Tomb of General Lei Futian

Tomb of General Lei Futian

The Tomb of General Lei Futian is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Tomb of General Lei Futian (Bazhou District)

Lei’s Tomb is located 500 meters west of Songjiabian Village in Huacheng Town, and 100 meters to the right of the Lei Family Government Office. It was built in the third year of the Guangxu reign and completed in the sixth year of the Guangxu reign. Facing south, it is an earthen mound tomb with a long rectangular burial mound that is 10.5 meters in length, 7 meters wide at the front, and 3.4 meters wide at the back. In front of the tomb is a tombstone, and in front of the stone tablet stands a memorial archway, beyond which are a paper-burning pavilion and a pair of stone lions.

The tombstone is a stone structure imitating wooden architecture, featuring a five-tiered hip-and-gable roof. The bottom tier has seven pillars and six bays, measuring 10 meters in width, 9.3 meters in height, and 0.8 meters in thickness. The second, third, and fourth tiers each have four pillars and three bays, while the top tier has two pillars and a single bay. The tablet walls are carved with the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars and the Battle of Dangyang. The stone pillars feature over 20 high-relief and openwork carvings, including coiling dragons. The central panel of the lowermost bay is inscribed with: “Imperial posthumous title granted to General Wu Gong, courtesy name Shiyi, alias Renshan, the venerable Lei, and his noble wife Lady Yang, resting here in their funeral mound.” On the left is inscribed: “In the sixth year of the Guangxu reign, Gongshizheng Dafu, specially appointed Magistrate of Nanxi County, former acting Magistrate of Bazhou, and clan brother Yiyuan Lei Erqing respectfully composed this inscription.” (See Appendix 1) The side panels of the middle and end bays are inscribed with two five-character poems. (See Appendix 2)

Panoramic view of Lei Futian’s Tomb complex

The memorial archway is a stone structure imitating wooden architecture, with a four-tiered hip-and-gable roof. The bottom and second to third tiers each have four pillars and three bays, while the top tier has two pillars and a single bay. At the center above the main gate is inscribed an imperial edict from the sixth year of the Guangxu reign. (See Appendix 3) The door pillars feature carvings of civil officials on the left and military officers on the right, along with over ten painted scenes of flowers and figures.

The paper-burning pavilion is pavilion-style, octagonal with five tiers, topped with crouching stone lions.

A pair of stone lions stands in front of the pavilion, each 2.2 meters tall. The left one, male, steps on a silk ball; the right one, female, cradles a cub underfoot.

The tomb is grand in scale, ingeniously designed, and exquisitely carved, representing a fine example of Qing Dynasty art and culture.

Appendix: Tomb Inscription

Throughout history, great heroes who rise to build mighty enterprises, achieve great fame, and establish prominent families must possess great ambition, wield great talent, and demonstrate great character — such success is never achieved by mere chance. In his youth, Brother Renshan came from a family of modest means, with assets barely exceeding those of an average household, earning him only the lowest scholarly degree. His rise was incredibly difficult. Yet, together with his virtuous wife Lady Yang, they encouraged each other and diligently accumulated wealth. Their fields stretched far and wide, and their residence flourished. They personally educated their three sons — the eldest, Yu Dong, became a successful scholar and passed the imperial examination of the Yiyou Year, becoming a Jinshi; the second, Yu Fa, ranked first in the martial arts examination of the Dingmao Year; and the youngest, Yu Chun, though just beginning his scholarly journey, was strong and full of promise, with a future yet to unfold. In the sixth year of the Guangxu reign, Yu Dong was appointed as the touring officer of the Right Battalion in Guyuan, soon to be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The elder brother received imperial favor, being granted the title of Martial General, and his wife was also honored with the title of Lady. Their home was filled with official hats and robes, a testament to their achievements. Is this not the story of a great hero whose determination led to triumph? At the age of sixty, he personally supervised the construction of his own funeral mound, demonstrating foresight of such magnitude. Alas, standing tall for five hundred years, he emerged as a renowned figure among scholars; enduring through lofty mountains and endless rivers for thousands of years, he leaves behind the virtue of a noble man. For a literatus to inscribe such words is also to bring glory to the art of calligraphy — one might hope thereby to avoid accusations of flattery.

Composed by Lei Erqing, Magistrate of Bazhou. Written by Lei Zerong, a literary scholar from Baoning’s Government School and Nanjiang. Great Qing, Guangxu

Reign, sixth year, Gengchen Year, spring, twenty-sixth day.

Appendix 2: Two Five-Character Regulated Verses

Entering the ancient temple at dawn, the rising sun glistens through the tall woods. A winding path leads to a secluded spot, where the meditation hall is deep among flowers and trees. The mountain light gladdens the birds, the pond’s reflection clears the heart. All sounds are hushed, save the chime of the temple bell.

Composed by Lei Zhengrong, Jiazi Year Scholar and Acting County Magistrate.

2. The towering pavilion nears the heavens, as one ascends close to the edge of the sky. The clear sky reveals myriad thriving trees, but sorrow arises at the sight of the Five Tombs’ mist.

Beyond the railing lie the low Qin Mountains, through the window flows the small Hua River. Had I known the tranquil truths before, I would have long served the Golden Mountain.

Composed by Lei Wen Yuan, Dingmao Year Scholar and Acting County Magistrate.

Appendix 3: Imperial Edict

By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Bestowed with favor and titles, to commend meritorious service in battle; to elevate family prestige, in recognition of teachings within the household. Lei Shi Yi, father of Lei Yufa, Lieutenant Colonel of Shaanxi, and Right Battalion Guerrilla Officer of the Guyuan Pacification Commission, exemplified virtuous upbringing and honored ancestral conduct. He accumulated goodness and set a fine example through his own conduct, nurturing an outstanding son who expanded the family legacy through military prowess. In recognition of imperial grace, you are hereby posthumously awarded the title of Martial General, with an imperial decree bestowed upon you. Hark, the emblem of the imperial archives receives grace once more, blessed by the emperor’s decree, forever gracing your resting place.

The imperial decree states: The mother and father share equal grace; the dutiful son repays kindness. The mother, brave and resolute, raised her son to greatness, and the court honors her to glorify her family. Lady Yang, mother of Lei Yufa, Lieutenant Colonel of Shaanxi, and Right Battalion Guerrilla Officer of the Guyuan Pacification Commission, was wise and disciplined, diligent and devoted. Her dignified bearing brought early renown, her compassionate teachings bore fruit in a valiant son. In recognition of imperial grace, you are hereby posthumously awarded the title of Lady. Hark, the imperial edict brings brilliance, repaying your toil; adorned in ceremonial robes, you forever shine in your resting place.

Sixth day of the second month, Guangxu sixth year.

The central upper part of the stone plaque is engraved with an imperial seal.

Source: Bazhong County Cultural Annals

Protected area: Eastward from the edge of the earthen mound, extending 20 meters to the field ridge; southward from the southern edge of the tombstone, extending 10 meters; westward from the edge of the guardian lion, extending 20 meters to the ridge of the Huangliang tree field; northward from the northern edge of the tombstone, extending 20 meters.

Construction control zone: Extending 15 meters beyond the protected area.