vstars Chapter 144 Goguryeo Folding Hat
Chapter 144 Goguryeo Folding Hat
Xiao Si sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) with a plate of freshly cooked sauerkraut dumplings and handed it to Yu Zhanmo:
"Here, it's sauerkraut filling, Pudding Brother's favorite. Let's eat first before we start chatting."
Yu Zhanmo took the dumplings, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"Don't think you can bribe me with the promise that nothing tastes better than dumplings. I won't let you off easily."
Little Si grinned and popped a dumpling into her mouth:
"Don't worry, you'll always be the main character in this time and space. By the way, where were we talking about Brother Zhinu?"
"We were talking about the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai in 666. Wasn't that a perfect ending?" Yu Zhanmo casually remarked. "666, that sounds really auspicious. Isn't that one of the pinnacles of the Tang Dynasty?"
"The Fengshan ceremony was held at Mount Tai in 666 AD. The number sounds auspicious, but in the West, 6 is not considered a lucky number. It's really a joke on Brother Zhinu..."
"Oh?"
"Do you know what happened to Goguryeo in 668?"
Xiao Si said, "Absolutely! As a Northeastern girl who traveled through time, I have to know!! Definitely."
Then you should take a look at Goguryeo.
no problem.
Let's get back to the topic we just discussed. I'll start by clarifying the history of Goguryeo.
Xiao Si nodded, chewing on a dumpling soaked in vinegar, and said, "Yes, it's a perfect ceremony, a destiny ordained by Heaven. But let's not just focus on the Fengshan ceremony, we need to hurry up and go through the history, otherwise you'll scold me for being lazy again."
Yu Zhanmo smiled slightly: "Alright, then you can continue with the matter of Goguryeo."
Xiao Si wiped his mouth and began to speak formally: "The doomsday bells of Goguryeo rang in 668. At that time, Brother Zhinu, also known as Emperor Gaozong of Tang, was at the peak of his prestige. He destroyed Baekje and pacified Liaodong, his momentum was unstoppable!! We in the Northeast dared not act recklessly."
Yu Zhanmo nodded as he ate: "It does sound glamorous, but isn't Brother Zhinu neglecting something else?"
"Wow, Brother Mo, you're really amazing. You're not only a general but also a master of literature and history."
Xiao Si clapped his hands exaggeratedly, "Goguryeo was conquered, but in 670, Tibet took the opportunity to occupy eighteen prefectures in the Western Regions, including Bohuan City in Kucha. This 'diagonal' oversight forcibly diverted the attention of the Tang Dynasty."
Yu Zhanmo frowned: "Now Goguryeo can't hold on, right? Starting at the same time as Tibet, Brother Zhinu is under a lot of pressure."
“That’s right, the situation started to get out of control from here.” Xiao Si took a sip of water and continued, “But don’t rush, we have to finish talking about Goguryeo first. In 668, the Tang Dynasty joined forces with Silla to capture Pyongyang, and even the King of Goguryeo was captured.”
Yu Zhanmo said, "Let's take it slow. Someone, fry some more crispy pork. We can eat and talk at the same time."
Xiao Si suddenly stood up. "Okay, we'll eat later."
She spun around in front of Yu Zhanmo triumphantly, then asked with a beaming smile:
"How do I look in this outfit today? If you don't compliment me on how beautiful I am, don't even think about getting a bite of crispy pork!"
She was dressed in a traditional Goguryeo costume, the bright colors and exquisite details complementing each other perfectly, making her look like a fairy who had stepped out of a mural.
The smooth, flowing skirt and hem of the blouse drape gently, with delicate patterns outlined on the edges of the skirt and blouse, exuding both elegance and grace, perfectly showcasing the refined charm of Goguryeo girls.
As she spoke, she somehow pulled out a folding hood from behind her back and handed it to Yu Zhanmo with a grin:
"Here you go, Zhanmo, let me put this on you. I guarantee it'll instantly transport you to Goguryeo!!"
Yu Zhanmo was somewhat amused and exasperated, but he still accepted the hat. The folded hood had a unique design, with white ornaments embedded in the black straps and the ropes hanging down on both sides swaying gently.
The headband covers the forehead, and white ornaments separate the vertical bun, making it look clean, neat, and elegant.
The hat's strap was tied under the chin, securing the crown firmly, while two bird feathers were inserted horizontally into the folds of the hat's top, adding a touch of heroic spirit.
