Where is this ancient building....

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Where is this ancient building....
Sep 20, 2006 13:50
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: offline	I saw a TV program about a remarkable fortress built in ancient times. What was especially remarkable about this structure is that the architect ordered a certain number of bricks...and for this HUGE structure...he had only ordered ONE BRICK too many...and it is kept as a reminder on one of the walls. Does anyone know which building this is...and where it is????

Sep 20, 2006 19:23

RITA
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Join Date: May 10, 2005
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That extra brick now is at the top of the Jiayuguan Pass (Gansu Province).

According to the legend, there was a famous architect named Yi Kaizhan in Ming Dynasty, who was very good at math, all that he designed he would work out the exact amount of materials the building would use in advance. Well the supervisor of the construction of Jiayuguan didn't believe him, he ordered Yi to work out the exact amount of the bricks, and he did and told the supervisor: this construction needs 99,999 bricks. And the supervisor gave him 99,999 bricks and told Yi that he would be beheaded even if there was one single brick short or left when the project was finished.

When the project was finished, there was one extra brick left unused and put at the top of the pass. The supervisor found it and he was so happy about it - what a great excuse not to pay Yi and the workers??

Composedly, Yi Kaizhan told the mean supervisor: this brick was from the god to stabilize the pass, if removed, the pass will collapse. The supervisor was scared about the god, and dared not go behind it anymore. So the extra brick has been kept there till today.

Jiayuguan is located along the silkroad, not far from Dunhuang. It is said to be the ending point of the Great Wall(Ming).

Sep 20, 2006 20:57	#2
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	Thank you Rita... The legend is wonderful. A very clever architect! I will put the site on my must-see list for my next trip. :)

Sep 22, 2006 04:33	#3
LEMONCACTUS Points: Join Date: Dec 8, 2005 Status: Offline	What a great legend Rita. Thanks for sharing that :)

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