The site where Zheng Chenggong killed Zheng Lian

The site where Zheng Chenggong killed Zheng Lian

The site where Zheng Chenggong killed Zheng Lian is a municipal-level cultural heritage site of Xiamen.

The site where Zheng Chenggong killed Zheng Lian is located on the right side of the Wanshi Botanical Garden Reservoir in Kaiyuan Subdistrict, Siming District. It is a municipal-level cultural heritage site dating back to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

It is situated on the western side of the Wanshiyan Reservoir in the Xiamen Wanshiyan Scenic Area.

Beneath Wanshiyan, a towering rock peak stands upright. Because it resembles an elephant stretching its long trunk toward the sky, during the Qing Yongzheng era, Li Zhan, the maritime defense intendant of Xiamen, inscribed the name “Elephant Trunk Peak.” Beneath Elephant Trunk Peak lies a rock slab called “Cloud-Locking Stone,” positioned beside a stream. The “Cloud-Locking” inscription, written in semi-cursive script, measures approximately 30×30 cm. It was inscribed between the 37th and 43rd years of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1698–1704) by Yao Yingfeng, the maritime defense intendant of Xiamen. Its meaning is that clouds passing here come to a halt, as if locked in place—hence the name “Cloud-Locking.” The reason the clouds appear locked is due to the upward-facing rocks blocking their path, causing them to accumulate in the hollows among the rocks. It also subtly alludes to the historical event during the Southern Ming period when Dingyuan Marquis Zheng Lian was killed here. The *Annals of Xiamen* states: “Following the stream upward, you will reach a stone gate inscribed with the two characters ‘Cloud-Locking,’ which marks the very spot where Zheng Chenggong assassinated Zheng Lian.”

Zheng Lian, a native of Gaopu in Xiamen and a kinsman of Zheng Chenggong, supported the Prince of Lu’s regency in Zhejiang when Qing troops advanced southward. In 1647, the Southern Ming regime conferred upon him the titles of Duke of Dingyuan and Marquis of Dingyuan. He occupied Xiamen and stationed troops in the areas of Wanshiyan and Zhongyan. Noticing a lone large rock in the open space of Zhongyan that, when viewed vertically, resembled a minister’s memorial tablet, Zheng Lian inscribed the words “Jade Tablet” and signed it “Dinghai Autumn, Written by Dingyuan.” This was 350 years ago. Later generations named this rock “Jade Tablet Rock,” and Zhongyan Jade Tablet has since become its name. It is also one of the Eight Minor Scenic Spots of Xiamen. At that time, Zheng Lian, arrogant due to his military power, imposed heavy taxes and levies, causing widespread resentment among the people of Xiamen.

It was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site in 1961.

Protected area: The entire rock formation bearing the “Cloud-Locking” inscription.

Zheng Chenggong, originally named Sen, childhood name Fusong, courtesy name Damu, pseudonym Mingyan, was a native of Shijing, Nan’an. He was born on July 14, 1624, in Shirahama, Hirado City, Japan. His father was Zheng Zhilong, and his mother was the daughter of the Tagawa family from Hirado, Nagasaki, Japan. In the third year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1630), at the age of 7, Zheng Chenggong returned from Japan to Anping (now Anhai Town, Jinjiang) to study and was given the name Sen.

When Zheng Chenggong was 11 years old, he once wrote an essay on the topic “Sweeping, Greeting, Advancing, and Retreating” assigned by his tutor, composing the astonishing line: “The conquests of Tang and Wu are just like sweeping; the abdications of Yao and Shun are merely advancing and retreating.” Thereafter, he studied the classics, history, and military strategy diligently... More detailed information about Zheng Chenggong ++

Kaiyuan Subdistrict: Kaiyuan Subdistrict, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province

Kaiyuan Subdistrict covers an area of 5.7 square kilometers, with a registered population of 63,362. It governs 12 communities: Shen Tian, Xi’an, Mei Ren, Xi Bian, Hou Jiang, Hu Bin, Yang Tai Shan, Mei Hu, Xi Wang, Hu Xi, Keng Nei, and Tian Hu.

Kaiyuan Subdistrict code: 350203007

The subdistrict office is located at No. 489 Hexiang West Road and governs 12 communities: ~010_Shen Tian Community, ~013_Xi’an Community, ~015_Mei Ren Community, ~017_Xi Bian Community, ~020_Hou Jiang Community... More detailed information about Kaiyuan Subdistrict ++