Some time ago, in order to search for the Temple of God in the south of Huyingzhuang, I interviewed 92-year-old Mr. Liu Fenghe from Huying Village. Mr. Liu told me about the "Tianmenzi" he saw when he was a child. And also talked about the "Japanese Tower" in Huying Village.
One interview, two stories.
I sorted it out based on Mr. Liu Fenghe’s interview information about “Guizi Tower”, as follows:
Me: Where is the Guizi Tower roughly located?
Him: On the south side of the bay in Anzhuang, there is still that bay.
Me: Is that the bay behind the old supply and marketing cooperative?
him:Yes! That's the bay. At that time, there was a Weizi wall with a corner, and the Guizi Tower was built at that corner.
Me: Is the building very high? Two floors or three floors?
Him: I think it should be two floors, with people living on the lower floor and standing guard on the upper floor. It’s almost the same as a watchtower. The Guizi Tower is very big. It's bigger than Ganglouzi.
Me: The Guizi Building must have been built by someone from your village, right?
Him: Yes, it was built by the common people. As long as he liked the bricks, tiles and wood, he would have them taken away. My "neighbor" (neighbor) built the house with bricks and wood, but before it could be built, he let the devils take him away. Pulled away...
Me: I won't give you any money, and you won't dare to stop me, right?
Him: Who dares to stop me? They all had guns, and they could kill you if they stopped you. They were too scared to come out, let alone ask for money.
Me: How many Japs live in the Japs Tower?
Him: There are about a dozen Japs and traitors. The Japs and the traitors do not live together. The Japs live in the building and the traitors live in the market street. They are not close or far apart. The ghost "Hong Kong" (very) ghost! We are also on guard against traitors, fearing that they may not have the same mind and rebel and "tick" them... We don't know what the traitors think, they are so low-minded and the Japanese are treating these traitors as if they are not human beings and are not responsible for them.
Me: Did the Japanese kill people in your village?
Him: No one was killed, but the whole family was afraid. I had a piece of land at home right under the Japs’ house, and they didn’t dare to farm it. The Japs stayed there for two or three years, and my land was deserted for two or three years.
Me: When did the Guizi Tower disappear?
Him: As soon as the Japanese were liberated and the Japanese escaped, the big guys took down the Japanese building.
Mr. Liu Fenghe, 92, is in good health, has a good memory, clear thinking, is talkative, and loves traveling. He told me that he has visited all the scenic spots in the country, "This spring I also traveled to Taierzhuang Come here..." His words revealed his satisfaction with the current life. He said, "From the perspective of the older generation, there is nothing better than today's society. We eat steamed buns, have wine and food, and are paid monthly...".
After the interview, I took photos of the old man. I wish the elderly good health and longevity.
(original picture and text by Shouguang Laobu)
Ninety-two-year-old Mr. Liu Fenghe. I wish the elderly good health and longevity.
