The river is far from the wooden pond, and the river intersects with the river.
In Taoyuan, there are forty-eight streams flowing into Shui Yuan, and these forty-eight streams are like forty-eight dragons lying on both sides of Shui Yuan. Whenever the rainy season comes in spring and summer, if the dragon makes waves, the Yuanshui River will be choppy and muddy.
The first of the 48 streams is Xixi, followed by Shuixi, Ren Xian, Wang Yi and Yan Xi ... The last stream is called Qiaoxi, which is a remote and inconspicuous corner. Although anecdotes of celebrities are not common here, they gave birth to the legend of monsoon in Yu Xiu and Luanxiang, Zhong Ling. There is an ancient poem that says: "The ends of the earth are beautiful." . It means that the beautiful natural environment has created excellent people and is also the source of wealth.
Qiaoxi ancient town has a civilization history of more than 500 years. The market initially formed during Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty. Because of its unique geographical location and growing economy, it became a huge town in the Qing Dynasty and reached its peak in the Republic of China. Its geographical location is wide and the flowing water is slow, so it is the best place to transport woven materials along the river. Guests from Tianzhu in Guizhou, Hongjiang in Xiangxi and Yuanling choose to stop here, braid their hair and sell wood. At the same time, it also attracted more timber merchants from Shanghai, Wuhan and Nanjing to purchase. Xiaoxiao market town became the most prosperous timber distribution center in the five central and southern provinces at that time. Although it is a tiny place, hidden dragon crouches tiger and businessmen gather. It was from this time that the once famous "Little Nanjing" began. After liberation, people gradually renamed it "Aocheng".
During the Republic of China, there was a saying that there were three streets on three continents. The three continents are Yangzhou, Cormorant and Lijiazhou. Sanzhou is close to the ancient town, forming a confluence of three rivers, which means gathering wealth in feng shui. Lijiazhou is the longest, starting from the catfish mouth in the west and connecting with Qiaogang in the east, surrounding the whole city.
These three streets are Lijiazhou Street (Yanhe Street, which was completely demolished due to the construction of flood control embankment after liberation), Xiaohe Street (Jiefang Street), and then Longjie Street, which is now the Central Street. Business is mainly distributed in Longjie, with a total length of about three miles, divided into upper, middle and lower floors. Shang Jie, from Tudi Lane to Guan Wharf, is the most prosperous area in the ancient town. Many old people in the city remember a folk song, "Take a strong grip on the street, buy a wife in the middle street, and make a bronze jar on the street". Many big firms are concentrated in the street, among which the famous ones are Deda South Goods Store, Jiuda Cotton Yarn Store and Mulan Department Store, especially Yao Jia, the richest man in this city, also lives in the street, so the street is bustling and lively.
From the official pier to the grand pier, Zhongjie mainly deals in fabrics, silks and satins, balsam milk powder and vanishing cream. There is also a famous teahouse restaurant. Such as Jinghanju, Cuigulou, Maoyuan Silk Satin Villa and Tiancheng Cloth Shop. It is a place that ladies and guests often like to look after.
Xia Jie, from Grand Pier to Xingjiekou, is mostly a number of shops, such as grocery stores, silversmiths' shops, pawn shops and cigarette shops. Relatively deserted, but it makes the whole ancient town prosperous.
The Buddhist culture in Aocheng has a profound historical origin. During the Republic of China, there were more than 20 temples in the town, especially Xichan Temple, Lingguan Temple, Huangyuting and Zhengyi Palace.
There are three temple fairs in the town, namely Daxiang Fair, Daxie Fair and Dagan Fair. There are many people in Sanxiang Party. Every August 15, these three incense groups will worship Leo. Xichan Temple is the starting point of the League flag. Before departure, the temple was full of gongs and drums, firecrackers were thundering, flags were sacrificed and wishes were made, and the gods were prayed for good weather and no disease or disaster. A lean young man was chosen to carry the Qinglong White Tiger Flag at the Sanxiang Festival. Hundreds of believers dressed up as one, wearing white scarves on their heads, white characters on a blue background around their chests, embroidered with the words "Five Thunder and Morning Incense" on their necks, and leggings on their feet. They followed the banner 100 kilometers. Along the way, Buddhist believers set up incense tables and offered tea to each other.
At the foot of Dray Mountain, Xiang will compete for the first place, the flag bearer will shout wildly, and the drums will be loud. They braved the indiscriminate bombing of firecrackers and went shirtless. On the rugged road of thorns, bravely charge forward. Whoever puts the flag on the top of Wu Leijin first wins. In the struggle, they pushed each other, and although they hit the wall, the worship ceremony was still as close as brothers. They handed out prizes and flags to each other, fasted for three days after returning home, and then ate meat and drank wine in a big bowl. A stage was also set up to celebrate, and the Buddhist culture of the ancient town can be seen.
When I was a child, I often heard from my parents that Qiao Shi had many traditional entertainment cultures. Less well-known are welcome booths, singing temple fairs and playing drums. Buddhist culture is stronger, especially the "Lingguan Bodhisattva", which is estimated that few people know now.
During the Republic of China, there was a * * * rule among the major firms in the market. During the Spring Festival, all businesses are closed until the 15th day of the first month. Early this morning, firecrackers came from the direction of the Black Temple. There were flames and people buzzing. In front of them, a group of clues opened the way. Four people dressed as immortals carried a red chariot, on which sat a spiritual official and a bodhisattva. Roaring all the way, gongs and drums are loud. They shouted: The Lingguan Bodhisattva is coming out!
Lingguan Bodhisattva is an exorcist. She has three eyes, holding Strafe. She likes to take a bath with fire and blow herself up with firecrackers. Whoever can grab the bodhisattva will be lucky; The more firecrackers are blown up, the more money you earn in a year. It is said that in order to welcome the funeral of the Lingguan Bodhisattva, major merchants can buy a barn full of firecrackers, all of which were fried by people.
After Luan Jia was carried into the street, the temple owner began to chant. After singing, everyone shouted and began to rob the bodhisattva. Who caught the Bodhisattva and then shut it up at home and blew it up? After the master blew up, so did the west. Some catch, some catch, and the most beautiful thing is to catch the head. This day from morning till night, from one street to the next, very lively. Nearby, in Shili Baxiang, a small town was crowded with people who came to watch the excitement.
Many anecdotes about Aocheng celebrities have faded away and are gradually forgotten by people. The old appearance of the ancient town no longer exists. What our generation can do is to pass on some beautiful memories to the next generation and show the glory of the ancient town to the world.
Written in May of Xin Chou