What kind of city is Quanzhou?

Perhaps, a city can also have feelings. Such as Quanzhou.

She has self-esteem. This is the source of Minnan culture, the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, and the "world's largest port" in the eyes of Kelpolo.

She is happy. It is an internationally famous garden city, with the total economic output ranking first in Fujian Province for 19 years.

She can also be wronged. This year, Quanzhou (ancient Erythrina) failed to apply for the World Heritage, which unfortunately became the first city case in China.

However, if you walk into Quanzhou, you won't find that the city is full of emotional fluctuations. Both the city and people exude a charming temperament, which makes people slow down. The root cause is nothing more than two words-contentment.

This calm is hard-won. Minnan people dare to fight and fight, and even the emperor calls them "Zhang Quan unruly people". Quanzhou people are born with strong blood and boundless strength. They traveled all over the world and the world passed by in Quanzhou. Perhaps because of this, the city of Quanzhou is humble and low-key, indomitable, and always has a touch of classical elegance.

1. Erythrina ancient city, carp yue longmen.

Only with high-profile strength can we talk about low-key. So does Quanzhou have this capital? The answer is yes.

Looking at the whole of China, there are not many cities that can be regarded as having an impact on the world. Quanzhou is fortunate to be one of them, and it is an extremely important one. Quanzhou was called Erythrina in ancient times, because its wall looks like carp, also known as Licheng.

It's really appropriate to call Quanzhou Licheng. In a very long history, Quanzhou City can only be said to be unremarkable. Quanzhou has been in a state of "drift from place to place" since Qin established Minzhong County, and has been divided into different counties. Even in the Tang Dynasty, the name Quanzhou once belonged to Fuzhou.

During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Quanzhou became more and more prominent as a port, but it was still weak in front of its big brother Guangzhou. History is not as good as Hepu and Xuwen in the south.

However, Quanzhou, the "carp", finally got the opportunity of yue longmen. Since the Jin Dynasty moved south, the southeast of China has been gradually developed, and after the stable development of Sui and Tang Dynasties, it has become "today's ceremony comes from the world, and Jiangnan ranks nineteenth." Finding a market for products is the agenda of politicians.

Coincidentally, on the other side of the mainland, a great empire across Asia, Africa and Europe is rising. Under the rule of Abbasid Dynasty, the Arabian Empire constantly sent ships to the East to buy handicrafts such as silk and porcelain, which was the biggest buyer made in China. They landed from the South China Sea coast of China, looking for the most valuable goods, and stuffed them into the empty stomachs of merchant ships.

Most of the ports in China were flooded by endless fleets. China's goods are not in demand, but where they are traded. In the second year of Yuan You in the Northern Song Dynasty (A.D. 1087), the Song government established a shipping company in Quanzhou, and Quanzhou's status as an official trading port was formally established. The rise of Quanzhou can be described as taking advantage of the right time, place and people.

In the southeast corner of the Southern Song Dynasty, the royal family of the Song Dynasty lost a large area of land and urgently needed overseas trade tax to support huge expenses. At this time, the capital Lin 'an (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang) and the neighboring Mingzhou (now Ningbo, Zhejiang) have the potential to become big commercial ports. Quanzhou is watching the advantages it has just gained slip away. Fortunately, Quanzhou also occupies the best geographical position.

"The spring is located in the south of Bamin, with winding mountains and no carving; The harbor twists and turns, but it doesn't open the ocean. -"Qin Long Fu Zhi"

In a word, Quanzhou's geographical position as a port is exhausted. Quanzhou is located in the south of Fujian Province, with winding coastline and numerous harbors. There is no cold winter, so it is more suitable to build a port.

Although the shipbuilding technology in China, Arabia, Southeast Asia and other places during the Tang and Song Dynasties was enough to cope with ocean navigation. However, businessmen want to shorten the sailing distance to minimize risks and costs and maximize benefits. For these businesses, it is not cost-effective to travel to Lin 'an and Mingzhou for three months.

Seeing this, some people may think that this must be the most suitable place in Guangzhou. The fact is far from simple. Businessmen want the port to go south as far as possible, but the government of the Southern Song Dynasty wants the "money bag" to be as close to itself as possible. The compromise between hatchback and Quanzhou is the balance point.

Moreover, during the Tang and Song Dynasties, the route between Fujian and Ryukyu was opened and matured. Quanzhou Port can undertake three routes: Southwest (Southeast Asia-Arabia-Africa-Western Ocean), Southeast (Taiwan Province Province-Ryukyu) and Northeast (Korea-Japan). The geographical position of Quanzhou is unparalleled.

In addition, the "Panshan" in Fujian is helpful to Quanzhou.

There are many mountains and few fields, and a large number of Fujian people have fled the land and made a living in the sea, sneering at the so-called "agriculture is business-oriented". Quanzhou people have a strong local concept, and with the help of fellow villagers, more and more people are doing business in the sea. In feudal society, the rebellion of this group of people is the harmony of Quanzhou's rise.

