In the twelfth year of the Republic of China, that is, in the early spring of 1923, there was still a trace of chill in the air in Huadian County, Jichang Road, Jilin Province. During this period, China was at the intersection of social upheaval and cultural change, where Western trends of thought and traditional ideas intertwined and collided, forming a unique social landscape.
Huadian County, located in the eastern part of Jilin Province, is a small county town with agriculture as the main focus. The people here live a simple life, working at sunrise and resting at sunset, and have inherited the traditional farming culture for generations. However, as time went on, some new elements began to creep into the life of this small county town.
In the east of the county seat, there is a small academy, and some young students gather in the academy, who are full of curiosity and yearning for the outside world. Mr. Shuen was a middle-aged man with a new education, and he not only taught the traditional Four Books and Five Classics, but also introduced some Western philosophical and scientific knowledge. This new knowledge opened the students' eyes to the relationship between the individual and society, tradition and modernity.
To the west of the county, there is a newly opened foreign goods store, which is filled with everything from Western clocks and glasses to Japanese porcelain and fabrics. These products attract many curious customers, who have seen the diversity of the outside world here. The owner of the foreign goods store is a shrewd businessman who sees the business opportunities of this era and also feels the changes in the social atmosphere.
In the center of the county, there is a bustling street lined with various shops and vendors. In early spring, the streets are still lively, even though the weather is still cold. The cries of selling and bargaining come and go, and people buy daily necessities here and communicate with their parents. At the end of the street is a newly built cinema that screens the latest films from Shanghai every night, making it a new destination for young people in the county.
In this small county, there are also some special people who live. For example, in the south of the county seat lives an old Chinese medicine practitioner who is well versed in traditional medicine and is highly respected by the people. To the north, a young painter who has just returned from overseas is a modern painter who brings a touch of color to the traditional county.
In Huadian County in early spring, although it is still shrouded in cold, people's lives have begun to come alive. The collision of old and new ideas, the blend of tradition and modernity, makes this small county full of vitality and vitality. Everyone is feeling the pulse of this era in their own way, whether it is the students in the academy, the owners of foreign goods stores, or the audience of the movie theater, they are all looking for their own place and value in this era.
Zhang Fenghe, a dark-skinned and burly middle-aged man, grew up in the fertile land of Huadian County since he was a child. His life is simple and repetitive, facing the loess with his back to the sky every day, working at sunrise and resting at sunset. However, as he grew older, Zhang Fenghe's heart began to surge with a wave of restlessness. He was tired of the same life and longed to be able to change and see the wider world.
In the early spring of 1923, Zhang Fenghe made a fateful decision to leave the land where he had lived for decades and go to the Japanese concession in Gongzhuling to seek refuge with relatives. He heard that there was a different prosperity and opportunity from Huadian County, and his heart was full of yearning. Although his family and friends advised him to think twice, Zhang Fenghe's heart had already been firm in this thought.
Before leaving, Zhang Fenghe carefully packed his bags, and in addition to some simple clothes and dry food, he also brought a shabby "Analects" and a few letters from home. The Analects was left to him by his father, and although he did not fully understand the profound philosophical implications, he believed that these ancient wisdoms would bring him good luck. Family letters are the only link between him and his family, and in the dead of night, he will take them out and read them carefully, feeling the warmth and care of his family.
Zhang Fenghe's journey was not easy. He had to traverse vast fields and climb several hills to reach the nearest train station. Along the way, he met all kinds of people, from young people with the same dreams to refugees displaced by the war. Their story strengthened Zhang Fenghe's determination to believe that as long as he works hard, he will be able to realize his dream one day.
After a few days of trekking, Zhang Fenghe finally came to the train station. It was bustling with people and was very different from the country life he was familiar with. He stood on the platform, looking at the whizzing train, excited and nervous. It was his first time on a train, and the first time he had left his hometown for a completely unfamiliar place.
