Rebuilding a reputation, brick by Linqing brick

A student seems engrossed by the exhibition showcasing the craftsmanship involved in the making of Linqing bricks that were favored by royal courts since the Ming Dynasty and are a key feature of many historical buildings in the capital. He speaks fast and uses skits to demonstrate the production process of Linqing bricks, also known as tribute bricks, from Linqing, Liaocheng city of East China's Shandong province. The brick had been favored by ancient royal courts since the Ming Dynasty and thus serves as an important part of many historical buildings in the capital city. According to the chronicle of Linqing, the royal court of Ming set up a branch office there to supervise the firing of tribute bricks, which were then transported to the country's capital via the Grand Canal for the construction of historical buildings like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, as well as various city gate towers and Confucian temples.