Ancient Riverside Ferry Crossing

　　Linjiang is an area in Wen County that was developed relatively early, with human activity dating back to primitive clan periods. According to archaeological findings, the Neolithic-era Siwa Culture (An’gu Type) site at Linjiangping and Jiangjiawan (with pottery shards and jars/basins), as well as the Qijia Culture site at Yangjiawan.

　　Research by relevant scholars indicates that Linjiang was the ancient Jialu Town, where Jiang Wei of the Three Kingdoms period stationed troops and frequently battled with Deng Ai. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it served as the capital of the Di-led Yang clan’s Wudu and Yinping states. The Mudan Temple in the area was first built during the Guangxu era (1885) and has a history of over 100 years. After several reconstructions, it now features distinctive characteristics and is a local scenic highlight. Since ancient times, a ferry crossing has existed in Linjiang. The Ming Dynasty poet Feng Shiyong wrote in his poem “Evening Ferry at Linjiang”: “All day long boats cross the river gate at Wenzhou, Amid autumn woods veiled in mist birds wing homeward. Drums of war thunder through hazy hills, Hooves on plank roads echo with murmuring waters. Tribal folk light fires to welcome officials, Merchants from Shu fill their purses in bustling markets. Thatched cottages in the valley lie half-hidden, I jot down poems to pair with paintings I behold.” Another Ming Dynasty poet and military official, Xu Lu, wrote in “Spending the Night at Linjiang”: “Deep in the night, lights gleam as I lodge at Linjiang, Chased by cockcrow, I prepare for dawn’s departure. My carriage cover dampens under days of rain, My travel clothes chill from mountain frost. A scholar wields words like thirty thousand soldiers, An old general stations a force of twelve myriad men. May the smoke of war cease across ten thousand miles, So dust no longer rises where I rush to the river each day.”

　　About three li south of Linjiang Street lies Yang’erba, where there once was a wooden bridge spanning the Bailong River, referred to by villagers as the Linjiang Bridge. To this day, there exists a stone inscription by the local scholar Zhang Erhe titled “Record of the Linjiang Bridge,” which reads: “To the north of Wenzhou, about a hundred li from the county seat, lies the Linjiang Post. Linjiang faces the Bailong River. The river flows from Wudu, heading southeast until it joins the Bailong River (Bai Shui) at Yulei Pass. This post lies right along the route frequented by travelers, and the turbulent currents made crossing impossible without a bridge. Thus, the establishment of the Linjiang Bridge has a long history. However, it was often repaired but also frequently collapsed. Travelers had to rely on boatmen, hence it was also called the Ancient Linjiang Ferry. In the 43rd year of the Kangxi reign [1684], the garrison commander Ma rebuilt it. After liberation, in 1957, when the Wenwu Highway was opened to traffic, cars traveling north and south had to cross the river by ferry at Yang’erba, causing great inconvenience. The Bailong River Bridge in the area was constructed in 1965, becoming the earliest highway bridge built over the Bailong River. Because it is located near Yang’erba Village, it is also called the Yang’erba Highway Bridge.”

　　Information source: Gansu Wen County Website