The ancient pagoda tree is located in the courtyard of Xu Zhenlin's home north of Dongkou Road, Beiguan North Xiting Street, Nangong City. The height of the tree is 9 meters, the bust is 2.3 meters, and the crown width is 1 1 m. Although the tree is hollow, its bark is wrinkled. Full of vicissitudes of life, but because of proper care, it is still full of vitality, vigorous trunk and lush leaves. According to legend, the tree has a thousand years old and is listed in the list of ancient and famous trees in Xingtai City. Now this ancient tree actually grows in a dry well about one and a half meters deep. Xu Jiayin padded the yard several times and buried a section of trees. Later, he turned over the north house and padded the yard. He was afraid that burying the soil too deep would hurt the trees, so he surrounded a round tube with bricks and formed the present pattern.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the east entrance of Beixiting Street in Beiguan was a mess, with the county moat in the south, commonly known as the moat, separated by a potholed dirt road, namely Beixiting Street, and Fengjiachang in the north. The so-called Fengjiachang, in fact, has neither a field nor a yard, nor is it unique to the Feng family, but a shabby house where Feng, Zhang and Xu live together. Several short adobe houses, some with courtyard walls, some collapsed with only a few riverbanks. Looking north, the most striking thing is the big pagoda tree, which is very big, very tall and thick. Even the first memory of this tree, in the eyes of us children, is simply terrible and dizzy. It is the only way to go to school, so every time I see this tree, I will have some strange ideas, and sometimes I even think that such a thick tree will not die if it falls down. There are so many bees in spring, what should I do if they buzz and sting? Are there monsters in the tree? Wait a minute. Nevertheless, we still envy the people who live in Fengjiachang. We envy them sitting or standing in the shade of Sophora japonica in summer, chatting while eating, spreading straw mats on the ground or sitting or lying in the moonlight and mottled shadows of Sophora japonica, enjoying the coolness of summer. We couldn't resist the temptation to come under the tree, eating yellow tumor eggs (Sophora japonica) and peeling off the "Godin" inside (the skin outside the Sophora japonica is a little hard). At that time, the excitement and happiness generated by eating a "Godin" was definitely higher than the satisfaction of children eating chocolate, bananas and apples now.
Later, when I grew up, I realized that this tree originally belonged to the Xu family. Later, after listening to the villagers and the Xu family, I realized that this ancient tree that has passed through thousands of years actually bears such a heavy accumulation and condenses such a bizarre legend.
Sophora japonica is hometown-a permanent nostalgia. The Xu family came to Nangong from Shanxi when Yongle moved people. Whether forced, cheated or voluntary, the hardships of a family's long journey are the same. After arriving at the destination, Xu's ancestors looked around and first noticed this century-old pagoda tree. There are locust trees in my hometown, so I settled here, so there is a saying that "there are locust trees first, then there is the Xu family". This is the process of Xujiaqian people's settlement. As for why they chose to settle here, apart from cherishing their hometown, they also saw the local flavor and geomantic omen here through this ancient tree. In their view, where a small tree can cultivate an old tree, the local atmosphere will be prosperous and Feng Shui will be good. If you can't even take care of a tree, how can you call it a good place and how can you prosper a family? This is the natural logic and simple truth recognized by JOE people, and it is also the thought repeatedly expounded by sages and philosophers. In the inheritance of this concept, this ancient tree and Xu Jiaren are integrated, even endless, passed down from generation to generation. Protecting this ancient tree is to conserve and protect the good atmosphere and high-quality Feng Shui.
Centennial Persistence-Solemn Commitment. Nangong County was established in the early Western Han Dynasty. This is a veritable thousand-year-old county. The name of the county remained unchanged for thousands of years, but the county was once relocated due to water damage in the 14th year of Chenghua in Ming Dynasty (AD 1478). In June of this year, there was a heavy rain in the south of Hebei Province, and the Zhangheng River flooded, and Nangong City, located in the north and south old city of Xidingdu, was destroyed. Under the conditions at that time, it was undoubtedly a very difficult thing to rebuild the original site after the backwater was cleaned up, which not only took a long time, but also involved a lot of engineering work. Therefore, it is the best policy to choose a new site for reconstruction, that is, the new site is just south of this big locust tree. In the sixteenth year of Chenghua, the new city came to an end. One day, the county magistrate visited the city and saw a big pagoda tree not far from the city at the north gate. It's lush here, so he sent someone to inquire, and soon the official sent someone to invite the chief of the Xu family. Although the county magistrate spoke a lot, Lao Xu Mann understood it, and some didn't understand it, but the main idea of Grandpa County's speech must be understood, that is, this tree is extraordinary and a symbol of peace in the new county, so it must be protected and not cut down, otherwise it will be difficult to keep peace not only in the county, but also at home. Master Xu kowtowed after hearing this and vowed that "the family will not destroy trees or cut them down." Since then, people have always adhered to the promises of their ancestors, taking the protection of ancient Huai as their family mission, and guarding this tree of peace for the county seat and the Xu family.
