Ang Lee left the Lishan Breeding Base after eating and drinking with several imperial grandsons. The New Year was coming, and this was his last trip this year. Soon, he would be able to enjoy the beautiful lanterns every day.
In many eras, the lanterns were only on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, during the Lantern Festival. However, Chang 'an City of the Tang dynasty was an exception. In order to create an extremely strong New Year atmosphere, the lanterns were put into operation on the 28th day of the first lunar month. They would be put into operation every night until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Because some of the merchants' lanterns had not been completed, at the beginning, there were the least number of lanterns. Later, as the merchants' lanterns were completed one after another, the night in Chang 'an City would become brighter and brighter. It would reach its peak on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
In other words, the entire Chang 'an City would be able to enjoy the lanterns for more than half a month during the New Year. It was a carnival that would last for half a month.
However, not everyone had the opportunity to participate in the carnival. For example, the patrolling soldiers and yamen runners had the responsibility to maintain law and order. Although they could also see the beautiful lanterns every day, they could only do so in the areas they were responsible for. They could not go to other places to enjoy the scenery as they pleased like ordinary people. The cleaning personnel also had to work overtime, but they could receive several times the salary. It seemed to be a good thing.
In addition, the Chang 'an City that never sleeps was full of lanterns. It was bound to be crowded and popular. How could the merchants miss such a good opportunity to make money? If they did not take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune, they would not be worthy of their title as merchants. Ordinary snack vendors would also take the opportunity to set up stalls near the lanterns. The tourists who were tired of enjoying the lanterns could sit down and eat some snacks. The vendors could make some money, and the tourists would feel more comfortable.
As for the vendors who sold gadgets, there were more of them, such as pottery piggy banks, small lanterns that could be held in one's hand, wooden toy swords, and so on.
In short, the Lantern Festival that lasted for more than half a month could bring a huge business opportunity to Chang 'an City. Everyone could make money through the festival. As long as you were willing to do it, you would definitely get what you wanted.
According to the rules of the Lantern Festival in the future, the flow of people was the largest in the first few days of the festival. After the second day of the first lunar month, the flow of people would decrease gradually. On the last day of the first lunar month, the flow of people would surge again. Then the lanterns would be removed and the festival would be held again next year.
The Lantern Festival every year was very lively. However, this year, the scale of the Lantern Festival had been expanded many times through Ang Lee's clever plan. There were at least three large venues for the Lantern Festival in the capital city, and more small ones. The flow of people would be somewhat diluted. However, based on the population of Chang 'an City, even if the Lantern Festival was dispersed to different locations, it would still be very lively. This was just to satisfy the needs of more people, so as to avoid more serious crowding.
If the Lantern Festival was too quiet with a small flow of people, it would not be very fun. Only with a large flow of people would it be interesting. However, too large a flow of people was not necessarily a good thing. The best way was to have a moderate flow of people. In the past years, there were obviously too many people in Chang 'an City, so many people were not looking at the lanterns, but at people. The crowded scene was full of too many uncertain and dangerous factors. If a stampede happened, it would be a disaster.
It was not as if such things had never happened before. In fact, it happened quite often. In the past few years, almost every year during the lantern festival, there would be major or minor stampede accidents, which caused casualties and caused a great disaster for the families of the victims.
However, the people who had the accident every year were ordinary people with no big background. If they died accidentally, it would not attract too much attention. Even the Lantern Festival could be held as usual. The annual Lantern Festival of the Tang dynasty would not be canceled because of a few ordinary people, unless something happened to a big shot. In that case, the Lantern Festival might be canceled.
However, as a civilized person, Ang Lee naturally did not want to see such a tragedy happen every year at the Lantern Festival. Even if an accident happened to an ordinary person, it was an intolerable tragedy. It was something that Ang Lee did not want to see. Therefore, he came up with such an idea.
The Lantern Festival was a lively scene. Almost all ordinary people would participate in such a grand event. Some people could go to the Lantern Festival every day, and some people could only go to the Lantern Festival once every few days. However, for the rich and powerful like Ang Lee, there were some restrictions on going to the Lantern Festival.
After all, if an accident or danger happened to ordinary people, it would not affect the entire Tang Empire. However, if an accident happened to the rich and powerful, the impact would be greater because it would be a great loss to the empire, especially for a talent like Ang Lee. If an accident happened to him, it would be an immeasurable loss to the Tang Empire.
There were so many people at the Lantern Festival. If they mixed with a large group of ordinary people, no one could guarantee that there would not be an accident. Therefore, many rich and powerful people needed a large number of guards to clear the way for them to go to the Lantern Festival. They even directly took special roads that ordinary people could not walk on.
For example, the original location of the Lantern Festival was a street outside the palace wall. In this way, as long as one stood on the wall, one could see the gorgeous lanterns below. Walking on the wall would not be disturbed by a large number of ordinary people below, and the probability of danger would be greatly reduced.
Ordinary people walked on the street with difficulty and watched the lanterns bit by bit. However, the rich and powerful people could walk on the high walls and enjoy the beautiful scenery from above. They could also appreciate the ordinary people below. Moreover, they could see the scenery from above that ordinary people could not see.
The rich and powerful people standing on the wall had to control their behavior. If they were in a good mood and took out some coins and threw them down, it would cause serious consequences. Not to mention the harm to ordinary people when copper coins fell from a high place, just the snatching of coins by ordinary people was a very dangerous thing. In the case of a large number of people, once many people fought for coins, there was a possibility of a stampede. In the past few years, many stampede accidents were said to be caused by rich and powerful people throwing coins down. However, because no one dared to offend rich and powerful people, it became a gossip.
During the New Year, Ang Lee generally chose to stay on the top floor of the restaurant to watch the lanterns in the distance. Unless it was very late and there were not many people on the street, he would take his family for a stroll on the street.