Since then, Quanzhou has provided more than one-fifth of the annual income for the royal family of the Song Dynasty. It is natural that the Yuan Dynasty surpassed Guangzhou to become the "largest port in the East" and connected China with the world through the "Maritime Silk Road".

2. The sea is forbidden to lock the country, and the dragon is trapped in the shallows.

Muxiuhui was destroyed by Lin Feng. The days after Quanzhou are not smooth.

A mutiny at the end of the Yuan Dynasty destroyed the prosperity of Quanzhou, which fell from the clouds to the earth, and the "rare and precious land" no longer existed, and foreign businessmen in Quanzhou dispersed in a hubbub. I saw her rising from a tall building, seeing her entertaining guests, and seeing her building collapse. Quanzhou in the eyes of the world has a faint tragic color.

Subsequent policy changes are even worse.

At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the sea ban was implemented and the tributary trade policy was implemented. Only foreign businessmen are allowed to exchange markets in the name of tribute, and all goods are also bought by the government at a fixed price. At this time, Quanzhou, together with Guangzhou and Ningbo, as the only city with a city shipping company, welcomed the caravan coming to China.

But all kinds of complicated regulations are like a pot of warm water, and Quanzhou is a frog in the water.

For example, envoys from all countries are only allowed to take certain trade routes, Nanyang takes Guangzhou, Japan takes Ningbo, and North Korea takes Liaodong, leaving only Ryukyu with the weakest national strength to Quanzhou. Quanzhou's embarrassment is like suddenly becoming a first-line superstar.

It never rains but it pours. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, gave a group of "public immigrants" to Ryukyu, which was called "Thirty-six surnames of Chaoyang Tongshi" in history, and his descendants paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty. This is not good news for Quanzhou, because all the "36 surnames" are from Fuzhou. Since then, all Ryukyu delegations have entered China via Fuzhou. The company also moved to Fuzhou immediately.

Tribute trade in Ming dynasty often ended in high reward, and its value far exceeded tribute items. The Ming government monopolized overseas trade by "beating a swollen face to fill a fat man", which not only showed its great national strength, but also stifled China's most dynamic force.

Life will find a way out. Under heavy pressure, people are repeatedly banned from smuggling. These smugglers are either forced by life or it is difficult to relax their ambitions. In a word, this folk force is a headache for the Ming government. Of course, Quanzhou people are indispensable.

Zheng Zhilong, from Nan 'an, Fujian, is a lean smuggler. He spent his life among the government, foreigners, businessmen and pirates, and completed the transformation of different identities such as maritime merchants, pirates and officials. It took only four years for Zheng Zhilong to be translated from Holland to a maritime overlord with 30,000 ships, large and small, and he was only 24 years old. However, the most proud "work" in his life may be Zheng Chenggong, a household name in China.

Zheng Zhilong died at the hands of the Qing government. Quanzhou, with him all roads lead to the same goal.

For Quanzhou, the Qing Dynasty's sea ban policy was so cruel that it almost completely killed Quanzhou's opportunity to turn over. All this is aimed at the Zheng family in Taiwan Province province.

"Into the sea without sails", Quanzhou people can hardly be seen riding the wind and waves at sea. As soon as the policy of "moving to the border" came out, coastal residents had to leave their homes. Facing the intimate sea in the past, Licheng is on the verge of abyss under the cold light shining sword. The status of Quanzhou Port has plummeted.

Since then, the glory of Quanzhou has come to an end.

3. In ancient times, it was called Buddha country, and saints were everywhere.

Quanzhou's experience is like a month's profit and loss. The ill-fated life can't affect Quanzhou people's attitude towards life. Being humiliated is the main theme of this city. "This place was called the Buddha country in ancient times; The streets are full of saints. " Quanzhou people are mortal, and most of them are good men and women. "

The prosperous Quanzhou attracted businessmen from all over the world. They call Quanzhou "the city of light" because it is brightly lit every night.

Foreign businessmen living in Quanzhou have brought their own living habits and beliefs. In Quanzhou city, the call from the mosque broke the silence; The flame of Manichaeism burns brightly; The prayer in the Christian church is pious and calm; Sanskrit praise comes from Buddhist temples. They didn't disturb the meditation in the Taoist temple, didn't stop the worship in the Tianhou Palace, and didn't block the reading sound of "it's a pleasure to have friends from afar" in the academy.

Quanzhou in Song and Yuan Dynasties achieved subtle harmony. Everyone has his own way of life, and every soul has his own home. Almost at the same time, the West is experiencing the Crusade, which is the longest religious war in human history. In Quanzhou people's dictionaries, the words alienation and misunderstanding hardly exist.

Diversity is fertile ground for creativity. Before Quanzhou people dare to open up the atmosphere, there are always some "deviant" actions.

At the age of twelve, Li Zhi wrote a book to refute Confucius' words and deeds. He wrote many books in his life, but he named them "Collection of Books" and "Burning Books" and always said something "strange". I'm afraid it's no accident that Li Zhi, an eccentric scholar, can be born in Quanzhou.

Is Li Zhi's rebellion the mainstream of this city? Yes, and no.

