The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 632 “Mount Huaguo”!!!
Li Zekai was so fascinated by Liujiazhuang that he had stayed there for more than a month without realizing it.

It is the end of summer heat now.

In the orchards on the hills of Liujiazhuang area, the branches are bent with heavy fruits, and the air is filled with intoxicating fruity fragrance.

People walked around, their faces filled with the joy of harvest, and the whole area was immersed in the joy of harvest.

The history of fruit cultivation in Liujiazhuang area can be traced back to the Yuan and Ming dynasties. There are documents recording that local residents began to cultivate fruit trees hundreds of years ago.

However, what really made this land a well-known fruit town is the large-scale development in recent decades.

The reason why this fertile land can produce high-quality fruits is due to its unique natural endowments: abundant sunshine, suitable temperature difference between day and night, mineral-rich soil and sufficient water sources, which together constitute an ideal environment for fruit tree growth.

Historically, the Yongding River Basin west of Beijing was densely forested, with tall trees and various fruit trees blocking out the sun.

In primitive society where picking and hunting were the main sources of food, the abundant wild fruits saved ancient humans from hunger.

As early as the Neolithic period more than 10,000 years ago, humans lived and multiplied on the loess plateau on the north bank of the Qingshui River, a tributary of the Yongding River.

This is another birthplace of human civilization in the Yanjing area after the Yanjing people and the Upper Cave people in Longgu Mountain in Zhoukoudian. The ancient humans living there were called Donghulin people.

Standing on the loess terrace of the Donghulin People Site Museum, Li Zekai couldn't help but admire the survival wisdom of the Donghulin people.

When the Qingshui River flows through the loess plateau, it forms a wide river valley.

The mountains to the north of the mesa act as a natural barrier, blocking the harsh north winds of winter;

The Qingshui River in the south is an ideal source of water for living, and the plateau is 30 meters higher than the Qingshui River, which can avoid disasters caused by floods.

More importantly, the fertile loess terraces are rich in plant resources, and the wild fruits within easy reach provide the Donghulin people with sufficient food.

In this sense, the wild fruits in the Yongding River Basin nurtured the ancient humans in western Beijing.

Looking at the endless "Mount of Flowers and Fruits" in front of him, Li Zekai couldn't help but stop and stare, with amazement flashing in his eyes.

He took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air and exclaimed sincerely: "This is truly a place blessed with unique Feng Shui! No wonder your Liu family has been able to thrive on this land for hundreds of years!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bencheng raised a meaningful smile.

He gently stroked a vigorous old pear tree beside him and said slowly: "Our Liu family has indeed survived on this land for hundreds of years, but the foundation of our prosperity is not just because of the fruits and vegetables all over the mountains."

"When I was born, the orchards on the mountain were just bare hills!"

So, Liu Bencheng told Li Zekai the development history of the fruit planting industry in Liujiazhuang area.

Throughout history, the mountains, forests and fruit trees in the western part of Beijing have suffered many disasters.

After the Yuan Dynasty established its capital in Yanjing, in order to build the big capital, a large number of forests in the mountains west of Beijing were cut down. Fruit trees with hard wood, such as pear trees and walnut trees, were especially affected.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the city of Yanjing was rebuilt on a large scale, as were the imperial tombs and gardens. This continued to lead to the deforestation of the forests west of Beijing, including various fruit trees.

In the early 1960s, relying on the unique geographical conditions, the talents of Liujiazhuang began to vigorously develop the fruit planting industry, and a number of famous and high-quality fruits emerged.

For example, the cherries from Nanshan, which are famous in the capital, the big watermelons from Liujiazhuang, the Beijing white pears from Dongshan, the fragrant white apricots from Longquanwu, the persimmons from Longjiazhuang, the apples from Taizimu, the walnuts from Lingshui, the red apricots from Huocun, the red fruits from Tanzhe Temple, the Chinese toon from Tianzhuang... and so on, some of them even became royal tribute fruits.

