Temple of Zhang Shiyi

Temple of Zhang Shiyi

The Temple of Zhang Shiyi is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Henan Province.

Also known as Zhanggong Temple, it is located on the north side of Shifu Road in Xiguan, the county town, covering an area of 3,697 square meters. It is a memorial temple dedicated to Zhang Shiyi, the Minister of Justice during the Western Han Dynasty. The original construction date is unknown, but it was rebuilt and renovated during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The existing structures include a three-room banquet hall, a three-room main hall, and a three-room rear chamber. Zhang Shiyi is buried near Hugang Village, two kilometers northwest of the county town. During his tenure as Minister of Justice, he enforced the law strictly and impartially, earning the praise that “with Zhang Shiyi as the Minister of Justice, there were no wronged people under heaven.” Both Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian and Ban Gu’s Book of Han spoke highly of him. It is designated as a county-level cultural heritage site.

Transportation to the Site

North side of Shifu Road in Xiguan, the county town

Zhang Shiyi, courtesy name Ji, was a native of Duyang in Nanyang (present-day Fangcheng, Henan) during the Han Dynasty. He was a renowned legal scholar and judge during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Western Han.

Zhang Shiyi served under both Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of Han, eventually rising to the position of Minister of Justice (the highest judicial officer assisting the emperor in legal affairs). He believed that the role of the Minister of Justice was to “uphold fairness across the realm,” and that if the law was not applied justly, society would descend into chaos with inconsistent punishments, leaving the people at a loss. He was strict in enforcing the law and, even when imperial edicts conflicted with legal statutes, insisted on upholding the law to preserve its sanctity. He held that “the law is something the Son of Heaven shares with all under heaven.” If the emperor … More details about Zhang Shiyi++

Shiyi Street: Shiyi Street … More details about Shiyi Street++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Sites Protected by Henan Province