If I were to write a novel set in Beiping, I wouldn't be afraid, because I could pick up what I know and avoid what I don't know. But I can't help it if I want to bring Beiping together. Beiping is so big and there are so many things. I really know very little, although I was born there and didn't leave until I was 27. As far as places of interest are concerned, I have never been to Taoranting. How ridiculous! By analogy, I only know "my Peiping", and my Peiping is probably a drop in the ocean.
But I really love Beiping. This love is almost beyond words. I love my mother. How to love? I can't say. When I wanted to do something to please her old man, I smiled alone; I want to cry at the thought of her health, and my heart is not practical. Words are not enough to express my feelings. Only smiling or crying alone can expose my heart. My love for Peiping is close to this. It's easy to praise this ancient city, but it's too small to look at Peiping. My love for Peiping is not a few things, but a period of history that is integrated with my heart. A large area, many scenic spots, from the dragonfly in Shichahai after the rain to the tower shadow of Yuquan Mountain in the dream, are all gathered together. There is a person in every incident, and there is a Peiping in every thought. This is beyond description.
I really want to be a poet, immerse all the beautiful words in my own efforts, and sing the beauty of Peiping like a cuckoo. Ah! I am not a poet! I will never be able to express my love, the kind caused by music and pictures. This not only failed Beiping, but also made me feel sorry for myself, because my initial understanding and impression came from Beiping, which was in my blood, and many parts of my character and temper were given by this ancient city. I can't love Shanghai and Tianjin, because I have a Peiping in my heart. But I can't say it!
London, Paris, Rome and Constantinople were once called the four "historical capitals" of Europe. I know something about London; Paris and Rome have only been there; Constantinople has never been there. As far as London, Paris and Rome are concerned, Paris is more like Beiping-although the word "similar" has to be pulled to a far place-but if I want to "live in Paris", I will feel as lonely and bitter as if I have no home. In my opinion, Paris is too prosperous. Naturally, there are empty and quiet places, but they are too spacious; Unlike Beiping, which is complicated and marginal, I can touch the old city wall with red dates! Facing the backwater beach with a wall behind it, I can sit on a stone and watch tadpoles in the water or tender dragonflies on reed leaves. I can sit happily for a day, feel completely at ease, think nothing, and be afraid, just like a child sleeping in a cradle. Yes, there are some lively places in Beiping, but they are similar to those in Tai Ji Chuan, with quiet and movement. There are many places in Paris that make people very tired. Coffee and wine are necessary for stimulation. In Beiping, mild scented tea is enough.
It is said that the layout of Paris is much more even than that of London and Rome, but it is similar to that of Peiping. Beiping is natural among people, almost everywhere is neither crowded nor quiet: the smallest hutong houses also have yards and trees; The most empty place is not far from commercial streets and residential areas. This distribution method can be considered-in my experience-the best in the world. The advantage of Peiping lies not in its complete facilities everywhere, but in its free time everywhere, which allows people to breathe freely; There are not many beautiful buildings, but there are idle places around the buildings, which make the buildings beautiful. Every tower and archway can be seen from a distance. Besides, you can also see Beishan and Xishan in the street!
People who are eager to learn and love antiques naturally like Beiping because there are many books and antiques here. I am not easy to learn and have no money to buy antiques. Materially, I like flowers, vegetables and fruits in Beiping. Flowers and plants are very expensive things, but the "grass flowers" here are very cheap, and every family has a yard. You can plant a yard flower with little money, even if it is nothing, but it is very cute. Petunia on the wall and jasmine on the root of the wall save a lot of money and trouble, which is enough to attract butterflies! As for vegetables, cabbage, lentils, green beans, cucumbers, spinach and so on. Most of them are transported directly from outside the city and delivered to your door. After the rain, leek leaves often carry mud spots splashed when it rains. The red, green and green on the food stalls are almost poetic. Many fruits come from Xishan and Beishan. Shaguo in Xishan, seawall, black dates and persimmons in Beishan, there is still frost hanging in the city! Hum, the oranges in the United States are wrapped in paper, and it's worth killing when Peiping meets Yumei in first frost!
Yes, Beiping is a provincial capital city, with many flowers, vegetables and fruits produced by itself, which makes people closer to nature. From the inside, it doesn't have a factory that smokes all day like London; From the outside, it is closely connected with gardens, vegetable gardens and rural areas. Under the east fence of picking chrysanthemums, you can really see Nanshan leisurely here; Probably changing the word "south" into "west" or "north" is not too big. Poor people like me, or only in Peiping, can enjoy a little happiness.
Well, don't say any more; I'm going to cry. I really miss Beiping!
Extended data
Miss Peiping is a literary work created by Lao She. The author is in a foreign land and misses his beloved Peiping in the war years. Through the comparison between Beiping and Paris, the author deeply expressed his attachment to his hometown.
The author chooses "morning glory on the wall, jasmine with bamboo grass at the root of the wall", "leek leaves with mud spots", wall ground with jujube, sand fruit, persimmon and other pictures and things with the most daily characteristics to express his love for Peiping.
Lao She, formerly known as Shu Qingchun, has other pen names, such as Qing Qing, Hong Lai, Fei Zi, etc. The first writer in New China to win the title of "People's Artist". Representative works include Camel Xiangzi, Four Generations of a Family, Teahouse and so on.
References:
Baidu encyclopedia-want to Beiping