Wu Yong Cultural Notes: Jiangnan, the Unsinkable Boat

Author: Zhu Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The birth of a town is presented so convincingly before my eyes, as if I witnessed the entire process. I see the pebbles on the riverbank being selected, organized, and arranged—small ones used for paving roads, large ones for building houses. I see boats transporting timber from the southern hills, carpenters squinting as they plane out countless flower-like curls from the wood. I see the water wheels by the river constantly pounding rice, turning it into wine, and the wine into warm conversation. Deep within the map, I see delicate, intricately patterned window frames with shadows flickering, and hear the clamor of sleeves and ornaments in the dark night.