Zeng Gong Cultural Park

Zeng Gong Cultural Park

Zeng Gong Cultural Park is located in Nanfeng County, Jiangxi Province. It is a cultural venue that combines commemorating historical figures, experiencing folk culture, tourism and leisure, and patriotic education. The park features structures such as a memorial archway, reliefs of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, a large bronze statue of Zeng Gong, and Zeng Gong Square.

His courtesy name was Ziguo, and he was a native of Nanfeng. A politician, writer, and essayist of the Northern Song Dynasty, he was one of the “Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song.” In the second year of the Jiayou era (1057) of the Song Dynasty, he passed the imperial examination and successively served as prefect in Qi, Xiang, Hong, Fu, Ming, and Bo prefectures, earning a reputation for good governance. In the third year of the Yuanfeng era (1080), he was transferred to serve as prefect of Cangzhou. While passing through the capital, he was summoned by Emperor Shenzong, during which he proposed that frugality was key to financial management, earning the emperor’s high regard. He was then retained to serve at the Three Bureaus Office. In the fourth year of Yuanfeng (1081), due to his expertise in history, Emperor Shenzong appointed him as an editor at the Historiography Institute to compile the chronicles of five dynasties. In the fifth year of Yuanfeng (1082), he was appointed as a Middle Secretariat Drafter. The following year, he passed away in Jiangning Prefecture. During the reign of Emperor Lizong, he was posthumously honored with the title “Wending.”

Zeng Gong’s main achievements lie in essay writing. His essays are simple and unadorned, rigorous and clear, plain yet incisive. Works such as “A Letter to Secretary Ouyang,” “Record of the Ink Pond,” and “On Disaster Relief” are lofty in theme and demonstrate remarkable writing skill. Renowned literary figures throughout history have spoken highly of Zeng Gong. Wang Anshi said, “Among all writers, none match Zeng Gong’s prose—like the Yangtze and Han rivers among waters, or the North Star among stars.” Su Shi remarked, “Among the disciples of the Drunken Old Man (Ouyang Xiu), it is hard for any to be considered truly outstanding, but Zeng Gong alone surpassed them all, a lone blossom amid a crowd of blossoms.” Zhu Xi praised him, saying, “Such should be the standard for all writings.” Another major achievement of Zeng Gong was the collation of ancient texts and the editing of historical books. Works such as “Strategies of the Warring States,” “New Prefaces,” “Garden of Stories,” “Biographies of Exemplary Women,” “Book of Chen,” and “Collected Works of Li Bai” were all proofread and edited by him.

Travel Routes:

1. Nanfeng County Town — South Ring Road — Zeng Gong Cultural Park (direct access by car)