This "overpass" is not the overpass of the past, it is just an ordinary bridge. It was only called the overpass because only the emperor was allowed to walk here.

The overpass in Beijing was built in the early Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, the overpass was called Zhengyang Bridge. Later, with the development of the economy, it slowly turned into a market.

In the early Ming Dynasty, people began to build overpasses for sightseeing. The scenery on both sides of the bridge is amazing and beautiful. Especially the lotus pond, boats and fish swimming under the bridge are the favorites of writers and poets.

Paradise is also a place where boys and girls go on dates. This kind of overpass reflects the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.

Later, with the demise of the Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty, no one took care of the overpass anymore. Gradually, the scenery beside the bridge became eclipsed and faded from its former glory. The lotus has dried, the fish have died, and the river has receded. What remains

A desolate and populated scene. Gradually, both sides of the overpass began to be filled with soil, and houses and restaurants were formed on both sides. This change also marked the change of the times. From then on, the overpass began to take on a different scenery.

It was not until the Qianlong period that the scene on both sides of the overpass became prosperous, with bustling crowds, shouting sounds, and children running happily, and it gradually developed into a bustling market.

Later, at the end of the Qing Dynasty, the overpass became closer to life and became more friendly. The number of small merchants and hawkers and houses gradually increased, and it transformed from a busy city into a market, highlighting the prosperous scene of the Qing Dynasty.

If you count on your fingers in history, the peak period must be the Republic of China, because the bridge underwent a major reform.

Due to the demise of the feudal dynasty, the vendors and houses on both sides of the original overpass underwent large-scale renovations. The requirement was to be more in line with the characteristics of the time. In particular, things that represented feudalism had to be demolished.

At the same time, schools, factories, dance halls and other buildings suitable for people's lives were added. The overpass can be said to have reached its peak, integrating markets, entertainment and tourism.

The development of overpass today is no longer as simple as a building, it has become a symbol of historical evolution.

Zhou Wenzhong and Ma Erbao didn't hear any cries, only large wooden boxes standing on the benches. The craftsmen hid behind the boxes with two puppets in their hands, attracting the children who were watching the excitement.

More slaps came from adults, hitting the child's buttocks one after another.

"You have to pay 2 cents to see the puppets? A movie ticket only costs 2 cents! Grandma will take you to the cinema later."

"Er Bao, what's going on with the long benches in some open spaces? Are they enclosed?"

"That's an owner's land. It's probably a swordsman. He was afraid of hurting people, so he surrounded a piece of land with benches."

"It's very hard for them. They have to bring stools from home."

"What! This is a bench I borrowed from someone. Look over there."

Zhou Wenzhong looked in the direction Ma Erbao pointed and saw broken tables and benches piled up to a height of more than 3 meters.

"This is the street office's way. Isn't it busy these two days? Let the craftsmen who set up the stalls use it as they please. Anyway, these tables and chairs are not theirs. They will be given to those who have made meritorious service after coming off the battlefield."

"Oh, I don't think there are many people here. Where are the monkey tricks?"

"We came too early today, and the stalls haven't opened yet. When I came here yesterday afternoon, there were more than 30 stalls."

"Then I won't go shopping. We have been together at work for so long, and I have nothing to give you. It just so happens that I haven't finished my coal book yet, and I haven't bothered to collect this month's coal supply. Let's go on.

Okay, I’ll give you 20 kilograms of coal, but you have to pay for it yourself.”

"I...I don't even know what to say. Brother Zhong, look at this..."

"Okay, let's go, let's go."

"This thing about you...look...I won't go to dinner tomorrow. I don't have the nerve to go."

"We brothers won't talk about this, let's just walk around..."

Zhou Wenzhong put his hand on Ma Erbao's shoulder, and the two of them walked for 25 minutes before arriving at the Dongcheng District Coal Purchasing Station.

"It's such a big...yard, dear. It must have 10 acres of land, right?"

"Brother Zhong, please stop lamenting. Those piles of coal are coking coal, and the coal mountains to the west are made of carbon. They are all used in factories and restaurants. They are not the same thing as the coal cakes and briquettes we want to buy.

"

"Can I not tell the difference?"

