Mysteries of the Great Wall

On the fortress gate, there remains a single brick. It's the surplus brick after accurate calculations on the required materials for constructing Gia Dục Quan.

Mysteries of the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China, constructed continuously from the 5th century BCE to the 16th century, is a renowned fortress. It was used to defend the Chinese empire from invasions by the Huns, Mongols, and other nomadic tribes. Today, it is considered an iconic symbol of Chinese culture. Besides its grand and magnificent appearance, the structure is known for its mysterious stories and legends. It also attracts a large number of tourists annually to explore Vạn Lý Trường Thành.

The Legend of 99,999 Bricks at Gia Dục Quan

The most famous legend revolves around Gia Dục Quan (a gateway on the western side of the Great Wall) during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Yi Kaizhan, a skilled mathematician, precisely calculated that 99,999 bricks were needed for the construction. The supervisor doubted him, claiming that a single miscalculation would force the laborers to toil for three years.

Upon completing Gia Dục Quan, an extra brick surfaced, bringing elation to the supervisor who anticipated punishing Yi Kaizhan and his soldiers. However, Yi claimed the brick was placed by a celestial being. A slight shift, he insisted, would cause the entire wall to collapse. Disbelieving, the supervisor dropped the brick. Surprisingly, the entire wall crumbled, necessitating reconstruction. Once completed, the brick was placed back in its original position and still stands on the Gia Dục Quan tower.

An alternate version of this tale suggests Yi Kaizhan accurately calculated the number of bricks needed. However, due to the supervisor's suspicion, he added an extra one. When Gia Dục Quan was finished, one brick precariously remained on the fortress gate, surviving to this day.

Bao Tự's Smile at Ly Son Tower

This story unfolds during the Western Chu period (1122-711 BCE). Queen Chu, known as Bao Tự, was a beauty unparalleled. Strangely, despite the Emperor's favor, Bao Tự never smiled.

During that time, the Chu kingdom built numerous signal towers called Ly Son Towers to alert the nobles when enemies approached. An advisor suggested that lighting Ly Son could scare people and make the queen laugh. King Chu appreciated the idea. When the fire column ignited, nobles from various regions rushed to rescue, only to realize they were deceived. Queen Bao Tự burst into laughter witnessing the chaos. Later, when invaders attacked Western Chu, King Chu lit the tower seeking aid, but no nobles came. Ultimately, the king fell, and Western Chu collapsed.

A Joyful Reunion at Xifeng Kou Fortress

Guards on the Great Wall toil year-round, causing not only them but also their family members to feel melancholic. Among them, a young guard has been safeguarding the northern region of the Great Wall for many years without a break. With only an elderly father at home, he watches over day and night.

The frail elderly father fears he might not have another chance to see his son. Therefore, he summons all his strength to reach the duty area for one last meeting. Upon reaching the fortress, he coincidentally spots his son, who also recognizes his father. Both ecstatic, they embrace each other in joy and tears. Unexpectedly, both pass away right there. In remembrance of the touching father-son reunion, the fortress was named Xifeng Kou, meaning 'joyful reunion.' It also symbolizes the thousands and millions of families with members serving as soldiers at that time.

According to Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel Handbook from Mytour