The Shouyang Mountain Site of Emperor Yan

The Shouyang Mountain Site of Emperor Yan

The Shouyang Mountain Site of Emperor Yan is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Shouyang Mountain Site of Emperor Yan

Shouyang Mountain, also known as Yangtou Mountain, is located in Shizhuang Township in the southwestern part of Changzhi County. It extends westward to Zhangzi and connects to Gaoping to the south. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscapes of three counties — hence the saying “A single rooster’s crow is heard across three counties.” Towering and majestic, Yangtou Mountain stretches nearly 100 li. The mountaintop boasts lush pine forests, while the mid-slopes are covered with dense shrubs. The main peak features two pagodas that rise like twin cones piercing the sky, which is why locals also call it Cone Cone Mountain. According to the Book of Local Customs from the Northern Wei Dynasty, “The Divine Farmer’s City is on Yangtou Mountain, beneath which lies the Divine Farmer’s Spring. The mountain has ancient city ruins, with Guguan Pass to the north — the place where the Divine Farmer obtained the finest grains.” The Book of the Later Han · Biography of Wang Mang states: “The strategic pass at Yangtou Mountain guards against attacks from Yan and Zhao to the north.” From the mid-slopes to the summit, Yangtou Mountain is covered with stone carvings. There are grottoes and stone tablets, stone pagodas and stone trees, grouped ensembles and solitary sculptures, most of which date back to the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Xie Chun (?–1129) styled Jingxiang, was a native of Liuyang in the Song Dynasty. He was highly regarded for his talent and bravery. In the third year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1129), a mutiny broke out in Tanzhou (modern-day Changsha), marked by arson and looting. The military governor Xiang Ziyin ordered Meng Yanqing, the assistant prefect, to pacify the rebels. Soon after, mutinous troops led by Du Yan invaded Liuyang, where Meng was defeated and killed. Xiang then ordered Zhao Minyan, also an assistant prefect, to lead troops against the rebels, but they were unsuccessful. At that time, Xie Chun led local militia as vanguard forces to assist Zhao in battle. He personally killed dozens of enemies but was eventually overpowered and captured, then executed by the rebels. Upon hearing of this, the imperial court posthumously awarded him the title of Chengzhong Lang and granted a bureaucratic position to his son Xigu. … More details about Xie Chun ++