My Cycling Years
10. Changbai Cycling for Two People (6) Goodbye, My Beautiful Encounter
Text/Zhang Shouquan
Time: The afternoon of July 21, 1994 - the evening of July 23, 1994
Route: Changbai Mountain - Erdaobai River - Liangjiang - Dapu Chaihe - Dunhua - Pihe - Jiaohe - Qingling - Jilin -Changchun
The return journey is always easy, especially the return journey from a trip that has already achieved its intended purpose.
On the afternoon of the 21st, in the cool mountain breeze of Changbai Mountain, we meandered down the mountain and stopped for a while by the fast-flowing Erdaobai River to get a bottle of cool river water before returning.
The route back was completely different from the way we came. We took the Liangjiang River and passed through the Dapuchai River. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at Dunhua, the destination of Master Wang and his party. They originally came here to do business, and then left us to fend for ourselves. Unexpectedly, their business could not be completed for some reason, so Master Wang decided to take us back to Jilin, which was exactly what we wanted.
The car turned westbound. The journey from Dunhua to Jilin involves climbing through rugged and difficult deep mountains and old forests such as Weihuling and Laoyeling. This is also a road section where car accidents occur frequently, mostly due to the driver's fatigue from long-distance driving. Along the way we saw several large trucks that unfortunately rolled into the ravine and cars that collided. Although everyone was drowsy, Master Wang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, never dared to relax his nerves. He kept his eyes fixed on the front, always paying attention to the road conditions along the way.
The car crawled steadily on the winding mountain road, carrying the dust and fatigue of our journey, and drove into Pihe, a small town on the east side of Songhua Lake, at dusk. Master Wang decided to spend the night here, and soon we walked into a hotel where they stayed last time. According to Master Wang, the hotel could make a famous dish that was popular at that time - Qingling live fish. Qingling live fish is cooked with fresh live carp from the Songhua River and mixed with local special seasonings such as mugwort. That night, I tasted this famous dish I had just heard about for the first time. However, the so-called live fish did not achieve the effect that everyone expected, especially the fish meat was full of earthy smell, which was obviously not authentic. After the meal, Master Wang took advantage of the wine to turn on the store's stereo and invited the store's waiters to participate in the popular karaoke event at that time. Everyone sang and danced happily. Master Wang showed us his unique musical talent. When everyone was singing together, we saw him waving his arms to direct, with a clear division of labor between his left and right hands. Sometimes it is sonorous and powerful, sometimes the rhythm is slow, it can be said to be measured and relaxed. For those of us who are tired from traveling and traveling in a foreign country, this indulgent singing and dancing allows us to gain short-term relaxation and happiness.
In the morning of the 22nd, we walked all the way over mountains and ridges, and soon arrived at Jiefang Village, Qingling Town, less than 50 kilometers east of Jilin City, during breakfast time. In order to make up for the regret of not eating authentic Qingling live fish last night, we decided to eat authentic live fish here. In the cab of the car, we saw an archway with the words "Qingling Food Street" standing tall on the road not far ahead, and on both sides of the road, various large and small "Qingling Food Street" were hung. There are many restaurants with "fish" plaques. It is amazing that a kind of delicacy can develop on such a scale in a small mountain village.
We parked here with excitement and walked into a bustling shop on the roadside. According to the shop owner, their fish are authentic live fish from Songhua Lake and absolutely not fake. When I looked at the price, I couldn't help but take a breath. In the era when carp cost three or four yuan per catty, the live fish at Qingling Restaurant was actually 13 yuan per catty, and the cold fish was even more expensive, 15 yuan per catty (I'm afraid it's already gone now). Not at this price). Master Wang and the others selected a large carp weighing four and a half kilograms. Soon, the kitchen served this large fish full of aroma. The big fish occupied half of the table, which was quite majestic and made my blood boil. The appearance of the cooked big fish seems to be the same as that of ordinary home-cooked fish stew. However, the secret of its strong and distinctive aroma is the wormwood on it. Ranking the scientific name of Artemisia as vanilla, it is also known as Artemisia catabata, Lala incense, and wild perilla.
It is a widely used Chinese medicinal material produced in the mountainous areas of Northeast China. It is also a very good condiment. The arrival of the big fish whetted our appetites. We couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks. When the first piece of fish entered our mouths, we immediately felt filled with saliva. Then, the bone-deep umami aroma spread. It was really a Super delicious feeling. As a side dish for the big fish, the tofu on the plate is even more tender and refreshing. Under the influence of the artemisia, the magical taste lingers in the mouth for a long time.
