Chapter 4 Caishikou

In the old capital, although the buildings on the beach are the most relevant to my knowledge; because of the fourth sister, I have a good impression of the Red Building on Shifuma Street; but in terms of life, the Caishikou outside Xuanwu Gate is the most unforgettable. Because when I first arrived in Beijing at the age of eighteen, I went to live in the Shaoxing County Hall in the southern half of the alley. I was afraid of speaking, and I was afraid that the mule driver would deliberately disturb me. , hated and feared, didn't know that the south half of the alley was originally inside the north half of the alley, and it took a long time to figure it out, so before arriving at the apartment, I took a look at this place in a hurry.

The famous one was produced in the Shaoxing County Museum. I think the author often passed by Caishikou at that time.My "Hometown", "Mr. Zhao's Trouble", "Snot Nose Two" and a large part of "Wool Socks", as well as the second half, were all written in this place. Now when I think about it, I still feel a little emotion. Most of the original manuscripts of "Hometown" are in "Morning News" It was published in the supplement, and the "Morning News" branch at that time was also located in the prime minister's alley on the side of Caishikou.

Although in the old capital, when the road was not paved, some people said that it was like an incense burner when it was sunny, and it was like an ink cartridge when it rained;However, starting from Caishikou, going east to Luomashi Street, going from Zhushikou to Qianmen, going north to Xuanwumen to Xidan Archway, etc., this situation has long since disappeared.And at night, the wind always dies down; I will walk back and forth from the public library with Fu Laoyu under the moon many times to the apartment, talking while walking, just find it interesting; when we arrive at Caishikou, say "See you tomorrow!" He enters the prime minister's alley To see the proofs, I went to the Shaoxing County Museum to write the manuscript.

Even after midnight, you can still hear the cries of selling fruit, rock candy and oil hard noodles in the southern half of the alley from time to time; spending two or three big bucks, not only can you have a snack, but it is also very interesting. From Caishikou to Wenhua Street, Liulichang is very close, and it is not far from Xiannongtan and Tianqiao; Yuanqing's masterpiece "Dahongpao" It was a trip to the overpass in the evening, and it was a success in one go at the Shaoxing County Pavilion that night. The bathrooms in the old capital are always very warm inside; the bathrooms near Caishikou are cheap and clean; shave your head there first, then lie down after taking a bath, it is easy to "capture the artistic conception" in your ignorance ;My early novels probably had a well-thought-out layout in this way.

Guang'an Market is probably derived from the "vegetable market"; there are a lot of vegetables for sale, and the parts are carefully divided. Not only is there a special stall for pig's feet and tongue, but even chicken feet and duck feet are sold separately.In the twilight of the morning, the general "good mother-in-law", with disheveled hair and a basket on her arm, goes in and out of it one after another, full of "interest in life". At Caishikou, the busiest time is the nights before the Mid-Autumn Festival, with bunches of grapes, blood-red persimmons, and the most striking thing is the tall "Rabbit Master", with his ears raised and his mouth upturned, he is really high-spirited; Once I see it, I always have the feeling of "can't laugh".

There are so many fruit and rabbit stalls, from the entrance of the prime minister's alley to the northern half of the alley, there is hardly any space left. At the end of the year, the slaughter of sheep is also quite impressive. It seems that the work of butchering is done all night. In the morning, long rows of sheep are hung in the store, and red ice forms on the ground. The shops at Caishikou are naturally the same as those in the old capital. As long as you go in, no matter if you buy only one or two coppers of tea, you will always treat them well. Before leaving, they will say "See you!" He is polite, even for apprentices, he seems to be much more kind than the businessmen in the south.

Because I went to Heji to print papers and consult proofs, I often traveled west from Caishikou to and from Guang'anmentou.Yuan Qing also likes to play there; although it is relatively calm, it is full of the charm of the old capital, very simple. "Guang'anmen" is of course the title of Yuan Qing's painting; "Glance", one of his masterpieces, is also based on this, with its smooth and brisk style of writing. There have been two times when I was struck by embarrassment and fell into deep pessimism; at a loss, I drifted northward helplessly.But as soon as I got off the car at the front door, I felt excited, thinking that the road in life was very broad, and the stubbornness in the past was just ridiculous.This is because the roads in the old capital are wide and straight, the buildings are majestic, the air is clear, and the scenery far away can be seen at a glance, forming a great momentum; standing at the Caishi entrance of the T-shaped road, you can also feel the same.

Originally published in Issue 27 of "Cosmic Wind" on October 16, 1936