Former Residence of Chen Youliang (Xuanmiao Temple)

Former Residence of Chen Youliang (Xuanmiao Temple)

The Former Residence of Chen Youliang (Xuanmiao Temple) is a cultural tourism attraction.

Visit the hometown of Emperor Han — the former residence of Chen Youliang, and uncover the mystery behind this peasant uprising leader of his time.

Xuanmiao Temple was once the home of Chen Youliang, a peasant uprising leader in the Jingchu region. In the 22nd year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1424), it was converted into Xuanmiao Temple. Located on the main street south of Miancheng’s southern gate, prior to the arson attack by Wang Jingye, commander of the 128th Division, in 1941, it was known as the “One Temple, Ten Halls.” The current Xuanmiao Temple was rebuilt in 1984 on the original ruins and has since developed into a renowned Taoist center on the Jianghan Plain. Every year on the 23rd and 24th of the sixth lunar month, the birthday of Thunder Ancestor is celebrated. Pilgrims from surrounding areas brave the summer heat to pay homage, turning Miancheng into a bustling scene of incense smoke and activity — truly a spectacular sight. This event is listed among Miancheng’s four major celebrations, alongside the cultural temple fair on the Shangjiu Festival, Eid al-Fitr, and the Dragon Boat Festival.

Look ahead — that red-glazed, upturned-eave gateway is the entrance to Xuanmiao Temple. The inscription beneath the sign reading “Xuanmiao Temple,” which says “Former Residence of Emperor Han Chen Youliang,” was penned by the esteemed Professor Li Guoping from Wuhan University. As the former residence of Emperor Han Chen Youliang, it adds an extra layer of mystique to Xuanmiao Temple.

Chen Youliang was born in the seventh month of the lunar calendar in 1320, during the reign of Yuan Emperor Renzong (Yanyou era), in Huangpeng, Mianyang (now part of Honghu City). Interestingly, legend has it that on the day of his birth, Chen Youliang’s father, Chen Pucail, and his mother, Lady Zeng, were boating toward Xintan Kou when they passed through Xintan Shuihong Kou. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, covering the sky and earth, and torrential rain poured down. The waters at Shuihong Kou churned wildly, with treacherous waves and jagged peaks emerging. Chen Pucail barely managed to navigate through the East Jing River to Longchuan Ji. It’s said that Emperor Gaozu of Han once moored his boat here, and that every five hundred years, a “dragon offspring” would be born here. By then, 2,200 years had passed since 220 BC, so it should have been the third such birth. Though the strait was perilous, Lady Zeng, already in labor and exhausted from the long, choppy boat ride, suddenly felt intense abdominal pain. Soon after, the cries of a newborn filled the air. Instantly, the wind died down, the rain stopped, the clouds parted, and a fragrant scent spread across the lake. The sky cleared, and colorful auspicious clouds appeared. Chen Pucail and his wife looked at the baby, whose appearance was quite terrifying — a small red face covered in fine hair, with fish-scale-like green spots on his chest and back arranged in fan shapes, and two hard protrusions on his head resembling legendary dragon horns. Horrified by the strange child, the couple, though heartbroken, resolutely threw him into the lake. But then, thunder roared again, the sky darkened, and the baby floated on the surface, refusing to sink. It seemed that shrimp soldiers and crab generals were protecting the child. Panicked, Chen Pucail scooped the baby up and held him tightly. Suddenly, the sky cleared, colorful clouds emerged, and sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining brilliantly. Feeling that the child was extraordinary, and noting the unusual celestial signs, coupled with the fact that he was born at the legendary Dragon Boat Rock, the couple believed he would achieve great things. To make up for the fact that he was born on a boat without touching soil, Chen Pucail scooped up a handful of dirt to cover the bloodstained cloth. Together, they decided to name the child Youliang, meaning “possessing brightness and hope.”

In 1997, local artist Shao Siping created a sculpture of Chen Youliang based on unearthed statues, and now let’s take a look.

