A Traveler on the Roads of the Tang Dynasty

In the seventh year of Daye, Chen An earned twenty-four wen a day, yet a cargo manifest left him liable for twelve bolts of silk. He wanted to get his wages back and live a quiet life. He also wanted to make something of himself through his own efforts. From the ferry crossing at Heluo to the gates of the Tang capital, he and the boatmen, physicians, and merchants helped one another. By completing one job after another, he gradually earned Li Shimin's trust. In troubled times, people fight to stay alive; in times of peace, they seek a livelihood. Along this road to the Tang, everyone hopes to find a place to call home.