Qilu Alliance Platform

Qilu Alliance Platform

The Qilu Alliance Platform, also known as the Alliance Platform. The "Yanzhou Prefecture Records · Historical Sites" states: "The site where the states of Qi and Lu held an alliance during the Spring and Autumn period is located five li southwest of Juye County, where the high platform still remains to this day." This platform is situated about half a li north of Dali Village, southwest of Juye Town in present-day Juye County, and is a key county-level cultural heritage site under protection. Before the Yuan Dynasty, "this platform was several ren high and wide enough to cover two mu." By the late Yuan and early Ming periods, due to the Yellow River flooding and subsequent erosion by rainwater, the platform gradually shrank, and now only a little over half a mu remains, with a height of about three meters. In 1979, the Juye County government erected a stone stele here to strengthen the protection of the ancient site.

Legend has it that this platform was the site where the states of Qi and Lu held an alliance during the Spring and Autumn period, dating back over two thousand years. Since the reign of King Wu of Zhou, to ensure control over Shandong, he implemented the policy of "enfeoffing relatives to serve as barriers for Zhou," granting Jiang Shang the title of Marquis of Qi, with his capital at Yingqiu (present-day north of Linzi, Shandong); and enfeoffing Boqin, the eldest son of Duke Zhou, in the former territory of the Yan state, establishing the State of Lu (present-day Qufu, Shandong). From then on, Qi and Lu, as major eastern powers, became two pillars of the Zhou dynasty. Although Lu was enfeoffed as a top-tier kingdom, it was constantly surrounded by powerful neighbors such as Qi to the east and Zheng and Song to the west, and never managed to grow strong. The Daye region was located on the border between Lu and Song (the "Juye County Records" state: Zhangfeng was the boundary between the two states), and frequently suffered invasions from the State of Song. To secure its borders, Lu sent envoys to Qi to propose an alliance. Qi realized that if Lu were weakened or destroyed, its own security would also be threatened, so it agreed to join forces with Lu to form a friendly neighboring relationship and oppose the hegemony of Zheng and Song. Thus, the two states agreed to hold an alliance in the Daye region, on the western border of Lu. To make the alliance ceremony grand and memorable, thousands of laborers were mobilized by both states to build the alliance platform to the south of the Ji River and west of the Daye Marsh. On the day of the alliance, the venue was filled with fluttering banners and resounding drums. Armies from both states, clad in armor and helmets, looked majestic, creating an atmosphere of military solidarity and unity. The rulers of the two states agreed on the following: 1. To ensure everlasting friendship between the two states, starting from the day the pact was made, this platform would be named the Qilu Alliance Platform, and Lu would station troops there for its protection. 2. A beacon tower would be built on the alliance platform, stacked with firewood and animal dung. In case of emergencies, the beacon would be lit—during the day, thick smoke would rise to the sky, and at night, flames would light up the fields. Postal stations across the land, upon seeing the alarm, would promptly relay the message to Qi, which would then dispatch troops in aid. Thanks to the mutual defense pact and united front against enemies, the borders of Lu have since remained peaceful.

The Qilu Alliance Platform is also known as the Western King Platform, and legend has it as the site where "Emperor Kang, Zhao Gou, reviewed his troops." According to the "Juye County Records": "In the second year of the Jingkang era of Emperor Qinzong of Song, Emperor Kang went to Jizhou, and Han Shizhong, leading his troops, urged him to ascend the throne. The Jin army pressed forward aggressively, causing fear among the people. Han Shizhong fought fiercely at the Western King Platform, forcing the Jin soldiers to retreat slightly. The next day, the Jin commander led tens of thousands of troops to attack again. At that time, Han Shizhong had only a little over a thousand men under his command. He charged forward alone on horseback, beheaded the Jin commander, and the Jin army was completely routed."