More than 100 years ago, what kind of scene was the land of Shanxi? What kind of life do ordinary people live? Through a group of old photos taken in 1914, we walked into the historical Shanxi together. Photographer: Frederick G. Clapp.
Taiyuan Shouyi Gate.
In 1914, Yan Xishan took over the military and political power in Shanxi, and he was only 31 years old. As early as the Xinhai Revolution, the New Army of Shanxi launched an uprising that overthrew the Qing court's rule in Shanxi, and Yan Xishan was elected as the governor of Shanxi. In 1914, Yuan Shikai ordered the abolition of the governors of the provinces and the establishment of another overseer, and Yan Xishan was appointed as the overseer of Shanxi.
Travelers on the Taihang Mountains.
In those years, Yan Xishan's position was unstable, and he did relatively little work in improving people's livelihood, mainly controlling the situation, holding Yuan Shikai's thighs, and engaging in relations with various aspects. Although he started with a revolution, he soon betrayed the revolution and defected to Yuan Shikai.
Donkeys transport timber.
At that time, compared with the eastern provinces, the living standards of the majority of the people in Shanxi were still low. It was not until 1917, when Yan Xishan firmly controlled the military and political power and held a stable position, that he began to implement the policy of "protecting the border and ensuring the people's peace", promoting the advantages and eliminating the disadvantages, and developing the people's morality, people's wisdom and people's wealth.
A village on the Loess Plateau in northern Shanxi.
Most of the villagers' houses are not ordinary brick houses, but cave dwellings that make full use of the characteristics of local loess soil. Cave dwellings are generally built on south-facing slopes, facing open areas, with little tree shade, which is very suitable for living. This architectural form has the advantages of fire prevention, noise prevention, warm winter and cool summer, and is the crystallization of the industrious wisdom of the people of the Loess Plateau for thousands of years.
People watched the photographer's line.
For the arrival of foreigners, the local people are deeply fresh, and they have gathered to the hotel where photographer Fidek Clapp and his party live to watch the liveliness, they may be the first time in their lives to see blonde foreigners. In order to prevent any accidents, the local government specially sent police to maintain order.
Stage in the countryside.
This photo is very vivid and interesting. A local play was being staged on the stage, when Fidek Clapp and his party suddenly appeared, and they suddenly lost interest in theater, turned to watch the photographer in unison, and hung the actor aside. I don't know how those actors feel?
Shuozhou Mayi City Wall.
The city walls of Mayi have shown a vicissitudes under the scouring of the Sangan River, and some of the walls have collapsed, adding a little desolation. The history of Mayi is very old, as early as the Qin Dynasty, the general Meng Tian chased the Xiongnu north outside the Yanmen Pass, besieged the city and raised horses, creating the name of Mayi. Later, Mayi County was established, which existed for nearly two thousand years in history, until it was withdrawn as a township in 1796 and merged into Shuozhou.
Abandoned military fortress.
The fortress was rammed from loess and equipped with a fort, which in its condition has been abandoned for many years. Fidek Clapp labeled the location as Pei-shan-ling, who knows where?
Ferry on the Qin River.
The Qin River is a tributary of the Yellow River and is one of the main rivers in Shanxi Province. The ship in the photo is equipped with a wooden plank like a tail wing, I don't know what the purpose is? To keep the boat in balance?
Thanh Hoa Trail.
This section of the ancient road is located in Yedi Village, Zezhou County. Qinghua Ancient Road is one of the important ancient roads from Shanxi into the Central Plains, starting from Zhoucun in Zezhou County, leaving through Lizhai, Lichuan and Shanhe Towns, and entering Qinghua Town, Henan, providing transportation convenience for the spread of Jinshang civilization and has a heavy historical and cultural precipitation.