A couplet written 100 years ago describes the history and geography of Nantong, and reveals the typical characteristics of Jianghai culture. Then——
"The past is the state and the present." This is the county, between the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River, at the end of the sea." This is a couplet written by Mr. Zhang Jian for Nantong. It has been recited by future generations for 100 years, but the citizens also left three major questions after appreciating it: Why is this couplet No horizontal batch? Why use the term "wei" instead of "tail"? From "state" to "county", has Nantong's "level" become smaller?
To answer these questions, we must talk about Jianghai culture.
The Jianghuai Committee is at the end of the sea,
This "committee" is really knowledgeable!
“This couplet is very well written.” Zhao Peng, a local historian of Nantong interviewed yesterday afternoon, said that the first couplet describes the historical evolution of Nantong and captures the transition from “state” to “state”. The transformation of "county" uses the contrast between "past" and "present" to express the evolution of history and the arrival of a new era. The second line summarizes the geographical location of Nantong. Nantong is on the riverside and near the sea. The geographical location of Nantong is personalized with "Wei" and "Duan". In just fourteen words, geography versus history is both concise and accurate.
Speaking of this couplet, we cannot but mention the bell tower.
In the center of Nantong, there are two impressive buildings. One is a Western-style bell tower and the other is a tower-like tower. They are located in the center of the east-west and north-south axis of the main city and are one of the landmark buildings in Nantong City.
According to records, Qiao Tower was built in the ninth year of Zhizheng (1349) in the Yuan Dynasty. Its predecessor was a garrison tower built during the Chunxi period of the Song Dynasty for observation. Because it was built on the gate of the so-called "Zicheng" in front of the state office, it was the tallest building in Tongzhou City at that time. Therefore, in the Ming Dynasty, some people listed "Qiao Tower and Moonlight" as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Tongzhou". There is a clock in the tower, and a drum is used to tell the time. In the eighth year of Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, Zhou Tao, the magistrate of Tongzhou, renovated the Qiao Tower. He removed the original plaque of "Haishan Important County" and replaced it with the newly named "Xingshu Tower" plaque. The name of the building Xingshu is based on the astrology theory, hoping that Tongzhou will develop culture and talents.
In the third year of the Republic of China (1914), Zhang Jian and his brother used the 5,000 yuan donated by Pan from Nantong to the Tongchonghai General Chamber of Commerce to raise funds to buy a huge bell and built a bell tower in front of Qiao Tower. The bell tower was designed by Nantong architect Sun Zhixia, and its style is obviously influenced by Western art. The couplet "The past was a state and now is a county, between the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River" written by Zhang Jian was also carved in stone and inlaid on the brick wall facing outside on the third floor, becoming a masterpiece that has been passed down for many years.
Many people have questions, why did Zhang Jian use "Wei" instead of "Wei"? Is it a taboo, or is it because "wei" is a fake word? "Many people will write the word 'Wei' incorrectly." Zhao Peng introduced that "Wei" originally refers to the downstream of water, and also means accumulation. In the "Book of Rites", there is: either source or committee. Zhang Jian here means that Nantong is located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and the lower reaches of the Huaihe River, which has different meanings from the word "tail" in the head and tail.
From "state" to "county",
Has Nantong become smaller?
Many people also have questions about the first couplet "It used to be a state and now it is a county". From "state" to "county", has Nantong City become smaller? "The administrative system of the Republic of China was modeled after Japan, and it has undergone fundamental changes compared with the Qing Dynasty." Zhao Peng said that after the establishment of the Republic of China government, the country's administrative system was different from that of the feudal era, and Japan's practices were used as a reference. The country of Japan is divided into 47 jurisdictions: one capital, one district, two prefectures, and 43 counties. The administrative divisions at this level are collectively referred to as prefectures, prefectures, prefectures, and counties, which are similar to the administrative division levels of provinces and municipalities in my country. similar. 43 prefectures are equivalent to provinces in our country. Therefore, in Japan, prefectures are large and cities are small. "Counties are larger than cities, and there are many cities below Nantong County." To support this, in the "Police Status of Nantong County" reprinted by the Zhang Jian Research Center in July this year, Nantong County includes Nantong City, Tangzha City, Guanzha City, Yongshi, Lusi City, Shigang City, Xiting City, etc.
Some people also say that Nantong was Hu Douzhou for a long time. During the Republic of China, it "removed the state and established a county", taking an important step in transformation and upgrading early.
Is there any horizontal criticism in this couplet?
This is possible, and it’s wonderful!
So, is there any horizontal criticism of Zhang Jian’s couplet?
“I have also received many calls asking about the horizontal comment of this couplet.” Zhao Peng believes that there is no horizontal comment in traditional Chinese couplets, although some buildings still hang the couplets above. A plaque, but the couplets and the plaque are independent, and the plaque is not the so-called "horizontal plaque".
Some citizens also pointed out that Zhang Jian’s couplet gave an excellent summary of Nantong from its historical evolution and geographical location. It was tailor-made for Nantong. Only Nantong in China can match it. Therefore, "Nantong County" is its proper and veritable "Hengpi".
In the past, people worked at sunrise and rested at sunset, and their awareness of time was vague. The appearance of the bell tower clock gave people an accurate concept of time. Moreover, the bells are loud, and in addition to telling time, they also serve as alarms. This change marks Nantong's transition from farming culture to modern industrial civilization. In addition, the Nantong Bell Tower is in Western style, which opens a window for the people of Nantong to see.
It can be said that the eclectic and inclusive nature of Jianghai culture is vividly reflected in the Bell Tower, Qiao Tower and this couplet, leaving an indelible mark.