Ren Zhiyong and Dai Lin, Sun Shuheng
Ren Zhiyong: A new generation of Mongolian merchants and collectors of the Wanli Tea Ceremony
Author/Sun Shuheng
One
Ren Zhiyong is a sincere person.
Two days ago, Mr. Dai Lin, an expert in literature and history who studied the camel transport of the Hui people, told me that Ren Zhiyong, who had been doing business in Mongolia for a long time, had returned to China, and he had studied the tea ceremony and Mongolian merchants. As Mr. Dai Lin said, "Thanksgiving meets".
On weekend mornings, the sun shines brightly, which makes me feel good. There are few pedestrians on the street. Drinking tea in the clubhouse of Mr. Dai Lin's community, he came over as soon as the appointed time arrived. He is not tall, dressed casually, wears a sunhat, carries a backpack, neat and clean, his eyes are bright and alert, his eyes are always shining with a warm light, as if he can perceive people's hearts, but he never shows them easily. His smile is always so natural and kind, which may be the characteristic of people who have worked abroad for a long time.
We shook hands, there was no polite greeting, and we didn't need to introduce ourselves, but it was our first meeting.
He chose Tieguanyin tea, flowing with a faint fragrance, and began to chat. He is a low-key, unassuming man. He said that the epidemic did not return for three years. I returned to China, and my heart was steady. I was still very busy when I came back, and I just sent my child to make up for the lesson. I went to visit my eighty-year-old father again.
As soon as I came into contact with him, I felt that he was a natural, authentic, sincere, simple and individualistic traveler in Mongolia.
He said, "I am a new generation of businessmen in Mongolia"
By chance, I was full of curiosity about learning about a "new generation of Mongolian businessmen".
In front of the 300-year-old tea company building in Mongolia, Moscow, Russia, 2018
Two
Ren Zhiyong is a descendant of cavalry.
His father worked in the Fifth Cavalry Division, and after changing careers, he served as the head of the police station; And my mother was a technician at the Highway Works Bureau.
Ren Zhiyong's body has the blood of cavalry flowing in his body, inheriting the heroic spirit of his father's cavalry. He loves freedom, loves adventure, likes to challenge himself, and constantly surpasses himself.
Ren Zhiyong graduated from Hoshi No. 2 Middle School and was later admitted to the Inner Mongolia Agricultural and Animal Husbandry College, majoring in civil engineering. During his university years, he actively studied and worked hard to expand his knowledge, and after graduation, he was assigned to work in the Mongolia branch of China State Construction Corporation. Although he chose a different career path, he achieved a reputation as a traveling businessman.
In 1997, Ren Zhiyong embarked on a journey to the Mobei Plateau of Mongolia and began his entrepreneurial journey.
The former site of the Dashengkui firm in Uriya Sutai
In 2000, he took a leave of absence from his job and founded New Century Construction and Installation Company in Mongolia, where he continued to engage in building materials and geotechnical engineering, which he specializes in. Soon after, he established a joint-stock company with a well-known group in China, mainly engaged in geotechnical foundation engineering and real estate business. In a short period of time, he successfully founded the Mongolia Wanli Tea Ceremony Research Association and his own Ming Tea Culture Company.
At the Kyakhta border crossing on the Sino-Mongolian border
Especially for his main business, he is not only an expert in construction engineering, he has led the team to overcome one technical problem after another, and created one architectural masterpiece after another. His architectural works have not only brought economic benefits to the company, he has won wide acclaim for his exquisite craftsmanship and deep expertise, making important contributions to the construction industry in Mongolia.
At the former site of Zhangjiakou Changjia Damei Jade Tea
He said that I will not go with the flow, and I will not get rich overnight through smuggling or other illegal means, because this will keep me sober and determined.
For Ren Zhiyong, the scope of engineering radiation is extremely broad, and Mongolia opens its arms to him in more dimensions and ways.
