Historical records of Jinniu Lake

According to historical records, Liu Bowen, a minister of the Ming Dynasty, was good at observing Feng Shui. One day, he reported to Taizu that there was a dragon spirit beside Jinniu Mountain. He was afraid that there would be a conflict between Chu and Han in the future, so he ordered two iron oxen to be cast. , buried by the lake to suppress the king's energy, imitating Qin Shihuang's opening of the Qinhuai River to channel the Jinling king's energy.

During the Qingming Festival, rapeseed flowers are yellow, swaying, fragrant and dancing, attracting butterflies and bees, echoing the rolling waves of wheat. It is the fishing season. The contractors of Jinniu Lake were rafting three or four times, shouting to each other in dialect, and their oars hitting the side of the boat in response. One or two speedboats cut through the waves and sailed away, adding to the tranquility and vividness.

At this time, Jinniu Lake is peaceful and quiet. However, there are times when there are sudden waves. It is said that every year during the Qingming Festival, the little white dragon will ride the wind and clouds across the lake, setting off three-foot waves from east to west, like a seahorse, riding away from the dust. As for the northern foot of Jinniu Mountain, he will pay homage to his mother's grave. Some villagers claimed to have witnessed this scene with their own eyes. I suspect that this "Loch Ness Monster" is an underwater giant python that raises its head and rolls over when spring comes back, playing in the lake, showing off its body that has been dormant for many days; or it is a giant fish in the lake that climbs over in this spring when the flowers are blooming. Flapping to lay eggs and generate interest.

In the rainy season, the lake water rises three times a day. The formerly dry and cracked tidal flats are filled with hundreds of streams competing for flow, day and night. I remember when I was young, I would go fishing with my father in the lake barefoot and carrying a basket. On both sides of the lake bottom and streams, there are soft mud and green grass, like soft quilts, wrapping your feet. Fish were playing in the stream, and everyone was trying to twist their hips to cast the net. The fish belly is white, and it looks so dazzling among the ocher-brown tidal flats and ocher-brown fishermen.

In the golden autumn, the lake breeze blows. Watching the waves by the lake, the waves chase each other back and forth, adding fuel to the fire; listen calmly to the wind, and occasionally you can clearly distinguish the voices of people and dogs barking on the distant shore; smell the oily water plants and the fishy smell of the water, and it goes straight to your heart, like a tea drinker Sipping tea can relieve worries.

Viewing the lake from different angles will give you completely different views

Viewed from a ridge of fields in the east of the lake, Jinniu Mountain and Niushi Mountain are like two giant bells, enveloping the lake with their two wings. , like Mother Earth, peaceful and tranquil, lying on her back on the ground, exposing her tender breasts that nurture life on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. That lake is her clear and holy breast. The undulating peaks of Yeshan Mountain in the distance are vague, like a barrier, covering this shy goddess! Climbing up an irrigation embankment in Hubei and looking into the distance, you can see mountains in the distance and water nearby, with distinct layers. At dusk, the setting sun reflects the setting sun, and the solitary bird flutters its wings and circles in the lake. The rising smoke from the village on the other side reminds people of the fireworks in the world again, and then they turn back. One afternoon more than ten years ago, I invited two friends and drove to the southern foothills of Niushi Mountain and the hinterland of the north bank of Jinniu Lake to "observe it." In the dusk, we struggled to cut through the gray mountains and rivers. Waves, roars, howls, and shouts echoed between the two mountains, which was very pleasant. After bathing, I sat quietly on the rocks on the shore in the wet water, talking about the irrational dialogue of youth. After it dries, step under the moonlight again and return home exhausted. There is an old traveler from many years ago whose home is on the northwest shore of Jinniu Lake. I once visited his elegant home and came to his farm near the lake, almost in the middle of the lake. The fields are like a giant handle, sticking straight into the lake. There is water on all sides, with two majestic mountains facing each other. You can even catch a glimpse of the wooden houses of the tea growers at the foot of the mountain. The water comes from all sides and ripples to your feet, making you feel like you are in the "center of the world". The most impressive thing is to climb the reservoir dam on the south bank. A thousand-meter-long embankment, like a giant dam, lies across the unruly lake. Since then, the lake has become tamed and looks like steaming clouds and rosy clouds. The blue, clear and transparent water is the best among all waters in Nanjing, and it is worthy of the nickname of Nanjing's "West Lake". If you return to the cow's head and cow's back, it will be even more interesting to see the mountains and pines, and the virtual and the real.

When the fallen leaves become desolate and the red leaves turn into mud, I urge you to take a rest by the lake, seek solitude and secrets, and imitate the ancients. You can also bring climbing ropes and sleeping bags to show your agility.

In the middle of winter, the lake is covered with ice and snow, the mountains and rivers are covered with silver, and silver cattle are galloping, and the heaven and earth seem like a snow-colored dome. Everything around the lake is silent, except for the rustling north wind, shaking snow clumps from the treetops. Wild birds are either roosting or flying, searching for bird food in the vast white areas, calling for friends, and each one is raising its neck and whistling in mourning.

It is said that ninety-nine temples were built on Jinniu Mountain by the lake, but unfortunately they were destroyed by the Japanese invaders. However, the mountain temple has been very popular since ancient times, especially during temple fairs (every February 19th, June 19th, and September 19th in the lunar calendar). Devoted men and women hold bricks and tiles from the foot of the lake, climb mountains devoutly, donate bricks and tiles, and throw coins in front of the temple. , burn incense, make wishes, and pray for blessings. Pilgrims from as far away as Yangzhou come by bus every year, convinced of the efficacious powers of the Bodhisattva on this mountain.