The train started slowly, Zhang Fenghe grabbed the handrail of the carriage tightly, looked out the window at the fields and villages that were gradually moving away, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart. He knew that he might never come back, but he didn't regret it. In his heart, the Japanese Concession in Gongzhuling was a place of hope, with the new life he had always dreamed of.
The train sped on the tracks, through the fields, over the hills, and Zhang Fenghe's mood also fluctuated with the bumps of the train. He imagined life when he arrived at his destination, where there would be tall buildings, electric lights and telephones, and novelties that he had never seen before. He believes that if he works hard enough, he will be able to find his own place there.
However, Zhang Fenghe also knows that the road ahead will not be smooth sailing. He had heard all kinds of rumors about the Japanese concession and knew that there were both opportunities and challenges. But he is not afraid, because he has an indomitable heart, with infinite curiosity and longing for the unknown world. He believes that as long as he perseveres, he will one day be able to realize his dreams and find his own happiness and success.
Zhang Fenghe embarked on a journey to Gongzhuling, and his heart was full of longing for the unknown world. He carried the present ocean from the sale of land, which was all his savings and his hope to change his fate. He carefully hid the money at the bottom of his bag, wrapped tightly in several layers of cloth to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
However, fate always seems to play a joke. While traversing a desolate mountain road, Zhang Fenghe encountered a group of armed bandits. The bandits were dressed in tattered clothes and with fierce expressions on their faces, armed with rusty guns and sharp swords. They were apparently a group of outlaws, specializing in robbing passing pedestrians on this remote path.
Zhang Fenghe's heart sank suddenly, he knew that he was in big trouble. He nervously clenched the package in his hand, his mind racing through various coping strategies. He knew that if he directly confronted the bandits, he was unarmed, and the chance of winning was almost zero. But if he handed over all the money like this, his hopes and dreams would be shattered.
As the bandits approached, a bearded man shouted in a hoarse voice: "Stop! Give up all the money you have! Zhang Fenghe stopped, he took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and firm: "Guys, I'm just an ordinary farmer, and I don't have much money on me. "
But the bandits didn't buy it, they began to search Zhang Fenghe's body, and soon found the current ocean hidden at the bottom of the bag. Zhang Fenghe's heart sank to the bottom, and he knew that he had fallen into a desperate situation. However, at this moment, he suddenly thought of a plan.
He pretended to be panicked and shouted: "Ladies and gentlemen, all the money is my belongings, I am about to go to Gongzhuling to join relatives, if you take this money, I will have nothing!" As he spoke, he took out the worn-out Analects and a few letters from his bag, and continued: "You see, I am just a scholar, and these letters are the concern of my family, and if you take the money, I won't even have the money to go home!" "
The bandits looked at the "Analects" and the family letter in Zhang Fenghe's hand, and seemed to hesitate. They are ferocious, but they are not entirely ruthless. The big man at the head frowned, as if he was thinking about something. Zhang Fenghe took the opportunity to say again: "Heroes, I know that you are also forced by life, I am willing to give half of the money, just ask you to let me live." "
The bandits exchanged glances with each other, as if silently exchanging opinions. Finally, the leader nodded and motioned to his men to stop searching. He said coldly: "Count you kid lucky, we are in a good mood today, so we will let you go." You'd better get out of here quickly, though, and don't let us see you again. "
Zhang Fenghe was happy in his heart, he knew that he had escaped for the time being. He hurriedly handed over half of the current ocean to the bandits, then quickly packed his bags and continued to embark on the journey to Princess Ridge. Although he lost half of his money, his heart was still full of hope. He believes that as long as he doesn't give up, he will be able to realize his dream one day.
In that turbulent era, black dialect, as a special form of language, was widely spread in the rivers and lakes. It's not just a secret way of communicating, it's a wisdom of survival. Although Zhang Fenghe is an authentic farmer, many years of rural life have made him know a little about this kind of black language.
When the group of armed bandits approached, Zhang Fenghe quickly adjusted his mentality, he knew that if he communicated directly in ordinary language, it was likely to arouse suspicion and hostility from the other party. So, he decided to take a risk and communicate with the bandits in black language.
