Haomen Ancient City

　　Haomen Ancient City is located three li southeast of Menyuan County. The city is bordered by high cliffs to the south, backed by a high ridge to the north, and flanked by deep gullies on the east and west. Perched high above, it boasts a majestic presence. To the north, it lies against the towering Qilian Mountains, whose rugged peaks resemble an unfurled grand scroll. The city wall is about one li from the northern bank of the Haomen River, standing over 80 meters above the riverbed. It is rectangular in shape, measuring 260 meters east-west and 240 meters north-south, with a base width of 4.5 meters and a top width of 4 meters. There is only one southern gate, 18 meters wide, while the east and west sides consist of enclosed walls, along with a protective moat dug as a defensive ditch. Inside the city, there were once three main streets forming a T-shape running east-west and south, with lanes laid out in an orderly fashion. Across the river from the southern gate stand lush green hills covered with pine trees, forming a screen-like backdrop for the city. These hills are called "Screen Mountain" (Zhao Bi Shan), shaped like a peach, with its peak piercing the clouds and forming a perpendicular wall. The cliff face is covered with spruces and dotted with shrubs, remaining green year-round, creating a spectacular view. Along the base of the southern wall, several springs emerge, with clear, sweet-tasting water that is refreshing to drink.

　　Haomen Ancient City was built during the Xining era of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty (1068–1077). Originally named Danan City, it was renamed Datong City in the second year of the Chongning era. Historical records indicate that in the 210 years following its construction, the city was alternately occupied by the Jin and Xia dynasties. It continued to be used during the Yuan Dynasty, and was restored in the eighth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, when troops were stationed there for defense.

　　Outside the northern wall, nine streets ran north-south. At that time, inland trade flourished without interruption, business thrived, markets prospered, and residents lived in wealth and peace. During the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, the ancient city fell to the Mongols. The Mongolians had attempted to capture the city for ten years but failed due to its strong defenses. Eventually, they devised a clever strategy and succeeded in taking it.

　　The event took place on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month hundreds of years ago. It is said that on that day, a caravan of over 300 Mongols came from the Cold Dragon Pass. Each person led a camel, and each camel carried two wooden boxes. In the afternoon, they arrived at the Tea-Horse Market to the north of the city. The locals, seeing that they were Mongolian merchants, paid them little mind.

　　The residents of the city had a custom of releasing river lanterns on the evening of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. As soon as it got dark that day, the soldiers and civilians opened the city gates and rushed to the river, eagerly placing lit river lanterns into the water to watch them float downstream, competing to see who had the most beautiful lantern and whose would float the longest. At that very moment, the over 300 Mongols, leading their camels and colluding with insiders, broke into the city. They unloaded the wooden boxes from the camels, and upon opening them, it turned out that each box concealed two armed individuals. These people jumped out of the boxes and joined forces with the 300 outsiders, totaling over 1,000 people who launched a sudden attack. In an instant, chaos erupted within the city. The defenders had no time to fight back, and the result was a scene of blazing fires and streets flowing with blood, as the entire city fell.

　　Centuries have passed, but even now, standing before the ruins of the ancient city, one can almost still hear the crisp sounds of ancient warhorses’ neighs and clashing weapons.