Dongshan Village, famous for its abundant Beijing white pears, is located at the junction of Liujiazhuang, SJshan and HD districts, and is surrounded by mountains on three sides.

In terms of administrative division, Dongshan Village belongs to Junzhuang Town, Liujiazhuang Development Zone.

There are more than 5,000 acres of Beijing white pear plantations in Junzhuang Town, mainly concentrated in several villages around Dongshan and Mengwu.

Dongshan Village under Liujiazhuang is the real birthplace of "Beijing White Pear".

Liu Bencheng told Li Zekai that one of the eight famous scenic spots in western Beijing - "Snow on Dongshan Mountain" refers to the time when the Beijing white pear trees in Dongshan Village bloom.

Because it is the Grain Rain season, pear blossoms are in full bloom all over the mountains, like falling white snow.

Every year, the "Beijing West Culture and Tourism Group" and the Liujiazhuang Culture and Tourism Bureau hold a Pear Blossom Festival in Dongshan Village.

Dongshan Village has a folk art form that is rough, bold, vigorous and passionate, which is the "Pear Blossom Drum" named after pear blossoms.

This 60-plus-member Pear Blossom Drum Team rehearses regularly and has participated in many important performances.

At the opening ceremony of the Pear Blossom Festival every year, this pear blossom drum performance team is the first to perform.

There is a Flower-Fruit Mountain in "Journey to the West" and there is also one in Yanjing.

The "Mount of Flowers and Fruits" in Yanjing is located in Liujiazhuang. The flowers are pear blossoms and the fruits are Beijing white pears.

The authentic Liujiazhuang Jingbai Pear is an excellent variety in the Qiuzi pear series and is also the only specialty fruit in the Yanjing area with the word "Jing" in its name.

The fruit of this Rosaceae plant is oblate in shape, glossy in color, juicy and sweet, high in sugar content. The pulp contains a large amount of glucose, vitamins and amino acids, and is rich in nutrients.

Beijing white pear blossoms at the beginning of spring and fruits are picked at the end of summer.

In early autumn every year, the Dongshan Gongli Garden and the nearby Beijing White Pear Picking Garden are a busy scene of harvest.

The so-called Gongli Garden is a pear garden that specializes in producing tribute for the imperial palace.

According to "Wanping Miscellaneous Talks", the white pear from western Beijing has been a tribute to the imperial court since the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. After Empress Dowager Cixi came to power, it became a must-have in the court.

There is another saying that since the Ming Dynasty, Beijing white pear has been a royal tribute. The Imperial Pear Garden was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, making Beijing white pear famous throughout the world.

So, how did the Beijing white pear become a royal tribute?

According to legend, during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Heshen met a pear seller in Xiangshan. The pears he sold were sweet and sour, tender and without any residue.

So Heshen bought all the pears in the basket and presented them to the emperor.

After eating the pears, Qianlong praised them highly, rewarded Heshen handsomely, and ordered a search for the man who sold the pears.

After many twists and turns, we finally found it in Dongshan Village.

Therefore, Emperor Qianlong designated Dongshan white pear as tribute, built an imperial pear garden, and let the pear seller guard the garden.

Today, there are still dozens of old pear trees over three or four hundred years old in the Imperial Pear Garden in Dongshan Village, five of which were named by the emperor or the empress dowager herself.

The tree named "Laojun Tree" by Emperor Qianlong was the first to be conferred an imperial title.

After that, Emperor Jiaqing named it "Loyal Emperor Tree", Emperor Daoguang named it "Frugal Emperor Tree", Emperor Xianfeng named it "Loyal Emperor Tree" and Empress Dowager Cixi named it "Longevity Emperor Tree".

Back then, all the fruits from the imperial pear trees had to be sent to the palace.

As for the origin of the name "Beijing White Pear", it is a modern thing.

At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Dongshan white pear participated in the Yanjing Pear Competition and won the championship among various pear fruits with its nearly perfect quality and was awarded the best product.

Therefore, the word "Jing" was added in front of the white pear, and it was officially named Jing white pear.