While enjoying this feast, we admired Qingling live fish, a rare delicacy in Jilin Province. Time flowed slowly while drinking, and before we knew it, we were all full, but the large carp and the fresh tofu had not yet been completely eaten by the six of us. I felt somewhat regretful about the waste. We left this place where we enjoyed a pleasant meal (at that time, the habit of packing had not yet appeared). To this day, I still feel that no fish in the past 20 years can be as delicious as the four-and-a-half kilogram live fish we tasted in Qingling on that day that year. Thanks to Master Wang for being the host!
At nine o'clock in the morning, we arrived at Longtan District, Jilin City, where Master Wang's home is located. After bidding farewell to the other three masters, we lingered in Jilin for half a day waiting for the film to be developed and separated into negatives. When Qing Yi and I were having sex, When I handed Master Wang the tickets, hotel and other expenses that Master Wang had shared for us over the past two days, he flatly refused. In the end, we couldn't hold on and had to accept the boldness and enthusiasm of this typical Northeastern man. At Master Wang's sincere invitation, we stayed overnight at his home. His home was not spacious, so Master Wang asked his chubby seventeen-year-old daughter to give us his boudoir, while his daughter slept on the floor. A person can actually give up his daughter's boudoir to two young men who have only met once. This shows how much Master Wang values ??us. Over the years, every time I think about it, I feel that there is always an indescribable emotion lingering in my heart.
In the morning of the 23rd, Master Wang led us to visit Longtan Mountain and see the Shui Lao, Dry Lao and Goguryeo Mountain City. Everything is spent in relaxation and joy. We all meet by fate, but there is no such thing as a banquet that lasts forever. At about seven o'clock, we bid farewell to Master Wang as we set off on our bicycles, and followed the map along the way. After more than eight hours of riding on the 112-kilometer-long Changji Highway, we finally drove into my alma mater around five o'clock in the afternoon. The beautiful campus of Changchun Normal University. Having just graduated a year ago, I am still particularly attached to my alma mater and several of my close friends from the foreign language department who are still studying there. We went straight to the dormitory of some good friends from other provinces who had not yet returned home for the holidays. That night, I took a happy shower and ate the noodles cooked by Wen Liguang, then went to rest in the dormitory of Li Juda, who is good at popular songs in the foreign language department. I lay on the bamboo mat on the upper bunk. Occasionally, I felt a cool breeze blowing over my body. It was very comfortable. All the tiredness and uneasiness accumulated in the past nine days were dispelled by this moment of sudden relaxation...
23 years later, taking the "917" World Cycling Day as an opportunity , tapping the keyboard to mention that past event again, it can be said to have mixed feelings. I think back then, we were young people with no talent for the first time in the world, pointing out the country and being full of ambition. Now, after experiencing the vicissitudes of life, time flies by, and I have almost reached the age of knowing my destiny. No matter myself or all loyal readers, they all feel that life is like a fleeting moment, and youth is gone in a blink of an eye. Fortunately, although time has passed, that beautiful past will always be rooted in our hearts. In all the days to come, our extraordinary experience of challenging the physiological limits of our body and perseverance will always inspire us. It solemnly tells us that there must be a road before the car reaches the mountain! There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain. Life is destined not to be smooth sailing. We must always have the determination and courage to face difficulties, challenges and overcome difficulties. At any time and in any environment, never forget that you are a man!
After reading this travelogue, many friends and relatives praised it and suggested that Tsing Yi and I might choose to do a retrospective ride on the original route again at the appropriate time, not only to experience it again. During that difficult training, we should try to find all the kind people who once met by chance but gave us help in times of need.
I think it is possible to practice mountain biking here, but it is still unknown whether I can reunite with my old friends from more than 20 years ago. We will always have high respect and gratitude for Master Wang Zhenmin, Uncle Wang Chuanhuo, Brother Chen Tingfa and other kind-hearted people who have given us selfless assistance along the way. We would like to say to them sincerely: Love knows no bounds, and good people are invincible! 23 years have passed, and we sincerely hope that they live a better life, and we are even more eager to see them again one day.
In the few years after our ride, we still had a close relationship with Master Wang and Chen Tingfa. However, as time went by, when telephones, BP machines and even mobile phones entered people's daily lives, , each other is not only indifferent to each other, but also neglects to communicate on the phone. In line with the popular lyrics nowadays: Some people disperse while walking, and some people forget about it after thinking about it. Thinking about this, I feel extremely guilty. It’s better to remind yourself often: good friends, communicate often, keep in touch frequently, don’t let them just live in your memory.
The brave are fearless and the benevolent are invincible. On our way, be kind to everyone you meet unexpectedly. (Full text ends)