Why did the ancients call it buying something instead of buying north and south?

Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty was a historical gathering place for commercial and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. In Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty, there were two major markets for people to buy goods. One was located in the east of Chang'an City, called "East Market", which served the dignitaries of the time; the other was located in the west of Chang'an City, called "West Market", which served the common people. , is also the channel for international goods to enter Chang'an. The "Western Market" is full of merchants, with many mansions and shops, and a dazzling array of goods, and trade is extremely prosperous.

As time went by, people began to call buying goods in the two markets "buying things" and "buying things". The word "buying things" slowly became popular among people.

Extended information:

West City was founded in the Sui Dynasty and flourished in the Tang Dynasty. It had more than 220 industries and was extremely prosperous. At that time, Xishi Commercial and Trade was the world trade center, fashion entertainment center and cultural exchange center with the largest area, largest building area, most developed business formats and the widest radiating area.

The West Market supports the Silk Road trade system with its prosperous market system and solid economic foundation. West Market is not only a window for the outside world to understand Chang'an and even China, but also an important platform for cultural exchanges and trade between the East and the West.

Reference materials:

Why is buying "stuff" not called buying "North and South" - People's Daily Online