Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia

Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia

The Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia is a cultural tourism attraction.

Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia

The Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia is an important cultural relic and ancient site in Hainan, dating back to the Song Dynasty. It is located on a slope north of Jiuxian Village, Changcheng Town, Changjiang County, approximately 300 meters from the village.

Zhao Ding, courtesy name Yuanzhen, also known as Master Dequan, was born in 1085 (the eighth year of Yuanfeng during the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty) in Wenxi, Jiezhou (present-day Wenxi County, Shanxi Province). In the fifth year of Chongning during the reign of Emperor Huizong (1106), he passed the imperial examination. In the fourth year of Shaoxing (1134) during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he served as Right Vice Grand Councillor and concurrently as Chancellor of the Privy Council (equivalent to vice premier), and became prime minister in 1135. He authored the Collected Works of Loyalty, Integrity, and Virtue.

In the eighth year of Shaoxing (1138), due to his strong advocacy for resisting the Jin invaders and conflict with the treacherous official Qin Hui, he was demoted to Jiyang Military Prefecture on Hainan Island. When passing through Leizhou, the prefect Wang Ti “pretended to offer him a ride” to see him off. Upon learning this, Qin Hui had Wang Ti exiled to Jinzhou. In a memorial Zhao Ding submitted to Emperor Gaozong while staying at the home of Pei Wenyi in Yazhou, he expressed his unchanging resolve to resist the Jin and save the nation: “With white hair and no place to return, I lament how little of my life remains; yet my loyal heart undimmed, I will not waver even if facing death nine times.” His firm will struck fear into Qin Hui: “This old man remains as unyielding as ever.” Qin Hui then intensified his persecution of Zhao Ding. In Jiyang, Zhao Ding “lived in seclusion, rarely going out, and refused all visitors.” “Hainan’s boundless waters and drifting clouds soar, Mount Liwu rises high as the sun climbs slow; a thousand miles of solitude over a single cup of wine—this feeling only old friends truly know.” Zhang Zongyuan, military governor of Guangxi, sent someone with poetry, medicine, alcohol, and yeast to offer comfort. When Qin Hui found out, he immediately transferred Zhang away from Guangxi.

Faced with Qin Hui’s cruelty, Zhao Ding chose death as his form of resistance. Before his death, he personally inscribed his tombstone, recording his hometown and the years of his official career. Among the inscriptions were these two lines: “Riding the tail of the Winnowing Basket, I return to the heavens; my spirit becomes the mountains and rivers that strengthen our dynasty.” This showed that even in death, he would not forget the Song Dynasty or the mission to resist and save the nation—he would transform his spirit into the land and rivers, to make the Song Dynasty stronger. He then died and was buried in Jiuxian Village, Changhua County. This occurred in the seventeenth year of Shaoxing (1147), when he was just 63 years old.

After Zhao Ding’s death, Hu Dan’an wrote a mourning poem: “A mound of yellow earth rests on Qiong Island, an eternal beacon stands firm like Mount Tai.” The following year, by imperial decree, he was reburied in Shimen, Zhejiang. Some of his personal regalia were left behind, and a symbolic tomb was established at the original burial site in Jiuxian Village, Changjiang County, forming the Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia.

Ten years after Zhao Ding’s death, Emperor Lizong ascended the throne and posthumously honored Zhao Ding as Duke of Fengguo, awarded him the title of Grand Preceptor, and gave him the posthumous name Zhongjian, by which he is also known to later generations.

Since the Song Dynasty, the Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia has been well preserved. There was originally a stone tablet inscribed in intaglio with the words: “Tomb of Zhao Ding, Grand Chancellor and Top Scholar of the Great Song.” For centuries, every Qingming Festival, local people would mourn Lord Zhao by bringing food and meat to the tomb site to pay respects. However, it was damaged during a certain period and remains unrepaired to this day. Currently, only a small amount of stone fragments and square black tombstones remain at the site. The Tomb of Zhao Ding’s Regalia, preserved since the Song Dynasty, has a history of over 800 years and provides crucial historical research material for future generations.

Zhao Ding (1085–1147), courtesy name Yuanzhen, also known as Master Dequan, was a native of Fudi Village, Wenxi County. A renowned prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty who fought alongside Yue Fei against the Jin invaders. In the fifth year of Chongning during the Northern Song Dynasty (1106), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed magistrate of Luoyang, later promoted to Secretary of the Kaifeng Local Administration. In September of the first year of Jingkang (1126), the Jin army captured Taiyuan, and the court discussed ceding three towns in exchange for peace. Zhao Ding firmly opposed this, declaring: “Our ancestral lands must not be given away—there is no need for discussion!” In April of the following year, the capital Kaifeng fell, Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong were captured, and the Jin intended to establish Zhang Bangchang as emperor, forcing Song officials to sign a statement of allegiance. … More details about Zhao Ding ++