Wow, these place names—Chenliu, Dongjun, Dongping, Rencheng, Taishan, Jibei, Shanyang, and Jiyin—saying them all in one breath feels like I’ve been transported back to ancient times! These are all place names, all names of places over two thousand years ago, many of which have since been renamed or have even disappeared.
Just think, back then, if someone traveled from Chenliu to Taishan, how far would they have to go! Probably several days of walking, camping out in the open; just thinking about it feels tough. Unlike today, where high-speed trains can get you there in just a few hours, it’s incredibly convenient. Back then, with such inconvenient transportation, if someone had to travel, they had to prepare in advance, bring enough food and water, and be careful of any dangers on the road.
Many stories have unfolded in these places throughout history! For example, Taishan, one of the Five Sacred Mountains, where countless literati and poets have gone to compose verses, leaving behind a wealth of beautiful works. "I will climb to the summit, and view all the other mountains as small," Du Fu's poem—just thinking about it now still feels so grand! If I had the chance to visit these places and truly feel the weight of history, how wonderful would that be!
Just think about the nobles and officials in ancient times; they probably traveled between these places! They rode in carriages, which were a bit better than walking, but still definitely bumpy. If they faced strong winds and rain, it would have been even more difficult to endure. And now, we have high-speed trains and airplanes, much more comfortable. It’s amazing how far we’ve come! Thinking about these ancient place names, it feels like the river of history flows endlessly, and we’re just a tiny ripple in its vast current.
