I have been to Danyang three times in recent years. As a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Zhenjiang, although compared with some historical cities, it is only a little-known town and not a tourist hotspot city, but it also has a heavy history and a human landscape that cannot be underestimated. I remembered it when I went, and formed a complex intersection in my heart, so that I couldn't let it go for a long time and couldn't help but embark on the road of going back again and again. Just like a wanderer wading into the deep and empty world, asking the dusty door of history, he can still hear those distant and immortal stories. Cultural symbols that can be recognized, such as "hometown of Qi Liang", "Jiling" and "former residence", have invisibly increased the weight of Danyang, and become a famous historical city and the hometown of emperors in the eyes of many scholars and scholars (Qiliang Emperor Mausoleum 12). Its cultural atmosphere can even run through 2,500 years ago, and it is also the only place where Confucius left an inscription (ji zi Temple).
Danyang, which means "Feng Dan faces the sun", is the key to the north and south according to the influence of land and water. The organizational system began in the Warring States period and was originally Yunyang City. In 22 1 BC, Qin Shihuang unified the world, implemented the county system, and changed Yunyang City to Yunyang County, and soon changed its name to Qu County. In the first year of the New Dynasty (AD 9), Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, and Qu County was changed to Mei Feng County, and Yunyang County was renamed at the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the second year of Jin Taikang (28 1), it was renamed Qu County. In the first year of Tang Tianbao (742), Runzhou was changed to Danyang County, Qu County was Danyang County, and Danyang County belonged to Danyang County. In the first year of Gan Yuan (758), Danyang County was changed to Runzhou, and Danyang County belonged to Runzhou. After experiencing Korea, Danyang belongs to Zhenjiang. In this long history, Danyang has been renamed as Zhu Fang, Lanling, Yanling, Jianzhou and Yunzhou.
The names of these vicissitudes of life have been basically fixed since the Tang Dynasty, and most people are really not interested. Like me, I only knew that there was Danyang in Jiangsu and there were trains here, which was more convenient than many well-known county-level cities in the same province (such as Taicang, Changshu, Jiangyin and Zhangjiagang). (That only used a long-distance bus. But I passed Danyang countless times on the train, but I didn't care too much. Occasionally, I complain that I didn't get on the through train, so that even such a small station has to stop. Until recently, I learned about Mr. Lv Fengzi (1886- 1959) in the study of modern art history in China. With the deepening of my understanding, his image became more and more full in my heart. Such Li Zhuo's personality, profound knowledge, outstanding talent and life realm are really rare in the past century. On the other hand, the materialism and low morality in today's society often remind people of those traditional values and cultural monuments that have been eroded but still stand, including people like Lv Fengzi.
So, I had to put down my books, pack my bags and visit cultural relics in various places, including Lv Fengzi, and Danyang was a stop I couldn't bypass. Because it is Mr Lv Fengzi's hometown.
two
On the second day of my arrival in Danyang, my good friend Mr. Xie Suoyu accompanied me to Lv Fengzi's former residence. Suo Yu is a real estate agent, in the prime of life. Although he is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, he is indifferent by nature, low-key, witty in speech, sincere and simple in heart, unhurried in action, eager for public interests and righteous and righteous. As a native of Danyang, he is no stranger to Mr. Lv Fengzi. He is as awed as I am.
