Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1803

"Yes, that's what travel is all about—relaxing and enjoying life," Zhang Yuedong said.

Before we knew it, the sun was gradually setting in the west, and a beautiful sunset glow appeared on the horizon. The entire Beishan Park was dyed orange-red, blending with the white snow to create a dreamlike scene.

"Time flies so fast, another day is about to pass in the blink of an eye," Li Xiao said with a sigh.

"Although it's a little hard to say goodbye, good times always come too soon. However, we have many more journeys waiting for us," Zhang Yuedong said.

The three left Beishan Park with a heart full of memories. They knew that this day's experience would forever remain in their hearts, becoming a beautiful memory in their lives. Their journey through the three northeastern provinces continued, and they looked forward to even more surprises and discoveries at the next stop.

Third stop: Shenyang - A blend of history and modernity
Visit Shenyang Imperial Palace
After their trip to Jilin, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei immediately headed to Shenyang. This city, steeped in history, was like a wise old man, quietly telling stories of the past, filling them with anticipation.

On their second day in Shenyang, the sun shone brightly, and the three visited the Shenyang Imperial Palace. From afar, the palace's red walls and yellow tiles appeared exceptionally solemn under the sunlight, and the glazed tiles on the eaves and brackets shimmered with golden light, as if showing people its former glory.

"Wow, this is the Shenyang Imperial Palace! It's even more magnificent than I imagined," Li Xiao said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.

“Yes, this is the imperial palace from the early Qing Dynasty, and it has unique historical and cultural value,” Zhang Yuedong said earnestly, adjusting his glasses.

Upon entering the Forbidden City, the first thing that catches the eye is the Dazheng Hall. This octagonal building with a pyramidal roof is unique in its design and magnificent in its presence. The roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles with green trim, and the dragon-shaped caisson ceiling inside is so lifelike that it seems as if a giant dragon is about to take flight. The Sumeru-style platform base of the Dazheng Hall, the finials and flame-shaped beads on the roof tiles, the Tartar figures on the eight ridges, and the Sanskrit decorations on the ceiling all reflect the architectural characteristics of the Mongol and Tibetan Buddhist traditions; while the octagonal shape of the hall is also a symbol of the Manchu Eight Banners system.

"This Dazheng Hall blends architectural styles from multiple ethnic groups; it's truly amazing," Lin Yifei exclaimed, pressing the shutter button on his camera repeatedly as he spoke.

“That’s right. The Shenyang Imperial Palace blends architectural features from the Manchu, Han, Mongolian, and Tibetan ethnic groups, with the Manchu-Han fusion being the most prominent,” Zhang Yuedong continued, adding that he has a strong interest in history and culture and has done a lot of research.

They continued along the central axis and arrived at Chongzheng Hall. Chongzheng Hall was where Huang Taiji handled state affairs, and the people called it the "Golden Throne Hall." Inside the hall was Huang Taiji's throne, above which hung a plaque inscribed with "Upright and Bright." This was the center of political activities in the early Qing Dynasty.

“Standing here, it’s as if I can see the scene of Huang Taiji summoning his ministers and discussing state affairs here back then.” Li Xiao closed his eyes, as if he had traveled through time and returned to that era of great upheaval.

"Yes, the weight of history is palpable," Zhang Yuedong remarked.

Afterwards, they ascended the Phoenix Tower. The Phoenix Tower was the tallest building in Shengjing (Mukden) during the Qing Dynasty and also a place where Emperor Huang Taiji and his consorts rested. Standing on the third-floor corridor of the Phoenix Tower, the entire Forbidden City was laid out before them; the ancient buildings were arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion, with red walls and yellow tiles contrasting beautifully with the green trees, creating a picturesque scene.

"The view from here is truly beautiful." Lin Yifei held his camera, taking pictures of the Forbidden City's beauty from different angles.

"There's another legend about Phoenix Tower. It's said that Emperor Huang Taiji often gazed into the distance from here, contemplating matters of state," Zhang Yuedong told everyone with great interest.

Inside the Forbidden City, they also visited Qingning Palace, Guanju Palace, Yanqing Palace, Yongfu Palace, and other buildings. These palaces each have their own unique characteristics and preserve the features of Manchu shamanistic rituals. At each location, Zhang Yuedong provided Li Xiao and Lin Yifei with detailed explanations of the historical background and cultural connotations of the buildings, giving them a deeper understanding of the history of the early Qing Dynasty.

"This visit to Shenyang Imperial Palace has truly broadened my horizons and allowed me to experience the charm of history," Li Xiao said with satisfaction.

“Yes, every building and every artifact here carries a wealth of historical information and deserves our careful appreciation,” Zhang Yuedong said.

