Chinese Traditional Story: The Adventures of Li Mian in the Tang Dynasty

During the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Tang Xuanzong’s reign, Li Mian completed his official tenure and went boating on the Bian River to the east; he wanted to tour Yangzhou. On the way, he passed Sui Yang city and met an elderly Persian on crutches hurrying after him while speaking in poor Chinese, “I am a foreigner wandering about. I fell seriously ill and don’t have much time left, but I want to go to Yangzhou. Still, I’m worried that I’ll die on the way.