Chapter 3

Back to the "you" pronoun for Chapter 3. You are in Wuyizhen, a seemingly unchanged old town whose cobblestone streets are lined with shops squashed up against another except for the IMPOSING structure of the state-run department store.
Times have changed instead of one wheeled handcarts, bicycles have taken over the streets. A photography shop with photos of local beauties garishly dressed on display and a shop full of Hong Kong style clothing and stockings advertised by a western woman.
As you walk through the town you are lost in childhood memories: the old neighborhood, fox fairies from childhood storybooks, and the words to a ditty. You find a place to stay in a state-run inn. You get a cold stare when you ask about Lingshan. You gets a room mate and you discuss timber quotas. The room mate ignores your question about Lingshan. He recommends the pavilion by the river. At the pavilhe locals are talking in the language of the Song Dynasty. Two columns at the pavilion are inscribed with:

• Sitting at rest know not to discuss the shortcoming of other people
• Setting out on a journey fully appreciate the beauty of the dragon river

and on the back of the columns

• On departing do not forget to heed the duckweed waters
• Turn back to gaze in wonder at Lingshan amongst the phoenixes

Written by Chen Xianning, who lived more than a thousand years ago. When he asked an elder about the inscription, he is ridiculed by him for his ignorance.