The Gathering of Dragons

The Gathering of Dragons

Ancient texts often associate dragons with water. The *Ruiying Tu* (Illustrations of Auspicious Omens) records the "yellow dragon" responding to harmonious qi and swimming in pools; the *Dragon-Fish River Chart* states that the yellow dragon emerged from the Luo River to "pay homage to Emperor Shun"; the *Lüshi Chunqiu* recounts that when Yu the Great crossed the river, the yellow dragon carried his boat; the *Gu Jin Zhu* (Notes on Ancient and Modern Matters) mentions that five years after Emperor Gaozu of Han ascended the throne, the "yellow dragon was seen in Huayang Pool"; the *Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wei* notes that in the first month of the year of the Azure Dragon, the "blue dragon was seen in the Mojie Well"... Such accounts are too numerous to list. Thinking of dragons brings to mind water. The "Gathering of Dragons" refers to the convergence of numerous rivers within Tongzhou District, making it arguably the region with the highest density of canals in world history.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao dug the Pinglu Canal and the Sigu Ditch for his winter campaign against the Wuhuan. The remains of the Sigu Ditch are today’s Gangou River. The Yongji Canal, constructed in the fourth year of the Daye era during the Sui Dynasty, now lies along the Tonghui Southern Trunk Canal in present-day Dashe She Town. In the late Liao Tonghe period, Empress Xiao’s Grain Transport Canal was excavated, now crossing Taohu Town. In the fifth year of the Jin Dading era, the Gaoliang River was dredged and regulated with locks to facilitate transport, known as the Lock Canal, its former course being today’s Tonghui River. In the sixteenth year of the Yuan Zhiyuan era, the northern branch of the Gaoliang River was dredged and dams were built to conserve water for grain transport, known as the Dam Canal, with remnants still visible. By the thirtieth year of Zhiyuan, the Tonghui River reconstructed by Guo Shoujing followed the course from Tujiao Village in Zhangjiawan Town to Huangmuchang Village. In the second year of the Zhi Zheng era, the new Jinkou Canal, overseen by Chancellor Tuo Tuo, left traces in present-day Ciqu Town. The line from Dongshi, Ciqu, Maiying, to Xinhe still shows signs of these canals. The Luh River, repeatedly maintained during the Ming and Qing dynasties, is today’s Grand Canal. These numerous canals, whether dug for military defense or to supply the imperial capital, played vital roles in protecting, consolidating, building, and prospering Beijing. Historically, these canals once converged within today’s Tongzhou District, creating the spectacle of the "Gathering of Dragons," marking a glorious chapter in world history.