In the middle of Shanghai, amongst the busy streets filled with cars and people, lies a huge famous pillar in Shanghai culture made of shiny gold and silver and adorned with dragons. There are many stories and myths about this pillar and the trouble it caused for construction workers. Here is one story I found:
The massive construction of the city's Yan'an elevated highway (1995-1999) had been going relatively smoothly until reaching its hub point at the Chengdu Lu crossing. Oddly, defying all explanation, the digging crew's endless pounding wouldn't budge the ground beneath the site of its central pillar.
After a stream of engineers couldn't figure out the cause of the delay, a priest was summoned to the site. After many lengthy prayers, the priest informed the workers of a most unusual problem-- a dragon was sleeping beneath their work site. The construction had awoken it, and it was stopping the pillar from being installed.
Dragons are proud creatures, the priest explained, so a simple yet noble gesture in its honor would restore its slumber allowing construction to continue. The workers complied, the pillar was erected and they all lived happily ever after.
Andi had told me a very similar story but in her version the monk had died after telling the secret of how to please the dragon.
Andi had told me a very similar story but in her version the monk had died after telling the secret of how to please the dragon.
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