Huaitong auspiciousness-a beautiful yearning. Among many tree species in the north, Sophora japonica is the most special and mysterious tree species, because it has the closest relationship with officials and scholars. To some extent, Sophora japonica has become synonymous with official positions, forming a unique vocabulary related to Sophora japonica officials in the Chinese context. Such as Zaifu, the ruling minister, called Huai Ding; The position of the three fairs, the position of the tree; Sangong Jiuqing, Yue Huaiqing; Prestigious officials look forward to it; Sangongfu, named Huaidi; The emperor's palace is called Chen Huai; Palace, Yue and so on. The most telling connection between Sophora japonica and scholars-intellectuals is the plaque "Xiaoxiang Huaicheng" at the entrance of Yuelu Academy in Hunan Province, and the name of the Ten Scenes Confucian Museum in Nangong is actually to show that there are many scholars in Hunan, hoping that the scholars in Nangong will enter a higher level of social and political fields as soon as possible. In a sense, Sophora japonica is a kind of auspicious tree and geomantic tree, and the people of JOE are well aware of it, so the motivation for love and protection is endless.
Numbering is supernatural-an invisible memory. Huaixiu is a century-old god, which is common sense among the people, and Xu Jiaren is even more convinced. As the stars move, the years are long. After thousands of years, this ancient tree has experienced wind and rain, and the moonlight shines. As you can imagine, it embodies the aura and spirit. What's more, all kinds of strange spirits around this ancient tree make them believe it.
Taoist priest pays tribute. In the early spring of the Republic of China, an ancient road passed through Beiguan. When I saw this ancient tree, I couldn't help admiring it. With the consent of the Xu family, I set up an altar here to burn incense for a day and then drifted away. I never saw it again. After receiving the tribute, the ancient locust tree, which has only grown leaves for several years without new branches, grew new branches that year, meaning rejuvenation. Xu Jiaren was overjoyed, and the mysterious color of ancient Huai became stronger.
Wrong magic. Since the Taoist priest offered sacrifices to old trees and new branches, Xu Jiaren has always had a keen understanding of the "Huai God" and must offer sacrifices on Wednesday, Saturday or September every month. On the sixth day of July, it was hot. Uncle Xu came home with a hoe after busy farm work one day. When he entered the door, he saw his wife kneeling down in front of the tree and burning incense. He shouted angrily, "What's the offer?" It doesn't care if people bully us into our house. What's the use of paying? Have the ability to give this tone. It turns out that he and the Liu family in the north of the city are neighbors. Liu Jiafu is disrespectful and deceives the weak and the small. Not only do they often use tricks to roll the border to the Xu family, but more seriously, they also prevent them from planting tall crops. Today, they actually cut down the sorghum planted by the Xu family, so they had this irrational impulse. After listening to her husband's account, the couple cried bitterly, but the Xu family was weak, not to mention that "the entrance of the yamen faces south, so don't come in without money" several times, but no one in the county government made a decision. Gas to gas, flexion to flexion, although submit to humiliation, but the days still have to live. To his surprise, just a few months after he growled "pregnant with God", there was unexpected news that the rich man Liu Sheng could not afford to get sick and his life was dying. Now he sends someone to apologize with a heavy gift. It turned out that after Liu Caizhu fell ill, the Liu family visited famous doctors all over the world, but all the famous doctors died, and they invited wizards. The wizard thought it was caused by Xu Jiashi's magic, but he couldn't get rid of it because of his magical power, so he came to apologize and plead. This unexpected move made the Xu family, who has always been aboveboard, fall into confusion. They can neither "practice" nor "cast spells". How can they let the rich man Liu get such a headless illness? While I was wondering, my wife spoke. Are you responsible for what you said in front of the tree? Wake up the dreamer in one word. Be a living horse doctor, and generous Mr. Xu will burn incense and paper in front of the tree to pray. Life is a matter of life. We are not like them. Give them a rest. What people have to believe is that in a few days, the rich man Liu's illness has actually recovered. Since then, the Xu family has made a rule not to swear in front of the locust tree.