When the tenth anniversary was celebrated, Beijing white pears were selected and served on the state banquet table.

In a Jingbai pear picking garden, the person in charge of the garden told Li Zekai and his party;
About four hundred years ago, there was a wild pear tree growing in the low-lying waterlogged area of ​​Qinglonggou in Dongshan.

The fruit from this wild tree is sweet and sour and delicious.

From then on, people called it "Dongshan White Pear".

Later, the seeds of the white pear tree took root and new pear trees grew, gradually forming a pear tree community. This is the origin of the Dongshan tribute pear tree.

At present, there are about 400 old pear trees over 200 years old in Dongshan and Mengwu areas.

The hottest time of the year in Yanjing is during the Beginning of Autumn.

The picking garden is on the hillside east of the village. The faint sunlight shines over from the other side of the mountain and sprinkles on the quiet mountains and fields.

Li Zekai and Liu Bencheng walked up the mountain along a clean cement road with sweat all over their heads. On the roadside were vines, motherwort, and wormwood, and various shrubs were covered with colorful morning glories.

The red, pink, white, blue and purple flowers look particularly bright among the half-dead bushes and weeds.

Wherever their vines climb, there they bloom.

The elm trees, willow trees, jujube trees, wild peach trees, wild apricot trees and brambles that carry morning glories are excellent materials for the villagers to weave baskets.

When the Beijing white pears are ripe, the villagers will weave a large number of backpacks, shoulder baskets and baskets to hold the Beijing white pears.

In a good year, Dongshan Village can produce more than 30 kilograms of Beijing white pears. If each basket is loaded with 50 kilograms of pears, more than 6000 baskets will be needed.

Therefore, almost every villager is a master at weaving baskets.

Speaking of frame weaving, it is a traditional craft that almost all the older generation of people in Liujiazhuang know.

Thirty years ago, the hardworking people of Liujiazhuang formed an industry by weaving frames.

In that difficult time, Liu Zhiye relied on the frames woven by the people of Liujiazhuang to distribute the huge amount of seafood to various places and earned his first pot of gold.

"Master Thirteen, the Beijing white pears are growing well this year, right?" Liu Bencheng asked politely.

Liu Yuanqi is the current person in charge of this orchard. In terms of seniority, he is the grandfather of Liu Bencheng.

However, the Liu family has many branches, and Liu Yuanqi's lineage has long been out of the fifth generation, belonging to a more distant collateral branch. Today, the Liu family is flourishing in the local area, and there are as many as 20,000 to 30,000 people of the same clan living in the Liujiazhuang area alone.

In less than forty years, the population of the Liu family increased tenfold from two or three thousand to twenty or thirty thousand.

This huge family has produced many talented people. Liu family members like Liu Yuanqi are almost everywhere in society, and can be seen in politics, business and academia.

"Yes, drought-resistant dates and flood-resistant pears. This year there has been plenty of rain, so the Beijing white pears are growing exceptionally well." Liu Yuanqi said happily when he saw Liu Bencheng, a direct descendant of the clan, coming to inspect.

Then, Liu Yuanqi took out a few freshly picked Beijing white pears for Li Zekai and others to taste, and said that the small ones were from old pear trees, and the big ones were from young pear trees.

After tasting carefully, Li Zekai said that the large ones have a slightly rough texture, while the small ones have delicate flesh and a smoother taste.

Liu Yuanqi smiled and nodded, telling them that the small ones were authentic Beijing white pears, and the large ones were improved varieties.

The improved Beijing white pear is bigger and has a higher yield, but its taste is not as pure as before.

At this time of year every year, there are many stalls selling Beijing white pears on the streets of Liujiazhuang area, and the streets are filled with the faint fragrance of pears.

The prices of different grades of Beijing white pears vary greatly. Liu Yuanqi told Liu Bencheng and his friends that there is a trick to choosing Beijing white pears: "Eat the yellow ones and buy the green ones."

Because the yellow ones are ripe, sweet and sour and delicious, but they must be eaten as soon as possible, otherwise they will rot.

