Degan City

Degan City

This fortress is located to the north of the Dangshui River in Yong’an Township, east of Tongjiang County. It sits at an altitude of over 400 meters. Surrounded by cliffs on three sides and backed by mountains, with steep terrain all around and a flat expanse on top that could accommodate tens of thousands of people. Its geographical location and strategic importance are described in *Records of Broad Events in Shu*: “A rocky cliff rises from among countless mountains, surrounded by sheer cliffs on all sides. Only two paths to the southwest twist and turn through the perilous terrain, truly forming a situation where one man could hold the pass.” This fully illustrates how strategically impregnable this place is.

Degan City, also known as Degan Mountain or Anji Fortress, has a long history. In ancient times, it was a key military stronghold. When Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, declared himself king of Hanzhong, he used this place as a supply route for his campaign into Shu. During the Chu-Han Contention, the grain supplied from here enabled the Han forces to defeat Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. Liu Bang then established the Han Dynasty and unified the realm, hence the name Degan City.

The important strategic position of Degan City in history and its role as a military stronghold in northeastern Sichuan are irrefutably evidenced by the numerous inscriptions carved into the stone cliffs. In the second year of Chunyou during the Southern Song Dynasty (1242), Möngke Khan’s eldest son, Köden, launched an invasion of Sichuan, attacking along three routes down the Yangtze River against the Song forces. Yu Jie, the Pacification Commissioner of Sichuan, set up defenses at Degan City and other locations, relying on the mountainous terrain. At that time, Degan City became one of the “Eight Pillars” of Sichuan’s anti-Mongol defense system. The other seven pillars were “Yunding City (Jintang), Yunsan City (Yingshan), Dayu City (Cangxi), Baidi City (Fengjie), Fishing City (Hechuan), Qingju City (Nanchong), and Kuzhu City (Jian’ge).” Yu Jie fortified these strongholds, relocating the administrative centers of eight prefectures—Chengdu, Peng (Yilong), Lang (Langzhong), Yang (Yang County, Shaanxi), Kuizhou (Fengjie), He (Hechuan), Shuncheng (Nanchong), and Longqing (Jian’ge)—to these fortresses to counter the Mongol forces advancing southward along both eastern and western routes. The fact that Yu Jie regarded Degan City as a “pillar” speaks volumes about its critical importance. Furthermore, *Famous Sites in Shu* records: “An inscription on the stone cliffs of Degan City states that in the winter of the year Jiyou in the Chunyou era of the Song Dynasty, the imperial envoy and Scholar-official Song personally visited Degan Mountain, assessed its strategic potential, and appointed Commander Zhang Shi. Leading soldiers in person, they built fortifications, stored grain, and established a settlement, laying plans to reclaim lost territory.” This further confirms the vital role Degan City played in the war against the Mongols.

During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Commandant Lin Jun stationed troops at Degan City for four years to guard against the peasant uprisings led by Yan and Lan. He even relocated the county seat of Tongjiang here at the time. A stone inscription from the Zhengde Dingchou year on the southern gate cliff documents this historical fact: “How splendid the scenery atop Degan City—though skilled artisans might struggle to capture it all. Ascending and descending, one surveys the view, unaware they’ve been suspended at the sky’s edge. In years past, legendary generals led armies here, commanding millions of brave soldiers. The mantis, bold yet foolish, thought itself unguarded—until it cast aside its staff and armor in surrender. Nature’s formidable terrain needed no carving; the mountains embrace it like a chariot. Here, one admires the spirit of the ancients, enjoying peace and security within this unbreached fortress…”

During the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, when the White Lotus Rebellion broke out, Ran Wencong, leader of the Tongjiang Blue Banner, held out at Maba Fortress. To suppress this peasant uprising, the county seat of Tongjiang was once again moved to Degan City.

In 1919, during the early years of the Republic of China, peasants in Tongjiang staged a “Anti-Ten-and-a-Half Yuan” opium tax resistance movement. Led by Zhang Baishan, over 3,000 members of the Divine Soldiers militia held their ground here for more than a year.

From 1932 to 1935, when the Fourth Red Army entered Sichuan, Degan City became a major logistical support base for the Fourth Red Army and the Sichuan-Shaanxi Soviet Government. The Red Army established institutions here such as the Northwest Revolutionary Military Commission, the Red Army radio station, the Peng-Yang Military School, the Security Bureau, and a mint.

Degan City not only holds significant military strategic value but also boasts a rich cultural heritage. The many stone inscriptions, poems, and couplets at Degan City are invaluable resources for studying Bashu culture and northern Sichuan folk customs.

One famous poem in wild cursive script on the stone cliff reads: “Since ancient times, Degan City has been famed as a scenic marvel of Bashu. Nestled among winding streams and layered peaks, it stands guarded by surrounding ranges. Painted in crimson on all sides, its towers and battlements number in the tens of thousands. Its excavation was not by human design—visiting here is purely a stroke of fortune. Horses neigh chaotically as we ford the stream, and the valley darkens with approaching dusk. Mist brings coolness in summer, while the murmuring springs fill the air with crisp sounds. We lay down our weapons to write upon the southern ridge, jotting down spontaneous thoughts in haste. Ancient steles remain on the cliffs, their moss-worn inscriptions recalling the Song Dynasty. The benevolent Li, a mountain recluse, points toward the path at the eastern gate. Though the scenery is splendid again, the battles of old remain untold. My wandering thoughts arise from the lonely heights, as if… The people here enjoy their land of bliss—may they uphold filial piety and reverence. Overcome with emotion, I suddenly dampen my sleeve; the pines and cypresses stir deep sorrow. Every man has his own aspirations—how could this be my nature for long? When shall I boast of returning like a homing goose, carried onward by the wind? ”

This text offers the best explanation of Degan City’s historical role.