This was all for the sake of safety. Nothing was more important than safety. However, the feeling of watching the bustle from afar and directly joining the crowd was definitely different. Therefore, during the New Year this year, Li An wanted to enjoy the lanterns with the ordinary people. This way, he could also hear what the ordinary people were talking about at a close distance. It would be a different kind of pleasant experience.
However, the issue of safety could not be ignored. In the areas where there might be danger, it was better to avoid them as much as possible. Ang Lee was aware of this point and would not enter the dangerous areas.
In addition, in order to blend in better with ordinary people, Ang Lee had to disguise himself and could not bring too many people. If the whole family came out, it would be too conspicuous. Even if Ang Lee wore plain clothes, he would still be recognized. Therefore, if he wanted to blend in with ordinary people, he had to appear alone. He did not need too many guards. Two or three personal guards would be enough. Within 50 steps, there would be 20 or 30 reinforcements. In the streets of Chang 'an City, there would not be a large number of assassins. No one had the guts to do so.
"Husband, if you want to blend in with ordinary people, wouldn't it be too dangerous? There are too many people watching the lantern festival and accidents happen every year. It would be safer to go to the restaurant."
When Ang Lee said this decision, Yan Ruyu objected as soon as she heard it. She was not against Ang Lee. She was just concerned about Ang Lee's safety. The others also tried to persuade him.
"You don't have to persuade me. I have already decided. If I don't blend in with ordinary people, how can I know what ordinary people are really thinking?"
Ang Lee said.
After all, standing in the distance, they could only see the general situation. How could they know if ordinary people were really happy or just came to take a look at the lanterns?
"Husband, what about us? Can I blend in with the ordinary people? "
Yan Ruyu took the lead and asked.
Ang Lee thought for a moment and said, "Of course you can. However, you have to be with me. I can only bring one person with me at night. The rest of you can stay in the restaurant! You can also stay at home. "
Obviously, Ang Lee was not at ease to let his wife and children go to the crowded area alone. It was too dangerous. If he brought one person with him, the danger would be greatly reduced. If something unexpected happened, they would have enough ways to deal with it.
"Then each of us will take turns to accompany you for a day!"
"That's right, that's right. The lanterns will be lit tonight. Who wants to go first?"
Ang Lee said.
"Eldest sister! Just follow the order. Haha! "
"Okay! Then let's start with Ruyu. Do you want to play at home or go to the restaurant in the city? "
"Husband, the restaurant is full. Don't we need to make a reservation in advance?"
"Husband, just say the word. If anyone dares to be untactful, you can choose any restaurant you want to go to."
Ang Lee said in a domineering manner.
As a high-ranking official of the Great Tang, Li An still had this bit of face, and he was definitely capable of asking others to give up their seats. Moreover, many restaurants had already considered the possibility of an emergency. Thus, many of the restaurants that appeared to be full on the surface weren't actually full. There were still a few empty seats.
Since they were going to watch the Lantern Festival, there was no need to have dinner. Everyone could go to the big restaurant for dinner. There were all kinds of delicious food and beautiful lanterns. It was definitely a great enjoyment.
As soon as the sky turned dark, dozens of people in Ang Lee's family set off. However, they set off in two directions. One went directly to the big restaurant, while Ang Lee and Yan Ruyu went to other places by car alone to experience different lantern festivals.
Because it was the first day, Ang Lee did not choose the busiest place near the Imperial Palace. Instead, he chose the streets near the East Market. This place was also relatively prosperous. Usually, there were more people than near the Imperial Palace. However, there were fewer people during the Lantern Festival. After all, it was best to have the most lanterns near the Imperial Palace. If one accidentally looked up, he could see the nobles in the Imperial Palace. This was a very good topic of conversation. In the future, when he met someone, he could brag that he saw the beautiful princess in the Imperial Palace as soon as he looked up.
In the past many years, there were no lanterns here. However, the news of lanterns here was obviously known by ordinary people. Therefore, even if it was the first day of the lanterns, there were many people here to watch the lanterns. So, the entire East Market next to it became a nightclub. Almost no shops were closed. Even if there was no business, the lights were on to attract people.
The car was parked a little far away. After all, Ang Lee came a little late. The roads near the East Market were already very congested. In this case, they could only get off the car and walk. Fortunately, there were enough lanterns that stretched far away. Therefore, Ang Lee and Yan Ruyu saw the gorgeous lanterns as soon as they got off the car.
"Husband, what kind of lanterns are these? You've never seen these strange lanterns before? "
Yan Ruyu looked up and saw all kinds of advertising lanterns. Many of the lanterns were out of Yan Ruyu's imagination. Moreover, there was a super big combination of lanterns that could be seen from several miles away. It was simply shocking to make the lanterns so big.
"This is all thanks to your husband. Ever since I advertised the flower lanterns for the mirror and told the merchants that they could imitate it, they went crazy to make the flower lanterns. In just a few days, so many flower lanterns have appeared out of nowhere. Moreover, there are even giant flower lanterns. This is something I didn't expect!"
Ang Lee said.
Some of the lanterns were really out of Ang Lee's imagination, because these lanterns were too big. A complete lantern was more than 100 meters long, and its height was the height of two or three people. Its width was not small either. It was simply a giant. The cost of making such a huge lantern was definitely not low. The most rare thing was that with such a huge size, the details were not reduced at all. All the details were there. It was simply an oversized hotel model.
Yan Ruyu's eyes were quickly attracted by the huge lantern in the distance. She wanted to see what was going on. Ang Lee also wanted to see what the lantern was and why it was so big.
For safety, Ang Lee was followed by three elite guards. There were nearly twenty guards in front and not too far behind. It was enough to ensure Ang Lee's safety.
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