At the west exit of the Tea Road: Kill the Tiger's Mouth
Three
Ren Zhiyong is a collector of travel.
He learned stamp collecting from his uncle at the age of 6 and cultivated his sense of collecting. He had a strong interest in the Wanli Tea Ceremony, and had a deep experience of the Mongolian merchants as an important role in this trade route, and their wisdom, courage and tenacity, as well as their contributions, are worthy of being remembered by history.
He said that he had read a large number of relevant academic works, mastered a large number of historical documents, visited some museums or sites related to this period of history, had a clear understanding of this history and culture, and began a soul-shaking journey through history to explore the legendary stories one by one.
At the west exit of the Tea Road: Zhangjiakou
His projects are all over the Mongolia plateau, and he is also a travel expert, he is more than just a simple traveler. In Ren Zhiyong's heart, he believes that everyone should not only be an individual, but should integrate into society. On the Mongolia plateau, walking people from different fields, he met all kinds of people, such as envoys, lamas, pilgrims, explorers, travelers, photographers, merchants, vagabonds, and even fugitives and dissidents. Although he will also be affected by various phenomena in society, he will stick to his bottom line. He said that the yin qi is not stained, and the temple is not stained, so that I can stand on my feet and feel solid and stable in my heart.
Every time he travels, with his love for the Mongolia plateau, he walks through mountains and rivers, passes through towns and villages, explores the unknown, investigates the tea ceremony, and visits Mongolian merchants, and collects ancient items along the way, each of which carries a profound historical and cultural heritage.
These collections not only reminded him of the good times during his journey, but also the precipitation of his soul. What is collected is history, what is rescued is culture, and it is also the inner moving and realization.
A ledger spanning more than 100 years
Ticket only
Mongolia Medical Book
Mongolia trade envelope
An old object of the Da Sheng Kui firm
He carefully took out some materials from his backpack, all of which were sealed in plastic sheets, all of which were about the Wanli Tea Ceremony and the Mongolian merchants. He opens and narrates, full of strong personal touches and unique narratives.
In the Changjia compound
He showed us two important historical materials, one is the Qing government's charter on the lease of land for the Mongolia Plateau, a total of 16 articles. In the early Qing Dynasty, due to the relationship between Manchu and Mongolian marriages and in order to maintain the relative independence of Inner Mongolia, the Qing government implemented the policy of "banning land reclamation". This is mainly to prevent the influx of Hermes-Epitek. Reclamation policy, at the end of the Qing Dynasty, due to a variety of reasons, such as the financial crisis, the border crisis, and the debts of the Mongolian princes and nobles, the Qing government began to gradually liberalize the policy of clearing land for the Mongolia Plateau. In this charter, the Chinese and Russian people were allowed to lease land in Outer Mongolia. The charter stipulates that the land is divided into raw places, measured, and the four realms, and the diplomatic yamen issues licenses, and collects three yuan for the license. The lease term is three years. It is divided into upper, middle and lower places. The financial yamen collects the license fee, and each mu of land is three yuan, two yuan, and one yuan according to the upper, middle and lower ground. The penalty for unauthorized reclamation shall be increased by 10 times...... and so on marked the transformation of the Mongolia Plateau from nomadism to farming and nomadism.
In the twenty-seventh year of Guangxu (1902), the central government of the Qing Dynasty approved the Shanxi Governor Cen Chunxuan's decision on the reclamation of Mongolian banner land, and appointed Lang Yigu, the left attendant of the military department, as the minister of the Qin Command to supervise the reclamation of the Mongolian banner, and went to western Mongolia to supervise the reclamation affairs. With the liberalization of the policy, a large number of Han people legally moved to settle in Inner Mongolia, and the Mongolia aristocracy also opened up land and pastures for Han people to cultivate. In the process of reclamation, the Qing government measured the land that had been reclaimed privately, levied the silver on the acre by acre, and upgraded the cultivated farmland to levy the land tax. This policy promoted the development of agriculture in the Mongolia Plateau. Now Mongolia is self-sufficient in rice and white noodles.