Walking in the narrow lanes of the west of the new bridge in Yunyang town and the scattered large residential buildings, it seems to go back in time. Obviously, this is an ancient city, and there are traces of the passage of time everywhere. Without the signs of "Lv Fengzi's Former Residence" and "Lv Cheng's Former Residence" embedded in the old brick wall as signs, I find it hard to believe that the simple and low wooden door is our destination for asking for directions several times. The protection level of the former residences of the two great scholars who have no talent in the world is only "Danyang City Level 1", which is no different from the surrounding houses. It seems that they didn't attract much attention, which made me dumbfounded. Have you noticed that some famous artists who are still alive today have built "art galleries" and "art galleries" named after themselves in their hometown? I have been to several places, which can be described as expensive, magnificent and modern facilities. If tourists who don't know anything come here, they will definitely think that this is a memorial hall for a historical celebrity! In contrast, the "poverty" of Lv Fengzi's former residence is not commensurate with his position in the history of art education in China for nearly a hundred years. Danyang city has not established his memorial hall so far. It is said that more than 40 local members of the CPPCC have jointly written an appeal, but it has been shelved so far because of the so-called "funding" problem. Is it really a question of "money"? Looking at those glamorous luxury buildings and halls, I can't help but become speechless. The alley dozens of paces away from the former residence was the former site of the private regular women's vocational school founded by Lv Fengzi. A piece of good land as big as this should be a huge fortune today, but Lv Fengzi didn't donate it to his hometown for free because of the problem of "funds".
When I first arrived at Lv Fengzi's former residence, I was turned away. Obviously, this former residence is only symbolically hung with a sign, rather than an imaginary cultural facility that operates normally. Later, I learned that Lv Fengzi's descendants were responsible for opening doors to receive visitors. They open the door with the key, so that visitors can enter, or they will lie under the door and look in. At that time, I thought, let alone in Danyang, even in Jiangsu Province, Lv Fengzi can be called a "master of the modern generation" and a "master of the century", and the protection of the former residence should not fall into such a dilemma. However, it is in Danyang, his hometown where he devoted most of his life, that this embarrassing situation has been delayed so far. In sharp contrast, in 2002, the first memorial hall in China was built in Bishan, Chongqing, where the formal Shu School was founded.
Of course, in building Danyang's city image, the relevant departments also know how to promote Lv Fengzi as one of Danyang's "four business cards" (hometown of Qiliang, ji zi Temple, former residence of Lv Fengzi and Glasses City). In various commemorative activities held over the years, leaders will also speak out and praise Lv Fengzi's noble character, extraordinary achievements and dedication. It seems that Lv Fengzi has really become the glory and pride of this city. The ancients said "all talk and no practice". Although we dare not criticize, the image of the city of hope, especially the city's cultural image, is not as simple as issuing a few "business cards", pasting a few "labels" and making several "speeches", but should be reflected in cultural conscience, sincerity and foresight.
My travels in Danyang are basically around the investigation of historical sites. But wherever I went, I found some precious historical heritages, and almost none of them were taken care of accordingly. For example, one of the three existing Tang bells was placed in the wooden fence of a pavilion in the People's Park, and the bell body was engraved with messy handwriting by tourists (later, our group called on Master Li Xiang, the abbot of Longqing Temple, and he said that he wanted to invite Tang Zhong to enter the temple for protection, and sincerely wished for this). The Shinto Stone Carvings in Qiliang are magnificent and exquisite works of art. Although they are "national key cultural relics protection units", after weathering and time erosion, some cracks are only filled with very primary cement, so they look so rough and careless. In another place where exquisite stone carvings are located, many big trees have been cut down by roots. At that time, the crown of the tree was like a cloud, and the shade was lush, which can be imagined out of thin air. Now, only scars and weeds are left on the ground.
This indifference to precious historical sites is confusing and chilling. It is normal to look back at the present situation of Lv Fengzi's former residence.
My first visit to Lv Fengzi's former residence was rejected. Of course, I don't want to. The success of my second visit was all thanks to Brother Lai Suoyu. Thanks to his introduction, I made friends with Shi Jianguo, Xu Lijuan and Wang Xiaoyan. Their hospitality made me feel a little strange in Danyang. Especially under the guidance of Ms. Wang Xiaoyan, I was lucky enough to make friends with Mr. Lv Fengzi's two brothers (calligrapher, now the principal of Danyang Arts and Crafts School) and (Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Master, the third generation descendant of Zhengxiu). I am really grateful to them for accompanying me to visit the former residence of Lv Fengzi the next day, the former site of Qiliang for the second time, and Lv Cun Villa, which helped me master a lot of first-hand information and benefited a lot.
