Chapter 95 white horse lake

white horse lake Today is a rainy day.This reminds me of White Horse Lake; because the first time I went back to White Horse Lake, it was a spring day with a slight breeze. Baima Lake is located at the Yiting Station of the Yongshao Railway, and it is a very small rural place.Speaking of this name in the north, it is guaranteed that one hundred people will not know it.But that's not a bad place.It's not a bad name in the first place.It is said that once upon a time (in the Song Dynasty?) there was a man named Zhou who rode a white horse into the lake, so he got this name.The story is not a bad one either.If you are willing to collect them, you can compile them into a small book and submit them to Beixin Bookstore for printing.

White Horse Lake is not a round or square lake. As you can imagine, this is the general name of many lakes that zigzag, large and small.The lake is crystal clear, as you can imagine, unambiguous like a mirror.There is no clearer water along the railway than here, this is a common opinion.In the summer of a drought year, grass grows in other lakes, but here it is still clear.The largest and best one in White Horse Lake is the one in front of the house where we lived.The lake is not small, but the mouth of the lake is surrounded by mountains on both sides.There are only slight blue waves outside, but it is unexpected that there is such a big piece.At the end of the lake, there is a village of thirty or forty families called Xixu'ao, because there are many people with the surname Xu.This village is not connected to the outside world, and people in the village have to punting to get out.Later, Chunhui Middle School built a house by the lake, and then built two exquisite small wooden bridges, and built a cinder road leading directly to Yiting Station.It is a narrow sidewalk, winding and winding. Although there are often no people on the road, it is not lonely when walking——.Especially in the rainy spring, when a new visitor looks around, he only finds it lively.

Chunhui Middle School is located in the most scenic part of the lake, and the house we lived in is not far from it, which is semi-Western style.The scenery of the lake and mountains came in through the door, over the wall, and onto our window and table.Several of our houses are connected one after another; the family of the old man is the most particular.There are calligraphy and paintings of famous people, ancient porcelain, and bronze Buddha in the house, and the yard is full of flowers.The furnishings in the room are often changed, giving people fresh benefits.He has such a nice house and is very hospitable, so we would go to his house to drink old wine from time to time.Mrs. Mianweng's cooking is also very good, every time she always takes out the full dishes and puts them back empty.The best time to visit White Horse Lake is at dusk.The mountains on the lake are covered with a layer of blue mist, which casts jagged and blurred shadows in the water.The water light was slightly dim, like a bronze mirror.A light breeze blew, and there were one or two ripples, but then it calmed down.Occasionally saw a few homing birds in the sky, and we watched them fly farther and farther until they disappeared.This time is when we drink.We talked very little; we talked more when the lights were on, but everyone was already slightly drunk.It's time to go home.If there is moonlight, maybe I have to linger for a while; if it is night, I will grope in the dark and go back drunk.

The spring day in Baima Lake is naturally the best.The mountains are green enough to drip, and the water is full and soft.On both sides of the small road, small peaches and willows are planted one by one.Each of the small peaches is adorned with a few red flowers with double petals, like sparse stars in the night sky.The willows swayed in the warm wind.Walking on this road, sometimes hearing the sharp and long whistle of the train has a special flavor.In spring, whether it is sunny or rainy, moonlit night or dark night, Baima Lake is fine. ——The color of the cauliflower in the field in the rain is the earliest; although nothing is seen in the dark night, you can quietly enjoy the power of spring.Summer nights are also good. When there is a moon, you can row a boat in the lake, surrounded by green mist.Looking at other villages from the boat is like a mirage, floating on the water, and wandering in a blur; sometimes hearing the voices of people or the barking of dogs, it feels like a world away.If there is no moon, I will watch fireflies in the field.Those fireflies are not just one star and a half, as you see in the city; they are thousands and hundreds of fireflies.One piece flew out, like a net of gold wire, or like playing with many matchlocks.Only one layer makes me resentful.There are many paddy fields and too many mosquitoes, and almost all of them are malaria mosquitoes.Our family has been infected with malaria. It has been three or four years now, and the root of the disease has not yet been cured.It is a fly in the ointment that there are enough mosquitoes to reduce the interest of sitting in the open or boating at night.

It was a winter day three years ago when I left White Horse Lake.At the "Farewell Banquet" last night, there were Piao Weng and Yun Jun. I can't forget Ping Weng, he was a sincere and generous friend.But I can't forget Mr. Yun, I should say, that's a lovely -- child. July 14, Peking. (Originally published in No. 3, Volume 32, of Tsinghua Weekly, November 1, 1929.)