This statue stands eight meters tall, with a base made of high-quality carved stone. The inscription “Emperor Han Chen Youliang” was written by Cheng Yuanbin, author of the book *Chen Youliang*. Truly, heroes are forged by their times. In his youth, Chen Youliang witnessed the suffering of people during the late Yuan Dynasty and resolved to overthrow the Yuan and restore the Han. With “loyalty to the ruler in his heart and the ambition to revive the nation,” he dedicated himself to martial arts training and scholarly study. At the ages of 26 and 30, he achieved the top scholar ranking twice, becoming widely known as a man of both literary and martial prowess. Later, moved by the plight of the people and driven by the spirit of Tang and Wu, he abandoned his official post and joined rebel forces, raising the call to resist tyranny. Over 18 years of military campaigns, Chen Youliang demonstrated exceptional wisdom and courage, achieving the remarkable feat of “dividing the realm into three, with Chen controlling two-thirds.” He rose from a minor official handling documents and provisions in the rebel army to become a respected leader commanding millions of troops. In 1360, he declared himself emperor in Wuchang, establishing the Han Dynasty. In 1363, he fought Zhu Yuanzhang for supremacy in the decisive Battle of Poyang Lake. Due to betrayal by his subordinates, Chen Youliang personally led the battle but was fatally struck by arrows that penetrated his eye and skull. He died at the age of 44. His remains were transported back to Wuchang by his marshal Zhang Dingbian and buried at the foot of Turtle Mountain.

Zhu Yuanzhang once commented on Chen Youliang: “Chen’s defeat was not due to a lack of brave generals or soldiers, but because his ranks were full of arrogance, laws were lax, he could not endure hardships, and he relied on poor strategy — hence his downfall.” For these reasons, Chen made a series of mistakes militarily and politically, ultimately leading to his defeat by Zhu Yuanzhang. However, it’s undeniable that under his leadership, the rebel forces expanded their frontlines across several provinces in Huguang, making outstanding contributions to the fall of the Yuan Dynasty and greatly advancing social progress. He also embodied the combative revolutionary spirit of the peasant class. In short, Chen Youliang stands as a shining banner of peasant resistance — undoubtedly a source of pride for the people of Miancheng.

These are the horse tethering stones and feeding troughs used by Chen Youliang. As for his traveling pot, I’m sure many of you have heard of it. When marching, Chen Youliang had two special pots: one was the army rations pot, which had the unique function of “letting sand and grain leak out but never rice,” and the ability to “stay cool for three days of burning and warm for three days off,” allowing “rice to be added on one side while being served on the other,” feeding “thousands of horses without running out.” The famous Mianyang Three Steamed Dishes were invented by Chen Youliang’s consort, Lady Zhang Fengdao, using this very pot. This magical pot accompanied Chen Youliang through battles across the land before eventually disappearing. The other pot was the execution cauldron. Even today, an old folk rhyme circulates in Miancheng: “The steamer that steams men, the pot that boils men — the dogs aren’t happy, but I am.” It refers to how Chen Youliang’s rebel army executed corrupt officials who oppressed the people by boiling them in this pot, venting public outrage. After over 600 years of weathering, the bottom of this pot has corroded and fallen away.

Take a look at this ancient well, once used by Chen Youliang, which is also the best-preserved among Miancheng’s “Forty-Eight Ancient Wells.” Known as Jade Spring Well, it is also called Dust-Washing Well or Glorious Tassel Well. The water is clear, sweet, cool in summer and warm in winter. Legend says drinking from it can ward off disaster, bring blessings, and cure various ailments. It’s believed that Chen Youliang remained energetic and free of illness throughout his nearly 20 years of military life thanks to regularly drinking from the Jade Spring. Because it is located next to the Thunder Ancestor Hall of Xuanmiao Temple, some also call its water “holy water.”

Chen Youliang (1320–1363), founder of the Great Han regime in the late Yuan Dynasty of China. A native of Mianyang, Hubei (now Xiantao City). After the outbreak of the late Yuan peasant wars, he joined the Red Turban Army of the Heavenly Prosperity (Tianwan) regime, led by Xu Shouhui, Zou Pusheng, and Ni Wenjun, and rose through the ranks to become a marshal. In the 17th year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1357), Chen Youliang assassinated Ni Wenjun. In the 19th year, he killed Zhao Pusheng, a distinguished general of the Tianwan regime who had made great contributions in the anti-Yuan struggle. That same year, he murdered the attendants around Xu Shouhui, abducted Xu, and declared himself King of Han. The following year, in the leap fifth month, he killed Xu Shouhui and declared himself emperor, establishing the Great Han regime and adopting the reign title of Dayi. He continued to appoint Zou... More details about Chen Youliang ++