Mount Lu's Iron Ship Peak

Mount Lu's Iron Ship Peak

Iron Ship Peak, commonly known as "Mast Stone," faces Dragon Head Cliff across a ravine. The towering peak resembles a giant ship raising its head, hence the name. Legend has it that Wang Dun, a powerful general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty who held military authority, sought to usurp the imperial throne. One day in Jiankang (present-day Nanjing), he invited Xu Xun and others to a banquet, where he asked them to interpret a dream. He said he had dreamed of a wooden object breaking and asked whether it was an auspicious sign. Xu Xun and the others, aware of his intentions, interpreted it as "a tree breaking through the sky, forming the character '未' (not yet)—you intend to use weapons of war, but you must not act rashly." Wang Dun was displeased and secretly harbored thoughts of killing them. Xu Xun and the others had anticipated this, so they fled by boat. While the boat was sailing on the river, Wang Dun indeed sent soldiers to pursue them. Fortunately, Xu Xun, who possessed magical powers, summoned two dragons to carry the boat and fly away. He warned everyone to keep their eyes tightly shut and not to peek. When the boat flew over the summit of Zixiao Peak on Mount Lu, thick clouds and mist enveloped the area, and the bottom of the boat brushed against treetops, making a rustling sound. The boatmen, curious, secretly took a glance, and the two dragons suddenly left. The boat then plunged down beside the Shimen Cave at the foot of Zixiao Peak, eventually becoming Iron Ship Peak. In 1992, the Jingguan Pavilion and nearby stone inscriptions were built atop Iron Ship Peak.

Guide:

Legend has it that Wang Dun, a powerful general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, sought to usurp the imperial throne. One day in Jiankang (present-day Nanjing), he invited Xu Xun and others to a banquet, where he asked them to interpret a dream. He said he had dreamed of a wooden object breaking and asked whether it was an auspicious sign. Xu Xun and the others, aware of his intentions, interpreted it as "a tree breaking through the sky, forming the character '未' (not yet)—you intend to use weapons of war, but you must not act rashly." Wang Dun was displeased and secretly harbored thoughts of killing them. Xu Xun and the others had anticipated this, so they fled by boat. While the boat was sailing on the river, Wang Dun indeed sent soldiers to pursue them. Fortunately, Xu Xun, who possessed magical powers, summoned two dragons to carry the boat and fly away. He warned everyone to keep their eyes tightly shut and not to peek. When the boat flew over the summit of Zixiao Peak on Mount Lu, thick clouds and mist enveloped the area, and the bottom of the boat brushed against treetops, making a rustling sound. The boatmen, curious, secretly took a glance, and the two dragons suddenly left. The boat then plunged down beside the Shimen Cave at the foot of Zixiao Peak, eventually becoming Iron Ship Peak.

Introduction:

Iron Ship Peak, commonly known as "Mast Stone," faces Dragon Head Cliff across a ravine. The towering peak resembles a giant ship raising its head, hence the name. In 1992, the Jingguan Pavilion and nearby stone inscriptions were built atop Iron Ship Peak.

Suggested Duration

1 hour

Ticket

Included in the Mount Lu Scenic Area ticket

Location

Within the Mount Lu Scenic Area, opposite Dragon Head Cliff

Wang Dun (266–324), a powerful minister in the early Eastern Jin Dynasty. His courtesy name was Chuzhong. He was from Langya Linyi (present-day northern Linyi, Shandong), of noble birth, the cousin of Wang Dao, and married Princess Xiangcheng, the daughter of Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan.

Early in his career, he served as a Yellow Gate Attendant. Recommended by Wang Yan, he became the Inspector of Qingzhou, and during the time when Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai, held power, he was appointed Inspector of Yangzhou. When Sima Rui relocated to Jianye, he was summoned as a Military Advisor and later succeeded Liu Tao as Inspector of Yangzhou and Commander-in-Chief of Expeditionary Forces. Together with Wang Dao, he supported the Jiangdong regime of the Sima clan, eliminating the disobedient Inspector of Jiangzhou, Hua Yi, and suppressing the peasant uprising in Jing and Xiang led by Du □. The Eastern Jin... More details about Wang Dun++

Xu Xun (239–374), a figure from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, originally from Runan, Henan, was born in Nanchang County. His courtesy name was Jingzhi. At the age of 20, he studied Taoism under Wu Meng. In the early years of the Taikang era of the Jin Dynasty, he was recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate and appointed as the Magistrate of Jingyang (now part of Hubei Province). He worked for the benefit of the people, eliminating disadvantages and achieving notable political results. Later, seeing the turmoil in the world, he resigned from office, returned east, and traveled around the rivers and lakes. At the time, Nanchang suffered frequent floods, and Xu Xun led the people in water conservancy projects with remarkable success. The story of "Xu Xun Taming the Floods" became widely spread among the people, and through generations of elaboration and embellishment, it gradually became mythologized. Tales of Xu Xun pursuing and slaying the evil dragon, eradicating disasters, remain widely popular to this day.

Xu Xun was a figure in Taoism... More details about Xu Xun++