Exploring the Marshal's Mansion

After leaving Shenyang Imperial Palace, the three arrived at the Marshal's Mansion. The Marshal's Mansion was the former residence of Zhang Zuolin, the head of the Fengtian clique, and his eldest son, General Zhang Xueliang. Built in 1914, it covers an area of ​​3.6 square meters, with a total building area of ​​2.76 square meters. The various buildings here exhibit diverse styles, including traditional Chinese, Sino-Western fusion, Romanesque, Nordic, and Japanese styles, as well as the Grand Green Building, the Small Green Building, the Red Buildings in the West Courtyard, and the Zhao Si Miss Building, among others. It is the best-preserved former residence and architectural complex of famous figures in Northeast China.

"A Marshal's Mansion encapsulates half of the history of the Republic of China. Many significant historical events took place here, and we must make the most of our visit," Zhang Yuedong said.

Upon entering the Marshal's Mansion, the first thing you see is the Grand Green Building. This three-story building faces south and is constructed of brick and concrete with white cement edging. It is a Romanesque architectural style, featuring vivid and exquisite three-dimensional relief sculptures on the exterior and unique interior decoration techniques, making it a classic example of Northeast China's architecture during the Republic of China era. This was where Zhang Zuolin and his son Zhang Xueliang discussed military secrets, made important decisions, and received dignitaries from home and abroad.

"This brothel is so grand! Back then, Zhang Zuolin must have commanded with such confidence and controlled the situation in Northeast China from here," Li Xiao imagined Zhang Zuolin's former glory.

“That’s right, the Daqinglou has witnessed many important historical moments, such as the Northeast Flag Change,” Zhang Yuedong explained.

They entered the Grand Green Building and arrived at the Tiger Hall. The Tiger Hall was a reception room in the Grand Green Building belonging to the Zhang family, named for the two real tiger specimens displayed inside. The tiger specimens were a gift from Tang Yulin, the garrison commander of the eastern border region, to Zhang Zuolin when the Grand Green Building was completed. Now, the tigers were displayed lifelike on either side of the reception room, facing each other. A photograph of Zhang Zuolin, the "King of the Northeast," posing with the tiger specimens also hung in the hall, exuding great power.

"I never expected there to be such a story here. The photo of these two tigers with Zhang Zuolin is really historical." Lin Yifei carefully observed the tiger specimens and photos.

"Moreover, the infamous Tiger Hall Incident also took place here," Zhang Yuedong continued, recounting the story of Zhang Xueliang's secret assassination of Yang Yuting and Chang Yinhuai in Tiger Hall shortly after the "Northeast Flag Change," a tale that captivated Li Xiao and Lin Yifei. Leaving the Grand Green Building, they arrived at the Small Green Building. Built in 1918 by Zhang Zuolin for his most beloved fifth wife, Madam Shou, the Small Green Building covered 450 square meters and consisted of two floors in a U-shape, a typical blend of Chinese and Western styles. The second-floor balcony featured carved beams and painted rafters, with Chinese-style brackets, while the decorative lines, diamond window decorations, and the circular parapet at the top were distinctly Western in style.

"The architectural style of this little brothel is truly unique, blending Chinese and Western elements," Li Xiao exclaimed.

"Madam Shou was intelligent and virtuous, and deeply favored by Zhang Zuolin. After the Xiaoqinglou (Little Green Building) was built, Madam Shou brought several of Zhang Zuolin's daughters to live there, hence the name 'Miss's Building.' Moreover, after Zhang Zuolin's death in 1928, Madam Shou cleverly deceived the wife of Hayashi Hisajiro, the Japanese Consul General in Fengtian, who came to gather information, thus buying valuable time for Zhang Xueliang to return to Fengtian for the funeral and for his future rule over Northeast China." Zhang Yuedong described the history of Xiaoqinglou in detail.

At the Marshal's Mansion, they also visited Miss Zhao Si's building. This building was specially built by Zhang Xueliang for Miss Zhao Si, and it displays photos of Miss Zhao Si and her personal belongings, showcasing her love story with Zhang Xueliang.

"The love story between Miss Zhao Si and Zhang Xueliang is truly touching. They gave up so much for love," Li Xiao said with emotion.

"Yes, their love story has become a legend, and it is still told today," Zhang Yuedong said.

Food and shopping in Zhongjie
After leaving the Marshal's Mansion, the three arrived at Zhongjie Street. Zhongjie Street is a historic and bustling commercial district in Shenyang, lined with shops and teeming with people. The buildings on both sides of the street include both modern high-rise buildings and quaint traditional buildings, showcasing Shenyang's unique urban landscape.

