Tomb of Wu Junyi

Tomb of Wu Junyi

The Tomb of Wu Junyi is a cultural tourism attraction.

The “gatehouse-style” Tomb of Wu Junyi. Located in Changpan Village, Long’ao, the tomb complex consists of five sections: the approach path, the tomb hall, the offering hall, the memorial hall, and the burial mound. The top of the tombstone features a “gatehouse-style” roof, resembling a house ridge and facade, with the horizontal plaque inscribed “Heaven Bestows Pure Blessings.” On either side are carved qilin (mythical creatures), and the tombstone itself is 0.78 meters high and 0.43 meters wide. It bears an inscription in intaglio regular script: “The 14th year of the Daoguang reign, Chrysanthemum Month / Lady Xiuxiu Lin / By imperial decree Prefectural Sima Wu Junyi / Companion Moxiu Chen / Tomb / Offered by descendants of the five branches.” The tomb hall is semi-circular and built of stone. In front of the tomb stands a pair of drum-shaped stone pedestals, and along both sides of the tomb path are symmetrical stone carvings depicting bats facing ruyi (scepters), a pair of phoenixes facing peonies, and seated lions. Wu Junyi (circa 1764–1834) had a grandfather, Wu Qiu, who also came from Xiawan, Raoping County, to make a living in Nan’ao. His father, Wu Dacheng, established some business ventures. By the time Wu Junyi reached adulthood, he had amassed considerable wealth through building salt fields and operating ship cabins. He then purchased the official title of Prefectural Sima of Fenzhou according to regulations, but before taking office, he was falsely accused in a conspiracy orchestrated by Magistrate Li Gongye and Liu Chenglong, the Joint Magistrate of the Nan’ao Military and Civilian Government, in what became known as the “Phantom Robe Case,” leading to his imprisonment. Fortunately, he was saved from wrongful punishment by Hong, a former scribe to the provincial governor whom Wu had once helped.