Zhang Fenghe first said in a seemingly casual tone: "Brothers, the wind and waves are urgent, and we are all people in the same boat. This sentence means that everyone is trying to survive in a difficult environment, and I hope that the other party can understand.
When the bandits heard this, they were obviously stunned, obviously they didn't expect that this seemingly ordinary peasant in front of them would understand their jargon. The big man at the head narrowed his eyes, looked at Zhang Fenghe, and his tone softened a little: "You brother, do you know the rules?" ”
Zhang Fenghe nodded and continued to answer in black words: "The rivers and lakes are deep, although I am not a big fish, but I also know how to be watery. This sentence shows that although he is not a big shot, he is not easy to be bullied either.
The bandits began to look at Zhang Fenghe with admiration, and they exchanged a look with each other, as if they were re-evaluating the "ordinary person" in front of them. Zhang Fenghe took the opportunity to say again: "Brothers, I do have some scattered silver taels on me, but it is all my family's life money. If you can raise your noble hand, I am willing to take a piece of the pie with the rules of the rivers and lakes. ”
Hearing the black word of "a piece of the pie", the bandits knew that Zhang Fenghe was willing to take out a part of the money as a "toll". This kind of treatment is recognized in the rivers and lakes, and it embodies a principle of mutual respect and exchange of interests.
The big man at the head nodded and expressed his acceptance of Zhang Fenghe's proposal: "Since you know the rules, it will not be difficult for us to do it for you." But first, you have to show us your sincerity. Zhang Fenghe knew that this was a critical moment, and he carefully took out a part of Xian Dayang from his bag, but he didn't take out all of it.
When the bandits saw Zhang Fenghe's actions, they knew that this was already a large amount, and he did have room for it. Their attitude towards Zhang Fenghe became more friendly: "You brother, it's interesting enough." We don't want much, that's enough. ”
Zhang Fenghe breathed a sigh of relief, he knew that he had successfully avoided the fate of being robbed in black words. He handed over the money to the bandits, then quickly packed his bags and continued his journey. This experience made him deeply aware that in that era, knowing some black words can sometimes really save lives.
Through this incident, Zhang Fenghe has a deeper understanding of the importance and practical value of black words. He began to pay more attention to learning these special languages, hoping to better protect himself on future trips. And those bandits also had a new understanding of Zhang Fenghe in this exchange, and they realized that this seemingly ordinary peasant actually had a not simple background and wisdom.
During the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, the social situation in Northeast China was quite complex. Due to political turmoil, frequent wars, sparsely populated areas, and inconvenient transportation, the northeast region has become a breeding ground for bandits. The presence of these bandits, popularly known to the locals as "beards", has brought great distress and uneasiness to the lives of the local population.
Bearded men are usually entrenched in remote mountainous areas or dense forests, taking advantage of the terrain to hide and ambush. They are poorly armed, but they are agile and ruthless. Some bearded gangs are huge, even numbering in the hundreds, and they not only raid homes and houses, but also often rob passing caravans and civilians, seriously threatening the security and stability of the region.
The government at the time was weak and often helpless against these beards. Some local governments have even colluded with Beard to form a deformed symbiotic relationship. In this environment, the activities of the beards became more and more rampant, and they not only robbed property, but also often kidnapped and ransom, and even openly confronted the government, becoming a major scourge in the local area.
In order to survive, the people of the Northeast have had to resort to various means to deal with the threat of beards. Some villages spontaneously organized militia groups to defend themselves; Some merchants hired bodyguards to ensure the safety of their caravans; Others choose to make secret deals with beards for a moment of peace.
However, these measures often only treat the symptoms rather than the root causes. The existence of beards not only destroys the local economic order, but also seriously affects the daily life of the people. Many families have been impoverished or even ruined by beard robbery; Many merchants were afraid to do business because of the threat of beards, which led to the hindrance of business activities; Many innocent passers-by were killed by Beard's ambush.
