Book-reading Rock Carvings

Book-reading Rock Carvings

The Book-reading Rock Carvings are a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Book-reading Rock, commonly known as Zhuangyuan Cave, is also called Taixing Rock, South Rock, or Generals-and-Ministers Hall. It is located on Daxiang Mountain. Exiting the Great Buddha Temple and following the Huxi Stream upward, you will see a natural rock cave nestled among the layered ridges. The cave is 34 meters long, about 20 meters deep, and approximately 4 meters high at the entrance. A mountain spring flows down from the upper rocks, converging into Ruilian Pool in front of the cave. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Chen Xinghua from Langzhong relocated his three sons—Chen Yaoxu, Chen Yaosou, and Chen Yaozhi—to this place to study in seclusion away from the hustle and bustle of the city, hence the name Book-reading Rock. Later, Yaoxu and Yaozhi both achieved the top imperial examination honor, hence the name Zhuangyuan Cave. Additionally, since Yaoxu and Yaozou both rose to the rank of prime minister and Yaozhi was skilled in both literary and martial arts, rising to the rank of military governor and becoming a general, it is also known as Generals-and-Ministers Hall. There is also an imperial-inscribed "Ziwei Pavilion," which is why it is also referred to as Taixing Rock.

Since the three Chen brothers achieved two zhuangyuans (top imperial examination scholars) and one jinshi (successful imperial examination candidate), and held positions as two prime ministers and one general, all while accomplishing remarkable political feats—particularly in flood control—their contemporaries admired them, calling the Chen family the "Family of Zhuangyuan Prime Ministers" and the "Family of Water Conservancy Experts." Their teenage study place attracted many distinguished visitors, who left numerous inscriptions. During the Chunxi era of Emperor Xiaozong in the Southern Song Dynasty, Wu Zhaofu, the prefect of Langzhou, even built a "Generals-and-Ministers Hall" here, creating an extremely precious cultural landscape.

The main stone inscriptions on Book-reading Rock include “Ziwei Pavilion,” “Generals-and-Ministers Hall,” “Where Brothers Became Zhuangyuan Prime Ministers,” “Fragrant Fame Lasts Ten Thousand Years,” “Book-reading Rock,” “Writing Rock,” “Inkstone Holding Pavilion,” and “Teaching Sons Hall.” In addition, there were 21 steles, which were unfortunately destroyed during [a certain historical event], though fortunately the cliff inscriptions remain. Among the inscriptions, the most valuable are Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty’s imperial calligraphy “Ziwei Pavilion” and Su Dongpo’s signed and inscribed “Generals-and-Ministers Hall.” Moreover, “South Rock” was written by Sima Chi, the father of the Northern Song Dynasty's Sima Guang. At that time, Sima Chi brought his son Sima Guang to pay homage here. Sima Chi wrote on the rock face while Sima Guang held the inkstone at his side, which is why this “South Rock” inscription is also extremely precious. To commemorate Sima Guang having held the inkstone here, later generations built the “Inkstone Holding Pavilion.”

During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, imperial censor Lu Yong built the “Three Chen Academy” on Book-reading Rock. It was renovated in the Jiajing era by Yang Zhan, the regional inspector of Northern Sichuan. Later, the academy buildings and pavilions fell into disrepair. In 1990, the Generals-and-Ministers Hall, Ziwei Pavilion, Inkstone Holding Pavilion, corridors, and Ruilian Pool were rebuilt, covering an area of 12 mu (approximately 0.8 hectares) with a construction area of 653 square meters. The scenery today surpasses that of the past.

Protective boundary: Northwest to the edge of the Zhuangyuan Cave Scenic Area, northeast to the mountain spur at the scenic area parking lot, southeast to the scenic area road of the upper terrace of Zhuangyuan Cave, southeast to 20 meters beyond the upper terrace.

Construction control zone: With the protective boundary as the limit, extending 100 meters northwest, reaching the foot of the back mountain ridge of Zhuangyuan Cave southeastward, and extending 50 meters northeast and southwest.