Inscription “Ao Shi”

“Ao Shi” Inscription

The “Ao Shi” inscription is located on the left rock face of the Su Family Ancestral Hall in Aotou Village, Xindian Town. It was inscribed in the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1843) by Su Tingyu. The two characters “Ao Shi” are written in horizontal running regular script, with each character approximately 0.74 meters tall and 0.53 meters wide. The small characters in the front and back inscriptions read “Daoguang Gui Mao” and “Written by Su Tingyu,” and the entire piece measures 1.2 meters in height and 1.8 meters in width. The stone is named for its resemblance to a giant sea turtle. “Ao Shi” is also the courtesy name of Su Tingyu.

Source: Xiang’an Cultural Center

Su Tingyu (1783–1852), courtesy name Yunshan, literary name Ao Shi, and later known as Tuisou, was a native of Aotou in Xiangfengli, Tong’an County. Orphaned at a young age, he was determined to study and became a Bóxué (advanced scholar) student at the age of 20. In the 13th year of the Jiaqing reign (1808), he passed the imperial examination as a Juren (recommended man), and in the 19th year of Jiaqing (1814), he became a Jinshi (presented scholar). He was appointed as a Shujishi (compiled scholar) in the Hanlin Academy and later transferred to become a Zhuzhi (principal official) in the Ministry of Justice. In the 6th year of the Daoguang reign (1826), he was promoted to Yuewailang (vice director). The following year, he was ranked first in the official evaluation and promoted to Langzhong (senior official) in the Ministry of Justice.

In the 9th year of the Daoguang reign (1829), Su Tingyu was appointed as the Prefect of Songjiang. Just three months later, he was reassigned to act as the Prefect of Suzhou. During the Qing Dynasty, ... tax burdens were known to be extremely heavy... Detailed information about Su Tingyu++

Aotou Community: Aotou Village Committee: Located in the southern part of the town. It administers the two natural villages of Aotou and Shangsu. There are 5 villager groups, 251 households, and 967 residents. In the Qing Dynasty, it belonged to Aotou Bao in Xiangfengli. In 1943, it was part of Aotou Bao in Zhennan Township. In 1950, it belonged to Aotou Township in the Fifth District. In 1955, it came under Hongzhong District, and in 1959, it was part of the Aotou Brigade under Xindian Commune. In 1984, it was renamed the Aotou Village Committee under Xindian Township, and in 1987, it came under Xindian Town.

Aotou: Located 7.7 kilometers south of the former town government seat. It earned its name Aotou because it is situated where the bay curves, providing a place for boats to dock. During the Qing Dynasty, there were references to “Aotou Xu” and “Aotou...” Detailed information about Aotou Community++