Against this backdrop, some people of insight began to call on the government to intensify its crackdown on beards in order to restore order in the local area. They believe that only by completely eradicating the beard can the Northeast regain prosperity and tranquility. However, for a variety of reasons, achieving this goal is not an easy task.
In general, the beard problem in the northeast during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China was a microcosm of the social turmoil at that time. It reflects the weakness of the government, the chaos of society and the helplessness of the people. In this environment, people's living space is seriously compressed, and life is full of uncertainty and danger. How to effectively solve this problem and restore local order and tranquility became a topic of common concern for all sectors of society at that time.
In the northeast region at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, ordinary people and landlords lived in an era of uncertainty. The rampant beard made them constantly on the lookout for possible raids and plunder. In order to protect themselves, they began to learn the vernacular and understand the rules, hoping to reduce the risk of being plundered by the beard.
Ordinary people, especially those living in remote areas, live in close proximity to the land and have relatively limited knowledge of the outside world. However, as beard activity became more frequent, they began to realize that hard work alone could no longer guarantee a safe life. As a result, they began to learn the vernacular through various means, hoping to gain a certain advantage in communicating with the beard.
Because the landlords had more property, they naturally became fat in the eyes of the beards. They are well aware of their situation, so they pay more attention to the study of black language. Some landlords even hired black-tongued servants to strengthen their communication and negotiation skills with the beard. In this way, they hope that they will be able to express their sincerity in black words when they encounter beards, so as to seek temporary peace.
The study of black dialect is not an easy task, it contains a large number of hidden words and ciphers, which requires a long time of accumulation and practice to master. In their daily lives, ordinary people and landlords gradually learned some basic black words through exchanges with past business travelers and people in the rivers and lakes. They learned some basic rules, such as how to behave when encountering a beard, and how to identify themselves and their intentions through certain words and actions.
In their interactions with the beards, ordinary people and landlords gradually discovered that the slang and the rules could indeed reduce the risk of plundering to a certain extent. They learned how to stay calm when encountering the beard, how to express their helplessness and begging for mercy in black words, and even how to bargain with the beard to a certain extent through black words.
However, the study of the vernacular and the rules also brought certain moral dilemmas to the common people and landlords. Some of them began to question whether this "cooperation" with the beard somehow fueled the beard's arrogance. But in the face of the pressure to survive, they often choose to put this skepticism aside and continue to learn black language in order to protect themselves.
In general, the common people and landlords learned the vernacular and understood the rules of the silk line, which was a kind of helplessness for them to survive in that turbulent era. Although this method was able to reduce the risk of plundering to a certain extent, it also reflected the chaos and powerlessness of the society at the time. Against this backdrop, the lives of ordinary people and landlords were full of hardships and challenges, and they had to find a balance between survival and morality.
In the northeast region at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, as a special way of communication, black dialect was not only widely used in the rivers and lakes, but also penetrated into the daily life of ordinary people. Its existence provided a secret and effective means of communication for the people of that era, especially in some specific life scenarios, and the application of black language is particularly important.
Catch a big car: In that era of inconvenient transportation, a big car was a common mode of transportation. Coachmen often encounter various risks during long journeys, including bearded attacks. In order to protect themselves and their goods, drivers use black language to convey information. For example, when they notice a suspicious situation ahead, they will remind their companions in black words: "The wind is tight, pull and blow", which means that the situation is not good and they need to leave quickly. And when communicating with passers-by, they will also use black words to find out the identity and intentions of the other person to decide whether to stop or detour.
Eating: In restaurants or teahouses, the vernacular is also widely used. When ordering food, customers may use some specific vernacular to express their needs. For example, if they want a bowl of noodles, they might say "let's have a bowl of noodles" and the waiter will prepare it for them with understanding. In addition, restaurant owners will also use black words to communicate with customers to avoid being targeted by beards or other unscrupulous people. For example, when a suspicious person enters a restaurant, the boss may use black words to remind the guys to be vigilant.