The other set of documents is the road guide, passport (photo), ticket limit, and business license stipulated by the Qing Dynasty government for Mongolian merchants. The Qing government implemented a policy of ethnic segregation, and businessmen in Mongolia who entered Mongolia to do business were required to obtain "dragon tickets" and "letter tickets" as vouchers for a period of one year. At that time, they must return, and they must not be used to stay in exile. However, for Mongolian merchants, the issuance and review of documents are more stringent. They need to pass the Qing government's review and receive specific "dragon tickets" or "letter tickets" before they can legally enter Mongolia for trade. Restrictions on the types of commodities on the documents: The Qing court imposed clear restrictions on the types of commodities brought into Mongolia by Mongolian merchants, except for grain, cloth, tea, tobacco and alcohol, daily necessities, Buddhist utensils, cast iron pots, etc., weapons and metals such as copper and iron were strictly prohibited from entering Mongolia. Taxes: The Qing court also levied a variety of taxes on Mongolian merchants, such as land tax for tents, grazing grassland tax, commodity transaction tax, and entry and exit gate tax. This is to increase the government's fiscal revenue, and at the same time, it also further controls and manages the business activities of Mongolian merchants. Inspection and punishment: The Qing government issued an encyclical to Manchu and Han officials stationed in various parts of Mongolia, such as generals, capitals, ministers, and counselors, and the princes of Zasak, all allied banners, to regularly check the licenses and stamps of Mongolian merchants. If it is found that there is no ticket or has an expired letter ticket, the goods will be confiscated and expelled from Mongolia.
In addition, Zasak and officials will be dealt with for their failure to investigate or conceal them. The Qing government's management measures such as road guides, passports, and cargo certificates for merchants traveling to Mongolia were aimed at maintaining the stability and security of Mongolia, while also bringing fiscal revenue to the Qing government. However, with the growth of trade demand and the relaxation of bans, the economic activities of Mongolian merchants in Mongolia gradually grew. From these documents, there is a ticket in June of the sixteenth year of Jiaqing, which is marked with six people from Qi County, thirty-one to forty-eight years old, with age, height, complexion, beard, etc., and took ninety cargo camels to Kulun. There is a road guide in April of the third year of Daoguang, which is marked with a road guide issued for the head of the four Khalkha leagues who went to Tibet to congratulate the Dalai Lama on his enthronement. There is a license in October of the 22nd year of Guangxu, which is marked with the official and secretary Chongdian returning with his family after reaching the age of two, driving two, one camel cart, and twelve camel drivers.
Directions
licence
Ticket
licence
Four
Ren Zhiyong is a participant in the Wanli Tea Ceremony.
In Mongolia, he was not only a successful businessman, but also a respected social activist. He is the vice president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Mongolia, and he is well aware of the weight of his identity as a Chinese in a foreign country, and he understands his responsibilities and missions as a businessman in Mongolia. With his actions, he has built a bridge of friendship between the Chinese and Mongolian peoples.
He is also committed to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Mongolia. He organized various cultural activities to let the people of Mongolia learn about Chinese history, culture and traditions. At the same time, he also invited Chinese artists to perform in Mongolia, so that the Mongolian people could feel the charm of Chinese culture. His efforts have promoted friendship and understanding between the Chinese and Mongolian peoples.
In the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi: Rishengchang firm
In the hearts of the Mongolian people, Ren Zhiyong is not only a successful businessman and social activist, but also a friend with deep feelings. His arrival made the people of Mongolia feel the warmth and care from China, and also brought the hearts of the Chinese and Mongolian people closer together.
Therefore, when he learned of the inscription of the Wanli Tea Ceremony, he did not hesitate to join it and became a committed participant. He worked tirelessly to travel between China and Mongolia to conduct in-depth exchanges and discussions with experts and scholars from all walks of life. He actively collected and sorted out the literature and materials on the Wanli Tea Ceremony, which provided valuable basis and support for the work of applying for the World Heritage Site. At the same time, he also personally visited some important nodes and sites on the Wanli Tea Ceremony, in order to inherit and carry forward the spirit of the Wanli Tea Ceremony.
