1980: I have a spiritual spring

Chapter 24 Goodbye by fate
Under the ancient ginkgo tree.

When Qiao Erhe saw the beautiful girl in front of him, he was instantly moved (by lust). However, as an old man with a mental age of over sixty, he could keep his expression unchanged no matter how much he was moved.

When their eyes met, Qiao Erhe politely nodded to the pretty girl as a greeting.

Seeing this, the pretty girl also nodded politely to him.

After exchanging greetings, Qiao Erhe took the initiative to ask, "Ladies, are you also here to visit this ancient tree?"

Su Xiangqin smiled and said, "Yes, from what you're saying, comrade, you're also here to visit this thousand-year-old tree?"

"I had nothing to do today, so I came to take a look."

Qiao Erhe replied, and then said proactively, "Ladies, you don't seem to be locals. I know quite a bit about this ancient tree. If you're interested, I can help you with some information."

Su Xiangqin glanced at Qiao Erhe, who was very enthusiastic, and then looked at her niece, who was standing quietly beside her. She already understood what was going on and couldn't help but smile and say, "Okay, then I'll trouble you to help me introduce her, comrade."

"It's no trouble at all. It's an honor for us Cenhe people to be able to explain things to comrades from other places."

At this point, Qiao Erhe pointed to the ruins of Dingxiang Temple next to him and asked, "Ladies, did you know that there used to be a thousand-year-old temple here?"

Su Jinxiu blinked her big eyes and replied, "We know that. I heard that the ancient temple was called Dingxiang Temple, which is the same name as the current Dingxiang Brigade. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the War of Resistance against Japan."

Qiao Erhe nodded and said, "That's right. This ancient temple, which was destroyed during the War of Resistance Against Japan, is the same temple as the Orienteering Brigade. It was originally built during the flourishing period of Buddhism in the Jin Dynasty and was originally named Dingxiang Temple. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu wrote a poem about 'four hundred and eighty temples in the Southern Dynasties,' and Dingxiang Temple was among them."

Su Jinxiu blurted out, "Four hundred and eighty temples in the Southern Dynasties, how many pavilions are shrouded in mist and rain."

"It's this poem."

Qiao Erhe couldn't help but praise, "Young lady, you are truly quick-witted."

Su Jinxiu blushed slightly at the compliment, while Su Xiangqin, standing beside her, watched with a smile. Her niece from her maternal family had been a beauty since childhood, and was very popular wherever she went. She had seen similar scenes many times before.

Qiao Erhe didn't say much else, but continued to introduce: "Legend has it that in 265 AD, this place was originally the shore of the 800-li Dongting Lake, with vast expanses of water and sky. A timber merchant named Cao Zhengbang sailed here, when suddenly dark clouds gathered, and a storm raged. A mountain peak suddenly rose up in front of him, so he stopped sailing to avoid danger until midnight."

As a result, the wind and waves became high again, and the precious nanmu wood being transported was scattered on the water.

In this critical moment, Cao Gong made a sincere vow, praying to the gods for protection and peace.

The result was quite effective; the storm quickly subsided. To repay the divine favor, Cao Gong took the lead in building a Bao'an Temple and, together with the temple's abbot at the time, planted three ginkgo trees on the east, south, and west sides of the temple as a landmark for future voyages.

The ginkgo tree in front of us is the same one that was originally planted on the east side.

Su Jinxiu said, "So you planted three trees back then. What about the other two?"

Qiao Erhe shook his head and said, "There are no records of the other two trees. Nobody knows exactly when they disappeared."

Su Jinxiu said regretfully, "That's such a pity." Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "Not to mention that the three trees have survived to this day, even the tree in front of us was almost destroyed by a geological exploration team more than ten years ago. Fortunately, the main cadres and the masses of the brigade discovered it in time, otherwise we would not be able to see this thousand-year-old tree today."

Su Xiangqin and her niece exchanged a glance and asked in surprise, "Comrade, what's going on? Why did the geological survey team destroy this thousand-year-old tree?"

Qiao Erhe said, "I heard from the villagers that thirteen years ago, a geological exploration team came here to survey the area. They discovered a golden table and a golden stool under the ginkgo tree using their instruments, and concluded that there was treasure underground. They planned to take these treasures away, so they got a specially made large saw to cut down the tree."

Su Jinxiu said angrily, "These people are too hateful."

Su Xiangqin couldn't help but curse, "To cut down a tree that's over 1,700 years old like that is just ridiculous!"

Qiao Erhe continued, "When the brigade cadres and the masses discovered it, they had already cut the tree nearly a foot deep. With the strong intervention of the brigade cadres and the masses, the exploration team was forced to give up, and the thousand-year-old tree was fortunate enough to survive."

I heard that this saw cut took a full three years to heal. The saw mark is still there; you can come closer and take a look.

Upon hearing this, Su Xiangqin and Su Jinxiu both stepped forward to examine the area closely and indeed discovered residual saw marks.

The angry aunt and niece once again expressed their dissatisfaction with the geological exploration team from back then, and Qiao Erhe joined in without hesitation. The three of them attacked the team with drums, and unknowingly, they brought the two sides closer together.

Next, the two exchanged names, and Qiao Erhe continued to explain to the aunt and niece some legends about Dingxiang Ancient Temple and the ancient ginkgo tree. For example, the poet Li Bai once studied and wrote poems here, which read: "There must be immortals above, a temple on the Xiang River for thousands of years; how many vicissitudes have changed throughout history, the lake outside the temple flows on its own."

There are also legends about Yuchi Gong from the Tang Dynasty, and the legendary Nine-Fire Bronze Lotus Throne, a treasure of Dingxiang Temple...

The Su family aunt and niece listened with rapt attention.

After recounting all the information he knew about Dingxiang Temple and the ancient ginkgo tree, Qiao Erhe reluctantly concluded, "That's all I know. I hope this thousand-year-old tree hasn't disappointed you."

Su Xiangqin smiled and said, "Of course we are not disappointed. If we hadn't met you, Comrade Qiao, here today, my aunt and I would have just taken a quick look at this ancient tree and headed home. But thanks to your detailed introduction, Comrade Qiao, our trip today has been worthwhile."

Su Jinxiu glanced at the sky and said, "Aunt, it's getting late, we should head back."

Su Xiangqin nodded and said, "Okay, let's go back then!"

Su Jinxiu looked at Qiao Erhe and gave him a sweet smile: "Comrade Qiao, thank you for your explanation. We'll head back now. Goodbye."

Although Qiao Erhe really wanted to ask her for her mailing address, he ultimately held back. He was still just a poor rural lad, while Su Jinxiu looked like a well-off city girl. Asking for her mailing address after only meeting her once would be asking too much.

Therefore, Qiao Erhe forcibly suppressed his impulse and replied with a smile, "You're welcome. See you again sometime."

……

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(End of this chapter)