The Tang Dynasty was a prosperous time for almost every one of us in China. But few people know that for a long time, people didn't believe that there were wooden buildings in China and Tang Dynasty. The famous Japanese temples, Tang Zhaodi Temple and Dongda Temple, became the representatives of China's Tang Dynasty architecture. At that time, Japanese architects were even full of confidence: "It is impossible to find wooden temples left by the Tang Dynasty in Chinese mainland. If you want to see the architecture of the Tang Dynasty, come to Kyoto and Nara. " The Japanese scholars' remarks were undoubtedly a blow and ridicule to Chinese academic circles, but they were recognized by most scholars at that time. China scholars who want to study Tang Dynasty architecture in China must greet the Japanese. The oldest wooden buildings in China are actually preserved in Japan. Liang Sicheng and Lin, who were studying in the United States at that time, didn't sleep a wink because of this arrogant remark. Starting from 1932, they went through 137 counties and cities all over the country and suffered a lot, but they never found the real wooden buildings in the Tang Dynasty, but they never gave up. After Japanese occupation of Northeast China, Liang Sicheng and his wife Lin were wooed by the "Glory Society of East Asia". In order to show their position, they had to abandon their homes and took refuge in Tianjin, Qingdao, Wuhan and later in the farm in Lizhuang, Sichuan. They lead a very difficult life. The harsh environment made Lin get pneumonia, and she still insisted on her architectural research in the absence of medical care and medicine. They tried their best to map the ancient buildings in a limited time, find those ancient buildings hidden in Shan Ye, towns and even deserts, and archive them to prevent them from being destroyed by the Japanese war. When he was in Chongqing, Liang Sicheng witnessed Japanese planes flying arrogantly at low altitude, people's houses were razed to the ground, countless compatriots were killed, and young children were crying beside their mother's body ... Liang Sicheng pointed to those planes with tears in his eyes and shouted: "If you do more injustice, you will die." Sooner or later, I will see Japan being sunk. " It is in this historical background that Liang Sicheng and Lin traveled all over Qian Shan, looking for an ancient building that I don't know where. Until one day, they were studying the French sinologist Paul? When Buriot published the Catalogue of Dunhuang Grottoes, he found a picture of Wutai Mountain, which vividly described the mountains, rivers and ancient buildings centered on Wutai Mountain. Liang Sicheng and Lin both lit up when they saw the words "Big Bukkoji" on the screen. This temple, which appeared on the murals of the Tang Dynasty, must have been built in the Tang Dynasty or even earlier. Liang Sicheng and Lin did not hesitate, and immediately prepared to go to Wutai Mountain to find Wu Haoer. At this time, it is already 1937. Only one month after the Lugouqiao Incident, the situation in Shan Ye was turbulent, and bandits and bandits fled everywhere. Liang Sicheng took his wife Lin and some students to start the preparatory work. In order to make a better investigation, they first went to the Beijing Library, borrowed all the local chronicles they could find, carefully consulted them, sorted out all the ancient buildings or temples recorded in them, and then planned the route. Because of the special historical background, Liang Sicheng and his party will send letters of introduction to county leaders wherever they go. As soon as these people heard that they were Liang Qichao's sons, they were not allowed to go far. If Liang Sicheng insists on going, he will send armed police to protect him all the time, and he will also greet local residents and bandits in advance. It was hard and painful all the way. Liang Sicheng was inconvenient to move because of leg and foot injuries in his early years, while Lin always had lung disease, but they always carried their own luggage and never let the students help. Students don't recall this scientific research trip with two teachers and feel that they always take care of themselves like younger brothers. A group of people bumped all the way, trains, cars, bicycles ... and finally, even mules were used. They walked all the way and asked where the Big Buddha Temple was. When they arrived in Doucun, Wutai County, the first thing they saw was a wasteland. Is this building 1000 years ago still there? There is some faint uneasiness in everyone's heart. Soon some farsighted Lin cheered: "Look!" Sure enough, the roof of half a temple can be seen in the distant forest. They almost ran away, and the whole North Keji was painted with soil and bamboo, which is very characteristic of ancient buildings in the Tang Dynasty. A few students measured it carefully, but they were afraid to say more, because they were not sure psychologically and were afraid of having a good time. When the students finished measuring, the eagle-eyed Lin told Liang Sicheng that there were some words under the beam. Liang Sicheng confirmed with a telescope that everyone went to the village to find wood and put it on the shelf. They brushed the words with water, and the words on the west side of the landowner were displayed. Liang Sicheng immediately sent a photo to wash the floor, which read, "The Buddhist temple owner has made a confession, and the female disciple has called on Ning Gong." In the main hall of the temple, there