Today, we think weekends and takeouts (外卖) are nothing special. However, did the ancient people enjoy them as well? What were their lives like?
In ancient China, there were no “weekends” because people did not use a weekly calendar (日历). But people could still relax after work. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), officials (官员) took one day off every five days. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), officials worked for ten days and rested for one day. They usually bathed and washed their hair on their day off, known as “xiumu”. People like farmers and businessmen usually worked most of the year. But they would take a few days off during the Spring Festival. During the Ming and Qing dynasties. People also took days off for Emperor’s (帝王的) birthday.
Many people like ordering takeouts to fill their stomach today. In fact, ancient people did the same thing! People at that time even had special meal boxes for takeout dishes. It was along wooden box with several layers (层). They also used warming plates made of two layers of porcelain (陶瓷). Hot water could be put between them to keep dishes warm!
According to history books. Emperor Xiaozong (1127-1194) in the Song Dynasty liked to order takeouts late at night. His servants would go around the city to pick up dishes and bring them back to the palace. Common people also ordered takeouts. Restaurant waiters would go out into the streets and shouted out which dishes could be ordered that day. People would then place an order. Later, delivery men would bring food to customers’ homes.
How interesting these history facts are!
【小题1】How does the writer begin the topic?| A．By sharing facts. | B．By giving examples. | C．By telling stories. | D．By asking questions. |
| A．Officials still had to work on Emperor’s birthday. |
| B．Officials usually had a bath and rested on xiumu. |
| C．Officials could rest because of the weekly calendar. |
| D．Officials got a rest after five-day work in Tang Dynasty. |
| A．Boxes. | B．Plates. | C．Layers. | D．Takeouts. |
| A．To show people the fact of Emperor’s life. |
| B．To help people with learning modern history. |
| C．To make people know how to order takeouts. |
| D．To let people know more about ancient China. |
