Yang’e Ridge

Yang’e Ridge

Yang’e Ridge

Yang’e Ridge, this formidable natural barrier that deserves special mention, I once climbed in heavy rain. The ascent is ten li, the descent another ten, with two thousand stone steps climbing a thousand feet in altitude—it forms the shield of Lan Mountain and the back gate of Siming. This twenty-li mountain path is flanked on both sides by ancient bamboo, untouched by scorching sun or worldly dust. The ridge, honored with the name “Yang’e Ancient Path,” is quite a place that lingers in one’s memory.

Once you ascend Yang’e Ridge and press onward, you will reach the main peak of Dalan Mountain. From afar, it looks like a steamed bun, shrouded in mist and clouds. Though it doesn’t appear particularly high, it towers above the surrounding peaks. I once composed a poem about the summit of Dalan Mountain:

How many layers must I climb to reach the heights,

Where few have trod, deep in the clouds and mists?

Marching on, I suddenly find all mountains small—

For I stand atop Dalan’s mightiest peak.

This place, which had never suffered devastation in history, was now within the red circle marked for enemy assault. The enemy, attacking from the eastern side of Dalan Mountain, was advancing on Da’jiao through Yinjiang Bridge. Passing through Zhongcun at the junction of Yinxian, Cixi, and Yuyao counties, ascending Jiulei Ridge would bring you to our base camp at Chenjiayan. To our west lay this very Yang’e Ridge.