Hometown of Dai Mingshi

Hometown of Dai Mingshi

The hometown of Dai Mingshi is a cultural tourism attraction.

The hometown of Dai Mingshi is located in Qingshui Village, Kongcheng Town, about 1 kilometer northwest of the "Eighteen-Li Long Ridge." It faces west and covers an area of 4,662 square meters. In front of the village lies a crescent-shaped pond called "Qingshui Pond." After Dai Mingshi was convicted, his family and clan members committed suicide by jumping into the pond, which later became known as "Ghost Pond." The village is surrounded by farmland on the east, south, and west sides, and by barren hills to the north.

The area outside the village is surrounded by green trees, while the houses inside have roof tiles reaching the battlements, creating an elegant and pleasant atmosphere. According to the *Dai Family Genealogy*, Dai Mingshi’s sixth-generation ancestor, Nan Ju Gong, relocated here during the Ming Dynasty. The family passed down a tradition of literature and scholarship, "using the brush as plow and the inkstone as field," hence the name "Inkstone Village." Dai Mingshi was born here and spent most of his life in the village. He once wrote an essay titled *Record of Inkstone Village* describing this. Dai Mingshi’s former residence was located in the northern part of the village. Originally, it had two courtyards, each with five rooms in the front and back sections, connected by walls on both sides, forming an inner courtyard.

In the 50th year of the Kangxi reign (1711), after Dai Mingshi was imprisoned, the house was demolished, but the foundation remains.

At the age of 20, Dai Mingshi supported his parents through teaching. By the age of 27, his contemporary essays were widely read across the country. In the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign (1683), he took the imperial examination, and in the 26th year, he was appointed as a tutor for the Plain Blue Banner after being recommended as a tribute student. Although offered the position of county magistrate, he declined, stating that "in this indifferent world, there was no one worth conversing with." He then traveled extensively through Yan, Yue, Qi, Lu, and other regions.

In the 50th year of the Kangxi reign (1711), Zuo Douchi, the Left Censor-in-Chief, cited the *Nanshan Collection · Letter to Yusheng* which referenced resistance against the Qing by the Southern Ming Dynasty, accusing Dai Mingshi of "distorting right and wrong, with many reckless and rebellious remarks." He petitioned the court to "order the Ministry to impose severe punishment as a warning against arrogance and disrespect." As a result, the *Nanshan Collection* case was brought up, and Dai Mingshi was arrested. On the sixth day of the third month in the 53rd year of Kangxi’s reign (1714), he was executed in public. This incident is historically known as the "Nanshan Case." Dai Mingshi was later buried in his hometown, and his tombstone reads "Tomb of Dai Nanshan."

Kongcheng Town: Located in the eastern part of Tongcheng City, bordering Lujiang County and Zongyang County, Kongcheng Town is a provincial-level central town. The town covers a total area of 87.8 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 3.5 square kilometers and a planned urban area of 5 square kilometers. It governs 13 villages and 2 neighborhood committees, with a population of 52,000. It is an important town and economic hub in the eastern part of Tongcheng City.

Kongcheng has a long history and rich cultural heritage. The *Yu Feng Jiu Yu Zhi* (*Nine Regions Record of Shu Prefecture under the Yuanfeng Era*) from the Song Dynasty states: "Among the nine towns of Shu Prefecture in Huainan Road, Kongcheng is one of them." Numerous ancient relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties can be found throughout the town. Among the "Eight Scenic Spots of Tongcheng," "Evening Snow in Kongcheng" and "Returning Geese at Huopu"... More detailed information about Kongcheng Town ++