East and West Huaide Bridges

East and West Huaide Bridges

According to the Ming and Qing dynasty editions of the Mengcheng County Annals, Mengcheng originally had an earthen city wall with three gates—south, north, and west. The east side was left without a gate because it was surrounded by the winding waters of the Guo River. In the sixth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1511), the city wall was rebuilt with bricks, and the east gate as well as a small north gate (due to the gradual northeastward shift of this section of the Guo River) were added. A moat was dug outside the city wall, and an inner city moat was excavated within the city walls to drain accumulated water. However, the water storage capacity of both the inner and outer moats was limited. Since they were not connected to the Guo River, during years of severe flooding, water still accumulated and caused disasters both inside and outside the city. As a result, two drainage ditches were dug at the eastern and western ends of Shunhe Street, outside the North Gate, to channel the accumulated water into the Guo River. Over time, these two ditches became wider and deeper due to erosion, affecting traffic.

In the 14th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1888), Chen Huaidé, commander of Suzhou, whose hometown was Chenweizi, located twenty-five li northeast of the county, was deeply concerned about the inconvenience faced by residents traveling into the city. Once, when Chen Huaidé returned to Mengcheng shortly after heavy rain, the ditches were swollen with rushing water, and the banks were crowded with pedestrians who could not cross. Those in urgent need had no choice but to wade through the water. Chen Huaidé ordered his attendants to find the county magistrate and inspect the site. He asked, “What do you think of this situation?” The county official bowed and replied, “We should do what’s best for the people. Please instruct us, Your Excellency.” Chen Huaidé said, “I’ve long intended to build bridges here to make things easier for the people. Today, I’d like to discuss with you whether we can build one bridge on the east and one on the west?” The county official cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “As you command, sir!”

　Chen Huaidé immediately allocated funds from the military camp to cover the cost of building the bridges. Before long, two stone bridges—one on the east and one on the west—were completed. To win the favor of the official, the Mengcheng county magistrate named them “East Huaide Bridge” and “West Huaide Bridge.”

Although Chen Huaidé held a high-ranking position, he never put on official airs and did many good deeds for the people. The residents of both Suzhou and Mengcheng presented him with more than ten plaques praising his virtues. After the liberation, one of these wooden plaques—engraved with four golden characters reading “Glory in Old Age”—was used as a desk in the office of Chenwei Primary School.

Since the construction of the East and West Huaide Bridges, trade between urban and rural areas became much more convenient. However, with social development and population growth, the two bridges began to seem too narrow. Years of neglect also led to structural damage that increased the risk of accidents. Later, Lu Huchen stepped forward and worked with local officials and gentry to plan the reconstruction. The bridges were widened and heightened, and stone tablets were erected at the bridgeheads to commemorate the project.

In the third year of the Republic of China, Wang Chi came to Mengcheng to serve as county magistrate. Local gentry initiated fundraising efforts to renovate the East and West Huaide Bridges once again. A stone tablet was erected by the roadside at the eastern end of the East Huaide Bridge to document the event. After the liberation, culverts were built under the East Huaide Bridge, and several of the bridge’s commemorative stone tablets were erected along the northeastern corner of the bridge wall. Unfortunately, later residents filled in ponds to build houses, and these tablets were buried under the rubble.