Spring in Jinan
The earliest time I saw the article 'Winter in Jinan' was in the winter of 1982. It was listed in the open class catalog of my graduation internship. I skimmed through it and immediately signed up to prepare a lesson. I clearly remember Mr. Wang telling me earnestly: 'You, choose Zhu Ziqing's "Spring". Girls talk about those flowers and blossoms, it will have a better effect. Leave "Winter" for the boys.' From then on, the winter of Jinan was forever frozen in that cold winter of Dalian 33 years ago.
For someone used to living by the sea, it is also strange like Lao She: if there is no wind in winter, it feels like a miracle. Lao She told me that Jinan's winter has no sound of wind. Jinan's winter is clear and sunny. The ancient Jinan, narrow inside the city, spacious outside, the clearer the sky, the greener the algae, and the long-branched weeping willows even want to cast their reflections in the water. Lao She told me: close your eyes and imagine: an old city, with mountains and water, all basking in the sun, sleeping warmly and comfortably, only waiting for the spring breeze to wake them up. Isn't this an ideal state?
So, I always wanted to see Jinan's winter as described by Lao She, to see 'lotuses on four sides, willows on three sides, a city of mountains and half a city of lake', to see the small villages lying on the hillside, with a little snow on their roofs—that ink painting by a famous Tang dynasty painter. But when I came to Jinan, it was already early spring of 2015.
In April, Jinan has no lotuses to see, but the city of willows and half the city of lake water was awakened early by the spring breeze to welcome me. Everywhere is the sound of springs, everywhere willow silk brushes the face. In Jinan, you don't need any guide; just follow the springs, and you'll meet Baotu Spring, Five Dragon Pool, Black Tiger Spring, Pearl Spring, and thus tour the entire Jinan city.
Daming Lake is a must-see, preferably go in the morning and evening. The morning exercise square of aunties and the little lovers under the night sky add a lot of charm to Daming Lake.
The people of Jinan are blessed in taste. Every day they can take water from designated spring outlets at will. Brew a cup of 'Spring City Green' with the clear spring water, drink it slowly, and it's not too late to start the day.
The people of Jinan are blessed in sight. They can sit idly, watch the Qushuiting Street, or the blue bricks and red tiles, or the hurried pedestrians, or the birds flying by, filtering out tender hopes and stable happiness.
I happened to meet a craftsman in the park. In chatting, I learned he was a laid-off worker. He said he always loved handcrafts, and finally had a lot of time to do what he liked. Selling his favorite works to those who appreciate them, he had no other desires. Under the sunset, watching him weave slowly, recommend his works with joy, and refuse bargaining without mercy, I felt a little emotional: who can say he is not making handcrafts with his heart, and also weaving his own life? Looking at his finished products, which one does not reveal a longing for the future?
Huinlang, who has endured the winter, rows a boat on the lake, the spring breeze brings comfort; recalling the past in the pavilion, she poses coquettishly. Ha, 'The painted boat sets sail, beyond the mundane world, people bring spring from the sky'—isn't this the scene described?
Jinan's spring is so fresh and elegant. I imagine its winter is also gentle and virtuous. So let Lao She's 'Winter in Jinan' remain only as a mural. I bring the tenderness and comfort of the Spring City back to Dalian to while away the hot summer.
Suddenly turning around, I saw the stone woman standing in front of the courtyard, holding a lantern, with a smile on her face, her eyebrows and eyes resembling Empress Zhenhuan. Ha, Empress, I am still well. Are you okay?
