sinks deeper and deeper into an underground world. Since the Tang Dynasty, homeless people, People who buy and sell at night gather here, commonly known as the "ghost market".
At the same time, the trading time and location of the "ghost market" are not fixed, which is a bit similar to the small vendors who set up stalls today, constantly changing locations in order to avoid urban management. According to the "Southern New Book", generally on the Mid-autumn Moon-watching night, or on a stormy night, you will hear the voice of a "ghost", or recite poetry or talk.
This is easy to understand - because the official system does not allow stalls to do business at night, if it is displayed in an open and honest way, in case the inspectors find out, or if there are too many people, they will definitely be "one pot".
So witty people created such a mysterious story to make the officials and other ordinary people think that there are ghosts. The stalls and transactions are carried out quietly, but there will inevitably be noises and movements. If everyone is preconceived that this movement It was sent by a "ghost", so I didn't dare to look for it, but instead avoided it.
At first, only a small number of people went to the "ghost market" to do business. Later, more people knew about it, and the "ghost market" became the choice for more ordinary people to do business.
In the final analysis, the "mysterious coat" of is just a means of secretly setting up stalls to protect ordinary people.
Author: Our team Moon Falling Star Shen
Reference material: "What is "Datang Ghost Market"? The "Street Stall Economy" of the People of the Tang Dynasty", "Story of the Tang Dynasty"
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