Vinnie followed Mei-Li through the city.
"Chang'an is so big!" said Vinnie.
Mei-Li nodded.
"Chang'an is the capital of the Tang Dynasty.
The famous Silk Road begins here.
Almost all trade moves along the Silk Road."
"Oh, that's why there are so many different people here," said Vinnie.
They passed a very high wall with a guarded gate.
"That's the East Gate," said Mei-Li.
"We have four gates, but we can use only three."
"Why?" asked Vinnie.
"The North Gate is only for the emperor," said Mei-Li.
"Where is Mandy?"
"She's wandered off again," sighed Vinnie.
"Don't worry, she does this all the time."
Meanwhile, the monkey ran fast out of the square.
Then it climbed up on the roof of a building.
"Come here," she called to the animal.
The monkey shyly moved down to a windowsill.
Mandy carefully climbed up some steps.
She tried to grab the monkey.
But she tripped and tumbled through a door.
"I'm terribly sorry,"
she apologized to a startled young man.
He was sitting cross-legged on a low couch.
In front of him was a low table covered with open books.
"May I help you?" he asked.
"Well, yes," Mandy said.
"I'm looking for a monkey."
"Are you sure it's here?" he laughed.
Mandy nodded. "I chased it here."
She explained the trainer's behavior.
The man nodded sadly.
"We should treat all living things kindly.
That's Buddha's way."
"Who are you?" asked Mandy.
"My name is Jinying.
I am Master Yuan's son," he replied.
"How come you aren't at your party?" she asked.
"My father is a little too eager to celebrate.
My exams are not over yet," laughed Jinying.
"I still have many Chinese characters to memorize."
"How many do you have to know?" asked Mandy.
She glanced at his open book.
She saw a vertical row of Chinese characters on one side of the page.
Next to each character was a series of smaller characters.
"I memorize about two hundred a day," replied Jinying.
"Each character has a different meaning."
"How many do you have to learn altogether?" Mandy asked.
"Over four hundred thousand." Jinying sighed.
Mandy was shocked.
"I won't disturb you then," she said.
"Wait!" Jinying stood up and stretched.
"I need a break.
I'll help you find your monkey."
Meanwhile, Vinnie stopped and stared at the crowded streets.
"This is like New York!" he cried.
"Excuse me?" asked Mei-Li.
"Uh, nothing," he said.
Chang'an was busy and noisy with people, wagons, and animals.
When he and Mei-Li reached the market, Vinnie was even more surprised.
There were many lanes, and each lane sold only one product.
"Wow! There's one lane for oil, and one lane for vegetables.
And even one," Vinnie laughed, "for roast duck with the head still attached?"
"My favorite!" said Mei-Li.
"The duck seems to be looking at me!"
"But it's delicious!" she replied.
"Let's try some."
Vinnie gulped.
"Maybe I should go and find my sister."