Chang'an was the capital of the Tang Dynasty and the real "center of the world" in this era.
From economy to culture to military strength, everything is more than one level ahead of the current world.
Not to mention other things, just judging from the population density, Chang'an City, which even accommodated 1.8 million people at its peak, is an almost unsolvable "miracle" in this era.
You know, there were no high-rise buildings in the Tang Dynasty. These 1.8 million people were actually divided equally.
This also reflects from the side the large area of Chang'an City and the grandeur of the founding ethnic group, which is worthy of the title of "civilized country".
From the perspective of layout, the entire Chang'an City is also uniform in scale, rigorous in layout, symmetrical in structure, and neatly arranged.
There are three gates on each side of the outer city. The six streets running through the twelve gates are the main traffic roads of the city and the most important transportation hub of Chang'an.
Zhuque Street, which runs from north to south, is a standard central axis.
It connects Chengtian Gate in the palace city, Zhuque Gate in the imperial city and Mingde Gate in the outer city, dividing Chang'an City into two symmetrical parts - Wannian County in the east and Chang'an County in the west.
There is a commercial district in the east and west respectively, called East City and West City.
There are eleven streets from north to south and fourteen streets from east to west in the city, dividing the residential area into 110 neat squares, which are shaped like a Go board.
In particular, the two large markets in the east and west were the true "economic centers" of this era, gathering countless rare and exotic treasures from foreign countries.
Especially at this time when it is close to the Shangyuan Lantern Festival, all people can see are shops decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.
Hu merchant camel teams from various countries, different skin colors, and different customs gathered here to celebrate the upcoming lantern festival together, which seemed very lively.
Pei Wende, who has practiced "clairvoyance", even sensed some demonic auras that were obviously not human among the people coming and going.
It's just that they are hidden very secretly, so secretly that even Pei Wende is not sure of his own illusions from time to time.
The only thing Pei Wende can be sure of is that once the government lifts the curfew, this place will become the busiest city in this era.
"It's really spectacular!"
Looking at the people coming and going around him in amazement, Pei Wende felt that his impression of the "Tang Dynasty" had been refreshed at this moment.
Not to mention the turbulent and dense crowds, the number of foreigners Pei Wende saw along the way exceeded his expectations.
Appearance and grooming are secondary. The most important thing is that Pei Wende saw traces of white people and even black people here.
Pei Wende, a white man, can understand. After all, Asia is not too far from Europe.
The name "Europe" has a long history in China. Ancient Rome even had the title of "Great Qin" in the Central Plains.
In addition, during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, the "Silk Road" connecting Asia and Europe was opened, so it was normal for caravans from Western Europe to come here.
The key point is that the existence of black people really broke Pei Wende's three views.
Pei Wende was very sure that they were not some blackened brown people, but real black people.
So he couldn't understand at all how these black people, who were theoretically in Africa, crossed the ocean and came to this land in Asia?
"Those are all Kunlun slaves."
A Yue, who seemed to be aware of Pei Wende's curiosity, followed closely behind him and explained with a smile.
"They are generally treasured slaves brought from overseas by the Great Eater. It is said that they have a gentle temperament and are as strong as...an ox. They are very popular with wealthy families."
He didn't know if it was Pei Wende's illusion, but he always felt that A Yue's tone was suspicious when she said "as strong as an ox".
This girl seemed to have thought of something just now that she shouldn't have thought of at her age.
"As strong as an ox?"
Also aware of Ah Yue's momentary pause, Xiao Qing couldn't help but look at the black people a few more times.
From the perspective of spirits, those black people do have very strong physical qualities.
But let alone comparing with cattle, Xiao Qing felt that even those martial artists with a little training were much better than them.
"Ahem, what she said doesn't mean what you said."
He didn't expect that Xiao Qing would suddenly be interested in this, so Pei Wende quickly glared at Ah Yue with an embarrassed look on his face.
"These black people do have strong...well, athletic talents, but their lifestyle and living habits have resulted in very few of them actually being able to eat meat."
"Especially these Kunlun slaves who were trafficked, basically they are the type who cannot survive in their hometown."
"So what Ah Yue said about 'being as strong as an ox' is actually just an adjective."
Glancing at Pei Wende dubiously, Xiaoqing always felt that there was something hidden in the other person's words.
But after looking at Ah Yue who nodded repeatedly, Xiao Qing felt that she was overthinking.
"is that so?"
Xiao Qing, who did not continue to struggle with this issue, muttered, and then turned his attention to a certain restaurant nearby.
Outside the bustling restaurant, Xiaoqing smelled a familiar aroma.
Xiao Qing was very familiar with this aroma, because it was clearly the smell of barbecue that Pei Wende used to bake with those strange baking utensils.
It's just that compared to Pei Wende's barbecue, the aroma coming from the restaurant has a bit more other flavors.
Xiaoqing, who had already been trained by Pei Wende to have a taste for it, could smell it as soon as she smelled it. The extra smell was some spices that Pei Wende had never used.
In other words, those are special spices that Pei Wende cannot get in Tanzhou.
"That's roasted whole lamb, a special delicacy from the Western Regions."
Zou Qiwu, who had been wandering behind the three of them, stepped forward to add something at the right time.
Fortunately, Zou Qiwu was far away just now and could not hear Ah Yue's description, otherwise he would never be so calm now.
"Want to have a taste? Anyway, we are not far from our destination now."
Upon hearing Zou Qiwu's suggestion, Xiao Qing nodded without hesitation.
Xiaoqing hasn't tasted human food for a long time since she went into seclusion with Pei Wende.
This time it was rare to meet the Lantern Festival. Even if there was no roasted whole lamb, Xiaoqing had already decided to have a big meal.
"When you put it like that, I was actually hungry even if I wasn't hungry..."
Seeing this, Pei Wende muttered something, not knowing whether to complain or complain, and then focused his attention on the door of the restaurant.
Compared with Pei Wende's famous "xj roasted whole lamb" in later generations, the roasted whole lamb sold in that restaurant was obviously not as delicious and delicious.
But in this day and age, the flow of people coming and going at the door of the restaurant has already shown the attraction of this novel food to Datang.
"Let's go! Go in and have a taste!"
—Recommendation ticket—/—Monthly ticket—
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