朱雀門外街巷

Beyond the eastern side of Zhuque Gate there were also houses. Going east were the main street, Maijie Alley and Zhuangyuan Tower; much of the rest consisted of courtesan establishments stretching toward Baokang Gate Street. Outside Zhuque Gate on the Imperial Avenue, the western side connected toward the Xinmen entertainment quarter and Shazhu Alley, where courtesan houses also stood. Farther south were the eastern and western Jiaofang establishments, while the remaining frontage held residents and tea shops. The market activity in the middle of the street was especially lively at night.

South of Longjin Bridge, vermilion barriers were again set in the center of the road, as before the palace. To the east stood the residence of Liu the surveillance official; farther south were the Imperial Academy and the Directorate School. Beyond the academy a cross street reached its south gate. South of that street stood the Southern Bureau for Prepared Medicines and Public Relief. For roughly five li beyond, the district was residential.

Another cross street to the east reached the rear gate of the Five Sacred Peaks Abbey. About half a li along the main street stood the Reviewing-Street Pavilion, where the imperial carriage would stop on excursions so the ruler could watch mounted displays. To the east were the examination compound, a miscellaneous-goods storehouse, the Ministry of Rites, the examination transport office and fodder grounds. South of the street stood Baozhen Palace, extending toward Yunqi Bridge over the Cai River. Near Nanshun Gate, the Five Sacred Peaks Abbey on the west side of the Imperial Avenue was especially imposing. Eastward from its west gate ran bridges and a willow-shaded avenue for roughly five li, containing additional religious institutions, palace halls and gardens. The Jiucheng Palace housed the Nine Tripods. Nearby lay Yingxiang Pool, lined with willows, reeds and lotus, with ducks and geese on the water and bridges, pavilions, terraces and halls distributed along its banks. Only on Qingming each year were ordinary people admitted for incense offerings and a day of sightseeing.

On the west side south of Longjin Bridge stood the residence of Privy Councillor Deng. Farther south, inside Military Academy Alley, were the residence of Quzi Zhang and the Temple of King Wucheng. Beyond them were Zhang's fried-cake shop and the residence known as that of Empress Mingjie. A road west led to Daxiangkou, and farther west stood the Qingfeng Tower wine house, where city residents often went to cool themselves in summer. At Laoya Alley stood a weapons office extending toward the first bridge. South from Daxiangkou was Yanzhen Abbey, which received Daoist clergy arriving from different regions. Farther south were the Three Academies and lanes running toward Yinan Bridge; continuing south reached Nanshun Gate.

Ordinary funeral carriages and hearses were not permitted to leave the city through this gate, because it directly faced the imperial palace. Pigs slaughtered for the city's population, however, were required to enter through it. Meng says that by evening the herds could number in the tens of thousands, driven by only a dozen or so people, yet without disorder.