Trading: In market transactions, vendors also use vernacular to communicate with customers or peers in order to protect their interests. They will use specific words to describe the quality or price of goods, and only those who know the vernacular can understand the meaning. In this way, they are able to ensure that their transactions are not interfered with by outsiders, even in a competitive market.
Seeking medical advice: In the process of seeking medical advice, black words also play an important role. Some patients use black words to describe their condition in order to protect their privacy. In order to maintain the dignity of the patient, the doctor will also answer the patient's questions in black language. This kind of confidential communication not only protects the patient's privacy, but also avoids unnecessary troubles that may be caused.
Socializing: In social situations, vernacular is also an effective communication tool. People use black words in their conversations to avoid being overheard or misunderstood. For example, when they need to discuss some sensitive topics, they will use black language to express their opinions, and only those who understand black language can participate in the conversation.
In short, in the northeast region during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, the use of black dialect in daily life was very widespread. It's not just a language tool, it's a survival wisdom. By learning and using the vernacular, people were better able to protect themselves and defend their interests in those turbulent times. However, the popularity of the vernacular also reflected the complexity and instability of the society at the time, and it became a unique social phenomenon of the era.
The communication between the Jianghu people and the beard is full of mystery and wisdom, and the black dialect, as a special language between them, plays a vital role. Jianghu people usually walk in all directions and have a certain understanding of various trades, while the beard is a local force, and contact between the two is inevitable. In order to avoid unnecessary conflicts, the charlatans learned to use black words to communicate with beards.
When Jianghu people encounter beards on the road, they will first use black words to indicate their identity and intentions. They will say things like "walking in the water" or "slapping the point" to test whether the other party understands the rules. If the beard responds properly, it means that they are also knowledgeable people, so that the two parties can have further communication on the basis of mutual respect.
In communication with Beard, the charlatans will use some specific vernacular to express their needs or requests. For example, if they need to borrow the way through the territory of the beard, they will use the expression "borrowing light"; If they want to trade with the beard, they will imply it with "cents". In this way, the charlatans can achieve their own goals without arousing the hostility of the other party.
The internal communication method of the beard also relies on the vernacular. They communicate through some specific ciphers, gestures, or signals to ensure the safe delivery of information. For example, a beard may use a specific birdsong or tapping sound as a signal when gathering his companions; When passing on information, some obscure words or metaphors are used instead of direct expressions.
The black language communication between the beards is also reflected in their everyday language. They will use "eating food" to refer to their profession and "hanging pillars" to indicate joining a gang. When distributing the swag, they will use the expression "divide the fertilizer", and when discussing the plan of action, they will use "step on the plate" instead of direct words.
In addition, when communicating with charlatans, Beard will also use black words to test whether the other party is trustworthy. They will deliberately use some incomprehensible black words to observe the other person's reaction. If the other party can respond fluently, it means that they are also from the rivers and lakes and can communicate further; If the other person appears confused or confused, the beard may remain vigilant or even take a hostile attitude.
Although this kind of black language exchange between Jianghu people and beards seems simple, it actually contains profound cultural connotations and survival wisdom. It is not only a verbal skill, but also a psychological game. Through the black dialect, the Jianghu people can find space to survive in the complex social environment, while the beard can maintain their power and territory. This way of communication became a unique social phenomenon of that era, reflecting the wisdom and courage of people to survive and develop in turbulent times.
The formation of black language is a complex and unique social and cultural phenomenon, and its existence and development depend on the specific social environment and the needs of the population. In China at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, especially in Northeast China, the conditions for the formation of black dialect mainly include the following aspects:
Wide range of users: The formation of black words first needs to be based on a wide range of users. At that time, due to social unrest and chaos in law and order, many people had to join various secret organizations or become charlatans in order to survive. These people include caravans, bodyguards, smugglers, bandits, etc., and they need a way of communication that only insiders can understand in order to safeguard their interests and safety.
The necessity of covert communication: In the social context of the time, covert communication was particularly important. Due to the weakness of the government and the imperfection of the law, open communication can easily cause unnecessary troubles and even threaten the safety of lives. As a kind of hidden language, black words can protect the privacy and security of users to a certain extent, and avoid being used by outsiders or hostile forces.
