“River West Affair”. That’s what Hexiwu literally translates to. We’re standing in Hexiwu Town in China. It is a place brimming with history. This town’s story is deeply entwined with the Grand Canal.
Hexiwu got its start because of the canal. Dynasties established offices here for hundreds of years. The town became a key point for water transport and tax collection. It also served as a land and water post station. Officials here held significant power.
Hexi affairs started in the Han Dynasty. It then rose in the early Yuan Dynasty. It flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The town’s development is linked to the canal’s history. The canal is Hexiwu’s lifeblood.
Back in 204 AD, Cao Cao of the Wei Dynasty dug the Baigou to connect canals north and south of the Yellow River. Later, the Pinglu canal was dug further north. This extended the canal system to Tianjin. Another canal was built from Youzhou now Beijing to Tianjin. This met the Pinglu canal in Quanzhou County Wuqing. Together, these formed the base of China’s grand canal system.
During the Yuan Dynasty in 1270 Kublai Khan ordered the dredging of the Grand Canal. He had a canal dug at the waist of the Grand Canal in the Sui Dynasty. In 1276, Guo Shoujing suggested replacing the Yongji canal. He wanted to use the Luhe waterway from Tongzhou to Tianjin instead. This became the North Canal, flowing through Hexiwu. By 1280, the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal was complete. It stretched over 3500 Li.
Hexiwu became a vital fortress and transportation hub. It saw high official power and thrived economically. In 1572, Hexiwu began building a brick city. It became known as the “first town in Jingdong”. It also gained the title of “the first post in Jinmen”.
Recent archaeological finds near Hexiwu reveal even more about its past. A granary complex dating back to the Yuan Dynasty was discovered. These ruins are the first of their kind found in China. They belonged to the Shisicang site. Shisicang means “Fourteen Granaries”. This site was a major hub for grain storage and distribution. It moved grain from the south to the north. It later became a logistics center for all of China. The discovery shows that the Yuan Dynasty managed grain transport effectively.
Imagine the bustling activity here centuries ago. Boats laden with grain passed through Hexiwu. Officials managed the flow of goods and taxes. The town was a vital link in China’s economic lifeline. Today, Hexiwu stands as a testament to its rich history. It reminds us of the importance of the Grand Canal.