Four Records of Lao Niu Tang

Author: Wang Chunyu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: [Preface] Preface In October 1994, in the preface to my collection of essays The Oxshed Miscellany, published by Chengdu Publishing House, I added a note: "I am not talented and belong to the Ox sign. In my childhood, I lived in the countryside with my father, Mr. Hengxiang, and my mother, Madam Cao, engaging in farming and studying. I lived together with oxen in a room called an 'oxshed' (a term used in my hometown). Even now, whenever I think of it, the sound of the old ox's regurgitation and sighs still echoes in my ears; during the Cultural Revolution, I was persecuted and spent seven years in a 'cow shed'; recently, Yan Hanzhai called it 'Old Ox Hall'. I am truly tied to the ox." This is the origin of the names "oxshed" and "Old Ox Hall." One should never forget one's roots. I often recall the scenes of mowing grass for oxen, herding them, and living with them in my childhood. One should be cautious when in times of peace. I often think of the suffering I endured during the Cultural Revolution, when I was attacked by rumors, slanderous big-character posters, and public struggle sessions to the point of suffocation. These scenes often reappear in my dreams, making me break out in cold sweat. Therefore, over the past ten years, the collections of essays and I have published, such as The Oxshed Miscellany, Essays from Old Ox Hall (Unity Press), and Three Records from Old Ox Hall (Shanxi Ancient Books Publishing House), all feature the word "ox" prominently. Now, I have the opportunity to publish another collection of essays. Unable to forget my connection with oxen, I have named this book Four Records from Old Ox Hall. The essays in this small book are mainly recent writings, most of which have already been published. There are also some older works from the 1980s and 1990s, but whenever an editor from a newspaper or magazine finds one of my old articles from my writings or website and republishes it, giving it new life, I feel deeply gratified. An article is like a song. If it is sung once and then forgotten by people, wouldn't that be a tragedy? In 1997, which was my zodiac year, I wrote a humorous poem in late spring: "Suddenly, I see the sunset sky, and in a flash, it's my zodiac year again. I rejoice as the gentle breeze turns willows green, and I shake off my spirit to till the field once more." Time flies, and nearly seven years have passed since then. It is spring again. My feelings remain the same—I am still writing under the sunset, shaking off my spirit to pen again, and offering my harvest to the readers. In mid-November 2005, I added several articles published from last summer to the present. It is now November 30th, and by the light of the lamp. Winter has come again, and the north wind is biting cold. But my heart remains warm. I will continue to pour my passion into words, engaging in a spiritual exchange with the respected readers. This book is a collection of selected essays and by the renowned historian Mr. Wang Chunyu, published in recent years. With his sharp pen, the author discusses the past and present, speaks of people and events, making it impossible for readers to put the book down. The famous cartoonist Ye Chunyang has contributed illustrations for this book.