The Golden Dust Story of Beijing

Author: Hong Zhu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The so-called "Remnants of Gold Dust in Beijing" leave one emotionally stirred. They carry the flavors of love and hate, but more profoundly, the essence of blood and tears, even the taste of iron and fire. I cannot praise Beijing from the perspective of romance and beauty; living in Beijing, I struggle to even write about such fleeting, poetic scenes and stories. One cannot apply makeup to a noblewoman with the beauty of time's passage, transforming her into a vulgar modern belle. Writing about Beijing is a heavy, and I cannot find a light, carefree feeling. Beijing's history lacks romance and beauty, yet it is filled with the clash of swords and the fluttering banners of power struggles. The voice of this ancient capital is usually the resounding, powerful sound of bronze bells. Occasionally, if one hums a tender, lyrical tune, it often goes "off-key." Therefore, Beijing is not strictly a "land of wealth and gentleness." It is wealthy, yet not gentle enough; here, one cannot find the bubbly, delicate champagne of soft, leisurely moments, but instead, one encounters the rampant consumption of strong, fiery liquor everywhere.