Tomb of Zhang Jing

Tomb of Zhang Jing

The Tomb of Zhang Jing is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Fujian Province.

The Tomb of Zhang Jing is located on Wangdian Mountain in Yuancuo Village, Hongshan Town, in the western suburbs of Fuzhou City. Formerly known as Yuku Mountain, it is now the hill behind the Industrial and Trade School. Situated by the Min River, the area boasts picturesque scenery.

The tomb faces south and is designed in a “wind” shape, constructed with white ancient stone and earthen materials. Originally, there were 13 layers of tomb platforms from the foot of the hill to halfway up, of which 9 layers remain today. The tomb is 18.5 meters wide and 110 meters deep. In front of the earthen mound stands a saddle-shaped tombstone, inscribed in intaglio with the words “Tomb of Zhang Jing, a Ming Dynasty General Who Fought Against Japanese Pirates.” Stone screens stand on both sides, engraved with a brief biography of Zhang Jing. The tomb’s base is adorned with carvings of horses, deer, lions, and qilin (mythical creatures). Each side of the tomb is decorated with a carved stone chi dragon, flanked by stone lions. Each layer of the tomb platform is reinforced with stone retaining walls, and statues are placed throughout. Civil officials hold tablets, standing 3.40 meters tall; warriors grip swords, standing 2.10 meters tall. There is a pair of stone tigers, 1.10 meters tall; a pair of stone sheep, 1.02 meters tall; and a pair of stone horses, 2.10 meters tall. Two stone pillar sentinels stand in front of the tomb, about 5 meters high. The left one is inscribed with “Imperial Decree: A Noble and Generous Spirit,” while the right one reads “Imperial Decree: Loyal and Diligent in Resolve.”

Zhang Jing (1492–1555) was a general of the Ming Dynasty who fought against Japanese pirates. His courtesy name was Tingyi, and his pseudonym was Banzhou. He was a native of Houguan (now Fuzhou), passed the imperial examination, and rose to the position of Minister of War. In the 33rd year of the Jiajing reign (1554), he took full responsibility for defending against the pirates, commanding all military forces. The following year, he achieved a major victory at Wangjiangjing in Zhejiang (north of present-day Jiaxing), hailed as the greatest military achievement since the war began. However, he was framed and slandered by Zhao Wenhua, a follower of Yan Song, and was executed in the capital. During the Wanli era, his grandson appealed for justice at the imperial court, leading to his posthumous exoneration. He was granted an official burial here. A stone memorial archway that once stood at the foot of the hill, inscribed with the words “Foremost Military Achievement in the Southeast,” was demolished by the warlord Li Houji during the Republican era, and its foundation stones were also taken away. The tomb was renovated between 1963 and 1964, with all platforms fully restored. Another renovation took place in 1984, after which it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site. It is currently managed by the Industrial and Trade School, which has carried out multiple maintenance efforts, leaving the site in good condition. It serves as a patriotic education base within the school.

Zhang Jing, courtesy name Tingyi, pseudonym Banzhou, was a native of Hongtang Township, Houguan (now Fuzhou), Fujian Province. He was a general and national hero who fought against Japanese pirates during the mid-Ming Dynasty. He was born in 1492. His father, Zhang Hai, was poor and orphaned, and followed his mother, Lady Cai, to her parental home. As the Cai family had no male heir, both Zhang Hai and Zhang Jing adopted the Cai surname. It was only after Zhang Jing achieved fame through the imperial examinations that he reverted to using the Zhang surname.

From a young age, Zhang Jing was diligent in studying the classics and history. As he grew up, he was tall and imposing, with both literary talent and military strategy. In the 12th year of the Zhengde reign (1517), he passed the imperial examination and served as the magistrate of Jiaxing in Zhejiang. In the 4th year of the Jiajing reign (1525), he was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Personnel in the capital, later rising to the position of... [Detailed information about Zhang Jing++]

Hongshan Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Gulou District, Fuzhou City. In 1959, Hongshan Commune was established, which was changed to a township in 1984 and to a town in 1992. Located in the western suburbs of Fuzhou, on the northern bank of the Min River, the town covers an area of 12.4 square kilometers and has a population of 38,000. National Highway 316 runs through the area, and roads crisscross the town. It governs seven village committees: Liming, Xijiao, Shuangxia, Meifeng, Baofu, Guoguang, and Chenguang, as well as nine community areas: Hongshanqiao, Fengchi, Fenghuangchi, Fenghu, Yishan, Xihe, Jijiuling, Wujian, Fuyu, Poxia, Fenghuangbei, Wenlin, Xihou, Fuyudong, Changchun, Xiangshan, Liuxing, Ducih, Xingyuan, Xifeng, Dawang, ... [Detailed information about Hongshan Town++]