Bull Ao’s Horse-Washing Pool

Bull Ao’s Horse-Washing Pool

During the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Jin general Wushu raised troops from six states and three prefectures, unleashing 200,000 cavalry to storm through Shanhaiguan. They planned to pass through Taizhou, Huangqiao, and Jingjiang, cross the river toward Suzhou, and then press straight on to Lin’an (the Southern Song capital — Hangzhou).

The national hero Yue Fei, acting on imperial decree to resist the Jin, relocated his forces from Guangde to Taizhou. Given that Huangqiao was of immense strategic importance — a key military location — he ordered the renowned general Bull Ao to prepare gunpowder and weaponry in Huangqiao for battle. One day, Bull Ao, leading several cavalrymen, scouted the terrain in the northeastern part of Huangqiao. He spotted a lotus pond shimmering with emerald waves, adorned with red blooms and green lotus leaves, while bees fluttered and butterflies danced amid bursts of refreshing fragrance. Overcome with admiration, he exclaimed, “What a beautiful lotus pond!” He then dismounted from his steed and personally washed his horse in the pond. Afterward, he stood by the pond, admiring the flowers and scenery, lingering there for a long time before finally departing. Later generations, in memory of this historical episode, renamed the pond “Bull Ao’s Horse-Washing Pool.”

In the 12th year of the Guangxu reign during the late Qing Dynasty, the late Qing scholar Zhu Mingpan visited the site and composed a poem: “Overgrown weeds sprawl o’er the ancient battlefield; / The general washed his steed where this pool is laid. / Though summoned back by the Twelve Gold Plaques’ call, / He never betrayed General Yue’s high command.” This was written in tribute to the great general Bull Ao. In 1996, Huangqiao Middle School built a stele pavilion by the pond as an educational base for patriotism among students.

Bull Ao (1087–1147), courtesy name Boyuan, was a native of Lushan, Ruzhou (present-day Lushan County, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province), and a famous Southern Song general who fought against the Jin. Born into a farming family, Bull Ao initially served as an archer, honing his martial skills and excelling in horseback archery. In the early years of the Southern Song, he gathered local militias to resist the Jin. In the third year of the Shaoxing era (1133), he joined the Yue Family Army and the Ever-Victorious Army. Bull Ao wielded a pair of iron cudgels — of Jin make. Later, he came under the command of Yue Fei, who held him in high esteem. He repeatedly achieved meritorious deeds in battles against the Jin and also participated in suppressing the Yang Yao Rebellion. After Yue Fei was executed, Bull Ao, who consistently opposed peace negotiations with the Jin, was framed and killed by Qin Hui.

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Huangqiao Development Zone (Huangqiao Town): Huangqiao, located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, is the largest town in central and northern Jiangsu. The town covers a total area of 72.4 square kilometers, with a population of 100,000, including a built-up area of 6.5 square kilometers and 63,000 residents. Historically, Huangqiao has been known as a vital water transportation hub, “linking the Huai and Wa rivers to the north and connecting to the Yangtze tides to the south.” Provincial Highway 334, the Ru-Huang Line, and the Jiang-Ba Line intersect within the town. Two expressways — the Ningjing-Yan and the Ning-Tong — skirt past Huangqiao, and the Xinyi-Changxing Railway has a passenger and freight marshalling station in the town.

Huangqiao was first established during the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Shenzong in the Northern Song Dynasty, and has a history of... More detailed information about Huangqiao Development Zone (Huangqiao Town) ++