Tang Xiaoxian: Ancient trees bear witness to the vicissitudes of the world

Tang Xiaoxian: Ancient trees bear witness to the vicissitudes of the world Phoenix City Tang Xiaoxian The Magnolia tree, listed as the No. 138 Ancient and Valuable Tree by the Wuxi Garden Bureau of Jiangsu Province, stands in the ancient canal...

Tang Xiaoxian: Ancient trees bear witness to the vicissitudes of the world Phoenix City Tang Xiaoxian The Magnolia tree, listed as No. 138 Ancient and Valuable Tree by the Garden Bureau of Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, stands at No. 200, South Chang Street, west of Kuantang Bridge on the bank of the ancient canal. Nanchang Street is being demolished and renovated. This big tree, which is more than 100 years old and more than 20 meters high, has to be temporarily surrounded by rubble. Its roots are exposed like a horned dragon lying in the coils, the crown is lush and lush, the tree body is straight and upward, casting a shade, revealing a bit of vitality in the dilapidation. During the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1874), the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1850-1864) movement ended. The Qing government implemented policies to revitalize the economy and encouraged the private sector to develop industry and commerce. The Renaissance of the Qing Dynasty began. Today's lower pond is under the Kuatang Bridge. At that time, shops and workshops had become a common sight, while upper pond was still a rice field. The surrounding place names related to buffaloes such as Niulong and Jin's Cattle Farm can attest to this. Yin Yunjie, a native of Shaxiang, Yaoshang, foresaw the business opportunities that might be brought about by the development of canal transportation and industry and commerce on both sides of the strait, so he bought this rice field at a low price and opened the Yin Tongde Coal and Iron Company to provide coal for manufacturers, anchors, chains, nails, and iron bars for ships, and iron pots, shovels, soup cans, etc. for residents. At the same time, he also opened shops and bought properties nearby. The Yin family's businesses and properties temporarily occupied almost half of Mianmian Lane (today's section of Nanchang Street from Kuatang Bridge to Rihui Bridge). Outside the South Gate of Wuxi, the Shaoxiangtai Coal and Iron Company, a time-honored brand with considerable economic strength, was founded in the 16th year of Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1890). Yin Tongde was opened many years earlier than Shao Xiangtai, so there is a saying that “Yin Tongde came first, and then Shao Xiangtai came.” After the Yin Tongde Coal and Iron Company opened its accounts, the business was indeed booming, the wealth was rolling in, and the company was rich. The Yin family’s three meals a day were all provided to Juxinyuan Restaurant. Yin Yun built a house at No. 200 Nanchang Street (formerly No. 36 Cotton Lane) behind the stairs, with three entrances and three bays, with wing rooms, side lanes on both sides, and front and rear gardens. The main door of this Chinese-style mansion faces east on Nanchang Street; the side door faces south and opens on Jesus Lane; the back door faces north and opens on Jingouqiao Street. When the house was being built, this magnolia tree was planted in the back garden on the south side of a path leading from the front garden wall gate to the back door. Unfortunately, Yin Yunjie's two sons were addicted to opium and gambling. After the death of Mr. Yin, his son was not good at running the business, and the Yin Tongde Coal and Iron Company closed down. He had to sell off the business and real estate, and use the money to buy opium, make bets, and support his family. On the eve of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Mr. Yin Yunjie's son finally sold the mansion where he lived to my uncle Tang Wenming, and the magnolia tree also belonged to the Tang family. Some descendants of the Yin family are ashamed of what their elders have done. They are embarrassed to walk on Nanchang Street and always take a detour through the back streets. I was born here on August 9, 1944 (June 21st of the Jiashen year of the lunar calendar). My umbilical cord, along with the placenta, were put into a prepared "cell oil bottle" (a covered earthen jar shaped like an old-fashioned oil can), and according to Wuxi custom, they were buried next to the roots of this magnolia tree, in keeping with the auspicious sign that the tree has deep roots. In the 1950s, the government bought most of the house from the Tang family and converted it into Nanchang Street Primary School. In 1999, I returned to Wuxi from the United States and revisited my old place at No. 200 Nanchang Street. This building from the Tongguang period of the Qing Dynasty has disappeared. Only the magnolia tree is still standing there, with lush branches and leaves, full of vitality, and growing taller. There is a sign on the tree to protect ancient and valuable trees. When I looked up at it, Li Shutong's melodious and euphemistic farewell song sounded in my ears: "Outside the pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass stretches to the sky. The evening breeze blows the willow flute, and the sunset is outside the mountains." But the lyrics changed to "Outside the south gate, beside the canal, the green leaves spread to the sky. The autumn wind rustled the leaves, recalling the past overseas." I took a picture of this big tree, and I also took a photo with it.