Baiyang Stockade and Holy Emperor’s Palace Stele

Baiyang Stockade and Holy Emperor’s Palace Stele

Baiyang Stockade and Holy Emperor’s Palace Stele is a cultural relic protection unit of Hubei Province.

Baiyang Stockade and Holy Emperor’s Palace Stele

Located in Baiyang Village, Nanyang Township, Xingshan County. Baiyang Stockade was built in the 10th year of the Shunzhi reign (1635). It is one of the important sites of Li Laixing, a peasant army leader from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, who allied with the Ming to resist the Qing. The site covers an area of about 1 square kilometer. The layout is an irregular circle, with folded ramparts that are 1–3 meters wide and have remaining heights of 1–2.5 meters. A gate is set on the northeast side of the stockade, and the surrounding cliffs are steep. Multiple relics remain within the stockade. The Holy Emperor’s Palace Stele was engraved by Li Laixing’s forces in the 12th year of the Shunzhi reign (1655). It is made of bluestone, with a gui-style head and a square base. The stele is 4.48 meters tall, 0.96 meters wide, and 0.20 meters thick. The top features the seal script inscription “Record of the Construction of the Holy Emperor’s Palace Stele in Xingshan County,” consisting of 11 characters, while the main body is in regular script with over 1,130 characters, documenting the construction of the Holy Emperor’s Palace and listing the positions and names of various camp commanders. Li Laixing (d. 1664), from Qingjian, Shaanxi, joined the peasant uprising in northern Shaanxi in the late Ming period. After the death of Li Zicheng in 1645, he continued the resistance against the Qing alongside Li Jin and Gao Yigong, fighting across Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, and Guangxi. He died in battle at Maolu Mountain, Xingshan County, in the 3rd year of the Kangxi reign (1664). (Third Batch)

Source: Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units