If you plan to keep it for a few days, buy the green ones and wait until they turn yellow before eating them.

Compared with the Beijing white pears sold on the street, the prices in the picking garden are more expensive.

Liu Yuanqi explained that the Beijing white pears in the garden are all authentic tributes, and the pear trees have not been grafted or improved. Some of the "Beijing white pears" sold on the street are transported from Fshan, Dxing and other places and sold as tribute pears.

There is a science to picking.

Beijing white pears are basically ripe during the Beginning of Autumn solar term, and are now so ripe that they will fall off with a slight shake.

The skin of the Beijing white pear is thin, and it will be injured if it falls to the ground, and once it is injured, it will easily fester.

Therefore, the workers in the orchard are very careful and cautious when picking, sorting and packing.

After tasting the "Beijing White Pear", Liu Bencheng took Li Zekai to Longquanwu Village.

Longquanwu Village on the west bank of the Yongding River is the origin of the Beijing-Western Fragrant White Apricot.

The fragrant white apricots produced here are large, pit-free, sweet and juicy, with delicate flesh, soft and delicious. They enjoy a high reputation in the Yanjing market and were tribute to the Qing court.

According to the records in "Zhuangzi", apricot has a sacred aura.

The Xingtan, where Confucius gave lectures, should be an apricot grove, surrounded by apricot trees and filled with the fragrance of flowers. The disciples read books under the influence of the trees, and Confucius played the zither and sang in the shadows of the flowers. The sounds of reading and singing and the wind blowing the flowers down like fragrant snow.

The cultivation of fragrant white apricots in Longquanwu Village began during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, and has a history of more than 800 years.

The reason why the fragrant white apricots here are top-quality fruits is first of all due to the soil here.

As early as the Liao Dynasty, the Longquan Wu people made a living by quarrying and burning lime, and the history of burning lime has been thousands of years.

The main component of lime is calcium carbonate, a chemical that has a wonderful effect on the growth of apricot trees and the quality of their fruits.

Nowadays, there is still a two to three meter thick lime layer under the Longquan Wuxing Orchard. The special geological conditions give the fragrant white apricots here a unique flavor.

In addition, it is close to the Yongding River, which is convenient for irrigation.

Once upon a time, the irrigation of the orchards on the mountain of Longquanwu Village mainly relied on two ancient canals.

The one on the east side of the Yongding River is called Xinglonggou, and the one on the west side of the river is called Gongyigou. They are the lifelines of both farmland and orchards.

However, everything has its pros and cons. Clear river water can irrigate orchards, but floods can also destroy orchards.

In order to prevent floods, five Yongding River embankments were built in Longquanwu in ancient times.

One is located on the riverside at the southern end of Xinglong Street, called Xiaoduozi; one is located at the intersection of Dajiangou and Yongding River in the east of the village, called Sanduozi; one is located on the riverside of Hezhuang Street in the east of the village, called Erduozi; one is located on the riverside on the east side of Houan Temple in the northeast of the village, called Daduozi; and one is located on the Guangdian River in the north of the village, about one mile away from the village.

As flood prevention facilities built at dangerous locations on the river bank, the five dikes have played an important role in protecting villages and orchards from floods.

It was not until thirty years ago, after the Liujiazhuang Yongding River embankment project was implemented, that the five embankments here were demolished.

At this moment, the fragrant white apricots have passed their maturity period.

In the past, the abundant harvest of fragrant white apricots was loaded onto ships from the ancient ferry and shipped to other places for sale.

There were three ancient ferry crossings in Longquanwu Village on the banks of the Yongding River.

One is the Yexi Langanhui ferry. During the Miaofeng Mountain Festival, villagers build a floating bridge here and release river lanterns.

Because there are railings on both sides of the floating bridge, it is called Railing Club.

There are two other seasonal ferry crossings, one next to the big pile on the north side of Hezhuang, and the other next to the small pile at the south end of Xinglong Street.

During the season of picking fragrant white apricots, the ferry is bustling with activity.