"We've finally arrived at Zhongjie! I heard there's a lot of delicious food here, let's go try it!" Li Xiao rubbed his hands excitedly, eager to taste the food.

They first stopped at a small shop selling chicken frames. People in Shenyang have a deep-seated love for chicken frames, and there are many ways to prepare them, including roasted, mixed, smoked, and fried. The three ordered one roasted chicken frame and one mixed chicken frame. Soon, the steaming chicken frames were served. The roasted chicken frame had a golden-brown, crispy skin and an enticing aroma. One bite revealed tender, juicy meat, and even the bones were roasted until crispy, leaving a lingering aftertaste. The mixed chicken frame, on the other hand, had a refreshing taste, with the flavors of various seasonings perfectly blended, making it even more appetizing.

"This chicken frame is so delicious, it truly lives up to its reputation." Li Xiao said, giving a thumbs up as he ate.

"Yes, this unique flavor can't be found anywhere else," Lin Yifei praised.

After finishing the chicken frames, they were drawn to a stall selling frozen pears and frozen persimmons. In the winter of Northeast China, frozen pears and frozen persimmons are essential delicacies in every household. Frozen pears have black skin and may not look appealing, but once thawed in water, a bite releases a burst of sweet and juicy pear juice that is refreshing and delicious. Frozen persimmons, shaped like little lanterns, can be thawed and then enjoyed with a straw, their delicate flesh and sweet juice being utterly delightful.

"These frozen pears and frozen persimmons are amazing. Eating them on such a cold day has a unique flavor," Li Xiao said while sucking on a frozen persimmon.

"Yes, this is a specialty of Northeast China. You can only taste such an authentic flavor in Northeast China," Zhang Yuedong said.

Besides food, Zhongjie Street also boasts many unique shops selling various Shenyang specialties and souvenirs. They entered a handmade embroidery shop, filled with exquisite embroidery works, including handkerchiefs, scarves, and screens. Each piece was meticulously crafted, brightly colored, and imbued with the rich folk customs of Northeast China. Shenyang folk embroidery has a long history, diverse stitching techniques, rich colors, and a wide range of themes, including myths, folk tales, flowers, birds, fish, insects, and landscapes.

"These embroidery works are so beautiful. Every stitch and every thread contains the hard work of the craftsmen." Lin Yifei picked up an embroidered handkerchief and admired it carefully.

“Shenyang folk embroidery is an ancient folk art form that carries the rich folk culture of Northeast China. Let’s buy some to take back and give to our relatives and friends, so that they can also experience the cultural charm of Northeast China,” Zhang Yuedong suggested.

So the three of them selected some embroidery pieces and bought some other local specialties, such as Bulaolin candy and Shenyang red medicine. As they shopped, they enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Zhongjie Street. Before they knew it, the sun was gradually setting in the west, and the sky was dyed orange-red.

Retrospect and Expectations

As their journey in Shenyang was drawing to a close, the three of them sat in their hotel room that evening, reminiscing about their time in the three northeastern provinces.

"This trip to the three northeastern provinces was truly unforgettable. We enjoyed beautiful scenery, tasted delicious food, and learned about rich history and culture," Li Xiao said with emotion.

"Yes, every city has its unique charm. Harbin's Ice and Snow World made me feel the romance of ice and snow; Jilin's Wusong Island and ski resorts made me experience the magic of nature and the joy of sports; Shenyang's Imperial Palace and Marshal Zhang's Mansion made me appreciate the weight of history." Zhang Yuedong recalled his experiences along the way.

"Moreover, we made many new friends and gained a lot of joy and touching moments," Lin Yifei said with a smile.

They shared their travel stories and experiences, those wonderful moments seemingly right before their eyes. Li Xiao couldn't help but laugh out loud as she recalled the thrill of playing on the ice slide at the Ice and Snow World; Zhang Yuedong's face beamed with happiness as she reminisced about the satisfaction of enjoying the Ula Manchu hotpot in Jilin; Lin Yifei flipped through the photos on his camera, capturing the beautiful scenery and joyful moments one by one.

"Although this trip has ended, our journey will not stop. In the future, we will go to more places and explore more wonders," Li Xiao said with anticipation.

“That’s right, the world is so big, and there are still many places waiting for us to discover. Next time, we must go to even more distant places and experience different customs and cultures.” Zhang Yuedong also expressed his anticipation for future travels.

"Okay, it's settled then. Let's travel together again next time!" Lin Yifei said excitedly.

The three smiled at each other, their hearts filled with anticipation for the future. This trip to the three northeastern provinces was not just a simple journey, but a spiritual cleansing and a journey of growth. Filled with memories and hopes for the future, they brought their unforgettable Northeastern trip to a perfect close, while also looking forward to their next exciting journey.