Suzhou, a land of wealth and abundance, the land of fish and rice.
In past New Years, the city would have been festooned with lanterns, with firecrackers bursting ceaselessly. The streets would be crowded with pedestrians like woven threads and carriages like dragons, with temple fairs succeeding one another. The whole city would be immersed in the joy of the New Year.
As the saying goes, "Under the moon, the knights do wander; by lantern light, a crowd to ponder. Joy unending, song and dance, till the morning light doth glance."
Yet at this moment, Suzhou City appeared particularly... deserted.
On the walls of the buildings along the streets hung remnants of half-hung colorful banners and lanterns.
Passersby hurried by, not daring to stay in one place for too long.
In the canal, usually bustling with boats from all quarters, few vessels were docked; instead, most hastened away—as if there was something unseen and filthy within the city.