The two of them turned around and walked out of the coal station and came to a shop facing the street. There were coal stoves and sections of tin chimney pipes in the house. There were also fired furnaces piled in the corners, arranged according to size and model.

Arranged neatly.

If you want to build a stove at home these days, you need to communicate with the master in advance whether it will be used for burning coal, firewood, or charcoal? Then follow the dimensions given by the master and come to the coal station to buy a furnace of that size.

"Comrade, let me apply for a coal purchase permit."

"Where's the household registration book?"

"Give."

A staff member in his 30s blew his nose on the ground twice, spit out the cinders in his mouth, and looked through his household registration book.

"It's quite new."

"Well, the street office only changed it."

"Click..."

"Okay, keep your coal purchase certificate. If you lose it, you need a letter of introduction to get a new one."

"I haven't bought my 20 kilograms of coal quota this month."

"We sent the coal to Nanluogu Lane a long time ago. You didn't want it at that time. Who can you blame? Now you want to come to me."

"Comrade, you have misunderstood. We will move it ourselves."

"If I had said so earlier, it would have been over."

The staff member opened the coal purchase book and wrote the word "received" with a pen. He also made a slash in the date column.

"How much coal should I buy?"

Ma Erbao came over and replied: "Wait a minute."

"Stab it..."

"Take my note and go to the station to buy it."

"thank you."

The staff member waved his hand, blew his nose again, wiped it on his legs, picked up the enamel basin and rinsed his mouth.

"That's it, I'm going home first. We'll meet directly in the hotel tomorrow. Remember to drag Zhang Xiufang over to me. Your brother is also leaving on the fourth day of the junior high school, so let him come and get together tomorrow."

"Stop it! It's already shameless for me to eat by myself. If I take my brother there again, wouldn't it be nonsense? Brother Zhong, please watch your steps."

"Haha~"

Along the way, I walked to the [Jiaodaokou Subdistrict Office] and looked for Director Wang from the desks of more than 10 staff members.

"The leader is tired, I want to ask you, is Director Wang here? Continue on."

Zhou Wenzhong handed a large door to the front door, pulled out a stool and sat down.

The staff member took the cigarette and smelled it, opened the drawer and threw it in. He turned his head and asked loudly: "Where is Lao Wang?"

"have no idea."

"I guess I went to the countryside to pick up someone."

"On what date are you going to pick someone up today? You went to Dashilar to deal with a couple fighting. You may not be able to make it back in the afternoon."

The staff member looked at Zhou Wenzhong and said, "You all heard it, right?"

"Yeah. It seems that my trip today was in vain."

"What do you want from Lao Wang? Tell me."

"Leader, let me tell you this. There are some things that I have to slap in the face before I speak."

"Snapped…"

Zhou Wenzhong raised his left hand and patted his cheek gently.

"Don't do this. If you have something to do, just talk about it. That's not the way to go now."

"Hey, boss, if you ask me to talk, I will tell you to mention someone. Zhou Deming, do you know? He is the one in No. 95 Siheyuan who had a family separation a few days ago."

"Ah! I know, I know. This matter has been widely spread."

"My name is Zhou Wenzhong. Do you need to say the rest? Come on, click on it."

Zhou Wenzhong took out a match, lit a cigarette for him, and sat back on the stool himself.

"Huh...what did your hospital liaison officer say?"

"I've tried all the tricks I should think of. It's useless! Leader, can you tell me where Director Wang lives? Even if it doesn't solve my problem, you can just give me a place to cry!"

The staff member glanced at Zhou Wenzhong sideways, as if he had seen through you.

"Looking at your age, you are here to go to the countryside, right?"

"Look! Leader, you have wronged me."

Zhou Wenzhong quickly took out his household registration book from his pocket, turned it over and pointed at the ethnic column.

"If I want to cause trouble, why don't I just go to Ma Imam and settle the matter? I asked the ethnic association to help me. I just don't want to make this matter a big deal. Otherwise, we will lose the face of our entire street. I have to

Taking into account the face of all leaders. Do you think this is true?"

The staff member took a deep breath from the cigarette, pursed his lips and asked, "Do you know the story of Wu Song's fight against the tiger?"

"Hey, I must have heard it."

"Do you know what day and month Wu Song killed the tiger?"
To be continued...