Little Si examined it carefully and nodded in satisfaction:
"Not bad, you look exactly like a Goguryeo general! But you'd need to wear a pair of sandals or ankle boots to complete the look."
Yu Zhanmo looked at her boots, then put on the new boots Xiao Si had given her, and couldn't help but ask:
"Are there any special features or customs associated with these Goguryeo shoes?"
Little Si raised its chin, explaining with a smug look on its face:
"Of course! Our high heels and ankle boots are very particular. They have long uppers, slightly upturned soles, and high, upturned toes, making them both unique and practical. These 'high-heeled boots' are not only convenient for movement but also perfectly suit our aesthetic."
"I see." Yu Zhanmo smiled, looking at the playful yet earnest Xiao Si in front of him, and couldn't help but laugh.
Xiao Si got herself another hat, and as she fiddled with the folded hood on her head, she spoke earnestly:
"Yu Zhanmo, did you know that according to the 'Biography of Goguryeo' in Volume 220 of the New Book of Tang, the clothing of Goguryeo was quite elaborate?"
Yu Zhanmo raised an eyebrow with a smile: "Oh? Little history expert, tell me about it. I want to see if you're just bragging again."
Xiao Si put her hands on her hips and cleared her throat:
"Our king's clothes are colorful, he wears a white silk crown, and the buttons at his waist are all gold."
Our ministers wore blue silk crowns, while the lower-ranking ministers wore crimson silk crowns, with two bird feathers tucked into their ears, making them look particularly imposing.
We ordinary folks don't dress so extravagantly. We wear brown clothes and caps, very simple indeed.
Yu Zhanmo nodded: "It sounds like the social classes in Goguryeo were quite distinct."
Xiao Si continued:
"That's right. Noblewomen usually wear long, fitted skirts with hems on the skirt and sleeves, which are very elegant. They also wear headscarves, which makes them look very dignified."
Those officials, on the other hand, wore folded hats, shaped like caps adorned with two bird feathers, white leather belts around their waists, and yellow leather shoes—they were extremely particular about their appearance.
While munching on a cold radish dish, Yu Zhanmo casually asked, "What about ordinary people?"
“Ordinary people are much simpler.” Xiao Si spread his hands. “They wear brown blouses with wide sleeves and loose trousers, simple and practical. However, the clothing style of the entire Goguryeo Kingdom is very loose, and the sleeves and trouser legs are really wide and big.”
Yu Zhanmo nodded: "It sounds practical and distinctive. I get the feeling their fashion industry is very developed."
"Well, that's right, Goguryeo was a nation that loved to show off!" Xiao Si explained, gesturing proudly.
"As early as the Han Dynasty, their people had to go to Xuantu Commandery to collect their court robes and headgear. Later, they felt they had become too powerful and were no longer willing to go. So they built a small town on the eastern border of Xuantu Commandery, at the junction of the two places, specifically to store their court robes and headgear, and sent people to collect them every year. They even gave this place a name, 'Zegoulou,' which means 'famous city'!"
Yu Zhanmo put down his chopsticks and couldn't help but sigh, "Even picking out clothes is so particular, it's really trendy."
"That's right!" Xiao Si patted his chest, remembering the little bit of food he had saved up for school.
"For example, the folded hats worn by officials are commonly seen in murals. In the mural tomb No. 4 of Wukuifen in Ji'an, the donors all wear blue or scarlet silk crowns and their robes are colorful."
Some wore white underwear with a green robe and a white belt around their waist;
Some wore green-trimmed red robes with red belts; others wore yellow-trimmed brown robes with white belts. All wore black shoes and stood on lotus pedestals, clearly indicating they were the elite of the time.
Yu Zhanmo stroked his chin and said, "It seems that your postgraduate studies in history in the future world have paid off. You described the details so clearly, it's as if you saw it with your own eyes."
"Of course!" Xiao Si raised her chin, her face full of pride. "As a girl from Northeast China who traveled through time, researching these things is one of my strengths."
Yu Zhanmo couldn't help but chuckle: "Alright, you're amazing. But Xiao Si, after we finish talking about Goguryeo today, tell me about Tibet next time, okay?"
Xiao Si smiled, her eyes narrowing: "No problem! We'll prepare another pot of sauerkraut and beef tomorrow, and we can chat anytime!"