There is no need to elaborate on the specific process of inspecting the former residence here. Let's get to know Mr. Lv Fengzi at the foot of the mountain with reverence.
three
Compared with some modern masters of painting, Lv Fengzi is more like a snowy peak watching the top of the mountain. Even if the clouds cover his eyes for a while and the times change, it can't reduce his lofty position in the century-old cultural history. His achievements are so extensive and profound that he can be described as "all-rounder in culture, art and philosophy" (preface to Zhou Yongjian's Complete Works of Lv Fengzi). With the wisdom of the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism and the spirit of "unity of knowledge and action", he pursued the transcendental realm of moral cultivation and humanistic ideal all his life, which was embodied in his family's destruction and indifference to fame and fortune.
Lv Fengzi studied calligraphy at the age of 3; 4 years old, able to recite The Analects of Confucius and The Book of Filial Piety; 5 years old, educated in a private school; 15 years old, the champion of the senior high school entrance examination, known as the "Jiangnan gifted scholar"; After the abolition of the imperial examination, he was admitted to Nanjing Liangjiang Excellent Normal School (1907) and studied under the famous scholar, modern legend and painter Mr. Li Ruiqing. At school, Lv Fengzi learned both Chinese and Western knowledge and became Li Ruiqing's favorite pupil. After graduation, I stayed in Liangjiang Middle School to teach. 19 10, the earliest modern academy of fine arts "Shenzhou Art Society" was established in Shanghai, two years earlier than the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts founded by Liu Haisu and others. 19 12 years, Lv Fengzi gave everything and founded a private formal vocational school for women in her hometown of Danyang. My mother started studying at the age of 40, and there was no place to educate women in the city, so Du Jun (that is, Lv Fengzi) set up a formal girls' school (Lv Fengzi map). According to Lv Fengzi's second daughter, Lu Wuqi, the purpose of her writing about her father's running a school was: "Because my mother dropped out of school when she was young, my father was determined to devote himself to women's education. "This is exactly the same as the starting point of 1902 when Cai Yuanpei founded a patriotic girls' school in Shanghai to oppose feudal ethics and advocate equality of women's rights. 1930, Lv Fengzi combined with western painting method to create regular embroidery (disorderly needle embroidery), which broke the traditional embroidery method of silk thread arrangement and long-short transition in China, and embroidered outlines and levels with the tone of silk thread. Instead, we use the interlacing of silk thread and color to separate light and shade, hierarchy and image, making it more artistic, freehand and picturesque. It can be said that the random needle embroidery is an oil painting, or a Chinese painting embroidered with silk thread as pen and ink (I have enjoyed many of his excellent random needle embroidery at home in Lv Cun, and I have no doubt that he is the world's leading master of random needle embroidery). 1938, under the attack of the Japanese army, Jiangnan fell and Danyang fell. After going through all kinds of hardships, the regular school was moved to Shu, and then the regular art college was established in Bishan, Chongqing. During the period, whenever there were difficulties in running a school, he created a large number of paintings and calligraphy for the school to use, without any personal calculation; After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, a new school building will be repaired, delivered to the local area free of charge, and the school will continue to run, and then the Shu school will be moved to Danyang, the hometown, and the regular school will be rebuilt on the ruins; After liberation, as mentioned above, he donated his school property to his hometown for the second time without reservation, even his daughter's wish to keep a piano was not satisfied.
In order to run a school (three schools and two donations), Lv Fengzi ended up penniless and broke the bank. Even the remuneration and wages are used to supplement the school, and the miscellaneous fees and accommodation fees for students with difficulties are exempted many times. Many regular old classmates can't help crying when they mention President Lu who gave selfless care in their twilight years.
