Dunyitang

Dunyitang

Dunyitang is a cultural relics protection unit of Kaihua County.

Dunyitang, built during the Qing Dynasty, is a fifth-batch county-level cultural relics protection unit. It faces south and consists of three courtyards, each separated by a courtyard with corridors on both sides. The total area is approximately 469 square meters. The first courtyard features a stage. The second courtyard has intricately carved Eight Treasures patterns on the beams in front of the main hall. The third courtyard includes a building with upper floors. The main gate frame is constructed from bluestone slabs, and the lintel above the gate features brick carvings with rich themes and vivid imagery, including the four large characters “Luoman Shijia” (Clan of the Twining Vine Family), although they are heavily damaged.

The villagers all share the surname Yu. According to the Yu Family Genealogy, this place was originally the hometown of Yu Fang, a famous military strategist and Minister of War during the Song Dynasty. Yu Fang, styled Yifu and also known as Qiaoyin, was a native of Jinshui Fangshan. In December of the first year of the Chunyou era, he was appointed Minister of War and concurrently served as the Pacification Commissioner of Sichuan. In September of the fourth year, he was promoted to Academician of Baomo Pavilion and additionally appointed as the Grand Commissioner of Sichuan. He implemented major reforms to address systemic issues, selected capable local officials, established a Recruitment Hall, and treated visiting scholars with great respect. He oversaw the construction of Diaoyu Mountain in Hezhou, which included over ten fortified cities. Troops were stationed and provisions stockpiled there, educational institutions were developed to nurture talent, taxes and corvée labor were reduced. Since the Baoli era, no one in Sichuan had achieved as much as he did. In May of the first year of the Baoyou era, he became a Chancellor serving in the Zizheng Hall but passed away before taking office, at the age of 56.