Tomb of Ye Zugui

Tomb of Ye Zugui

The Tomb of Ye Zugui is a cultural relic protection unit of Jin'an District.

Tomb of Ye Zugui

[Beimei Village, Hongshan Town · 31st Year of Guangxu in Qing Dynasty (1905) · District-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit] Ye Zugui (1855–1905) was a naval minister in the late Qing Dynasty and participated in the First Sino-Japanese War naval battle. The tomb covers an area of 500 square meters, faces southwest with its back to the northeast, and measures 16.5 meters in width and 30.8 meters in depth. It has a front-square and rear-arc layout, resembling the shape of a Ruyi (a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune), built with rammed earth, and features five terraced platforms. In front of the mound is a tombstone, 1.27 meters high and 0.62 meters wide, inscribed with regular script reading “Qing Guangdong Navy Commander Tonghou Ye Gong Qiaozi,” with characters 0.09 meters in size. On both sides of the tombstone stand six antique screen panels carved with designs of orchids, bamboos, lotuses, and plum blossoms. On the tomb pillars on either side of the screens are inscriptions: “From Gui to Ding, the site is chosen without delay, destined for this auspicious spot; the spirits of the honored rest here, their virtue enduring through a thousand autumns.” The mirror screen is inscribed in regular script: “Gui Mountain foretells fortune, Ding Water enhances the spectacular view.” The slope on both sides is adorned with Ruyi patterns and two circular “longevity” characters, each 0.39 meters in diameter, along with regular script couplets: “Those born under the Ox sign rise early and excel, the land here gathers exceptional spirit; future blessings are foretold, the earth is blessed with remarkable aura.” In front of the tomb stands the “Imperially Bestowed Eulogy” stele, 3.28 meters high and 0.62 meters wide, with a relief of two dragons playing with a pearl at the top and the seal script heading “Imperially Bestowed Eulogy.” The first terrace preserves stone sheep, stone tigers, and a pair of stone pillars. The pillars bear the inscription: “The auspicious burial site, where the resting ox exudes majestic energy like rivers and mountains, the eternal stone engraves meritorious deeds that shine brightly; special grace from imperial edicts brings radiance to the grave, the heavenly kitchen provides a mournful yet honorable feast.” On the right slope is inlaid a square bluestone stele, 0.50 meters per side, inscribed with: “On the 7th day of the 5th month of the 32nd year of Guangxu (1906), by imperial decree, officials were sent to offer sacrifices.”

Ye Zugui (1852–1905), courtesy name Tonghou, was a renowned naval general in the late Qing Dynasty. A graduate of the first class of the Fujian Shipbuilding Institute and among the first group of students sent to study in Britain. After returning to China, he successively served as the commanding officer of the warships Zhenbian and Jingyuan, and participated in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894. The Jingyuan, under his command, briefly served as the flagship leading the fleet during the war. After the defeat of the Beiyang Fleet, he was dismissed from his post. In 1899, the dismissal was revoked, and he was granted the title of Admiral, appointed as the Commander of the Beiyang Navy, the Commander of Wenzhou Town in Zhejiang, and the Admiral of the Guangdong Navy. In 1904, he was ordered to oversee both the Northern and Southern Navies and concurrently served as the Admiral of the Guangdong Navy... More details about Ye Zugui ++