Specific social environment: The formation and development of black language is closely related to a specific social environment. Chinese society in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China was full of various contradictions and conflicts, political turmoil and frequent wars, all of which provided fertile soil for the emergence of black dialects. In this environment, people need a language tool that can quickly convey information and express intentions, and the black dialect came into being.
Cultural inheritance and innovation: The formation of the black language is also related to cultural inheritance and innovation. In the long-term social practice, people continue to sum up experience and create a variety of unique expressions. These expressions spread among specific groups, gradually forming a complete language system. At the same time, the black dialect is constantly absorbing new elements and keeping pace with the times to adapt to the changing social environment.
Reinforcement of group identity: The use of black words can also strengthen the sense of group identity. At that time, people tended to be proud of the group they belonged to, and the vernacular, as a language that could only be understood by insiders, became an important symbol to distinguish "one's own people" from "outsiders". Through the use of black words, people are able to feel a sense of belonging and security, and this sense of identity strengthens the cohesion of the group to a certain extent.
Strategies for coping with external pressures: The formation of black language is also a strategy for people to cope with external pressures. In the face of external pressures such as government hunting and social discrimination, the black language can help people better protect themselves and avoid direct conflict. By using black words, people can avoid risks to a certain extent and maintain their own living space.
To sum up, the formation of black language is the result of a combination of many factors. It is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a social and cultural phenomenon, reflecting the living conditions and psychological needs of people in that era. Through the analysis of the conditions under which the black language was formed, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of the society of that era.
As a product of the special social environment of the old times, black dialect had a profound impact on people's lives at that time. It is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a cultural phenomenon, which profoundly reflects the complexity and diversity of the society of the time.
First of all, the existence of black dialect has greatly enriched the way people communicate in language. At that time, due to social unrest and information blockage, people needed a more intimate and efficient means of communication. The black dialect meets this need with its unique cryptic words and ciphers. It enables people to quickly convey information and express their intentions without attracting attention from the outside world.
Secondly, the black language has safeguarded the safety and interests of users to a certain extent. In the social environment at that time, open communication could easily cause unnecessary troubles and even threaten the lives of users. As a secret language, black language can protect the privacy and security of users to a certain extent, and avoid being used by outsiders or hostile forces. This is especially important for people with special professions such as caravans, bodyguards, smugglers, etc.
In addition, the vernacular also has the effect of reinforcing the sense of group identity. At that time, people tended to be proud of the group they belonged to, and the vernacular, as a language that could only be understood by insiders, became an important symbol to distinguish "one's own people" from "outsiders". Through the use of black words, people are able to feel a sense of belonging and security, and this sense of identity enhances the cohesion and centripetal force of the group to a certain extent.
The black language also has a certain social regulating effect. In the social environment at that time, various contradictions and conflicts emerged one after another, and as an informal means of communication, black dialect could alleviate these contradictions and conflicts to a certain extent. It enables people to express their positions and demands without intensifying conflicts, so as to maintain social stability and harmony.
At the same time, the vernacular was also the embodiment of the wisdom and creativity of the people at that time. In the long-term social practice, people continue to sum up experience and create a variety of unique expressions. These expressions spread among specific groups, gradually forming a complete language system. The emergence and development of the black dialect reflects the resilience and innovative spirit of people in the face of complex social environments at that time.
Finally, the existence of the black language also reflects the imperfection and unsoundness of the society at that time. Its existence revealed some problems of the society at that time from one side, such as the powerlessness of the government, the imperfection of the law, and the injustice of the society. As a strategy to deal with these problems, although it helps people to protect their interests to a certain extent, it also exposes some of the shortcomings of society.
In short, as a product of the special social environment of the old times, the black language had a multifaceted impact and role on people's lives at that time. It is both a means for people to cope with their social environment and a reflection of the social conditions of the time. Through the discussion of black dialects, we can have a deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of the society of that era, as well as the living conditions and psychological needs of people in it.