"...In a certain sense, Zhongdu is the first city in the New World to follow the Chinese city system. Although it does not have city walls, it does have city gates. The city gates are inspired by the Chinese archways. We are about to pass the "Yongding"
The construction of "Gate" started in the eighth year of Shengde and was completed at the end of the ninth year of Shengde. It adopts a six-column and five-bay archway structure. It is different from the traditional wood and stone archway structure. It adopts a large collapse steel-concrete structure. Its main body is 46.6 meters high.
Taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France..."
The passengers on the double-decker bus quickly immersed themselves in writing down this important information, and then stood up one after another. They all looked at the huge and majestic building, the carved beams and painted columns, and the colorful archways with expressions of admiration.
It looked even more spectacular. When they got closer, they noticed that the majestic stone lion holding a drum was just a shape with relief carvings on it.
The tour guide was a young woman, dressed in plain clothes, with a gentle and pleasant voice, but the woman had a Western appearance.
A young man held a three- or four-year-old child on his knees, which seemed to allow him to see more clearly. At the same time, they finally reached the bottom of the city gate.
"On the inner side of the drum-holding stone lion of "Yongding Gate" are engraved four war-themed reliefs: "Foundation Laying", "Expedition", "Victory" and "Conquer". On the outer side, there are engraved images of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Ming Dynasty.
name."
The female tour guide introduced them.
"Today's greatness and tomorrow's eternal destiny are all due to the sacrifices of the loyal and brave soldiers of the empire. The sacrifices of the loyal and brave soldiers will be commemorated here to demonstrate their merits..."
The passengers on the bus all stretched their necks dutifully, hoping to see the names of those people, and of course some took beautiful relief photos with their cameras.
These passengers have different identities. Among them are a group of Japanese from African colonies, with cheap "Cons" cameras hanging around their necks. For them, coming to the mainland of the empire is a pilgrimage. There is also a pair of people who are dressed and look like
They are similar to American cowboys. It is obvious at a glance that they are a couple from the North Sea Colony, with a child of eight or nine years old. They are here to visit. There are also some people who are dressed no different from ordinary Ming people, probably from the south.
provinces.
They came here by ship and train from all over the country and came to the heart of the empire just to visit this new capital of the empire. From the day he planned it, it attracted the attention of the whole world.
"Look, this is Zhongdu!"
Pointing to the buildings on both sides of the street, Zhan Tianyou introduced them to his wife beside him.
His expression looked a little excited, Zhongdu, he finally returned to Zhongdu again.
Zhongdu!
From the proposal of the "New Capital Plan" in 1877 to the start of construction in 1878, it took the Ming Empire more than three years to build a new capital in this newly conquered wilderness. There are no historical sites in the city, and there is no bustle and bustle of a metropolis.
, but its urban layout is full of modern concepts, novel and unique buildings, and artistic sculptures with rich meanings. The urban area has modern high-rise buildings, as well as traditional Chinese-style buildings and European Baroque buildings.
Here classical and modern, Chinese and Western seem to blend together in a perfect way, just like this empire.
"Well, this is Zhongdu, I understand."
Tan Juzhen, who was smiling broadly, only had Zhan Tianyou beside her in her eyes when she spoke. Compared to Zhongdu, she only had eyes for the man next to her.
Two years ago, he returned to China after completing his studies. As soon as he returned to China, he was deeply trained and valued by Governor Li Zai. Although he was sure to have a baby bride at that time, he had not yet been married, and many people with better family backgrounds than her came to marry him.
They talked to matchmakers and persuaded her to marry another woman, but he was not wavering or unwilling at all. He even married her when he became famous.
How could she not be moved?
"Juzhen, let me tell you that when the war started against Pakistan, my classmates from the Army School and I went out with the army. My unit was the first to arrive here..."
"Ah, you, you really went out with the army? Then why didn't you say that in the letter?"
Tan Juzhen said as she lowered her head and saw the worried look on her wife's face.
"Juzhen, don't you think I'm doing well? Don't worry, we will be together often in the future. Don't you think we are together now?"
Her husband's answer brought a smile to Tan Juzhen's face again. They were childhood sweethearts. Shortly after they got engaged at the age of twelve, he was sent to study abroad in Ming Dynasty. The longing for each other for seven or eight years was finally over.
The sightseeing bus continued to move forward, passing through a bustling street lined with high-end shops, movie theaters and restaurants. Half an hour later, they left the double-decker sightseeing bus, strolled on the street for a while, and then entered a nearby
A restaurant.
The restaurant serves barbecue with northern characteristics. As soon as they sat down, someone suddenly shouted.
"God bless! Zhan Tianyou!"
Excited voices came from not far away, and in the next moment, a figure suddenly rushed from the side and "broke" in front of Zhan Tianyou and his wife C.
"Haisheng!"
Zhan Tianyou, who was accompanying his wife, stood up excitedly when he heard the voice and said.
"Zheng Haisheng, you, how..."
Before Zhan Tianyou could speak, Zheng Haisheng kept asking questions like a barrage of questions.
"God bless, haven't you returned to China? Why are you in Zhongdu again? By the way, I saw it in the newspaper that China has been liberated. Now you..."
Looking at Zhan Tianyou, Zheng Haisheng suddenly seemed to want to understand something and said excitedly.
"So, you were sent to Ming Dynasty on official business by the new government."
"Haha, you are really right,"
Zhan Tianyou smiled.
"I was sent by the commander-in-chief to serve in the military attache's office of the embassy. I originally wanted to wait until I settled down before contacting my old classmate. I never thought I'd meet you here. By the way, Haisheng, you are now..."
"I am currently serving on the staff."
"Staff Headquarters! That's a great place. I didn't expect you to join the Staff Headquarters so soon."
Because he attended the military academy in Ming Dynasty, why didn't Zhan Tianyou know what it meant for a young officer to enter the staff department?
"Temporary secondment."
Zheng Haisheng shook his head and turned his attention to the woman next to Zhan Tianyou.
"God bless, who is this?"
"Ah, look at me, let me introduce to you, this is my wife."
"Ah, they are actually my younger brother and sister. Tianyou didn't introduce me earlier because I was too reckless. My younger brother and sister, I am Zheng Haisheng, and Tianyou and I are classmates at the Army School!"
Zheng Haisheng quickly stood up and introduced himself.
"And we are also good friends in the same dormitory. I didn't expect that we would meet again!"
There is nothing more exciting than meeting an old friend in a foreign country. In this era, the reunion of old friends is even more precious.