When it is inconvenient to sail during the flood season, people still row baskets across the river.

In the 1970s, Longquanwu Village was under the administrative jurisdiction of Liujiazhuang District.

At that time, the Liujiazhuang area was carrying out a vigorous transportation and water conservancy construction.

Therefore, a steel frame bridge was built on the Longquanwu Village section of the Yongding River.

From then on, the ferry in Longquanwu Village was abandoned and the ferry became history.

"What's the story behind this fragrant white apricot becoming a tribute to the palace?" Li Zekai picked up a fragrant white apricot and asked curiously.

"Legend has it that the Eight-Nation Alliance..."

Empress Dowager Cixi fled westward in a hurry. When she passed through Longquanwu, she was extremely hungry and thirsty, so she sent people to look for food everywhere.

Upon hearing the news, the villagers sent a basket of white apricots. After eating them, Cixi's mouth was filled with fragrance and she praised them highly.

Later, Cixi returned to Yanjing City and asked Longquanwu Village to pay tribute to the imperial palace with fragrant white apricots every year.

Starting from the summer solstice, Cixi would eat Longquanwu fragrant white apricots as fruit after breakfast every day, and gave them to her close ministers and eunuchs. From then on, Longquanwu fragrant white apricots became famous.

Ever since the fragrant white apricot became a tribute to the imperial court, there has been an interesting legend among the people.

One year, Longquanwu Village appointed Old Man Cao to carry a load of fragrant white apricots to the imperial palace as tribute. Unexpectedly, they were robbed on the way.

After returning to the village, he lied that the fragrant white apricots attracted the Eight Immortals, and that the load of white apricots was eaten by the eight immortals. The Eight Immortals also invited him to travel around the world with them.

From then on, the villagers jokingly called Old Man Cao Cao Jiuxian.

After passing Longquanwu, Liu Bencheng and his party came to the upper reaches of the Yongding River.

There is a village called Taizimu here, which is famous for its high-quality apples and is known as the "No. 1 Apple Village in Western Beijing."

"The Prince's Tomb?" Li Zekai thought as he walked along the river. This must be a place with a story.

Sure enough, I, Li Zekai, found the answer on the "Prince Tomb Village Stele" at the end of the iron chain bridge.

According to legend, during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, the crown prince toured the Western Hills, crossing mountains and ridges along the Ancient Road west of Beijing. When passing through a village, he ate a kind of sand apple that was extremely fragrant, but the fruit was too small.

So he ordered people to graft the sand apple trees onto the apple trees.

The fruits produced by the grafted fruit trees are as sweet as sand apples and as big as apples.

The villagers were grateful for the prince's kindness, so they named the grafted fruit tree "Prince Tree" and the fruit on the Prince Tree "Prince Apple".

The prince was buried here after his death. In order to commemorate him, people changed the name of the village to Prince's Tomb.

The inscription records the origin of the Prince Apple and the origin of the name of Prince Tomb Village.

The excellence of Taizi apples is inseparable from the nourishment of the Yongding River.

The Yongding River flows down from the Guanting Reservoir. When it flows through the Taizimu Village, it forms a wide river surface between the village and the orchard, with roaring waterfalls.

A cable bridge spans the Yongding River. After crossing the bridge, you will reach the Prince Apple Plantation.

A fruit farmer who was working in the orchard told Li Zekai and his party that the Prince apple, which used to be a royal tribute, has become the Fuji apple after many improvements.

The carbonate brown soil along the Yongding River is very suitable for the growth of apple trees.

In addition, the mountains are high and the air is fresh, with a large temperature difference between day and night, which is conducive to the accumulation of sugar in the fruit.

Therefore, Prince apples are not only large and uniform in size, but also crispy, sweet and delicious.

After Liujiazhuang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Development Co., Ltd. introduced internationally famous varieties such as Fuji and American Red Delicious from Japan in the early 1980s, the quality was further optimized and the Prince apple was once designated as a special product for state banquets.

Every harvest season, four to five million kilograms of apples are quickly sold out.

(End of this chapter)