: At the market, Li Wei watched a merchant exchange a lightweight slip of paper for a crate of silk. This "flying money" was much easier to carry than heavy bags of copper coins. 2. The Social Ladder

: Surprisingly, the wealthy traders were at the bottom of the ladder because they didn't "produce" anything new, only sold what others made. 3. A Moment of Wonder

: His father checked a small device in a bowl of water—an "iron fish" or compass —to ensure they were heading exactly south toward the market gates.

Ancient China for Kids: Inventions and Technology - Ducksters

: He saw a group of men in long silk robes. These were the scholar-officials who had passed difficult exams to help run the government.

As the sun set, Li Wei felt proud of his civilization. From the that protected their borders to the tea they drank and the silk they wore, medieval China was a land of constant discovery.

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