East City River

　　The East City River has a broad water surface, with the widest point exceeding 200 meters. Originally serving as the moat of the ancient city of Hailing, it was excavated in the second year of the Baqing era during the Song Dynasty (1227 AD). The scenic area covers a total of 124.5 hectares, of which 51.8 hectares are water surface. Since ancient times, the banks of the East City River have been a renowned scenic destination in Taizhou. Classical gardens such as "Wild Geese Resting on Reeds," "Phoenix Pond and Brush Tip," "South Moat Fishermen’s Songs," as well as "Hongyuan Garden" and "Lotus Isle," all part of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Hailing,” are located within the East City River scenic area. For those who have recited the “Memorandum on Yueyang Tower” with gusto, besides feeling an even stronger yearning for the splendid scenery of Baling, they might also recall two figures—Teng Zijing and Fan Zhongyan. Teng Zijing, who was later “banished to govern Baling Prefecture,” once served as an official in Hailing. During the Tian Sheng era, when the Wenhuai Hall was built in Hailing, Fan Zhongyan, then the salt supervisor at Xixi, was very close to Teng Zijing and composed a poem for the hall titled “Writing for Wenhuai Hall of Hailing Official Teng.” The poem reads: “In the southeastern maritime prefecture, the official hall is filled with refreshing breeze. Reading faces Confucius and Zhou, playing music evokes the age of Fuxi. A noble man does not rejoice alone; my friends come from afar.” The carved artwork “Breeze in the Literary Gathering,” which recreates the poetic interaction between Teng and Fan, was installed in March this year on the north side of the East City River Pumping Station, becoming a new yet old scenic spot by the river. The stories of eminent officials, wise scholars, poets, and writers have all melted into the blue waves of the East City River. Meanwhile, the ancient city of Hailing, having endured the trials of time, remains charmingly beautiful. At this time of year, when you look down from a height, the greenery along both banks of the river is so lush it seems almost tangible. The shadows of trees and buildings nestle in the water, unshaken by the wind. Nearby, the red poppies by the shore are in full bloom, glowing crimson and radiating the passion of spring. And then there are the weeping willows by the water, their dancing branches either intentionally or unintentionally drooping straight down, lightly brushing the water’s surface before quickly pulling away—like a wine lover stealing a quiet sip, yet fearing being seen.