Won the Mongolia Silk Road Contribution Award
He is well aware that this tea ceremony has witnessed the long-term friendly exchanges and commercial cooperation between the peoples of China, Mongolia and Russia, as well as the exchanges and mutual learning of human civilization. Therefore, he hopes that through his own efforts, more people can understand the historical and cultural value of the Wanli Tea Ceremony and feel the profound connotation contained in this ancient road. The Wanli Tea Ceremony is not only a piece of history, but also a spirit. It represents humanity's pursuit and yearning for peace, friendship and cooperation. In the days to come, he will continue to watch over this ancient tea ceremony and witness its revival and inheritance.
and a scholar of the Russia Tea Road
Five
Ren Zhiyong wanted to make the Wanli Tea Ceremony stand up.
After more than 20 years of wandering and accumulation, although there is still huge room for development in Mongolia's business, he believes that even if the leaves are still in the flourishing period, the most suitable place for people to live in Hohwa is to go home and do something meaningful. He said, I am also fifty-five years old, and I want to come back for this family, for the sake of honoring my old father, and he wants to thank his wife for not abandoning him.
The old site of the city of Budo
He said that the culture of Hohhot Beitu is the culture of Mongolian merchants, and only when there are Mongolian merchants can there be teahouses, temples, and restaurants. This is also the soul of Dashengkui firm. He wants to set up a cultural studio and exhibit some of the accumulated historical materials, so that people can understand the Wanli Tea Ceremony and the history of the Mongolian merchants. He said that literary creation can be fictional, the background is incomplete, but fiction is to reach more truth, but historical facts are real materials, looking for the place that was lost, restoring history, and reaching more and more diverse life individuals, their life patterns, and their life content. He said that relying on individuals alone is limited, including translation, sorting, trimming, and identification, and the amount of work is very large, and now his wife helps, but it is far from enough.
In Wuhan Yanglou Cave
He often said: "Cultural relics are the witness of history and the inheritance of culture." I hope that through my efforts, more people will understand and cherish these precious cultural heritages. His words expressed his original intention and mission of opening a cultural studio. Today, he is using his own actions to fulfill this mission and responsibility, so that cultural relics can stand up and live, and contribute to the development of society. This is the social value of building a cultural studio.
At the site of the General's Office in Uriya Sutai
The merchant in Mongolia started by tea, as a stepping stone into the Mongolia plateau, he also has a deep affection for tea, he opened a tea company, the trademark "Ming 㯖" He selects high-quality tea raw materials from all over the world, through careful stir-frying, fermentation, roasting and other processes, to produce fragrant, unique taste of tea products. He knows that only high-quality tea raw materials and exquisite production technology can create truly good tea. With the new merchants of Mongolia, the tea culture was spread to the vast land of Mongolia.
In the Qiao's compound
We walked on the bank of the Ruyi River, and he said that the urban construction of Hohwa is really beautiful, the mountains and rivers are beautiful, the flowers are blooming, the blue sky, the air is fresh, and the sun is shining hot. He said that it is better to have your own country, your own national culture, and your own place!
Teacher Dai Lin said that he is worthy of being a Confucian businessman with family and country feelings.
The former site of the Dongyingzi Trading City in Ulaanbaatar
(Author's file: Sun Shuheng, pen name Hengxin Yongzhi, Nei Mongolia Naiman banner people.) Member of China Financial Writers Association, Member of China Essayists Association, Member of Inner Mongolia Writers Association, Member of Inner Mongolia Poetry Society, Deputy Secretary-General of Inner Mongolia Popular Literature and Art Research Association, Senior Researcher and Deputy Secretary-General of Inner Mongolia Poetry and Calligraphy Research Association)