【Qingpu Ancient City Wall: Persistence and Change in the Long River of History】
In the depths of the water town in the south of the Yangtze River, there is a hidden ancient city wall of Qingpu that has gone through vicissitudes. It is not only a witness to history, but also a "chatterbox" full of stories and legends. Today, let's unveil its mystery and explore those little-known historical anecdotes.
When it comes to the ancient city wall of Qingpu, we have to mention the "strange story of city building" behind it. During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, when the Qingpu County was moved to Tanghang Town, the local people took great pains to build the city. It is said that there was a skilled craftsman named Li Jiang at that time, who was proficient in the art of construction, especially in designing city walls. According to the geographical environment and strategic location of Tanghang Town, Li Jiang skillfully designed a city wall that was both strong and beautiful. During the construction of the city, Li also invented a special mixture of clay and lime to make the city walls stronger and more durable. Therefore, after the completion of the ancient city wall of Qingpu, it not only became a local landmark, but also was known as "the first city in the south of the Yangtze River".
During the construction of the ancient city wall of Qingpu, there are many interesting anecdotes. It is said that at that time, in order to ensure the strength of the castle walls, craftsmen used a unique rammed earth technique to tamp the soil layer by layer to ensure that each piece of soil was tightly knit. The battlements and enemy platforms on the city wall are carefully carved by local stonemasons, which are both beautiful and practical. These details reflect the intentions and wisdom of the people of Qingpu for the construction of the city wall.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for the wall. In the last years of the Qing Dynasty, when the Taiping Army marched eastward, the ancient city wall of Qingpu ushered in its most severe test. At that time, the Taiping army was like a bamboo, and there were many cities. When they came to Qingpu, they were blocked by this strong wall. Seeing that the walls were tall and thick, and that they were difficult to break for a while, the Taiping generals decided to adopt the strategy of "besieging but not attacking" in an attempt to exhaust the grain, grass and water in the city. However, the people of Qingpu, under the protection of the city walls, united as one to defend against foreign enemies. They used the battlements of arrows and enemy platforms on the walls of the city to constantly fire bows and arrows and throw stones at the enemy. In the end, the Taiping army was unable to break through the ancient city wall of Qingpu, so they had to leave in a huff.
This war made the ancient city wall of Qingpu famous, and it became a model for the Jiangnan region to resist foreign enemies. And because of this victory, the people in the city cherished this wall even more, and regarded it as an "artifact" to protect their homeland. During festivals, people hold grand events under the city walls to pray for the walls to always be strong and their homes to be peaceful forever.
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, it came to the Republic of China period. The ancient city wall of Qingpu has once again witnessed the changes of history. At that time, warlords were fighting each other and society was in turmoil. The Qingpu area was also affected, but fortunately, the ancient city walls still stand. It is like a loyal guardian, silently guarding the land and its people.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the ancient city wall of Qingpu once again played its defensive role. Japanese artillery bombarded the walls fiercely, but the walls still stood. With its own body, it provided an impregnable barrier for the people of the city. In this arduous war of resistance, the ancient city wall of Qingpu became the spiritual pillar of the people in the city, inspiring them to bravely resist the invasion of foreign enemies.
However, with the progress of the times and the development of the city, the ancient city wall of Qingpu was eventually demolished. Although this decision conforms to the trend of the times, it also makes countless Qingpu people feel regret and regret. They miss the wall that once guarded their peace, and they miss that storied history.
Fortunately, the full line of the Qingpu Huancheng Water System Park and the magnificent reconstruction of the Water City Gate have allowed people to travel through the long river of history and have a dialogue with the ancient city wall of Qingpu that spans a century. Standing in front of the water city gate, we seem to be able to feel the tenacity and unyielding strength that comes from the depths of history. It tells us that no matter how the times change, no matter how great the difficulties and challenges we face, we must stick to our beliefs and pursuits, and move forward bravely.
In addition to the Water City Gate, the Qingpu area also retains many historical sites and cultural heritage related to the ancient city wall. In the Qingpu Museum, there are many cultural relics and photos related to the ancient city wall, allowing people to feel that history up close. In addition, Qingpu has also held a series of cultural activities related to the ancient city wall, such as historical lectures and cultural exhibitions, so that more people can understand and inherit this precious history and culture.
Today's Qingpu has been radiated with new vitality and vitality. The rise of the new city and the charm of the old city blend with each other, and together write the bright future of Qingpu. In this land, the old and the modern are intertwined, forming a unique landscape. Although the ancient city wall of Qingpu no longer exists, its spirit lives forever in our hearts. It tells us that no matter how the times change, we must stick to our beliefs and pursuits and move forward bravely.
At the same time, the story of the ancient city wall of Qingpu also inspires us to explore more historical sites and cultural heritage. It makes us understand that history is not just a book or a text, but a spiritual and cultural inheritance. Only by deeply understanding and passing on the history can we better understand ourselves, understand society, and grasp the future.
In this fast-paced era, let's slow down, walk into the long history of Qingpu, and feel those ancient and solemn atmosphere. Let's listen to the story of the ancient city wall of Qingpu with our hearts,