Breaking branches hurts people. It is well known in the Xu family that the old pagoda tree can't move. Because the locust tree is alive, the broken branches will wither and the injured tree will suffer. This conclusion is supported by two points. One is that "Old Zhuzi" hurt his leg. The old kidnapper is Zhenlin's brother's uncle. He is nicknamed "the old kidnapper" because of his lame leg and a little tiptoe. The toe of the old kidnapper is not congenital, nor is it a sequela left by acquired diseases, but it was formed when he broke the locust tree when he was young, so he was unmarried for life because of his disability. Then SEO turned over. Brother Zhen Lin, Xu Laohui, bought a motor tricycle to pull his feet for more than eight years. Because the branches of this locust tree in the yard are drooping, it is inconvenient for three rounds to get in and out. It is common sense to "open the road on every mountain and bridge the bridge when encountering water", so my brother took an axe saw without thinking, and sawed off several trees that blocked the car. The yard was bright and it was convenient to move the car, but in a few days, my brother had an accident on the highway, three rounds were scrapped, passengers were injured and his leg was broken. The family thought about it, and finally, through big data analysis, blamed the reason on cutting trees. I don't know if this is coincidence or necessity, but no one in the JOE family dares to try this tree again.
Gu holds a dream. The courtyard of the Xu family was originally low and the foundation was low, so it looked very high at that time. With the passage of time, especially after the reform and opening up, people's lives have gradually become richer, so there has been an upsurge of rebuilding new houses. According to the so-called Yin-Yang Feng Shui theory, the higher the foundation, the Xu family's homestead will gradually become a basin, and rainwater will become a problem. It started out as a yard mat. When the yard and indoor ground are leveled, the only way to "control water" is to rebuild the house, and the premise of rebuilding the house is to pad the yard. That day, Brother Zhenling was very tired after pulling dirt in the yard all day. His daughter-in-law also specially fried two dishes and drank two glasses of wine. He felt sleepy and fell asleep. I was sleepy when I heard a faint cry for help. "Quick ... quick ... I can't breathe." When he was looking for sound, he saw an old man standing in a deep pit, surrounded by people who buried soil on him, laughing while burying. He let out a cry, and he was awakened. He looked around in silence, but now he was wide awake. So he went out wearing clothes, and the old locust tree, which was half buried in the moonlight, seemed to be panting at him, and he had an epiphany. So we came up with a circular tube surrounded by bricks to achieve the purpose of not burying the ancient locust tree deeply. It is not clear whether ancient trees are spiritual, and people are more concerned.
Liu Deng War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression: A Red Historical Story. Nangong was the red capital of War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression period in southern Hebei, where Liu Bocheng, Deng Xiaoping and other proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation lived and fought. According to the old people, Liu Deng once rested under this tree. Under this tree, Deng Xiaoping once met Carlson, the military attache of the US Embassy in China, who replaced wine with tea and talked about the world. Chen Zaidao, commander of Dongzong, had a lifelong tryst with Zhang Shuangqun, a cadre of Nangong County Women's Rescue Association. 1On May 2, 945, after the Japanese puppet troops fled the Nangong, Kong Yingjie, the director of the county public security bureau, and Cao Zhongyuan, the chief engineer of the enemy, led the public security team to start from Ansongzhuang in the north of the city and enter the city from Beiguan, where troops had been assembled. On May 3rd, teachers and prefectural party committee secretary Du Yide, chief of staff He Jilin, prefectural party committee deputy secretary He and other troops entered the city from the north gate, dressed up here and held a grand ceremony. Wait a minute. Whether it is true or not, it is extremely difficult to study this history. But before there is conclusive evidence, these can only be regarded as legends.
It is said that in Peiping in the 1930s, people laughed at the nouveau riche with the phrase "painting with small walls is not ancient". It means that you have money to build a house and yard, but you can't rebuild an old tree.
Ancient trees are the natural, spiritual and cultural symbols of a place. Thanks to the Xu family for protecting this ancient tree from generation to generation, and also thanks to all those who protect it. Otherwise, there are no ancient trees in Nangong City, which are changing with each passing day. What is the difference between it and the nouveau riche who make people laugh at "a small wall and a new painting are not ancient"?
2018101October 24th