Tomb of Zhao Xin

Tomb of Zhao Xin

The Tomb of Zhao Xin is a cultural relic protection unit of Fuzhou City.

Tomb of Zhao Xin

Located on Jiulong Mountain in Xiadian Natural Village, Laoguang Village, Jianxin Town, Cangshan District, the tomb covers an area of approximately 350 square meters and faces southeast while sitting northwest. The tomb mound has a “wind” character-shaped layout, built with rammed earth mixed with lime, featuring double protective walls, three-tiered terraces, a width of 12 meters, and a depth of 28 meters. In front of the arc-shaped earthen mound stands a bluestone tombstone, 0.85 meters high and 1.27 meters wide, inscribed in regular script: “Jiangxia, Qing Dynasty’s Imperial-bestowed Second-Rank Official and Granary Commissioner of Shaanxi, Left Attendant of the Crown Prince’s Cabinet, Left Commentator of the Hanlin Academy, and Academician Zhao Zaiming, together with his wife Lady Liang, Lady Ye, son Candidate Official Shaoming, daughter-in-law Lady Fu Gongren, eternal resting place. Constructed in the autumn month of the Ji Mao year during the Guangxu reign.” On both sides of the tombstone stand three stone screens each. The right screen is inscribed in regular script: “□□□□, □□□ refined. □□□□, Mr. □□. □□□□, over a hundred years, □□□ began, no one finds fault. When Master Fang lived in seclusion, he embodied the rites and music of Hedong. Once in office, he extolled the palace halls.” The left screen is inscribed in regular script: “The literary style of Yan and Xu, often extolling creation. The talent of Yi□, the learning of Zhou and Confucius. In the Song Dynasty, Ouyang excelled in governance and literature. Different eras, same path, future generations shine. High mountains, deep waters, pines and cypresses lush. For countless years, descendants shall prosper.” The tomb pillars bear a couplet: “Eternal resting place established for a thousand autumns, timeless foundation laid for eternity.” The lion capitals of the pillars are made of rammed earth. At the center of the rear wall is a rectangular stone tablet inscribed in regular script with “Literary Peak Shining Upon.” The left and right retaining slopes of the tomb are engraved with reliefs of civil and military officials, as well as animals such as lions, qilins, and horses, along with floral designs. To the front right of the tomb is a stone stairway leading to the tomb passage, and in front of the passage stands a boundary marker for the tomb.

Zhao Xin (1809–1876), courtesy name Zaiming, was a native of Houguan County. He became a Jinshi (advanced scholar) in the second year of the Xianfeng reign. In the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign, he served as the chief envoy for the investiture of the Ryukyu Kingdom and authored books such as the Sequel to the Brief Records of the Ryukyu Kingdom. He was the last Qing Dynasty envoy to Ryukyu for investiture.

Laoguang Village: Laoguang Village borders the Min River to the east, the campus of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (formerly Xibian Village and Xi’an Village) to the west, Guocuo Li to the south, and the old Huai’an Village to the north, facing the Hongshan Bridge across the river. The total area is about 1.2 square kilometers. The village has 118 households and 560 residents (including 234 agricultural and 326 non-agricultural residents). Surnames among villagers include Wu, Chen, Lin, Jin, and Yang.

Within and around Laoguang Village are Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian Economic Management College, Fujian Bioengineering College, Fujian Administrative Management College, Fujian Building Materials School, Fujian Metallurgical School, Fujian Meteorological… Detailed information on Laoguang Village++