Stele of the Great Jin's Victory at Deshengtuo

Stele of the Great Jin's Victory at Deshengtuo

The Stele of the Great Jin's Victory at Deshengtuo is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

On the front, between the coiled dragon body, a central panel is reserved, engraved with the six seal script characters "大金得胜陀颂" (Ode to the Great Jin's Victory at Deshengtuo). The stele body stands 177 cm tall, 85 cm wide, and 31 cm thick. The left and right edges of the stele body are incised with engraved honeysuckle patterns. The front features 815 Chinese characters, while the back bears over 1,500 characters in Jurchen large script; the base is a turtle-shaped pedestal, measuring 160 cm long, 72 cm high, and 97 cm wide. The total height of the stele is 328 cm. The Chinese inscription is transcribed as follows:

Ode to the Great Jin's Victory at Deshengtuo with Preface

By Zhao Ke, Serving Gentleman of the Directorate of Education, Imperial Academy Compiler, Jointly Appointed Edict Drafter, concurrently Imperial Sacrificial Official, Cavalry Captain, and Recipient of the Fish-Pocket Decoration, Commissioned by Imperial Order to Compose

By Sun Yu, Cavalry Captain, Recipient of the Fish-Pocket Decoration, Commissioned by Imperial Order to Ink the Text

By Dang Huaiying, Assistant Gentleman of the Directorate of Education, Hanlin Academician in Attendance, Concurrently Edict Drafter, and Hanlin Historical Compilation Official, Cloud Cavalry Captain, Recipient of the Fish-Pocket Decoration, Commissioned by Imperial Order to Engrave the Title “Deshengtuo,” the place where Emperor Taizu, the Martial Ancestor, swore his troops to battle. This humble official, in accordance with the Veritable Records and the “Stele of Divine Virtue and Meritorious Deeds,” notes: Emperor Taizu led his army across the Lailiushui River, ordering all regional forces to converge. The Emperor first took a high ground, where the Chancellor Sagai and others looked up to see His Sacred Majesty standing tall as a lofty pine, and the bay red horse He rode as grand as a hill. Emperor Taizu surveyed Sagai and the others—their horses and figures also appeared unusually grand and imposing. He said: “This must be an auspicious sign, proof that Heaven and Earth are in harmony and our army will triumph over the enemy. Gentlemen, behold this, and let us unite our strength and hearts. If we succeed in this great endeavor, we shall gather here again and toast to this place, naming it!” Henceforth, the place was named as such. At that time, exorcism rituals were also performed among the troops. Soldiers stood in formation, their valor shining across thousands of miles, and the omen of victory over the enemy reappeared, with a set date in sight.

In the Jiachen year of the Daguan era, the Emperor toured the east, staying at the Upper Capital, reflecting on the hardships of Emperor Taizu’s founding endeavors and fulfilling the filial duty of a grandson to glorify them. First, he ordered the creation of a new sacred image to present the majestic visage; then he commanded the commissioning of ten stone stelae to praise the radiant achievements. And so, the filial piety remained undimmed, the grand deeds unforgotten, and the means to promote and glorify them grew ever more abundant without end.

The following summer in the fourth month, an imperial edict inquired of the Council of State regarding the matter of Deshengtuo, asking how it should be handled. The Council consulted the ritual officials, who opined that, just as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had composed the “Ode to the Uprising Hall” during his visit to Taiyuan and the “Ode to the Former Palace’s Sage” upon passing Shangdang, it would be fitting to engrave an ode and erect a structure to commemorate the sacred achievements. The Council reported this, and the decree stated: “Permitted.”

Historical Records

In those days, when Emperor Taizu of the Jin, Wanyan Aguda, raised the banner against the Liao, he chose this place to muster troops and generals—an advantageous location selected to accomplish great things. The vision of this generation’s hero need not be elaborated. The stele site lies within a plain of approximately thirty square kilometers, a marshy expanse overgrown with weeds and lush water plants, surrounded on the northwest by natural barriers in the form of fifty-meter-high bow-shaped cliffs. To the north lies the Songhua River, to the east the Lalin River—both providing strategic advantages via riverine defenses. Moreover, this location sits precisely at the border between the Liao and Jin territories. Sixty kilometers to the south lies the Liao’s Huanglong Prefecture (present-day Nong’an), separated by the formidable Songhua River. To the west, merely a hundred li from the Liao’s northern frontier stronghold Ningjiangzhou (today’s Baidune Township), the two armies could engage in confrontation—with the ability to strike swiftly when advancing or hold firm when retreating. Additionally, the terrain allowed for high vantage points, ideal for drilling troops. In ancient times, it was an excellent natural military training ground. Even now, looking out from the site, one can still envision the majestic scene of that time—spears and halberds standing like a forest, a single call summoning a unified response, the grand oath-taking assembly.

Significance

Erected in the 25th year of the Daguan era (1185 AD) by Emperor Shizong of Jin, the stele has endured for over eight hundred years, having broken twice and been restored both times.

Though the Stele of the Great Jin's Victory at Deshengtuo has suffered many wounds, thanks to the repeated protection and restoration efforts by the Party and government, it remains intact and standing. May this rare treasure endure for generations to come, shining brilliantly and radiating everlasting glory.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units