Lv Fengzi is also a professor and academic director in many public schools and institutions of higher learning. 1940 became the third president of the National Academy of Arts. He made it clear that the funds for running the school were raised by himself and did not need any money from the Ministry of Education. In modern times, some famous people, such as Li Keran, Zhao Wuji, Zhang Shuqi, Wu Guanzhong, Xu Xingzhi and Yao Menggu, are all students. At the beginning of Xu Beihong's transition from oil painting to Chinese painting, he also humbly asked Lv Fengzi for advice. Although they have made great achievements in the future, whenever they meet Lv Fengzi, they are all respectful and become sworn followers.
Lv Fengzi didn't ask for Wen Da, attached himself to powerful people, and was noble in character and didn't become vulgar. Even in the face of decent officials, he tries to avoid and refuse intimacy.
Example 1: Lv Fengzi's father, Lv Shoucheng, opened a bank in Shanghai that year and was an enlightened businessman. He is charitable and often helps villagers who have difficulties in life. He was called "Lu" by his neighbors and even donated some money to the League, which made Sun Yat-sen in trouble very grateful. In the first year of the Republic of China, when Sun Yat-sen became the president, he still remembered the kindness of Lu Jia, so he asked his secretary to send a telegram to meet him in Shanghai, intending to give him an official position. Although Lv Fengzi revered Sun Yat-sen, he resolutely rejected the proposal. He didn't become an official, he didn't even go to Shanghai, and he never mentioned it to anyone in the future. We can imagine that if it is someone else, it is an opportunity for luck. What an honor it is for the president to take the initiative to make an appointment and intend to repay the favor! However, the reason why Lv Fengzi is Lv Fengzi lies in his sober mind, noble personality and the legacy of ancient literati. Think of some well-known artists now. When they meet big officials, they are buttering up and inviting their pets as much as possible. I don't know what character is, but it is far from Lv Fengzi's realm. Example 2: Sun, a great warlord, liked the paintings of ladies very much and ordered his men to buy 200 dollars in Danyang, but Lv Fengzi avoided them. Sun thought the bid was too low, so he generously raised the price to 1000 yuan. His opponent said, "I'm not afraid of Lv Fengzi's arrogance. A thousand dollars can buy a living beauty, can't you buy a paper beauty? " He ordered his men to paint in Danyang again. This time Lv Fengzi didn't shy away, but he was as cold as ice and said nothing. Sun's men thought that such a high brush stroke would definitely impress them, so they proudly went back to work. Unexpectedly, only one day later, Sun unexpectedly received a reply of 1,000 yuan, with a letter: "Taking people by painting is extremely free and unpleasant, so it is not good. If the ocean is returned, begging for forgiveness is disrespectful. Sun DuDu is the mirror, and the phoenix worships. " Sun was finally angered and sent a team to Danyang to arrest him, but he returned empty-handed. Anticipating that Sun would retaliate, he left Danyang overnight. In order to vent their anger, these soldiers of fortune took Lujia hostage, and then they let go under the pressure of public opinion.
If the first example is admirable, then the second example is shocking. His grandson is powerful and full of momentum. In order to draw a picture for you, he gave enough face and money, but Lv Fengzi refused to buy it, risking his life and refusing to draw. Although Lv Fengzi is always a melancholy and seemingly weak scholar, he is a tough and unyielding real man! It is in line with Boyi, Shu Qi, who endured humiliation and ate Zhou Su, and Tao Yuanming, who didn't bend over. How many literati in modern times can have such integrity under the shadow of power and sword? Even if I didn't dare to accept the brush, I obediently sent the painting over.
In his later years, Zhang Daqian once said at a gathering in the United States: "Lv Fengzi's talent is really high, but his nature is indifferent, which is almost isolated from the world. If he pays a little attention to fame and fortune, his fame will be great "(Lv Fengzi Memorial Anthology). Zhang Daqian, a disciple of Li Ruiqing and a close friend of Lv Fengzi, also had to pay tribute to this elder.