Needless to say, it is "rebellious" to pursue commercial profits at the expense of the last. Quanzhou government is also a maverick, posting policy decisions in the city in the form of a list. This kind of openness and transparency is rare in the era of absolute monarchy. At the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, Quanzhou even had a brief "city-state autonomy". At that time, the Southern Song regime was teetering. Mongolian fighters have approached Quanzhou, and officials, businessmen and gentry in the city are discussing the way out of this bustling city.

On the other hand, Quanzhou writer Cai Chongda once described his hometown like this:

"In this small town where I live, everyone believes that there is a god who looks up three feet, and also believes that there is a soul. People live very close to ghosts and gods. We also believe that the soul has the same attributes as the world. Will be hungry, will be too full, will be too fat, and then in a bad mood, will also be boring ...-Cai Chongda's "Skin"

Quanzhou people are in awe and do not overstep the rules. They don't respect the gods like determined businessmen and sailors. On the other hand, because of their abundance and sustenance, they are good at contentment. Don't worry about mediocrity, and don't regard wealth as a show-off capital.

Of course, this is a city where even the "soul" will get fat. The joys and sorrows of history are not the end of life.

4. The root of Minnan is fireworks.

Quanzhou is also the most secular place, and the premise of resignation is to do everything possible. Fujian has been isolated from mountains and seas since ancient times, and the lifestyle here is full of freshness for foreigners.

Quanzhou people start their day with a bowl of batter. It's steaming hot, as if even the sky is produced by water vapor that makes the dawn dizzy.

Quanzhou is a city worth knowing with your tongue. The taste of the sea has always been in the coke fried by oyster omelet; Frozen bamboo shoots directly present the most delicious food temptation with the salty taste of the sea; Also from the ocean, the sweetness of stone flower jelly is a taste memory that Quanzhou people can't give up; There is moistening ice, the most simple and colorful existence on the table of Quanzhou people; The appearance of four fruit soup can always stop disturbing thirst and always hit the nerve called "homesickness".

There are countless things to be proud of in Quanzhou. On second thought, they are just a part of daily life.

There are many ancient buildings in Quanzhou, which is of course the biggest capital for her application for World Heritage this year. Maybe they look a little old or even worn out, but these city marks washed away by time are exactly the outline of Quanzhou people's hometown.

Tea and porcelain once traveled all over the world in the name of China. We can find the most outstanding representative in Quanzhou.

The mellow fragrance of Tieguanyin is the cornerstone of its lasting aftertaste. Curly tea leaves, while comforting Chinese people with fragrance, also travel across the ocean, almost becoming synonymous with oolong tea overseas.

People who see Dehua white porcelain for the first time will be surprised by its white and glittering luster. Behind the moist white glaze, I don't know how many Quanzhou craftsmen failed and tried.

Quanzhou story to be continued.

The repression of the Qing dynasty has long been a thing of the past. Quanzhou, a low-key city, was one of the poorest and backward areas in Fujian Province before the reform and opening up, and now it is the economic leader of the whole province. As long as there is a ray of light under the door, Quanzhou people will know that there is hope for life.

That generation of Quanzhou businessmen, like their predecessors who risked their lives to make a living at sea, believed that "only hard work can win" Even if the weather, geographical location and human harmony no longer exist, Quanzhou people will not miss any opportunity.

At this time, the pragmatic and enterprising character of Minnan people has been shown to the extreme in Quanzhou people. Quanzhou people are proud of their hometown, and they also know that they are far behind. Quanzhou people don't sleep in honor books, but they can put down their bodies and dare to think and do. Quanzhou's private economy began to make great strides. Well-known brands such as Anta, Peak, Xtep and Seven Wolves are all from Quanzhou.

Quanzhou is a city composed of sweat, blood and tears of time. The special experience also made her show a different gentle temperament.

Quanzhou is a city that a person must visit all his life. Whether you want to pass by history or just want to experience the comfort and leisure of Quanzhou people.

reference data

1. Cai Chongda's "skin"

2. Chen Gong's "Quanzhou Literature and History Data Series 4 Quanzhou Urban Setting Evolution"

3. Huang Huifei's brief discussion on the system of shipping companies in Song and Yuan Dynasties and its influence on Quanzhou's overseas trade.

4. Li Xiaocong's regional historical geography of China.

5. Li and Liao's overseas trade history in China.

6. Liu "On the Historical Characteristics of Quanzhou Marine Culture"

7. Lin Yinru and Liu "Textual Research on Quanzhou Port as the" First Port "in Yuan Dynasty"

8. Qiu Jianna's Study on Quanzhou's Urban Cultural Image: Historical Dimension and Realistic Strategy —— From "City of Light" to "East Asian Cultural Capital"

9. Seeing Wang Sijie's religious life in Quanzhou and Song and Yuan Dynasties from the Maritime Silk Road.

10. The thinker Li Zhi's regional investigation in Xu Wenbin —— On the social transformation of Quanzhou in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.

1 1. Ye Lang's openness and tolerance to Chinese civilization.

12. Zhou's Why Quanzhou Port Emerged Suddenly in Song Dynasty.