is also a statue of Ning, which reads: Ning, a female disciple in the eleventh year of the Tang Dynasty. Who is Ning? She was born in Chang 'an and never got married. She can be enshrined in a temple, but it is not recorded in the local county annals and notebook novels. Ning Gong Yu is not an ordinary rich benefactor. Her demeanor is comparable to that of princes and princes. Some scholars believe that she is Princess Yongfu, the daughter of Tang Xuanzong. Bukeji, surrounded by Wutai Mountain and scattered in the deep forests, was left out by incense and impoverished by monks. After several dynasties, he had no money to repair it. But it is such a condition that Beixing has been preserved to this day. The buildings, sculptures, murals and inscriptions of the Tang Dynasty preserved in Beikeji are of great historical research value and are known as the "four wonders" of Beikeji. The Bei Gong Temple discovered by Liang Sicheng and Lin gave Japanese scholars a fierce counterattack and refreshed the history of modern ancient buildings in China. Bugu Temple is called "the first national treasure of ancient buildings in China" by Liang Sicheng. (Liang Sicheng hand-painted the facade appearance and structural diagram of Beixing Hall) But after several years, Liang Sicheng was caught in a dilemma again. Japan has done many unjust things. 1945, when the Pacific War ended, the US military bombed Japanese cities on a large scale. Tit for tat, Liang Sicheng's curse finally came true, but after the "exultation", as an architect, he fell into new worries and thoughts because of the Zhao Ti Temple in the Tang Dynasty. Zhao Ti Temple in Tang Dynasty was built by Jian Zhen, a famous monk in Yangzhou, China. Almost truly preserved the architectural features of China in the Tang Dynasty, which has always been admired by Liang Sicheng because of its good preservation. As a native of China, after eight years of anti-Japanese war, he saw countless families separated by his compatriots, but as an architect, he deeply regretted that this ancient building with Tang Dynasty style was about to be destroyed. (Du Dong, Jian Zhen) During World War II, Liang Sicheng was entrusted by the state to mark the historical sites of China on the military map of the United States to prevent these sites from being destroyed by the war. At the same time, Liang Sicheng proposed to the United States not to bomb Kyoto and Nara, which are densely populated with ancient buildings. The Japanese are hateful, but they represent the common heritage of mankind. Liang Sicheng's suggestion was criticized, and some even accused Liang Sicheng of being a traitor, but Liang Sicheng never gave any excuses. As a generation of architectural masters, he has national hatred and family hatred, but he also has respect and persistence in his profession. The saying that "Liang Sicheng saved Zhao Ti Temple in Tang Dynasty" is widely circulated, and a bronze statue of Liang Sicheng was built in Nara County. But can his suggestion really affect the final decision of the US military? According to historical records, it was the Americans who really designated Nara and Kyoto as bombing areas-Langdon Warner, who taught oriental art at Harvard University, and henry stimson, then Minister of War. Langdon used to be Liang Sicheng's architecture teacher and one of Liang Sicheng's respected scholars. But what made China people familiar with him was not his great achievements in architecture, but in 1923, he once teamed up to inspect Dunhuang, stripped off more than a dozen exquisite murals of the Mogao Grottoes and cut off a precious Buddha statue. He trampled on China's precious ancient cultural relics so rudely that people all over China held a grudge against him. These national treasures are now in the Harvard Art Museum. Langdon is an academic predecessor of Liang Sicheng, but his protection of Nara and Kyoto is definitely not out of awe and protection of ancient human civilization like Liang Sicheng. What he needs is a rich trophy, which coincides with the idea of the US military. We can't imagine what kind of pain Liang Sicheng experienced when his teacher stole the precious cultural relics of his country. Living in that era, both sensitive writers and rational scientists suffered both physical and mental torture. They are full of compassion for human civilization and life, and they still stick to their masters' feelings in the war. Liang Sicheng and Lin, as literati, had little influence on the war situation, but they both tried to safeguard the dignity of China people and protect human wealth. The couple crossed the artillery fire in the sky, walked through the thorns in the mountains and crossed the undercurrent river ... They have contributed enough, but their hearts are always full of desolation and helplessness. Bukkoji, like a warm light, has inspired countless confused scholars in the field of architecture in China. Today, Ning's statue is still intact in the North Temple, and the bronze statue of Liang Sicheng stands in front of the Nara Cultural Center. The concept of protecting cultural relics is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and it is no longer a matter for one or two people. Peace has also become the most enduring aspiration of the two peoples. This pure and clear heart is not elsewhere, but in the hearts of all beings. References: China Architectural Oral History Library, Part I, Saving the History in Memory, Tongji University Press, Meeting the Tang Dynasty and China Heritage in Bukoji, from Bukoji, China.