Brief introduction of Lingqiao in Ningbo

Lingqiao, as one of the most famous buildings in Ningbo, is also a classic example of Sino-foreign cooperation in the architectural history of Ningbo. According to records, as early as the second year of Tang Changqing (822), Yingzhi Yingbiao, the secretariat of Mingzhou, set up the "Jin Dong Floating Bridge" at the Fenghua River mouth outside Dongdumen (later moved to the former site of Jinling Bridge). According to legend, at the beginning of the construction, the bridge foundation was always difficult to lay down because of the wide river and fast water flow. Just when they were at their wit's end, a storm came unexpectedly, and in a blink of an eye, the dark clouds dispersed. A rainbow appeared in mid-air, colorful and persistent, and the bridge workers got the message and immediately put piles according to the position of the rainbow. As a result, the bridge pile was quickly laid and the bridge was completed. Because of this supernatural phenomenon, it was named "Lingxian (present) Bridge, referred to as Lingqiao". At that time, Lingqiao was composed of 16 flat boats covered with wooden boards, and the weight of the bridge was borne by the hull. It goes with the flow, walks on it, and is extremely unstable. Entering typhoons, rainstorms and flood seasons is even more dangerous and amazing. 1in August, 926, more than 40 people died here. 1932 Ningbo raised funds to build steel bridge. The project was contracted by Thomson, a German. May 1934 broke ground, and June 1936 was completed and opened to traffic. It was the largest single-hole large-ring bridge in China at that time.

Save people in Fenghua River

"How many hanging poles are there on Lingqiao?" The reporter asked. "Left and right ***20." Wang Weiguo blurted out, and an imperceptible smile appeared on her lips. Maybe he thinks such a question is really too low-level for a patrolman who has been on duty on the bridge for nine years. Wang Weiguo had been patrolling Lingqiao before serving as the squadron leader of the 1st Squadron of Haishu Patrol Brigade. "At that time, my sentry box was located in Jiangxia Park, and the person in charge was Lingqiao." Wang Weiguo said. Look up at Lingqiao, look down at Fenghua River, go to work at 7: 30 every morning, catch thieves, maintain order, save people who fall into the water, enlighten people who can't get over it ... Until 9: 30 in the evening, I finished my duty, locked the booth door, and staggered home. This is the whole content of Wang Weiguo's nine-year work. He is well aware of the people coming and going on Lingqiao and the ebb and flow of Fenghua River. "Lingqiao is the tallest of several bridges in downtown Ningbo." Since patrolling Lingqiao, Wang Weiguo began to wonder why people who committed suicide always jumped Lingqiao: "Then I saw a girl jump, and bang, people never came up again ... still wearing a flowered skirt." 1997 The girl who committed suicide is lucky. Just after the jump, Wang Weiguo arrived. "At 7 o'clock in the morning, it was the time of low tide, and the river was rushing," Wang Weiguo began to recall: "I followed." Wang Weiguo caught the girl with both hands, but they were already in the middle of the river. He has only the strength to support and can't swim back with the girl. "At that time, there was a boat on the river," Wang Weiguo said with a smile. "But they have a rule that they will not come to save us." Wang Weiguo shouted, "This is your money!" The boatman pulled them up from the river. Before he could breathe, the girl jumped up again Wang Weiguo had to turn it over and save it again. After boarding the boat, the girl wanted to jump into the river again. This time, she was caught by Wang Weiguo. "I raised my hand and gave her a slap in the face." Until now, he still can't let go: "I am extremely angry. How can I despise my life so much! " Although it is only early autumn, the river is freezing cold. After the rescue, Wang Weiguo went barefoot to get medicine, and a pair of newly bought leather shoes was washed away by the river. "What happened later?" The reporter wants to know more stories about this girl. "What happened later?" Wang Weiguo paused: "I will not be responsible in the future." Later, it was patrolling, catching thieves and maintaining order ... For Wang Weiguo, Lingqiao was the place where he was assigned tasks.

The first bus at Lingqiao

Lingqiao is the earliest river-crossing bridge in Ningbo. 79-year-old Hu Shaolai is the earliest bus driver in Ningbo. 1956, Hu Shaolai took the bus to Lingqiao. "I am the first." He was a little proud: "At that time, Ningbo Bus Company had only two cars." Hu Shaolai, wearing work gloves, looks much younger than his actual age. He lives in Jiangbei now and occasionally visits Lingqiao. "I saw Lingqiao being bombed with my own eyes." Hu Shao said. It was 1949, and Zhoushan was about to be liberated. In order to prevent the People's Liberation Army from advancing eastward, the reactionaries bombed the urban area centered on Lingqiao 28 times, and the bridge deck of Lingqiao was riddled with holes. "The fire is raging!" Hu Shaolai said with emotion: "So there was no bombing of Lingqiao." From then on, Hu Shaolai had a subtle feeling for Lingqiao. "When my car drives on Lingqiao, it will rumble," Hu Shaolai said with a smile. "At that time, buses were modified by Ford trucks." "At that time, there was only one bridge over the river. After driving up, the vision is very broad and exciting. " "At that time, I was driving a No.3 bus, and I had to go through Lingqiao more than a dozen times a day. As long as it's not commuting time, there are almost no people on the bridge ... "The old man always gushes after falling into memories. Later, Hu Shaolai was assigned to drive a short-distance bus from Ningbo to Guo Ju twice a day. Sometimes the bus will be late, and it will be dark when we return to Ningbo. "From a distance, the light on Lingqiao is the brightest," Hu Shao said. "When you see Lingqiao, everyone will know that you have gone home ..."