Source: Kaifeng Daily Newspaper Periodicals Center
Xiang Hong/Wen Li Xu/Figure
Early in the morning, I saw the pomegranate in Huaiyuan County, Anhui Province, sent by Director Li Xu's circle of friends. Suddenly, it evoked my memories of it.
It was the fall of 1988, when I was working for the county women's federation. The county women's federation organized a study tour and rented a van, which was in general condition. There are two carts on the road. There were more than 10 cadres of the county and township women's federations on the bus. Starting from Qixian County, our group went to Nanjing and other places, and just in the early stage of reform and opening up, we learned the experience of developed areas, which really opened our eyes. On the way back, suddenly the car broke down again, at that time the service, not as perfect as it is now, had no choice but to get down and push the cart, and finally, we found a repair shop to repair the car and live there. At this time, I inquired about it, and I learned that it was Huaiyuan County, Anhui. This is a temporary row that is not on the plan.
Lesbians love to shop. In the early morning, we went to the market to hang out and saw that the streets and two rows were full of pomegranates. Basket after basket of pomegranates, really like the bride's red hijab, very beautiful. Unveiling it, those pomegranates, grinning and laughing, one by one, are varied and delicate. Some exude agate-like seeds, crystal clear, red, some jade-like seeds, white and flawless, pearl bucks, full of particles... Beautiful, cute and loveable, with beautiful and edible description, not at all, look so cute, so sweet, so happy, pick up reluctant to eat.
Everyone was surprised that here came so many large pomegranates that were rarely seen? I squatted down and chatted with a sister-in-law who sold pomegranates, and I learned that Huaiyuan is the hometown of pomegranates in China and has a long history. Later, the history of the grill was further understood.
Huaiyuan County belongs to the north of Anhui Province, with fifteen townships, the land is in the transition zone from the northern subtropical to the warm temperate zone, with the characteristics of the north and south climate, belongs to the warm temperate semi-humid monsoon agricultural climate zone, suitable for the growth of pomegranates. According to historical research, in the Tang Dynasty, pomegranates have a history of cultivation. During the Ming Jiajing period, when touring Huaiyuan County, inspector Yushi had a poem "Nine Days of Mountaineering": the spring water is fine and moistened with glass and blue, and the durian is newly draped with agate red. Sunset mid-mountain string hair, a hundred years of this meeting will be a rare occasion. In just a few sentences, the author's love and praise for Huaiyuan pomegranate have been vividly expressed. By the Qing Dynasty, the pomegranate garden in Huaiyuan County had long been spread throughout Jingshan, Tushan, Dahongshan and Ping'ashan.
In the book "Anhui Dictionary", it is recorded: "Huaiyuan pomegranate, a famous specialty of Anhui, is produced in Jingtu Ershan. There were already seeds in the Han Dynasty
plant. "From ancient times to the present, there are many areas where pomegranates are cultivated throughout the country and even around the world, but the pomegranates produced in most places are not as delicious as those produced in Huaiyuan. Different varieties, jade seeds, agate seeds, big stupid seeds are particularly good, their biggest feature is that the large skin is thin and juicy and sweet, and has high medicinal value. Immediately, each person buys a few baskets to take home, so that others can also appreciate the fresh fiery red pomegranate and taste its delicious taste. The car was filled with the joy brought back from the expedition, but also full of unexpected gains, heavy fiery red fruits.
After more than 30 years, a friend sent a pomegranate from Huaiyuan County, touching the scene, a small record sheet. When you have a chance, you must go to see it again, that beautiful view, full of eyes, that pomegranate, sweet honey, so happy.
(2021.8.31.chen)