What secrets does a seemingly ordinary bridge hold? This, my friends, is 3号板桥. And while it may appear unassuming at first glance, its story is deeply intertwined with a fantastical tale from the Tang Dynasty. A tale known as “The Three Sisters of the Plank Bridge.” 3号板桥 derives its name from this very story. It’s a story that has been translated and adapted countless times, captivating audiences for generations.
The story unfolds at a modest inn situated near a plank bridge. This inn, run by a mysterious woman known only as the Third Sister, became a popular stop for travelers. The Third Sister was a wealthy woman, known for her fine horses and generous hospitality. She provided comfortable lodgings and simple, yet satisfying, meals. But behind her welcoming facade lay a dark secret, a secret connected to the magical baked cakes she served her guests.
One fateful night, a scholar named Zhao Jihe lodged at the inn. Intrigued by strange sounds emanating from the Third Sister’s room, he peeked through a crack in the wall. What he witnessed was beyond belief. The Third Sister brought forth miniature wooden oxen, a wooden figure, and a small rake. She placed them before the hearth, sprinkled them with water, and watched as they sprang to life. The little wooden figures diligently tilled a small patch of earth in front of the hearth. She then produced a packet of wheat seeds, handing them to the wooden figure to sow. In mere moments, the seeds sprouted, grew, and ripened into golden wheat. The Third Sister ground the wheat into flour, and the little wooden figures began preparing baked cakes.
The next morning, these cakes were served to the unsuspecting guests. Zhao Jihe, horrified by what he had witnessed, feigned an urgent matter and departed before breakfast. He later learned the terrible truth: those who consumed the cakes were instantly transformed into donkeys, their possessions seized by the Third Sister. Shaken, Zhao Jihe dedicated himself to finding a way to break the Third Sister’s spell.
Years later, armed with his own magically crafted cakes, he returned to the inn. He offered the Third Sister his own cakes, and upon consuming them, she too transformed into a donkey. Zhao Jihe confiscated the magical tools, freeing the trapped souls within the donkeys. While the tale is fictional, it gives 3号板桥 a touch of mystique, doesn’t it? The name serves as a reminder of this fantastical tale, a whisper of magic in an otherwise ordinary world. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling, and how a simple bridge can become imbued with the echoes of legends.