Zhang Shicheng Meritorious Deed Stele

Zhang Shicheng Meritorious Deed Stele

The Zhang Shicheng Meritorious Deed Stele is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhang Shicheng Meritorious Deed Stele is located in the stele pavilion at the northeast corner of Bao'en Temple Pagoda at No. 652 Renmin Road. It was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1957.

According to *Wumen Biayin*, this stele was erected by Shen Wansan, a wealthy man from the Jiangnan region during the late Yuan Dynasty. Modern scholars such as Jin Songcen have conducted research on the attire and artifacts depicted in the carvings, concluding that it is a Yuan Dynasty sculpture and believe it depicts the scene of Zhang Shicheng welcoming the Yuan envoy Boyan in the 19th year of the Zhiyuan era.

The Zhang Shicheng Meritorious Deed Stele, also known as the Lingping Sculpture Stele, the Zhang-Wu King Meritorious Portrait Stone Carving, or the Bao'en Temple Stone Shrine Sculpture, is commonly called the Shijia Hall. It was originally located to the left of the mountain gate of Bao'en Temple, moved inside the temple in 1919, the stele pavilion was built in 1924, rebuilt into a square pavilion with stone pillars, wooden beams, and a pyramidal roof in 1985, and wooden railings were added around the stele in 1987.

The stele is 3.06 meters high, 1.46 meters wide, and 0.4 meters thick, made of bluestone. The images from top to bottom can be divided into four sections.

The first section shows 12 people standing side by side amid swirling auspicious clouds, with seven canopies behind them.

The second section features a main hall with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof in the center, a terrace in front of the hall with five steps, and fluttering banners behind the hall. Three people in the hall sit facing south, with the central figure being the king and the two beside him being ministers. On the east and west sides are columns with tables set with goblets, dishes, and fruits, each seating two people. On either side are two more sections, each with two seated figures, and one person on the western end wears Hu-style clothing.

The third section shows three people sitting in each of the east and west side halls, all dressed in Hu-style clothing. In front of the halls is a terrace surrounded by stone railings, with five steps and a central pathway leading to the main hall. In the pathway stands a large vase containing treasures. Hu-style attendants carry a treasure vase with coral, ascending from the southwest onto the terrace to present it.

The fourth section depicts a horse prancing and dancing in front of the terrace, with numerous warriors clad in armor, holding banners and leading horses, appearing majestic and powerful.

The entire image includes a total of 118 figures, including kings, ministers, Hu guests, armored soldiers, guards, and Hu-style attendants. The top of the stele resembles a lintel, encircled with scrolling cloud patterns, but the inner frame is empty, seemingly scraped clean.

This stele is carved using deep relief techniques, with fine craftsmanship, a rigorous composition, clear architectural layout, distinct layers, well-defined facial features, varied postures, smooth drapery folds, making it a top-tier piece of Yuan Dynasty stone carving art with historical value.

Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, First and Second Batches, Adjusted and Announced in March 1982: Zhang Shicheng Meritorious Deed Stele, Late Yuan Dynasty, Bao'en Temple Pagoda Courtyard, Suzhou City

Zhang Shicheng (1321–1367), originally named Zhang Jiusi, was one of the leaders of the rebel forces and regional powers in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area during the late Yuan Dynasty. He was from Baiju Salt Field, Xinghua, Taizhou (now part of Dafeng City, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province). In the 13th year of the Zhiyuan era (1353 AD), he raised an army with his brothers Shide and Shixin from among salt workers, capturing areas such as Taizhou, Xinghua, and Gaoyou. The following year, he declared himself the King of Cheng, established the state of Zhou, and adopted the reign title Tianyou. He led his troops across the river to capture Changshu, Huzhou, Songjiang, and Changzhou. In the 16th year, he established his capital in Pingjiang (now Suzhou, Jiangsu), and the next year submitted to the Yuan Dynasty. Later, he continued to expand his territory, with his sphere of influence extending southward to... More details about Zhang Shicheng++

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batches of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units