Liu Ling's Tomb in Guoyang

Liu Ling’s Tomb in Guoyang

Liu Ling’s Tomb in Guoyang is a cultural tourism attraction.

Liu Ling’s Tomb

The 1925 edition of the *Guoyang County Annals* states: “Eight li east of Limenji lies Liu Ling’s Tomb.” Nowadays, in Liuhulou Township (formerly known as Liu Lingji), there is a Liu Ling Temple located south of the market town. The temple was demolished in the early years of the Republic of China, leaving only broken steles. Beside the market town lies a desolate grave mound, which local residents all identify as Liu Ling’s Tomb. Liu Ling was a native of Pei Commandery during the Western Jin Dynasty and one of the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.” Pei Commandery was established by Emperor Gaozu of Han by reorganizing the Sishui Commandery. It was converted into a princedom during the Eastern Han and reverted to a commandery in the Eastern Jin. Its jurisdiction roughly corresponds to areas north of the Huai River and east of the Xifei River in present-day Anhui, as well as Xiayi, Yongcheng in Henan and Pei, Feng, and other counties in Jiangsu. Liuhulou is located 11 km east and north of the Xifei River, placing it within the boundaries of Pei Commandery. Historical texts note Liu Ling as being from Suzhou, yet no tomb of his has been reported in Suzhou.

Liu Ling (circa 221–292), courtesy name Bolun, was a native of Pei Commandery (present-day Huaibei City) during the Jin Dynasty. In the late Wei period, he once served as General Jianwei. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, he participated in the imperial examination and advocated for the principle of "governing through non-interference," after which he was dismissed. As the Sima clan seized power, Liu Ling indulged in wine and a carefree lifestyle to express his disdain for the dark rule and contempt for conventional rites and laws. He would ride in a deer-drawn cart, carry a jug of wine, and have someone follow with a shovel, declaring, “Bury me wherever I die.” Together with Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, and others, he was known as one of the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.” He authored the *Ode to the Virtue of Wine*, among other notable works. He also wrote poems such as *Guesthouse at Beimang*.

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