*Five-Character Poem on Anji Fortress* by Xue Hao’an, the Tongzhi Official of Tongjiang, Sichuan, reads: “The Nuoshui River ties itself to this place; in the year of demonic invasion, turmoil arose. The ancient fortress opens amid encircling lands, its mighty stronghold locking the mountain peak. Though the earth may fall, the rivers and mountains remain; with unity among people, the ramparts stand firm. Above, the people reside under parental care; bringing peace is my sole duty. Setting aside the brush of history, I dwell near waters where moonlight bathes the tower. When bandits are pacified and the smoke of war clears, when hostilities cease and war drums fall silent—beside you, sir, in your wake, I feel ashamed to offer repayment.”

It passionately speaks of the ancient Degan City’s role in defending against enemies and safeguarding the people.

An anonymous poet of the Ming Dynasty used verse to record the historical event of Lin Jun, the Right Censor-in-Chief, being stationed at Degan City. The poem reads:

“Natural battlements guard the low-hanging clouds; myriad valleys blur the painter’s gaze. The heroes of the Two Hans grieve for old tales; the rains and suns of Three Ba ask the streams ahead. Who now sets the pact to enter the pass? With you, Zhong, only birds cry freely. Fasting has cured illness, leaving slow dreams behind; wrapped in shrouds, old age entrusts me to the westward march. Among these cities, cleverly forged like bronze, one gate blocks the way, defying ten thousand men. Carved victories at Degan still bear faint words; swift reports of triumph over Lan rise anew. Jade tents and yak-tail banners are mere externals; purple fungi and fragrant bamboo grow wild in the hills. Old men of the craggy streams, don’t find me strange—I am but an old fisherman from Jiangmen.”

Panoramic View of Degan City, Tongjiang

*Dream in the Campaign Camp* by Lin Jun, the Right Censor-in-Chief, reads:

“In life, I dreamed of following in attendance; gazing at the mystic city, sorrow deepens. Poetic drafts are blown northward by the long wind; homesick thoughts flow eastward with the stream. Horse hooves sound as small squads shift camps; petals fall into the gentle creek, circling the balcony. Ten thousand miles, two souls drift with spiritual energy—surely they come for the aged. Repeated victories on the Ren River delay the final triumph; at Degan, solitude lingers through two months’ stay. The ends of the passes and mountains have appeared in dreams; the clear wilds and camps host spiritual roamings. Through dust and death, my loyal heart remains; by lamplight at midnight, old tears flow. I pray for the army’s success to revive old dreams—no need to resent the forest doves of Ba Ridge.”

The tension of military life vividly adorns the walls.

In the thirteenth year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1518), Magistrate Zhu Dao wrote:

“Cliffs rise sheer on all four sides alike; today it forms part of Heaven’s Domain, yet is not yet deemed supreme. To the east, one must believe it is hard to breach; who says the rammed-earth strategy was utterly ingenious? The river branches far, filling irrigation ditches; heavy gates deeply bar passage to wolves and sheep. All citadels under heaven are thus—if the people and the realm persevere, defense shall never fail.”

It captures the ruggedness of Degan City and its historical military significance with striking precision.

Additionally, there are several couplets. Lin Jun’s couplet: “The land is encircled by three jade-like streams; the heavens forge a single copper city. Peaks rise like a dragon’s canopy in motion; clouds return to the crane-releasing terrace.”

In the seventh year of the Jiaqing era (1802), Magistrate Xu Tingyu inscribed: “A nation is strengthened not by the peril of mountains and streams; a fortress is completed solely by the unity of will.”

In the eighth year of the Jiaqing era (1803), Dong Zengchi, Prefect of Tongjiang County, wrote: “This city is built to towering majesty, with water winding and mountains encircling—truly fitting to stand as a bulwark for southern Han, northern Sichuan, and eastern Ba. The mountain stronghold endures with spiritual longevity; the people live in peace and prosperity, resembling the formation of Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger.”

These couplets are not only grand in momentum and meticulously antithetical, but also vividly depict Degan City’s geographical situation and strategic importance.

Both in the past and present, this place has been a destination longed for by literati and poets, who have competed to express their emotions here through ink and brush. *Leisurely Gazing at Degan City Stone Inscriptions*, a poem by Xiang Shixian, a late Ming scholar, reads:

“The rocky fortress looms against the sky, veiled in misty light; today I visit, as flowers bloom fragrant. Winding streams embrace like emerald sashes; towering gates stand firm, securing the golden stronghold. Do not mistake the moss for ancient steles; the rocks still whisper the scent of calligraphy. I wish to leave verse mourning the sages of old, as dusk clouds and spring rain veil all in haze. The east wind invites me up the layered ridges—now, deep emotion stirs an old fate. Together we rejoice in noble friends lingering in this splendid place, as we polish worn steles to read the remnants of verse. My body floats above layers of rosy clouds; sunlight bathes a thousand peaks before my eyes. Unrestrained joy forgets the late hour home—the whole valley of blossoms and willows smiles in the clear mist.”

This poem is the most representative.