Kaijiang Hu Family Chastity Archway

Kaijiang Hu Family Chastity Archway

The Kaijiang Hu Family Chastity Archway is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Hu Family Chastity Archway is located in Wufuqiao Village, Gantang Town, approximately 20 kilometers south of Kaijiang County in Sichuan Province. Built in the 44th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1844), it is a brick-and-stone structure with wooden components, featuring a four-pillar, three-bay, triple-eave pavilion-style gate. Oriented east-west, it stands 15 meters tall, spans 12 meters wide, with walls 0.8 meters thick, covering a construction area of 45 square meters.

Named by the State Council as part of the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, this chastity archway is commonly known as the "Lei Family Courtyard Archway."

Legend

During the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty, in Leijia Village, Lingbao County, Henan Province, there lived a local gentry named Lei DaiChao. His family owned substantial farmland and was considered a prominent clan in the area. Lei DaiChao was inherently kind-hearted, well-read, yet aloof and indifferent to officialdom. He called himself the “Moon-Fishing Recluse,” living a pastoral and reclusive life. His wife, Madam Hu, in her forties, was graceful, beautiful, gentle, virtuous, hardworking, and filial. She also had some literacy and was deeply loved by DaiChao. Despite being pregnant, she managed household chores and cared for her in-laws, making family life warm and harmonious. In the tenth year of Yongzheng, misfortune struck as Lingbao County experienced a once-in-a-century drought, with no rain for eight consecutive months. The fields cracked, vegetation withered, the Yellow River nearly dried up, and crops failed entirely. The drought also brought plague. DaiChao’s elderly father, already advanced in years, fell gravely ill. Despite all efforts to treat him, nothing could be done, and he passed away. His mother, in her sixties and frail, cried inconsolably over her husband’s body. It took the comfort of their daughter-in-law and neighbors over a month for the family to gradually recover.

As the saying goes, “In times of peace arise thieves, and in famine years emerge bandits.” The great drought in Lingbao forced many to flee and beg for food. The land was filled with misery and suffering. Even worse, eighty li from Lingbao lay a treacherous mountain range, home to a gang of bandits who robbed and killed indiscriminately. One dark and windy day in early October, the bandits broke into the Lei family compound by scaling walls. Their leader drew his blade and killed Lei DaiChao on the spot. His wife, Madam Hu, and mother-in-law were initially paralyzed with fear, but after hastily gathering a few old clothes, they fled their hometown with the old woman, becoming refugees.

One evening, as they reached Gantangpu in Xinning County, eastern Sichuan, Madam Hu suddenly felt severe abdominal pain and asked her mother-in-law to help her rest under a bamboo shelter by the roadside. At that moment, the sky was painted with sunset clouds, with cranes flying overhead. A streak of red light drifted from the western sky and seemed to enter Madam Hu’s mouth. After a couple of moans, her baby was born.

In Gantangpu lived a local landlord surnamed Guo, named Guo Xianwu. He owned fertile fields, a manor, and an inn near the town. He took pity on the refugee family of three, ensuring they were neither hungry nor cold, and even enrolled their child, along with his own son Guo Tong, in a private school to study literature. He also sent them to a martial arts school nearby to learn swordplay and staff techniques for physical fitness and self-defense. The boy, later named Zhenzong, was exceptionally bright and quick to learn, mastering both scholarly and martial skills with ease. Both the Guo family and Madam Hu often boasted that he would achieve great things in the future.

Time flew, and twenty years passed in the blink of an eye. Lei Zhenzong had grown into a strong and valiant man, skilled in various weapons and renowned for his literary talent. He carried himself with heroic bearing. By the 10th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign, tensions along the southeastern coast caused unrest. Though Zhenzong lived safely under the care of his mother and the Guo family, he harbored ambitions to join the army, avenge his father’s death, and explore the world. He shared his aspirations with his mother and Guo Xianwu, who fully supported him. Guo Tong insisted on joining as well. With ample provisions prepared, the two set off to join the military.

Day after day, they traveled past Jianmen Pass into Shaanxi, crossed Yangping Pass, briefly stayed in the ancient capital of Xianyang, passed through Huaxian County, exited Tongguan Pass into Henan, and finally avenged his father’s death at “Wahukou.”

The brothers traveled along the coast for some time before finding the naval authorities. They explained their motives and were assigned to a frontier camp under naval command.

Meanwhile, Madam Hu stayed at the Guo family inn, mending clothes, washing dishes, serving tea, and keeping the place clean. Though her son was far away, the kindness of the Guo family kept her from feeling lonely. Soon, a county messenger brought letters from her son and Guo Tong, informing her of their successes and well-being, which delighted everyone. But tragedy struck that winter—Madam Lei caught a cold and fell seriously ill. Despite Madam Hu’s efforts and doctors’ treatments, her condition worsened until she became paralyzed. Madam Hu cared for her tirelessly, feeding her, bathing her, and attending to her needs without complaint. Madam Lei, moved by her daughter-in-law’s devotion, often wept with gratitude. Not long after the New Year, despite all efforts, Madam Lei passed away. Madam Hu was heartbroken. Then came the devastating rumor that her son and Guo Tong had perished at sea. Though the Guo family tried to console her, she was inconsolable. Shortly after burying Madam Lei, Madam Hu collapsed from exhaustion and passed away at age 74. The kind-hearted Guo Xianwu arranged a grand funeral and Buddhist prayers for her.

Years passed, and though Zhenzong ruled a foreign land as king, he longed for his homeland and worried for his family. He had a magical pair of shoes that could cross the sea, but he couldn’t leave his friend Guo Tong behind. One day, while walking by the sea, he spotted a giant turtle and begged for help to return home. The turtle agreed and carried them back to China. Upon nearing shore, they saw battles underway against Japanese pirates. The turtle helped defeat the invaders. Zhenzong and Guo Tong were hailed as heroes but chose to return home to their families.

After more than ten years, the brothers arrived in Gantangpu, Xinning County. They found the town thriving and went to the Guo family inn. The old landlord was shocked to see them alive. He broke the news of the passing of Madam Lei and Madam Hu. Zhenzong mourned deeply at their graves.

After staying for a month, Zhenzong thanked the Guo family and prepared to leave. With the landlord’s blessing, he took Guo Tong to travel the world.

The local government, inspired by the family’s story, petitioned the emperor to honor the Hu family. In the 18th year of Qianlong’s reign, Gantangpu was renamed “Tianzi Dian” (Emperor’s Shop), and the Guo family inn was expanded. Later, it was renamed “Tianzi Dian” (Add-Son Shop) to avoid using the emperor’s title. In the 17th year of Daoguang’s reign, the government built the Hu Family Chastity Archway to commend Madam Hu’s virtues.

In the 32nd year of Guangxu, the area was renamed Gantang Township, but locals still call it Tianzi Dian in memory of the Guo family inn and the heroic Hu and Zhenzong families.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units