Site of the Former Donghua Poetry Society at Zhujia Mountain

Site of the Former Donghua Poetry Society at Zhujia Mountain

The Site of the Former Donghua Poetry Society at Zhujia Mountain is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

In Nanyi Road, downtown Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, there is a residence covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, named Zhujia Mountain. It is the site of the “Donghua Poetry Society” formed by Zhu De in his early years in Luzhou.

Zhujia Mountain was the home of Tao Kaiyong, an enlightened gentry and poet in Luzhou, built during the Xinhai Revolution. The residence features a Stone Garden, which is a small courtyard with structures such as a pavilion, a pond, rockeries, and a courtyard. To the left in front of the hall stands a small building with wooden carved railings and upturned eaves, simple and rustic, exuding a strong scholarly atmosphere. A plaque in front of the gate bears the inscription “Marshal’s Residence,” personally written by General Zhu De. The calligraphy is vigorous, blending strength with grace. To the south sits another small building, hidden among lush bamboos and tall trees, constructed atop peaks and rocks—it was General Zhu De’s former residence.

In 1916, Zhu De, then commander of the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Army of the National Protection Army and commander of the Southern Sichuan Pacification Expedition, was stationed in Luzhou for five years (1916–1920). At that time, the local people suffered greatly from the ravages of warlords and bandits. After taking office, Zhu De stated, “Since I am in this region, I must share weal and woe with the people,” and resolved to “protect the people with arms.” In the following months, he led his troops to suppress the bandits. He also wrote poems such as “On Military Duty at Yun Valley Temple – What I Saw on an Early Morning Stroll,” “Climbing Zhaolao Ping,” “Fighting at Bo Dao Ridge,” and “Attacking Straw Hat Mountain.” Among them: “The morning light shines brilliantly, the rosy clouds glow red; the dew glistens clearly, the overnight grass turns lush green. Dilapidated houses stand unevenly along winding paths, dense willows border the long wild embankment. Bandits emerging and hiding show no taste for elegance, fleeing the beautiful scenery like rats in haste.” “Marching through ancient woods while leading the troops, one mountain deeper than the next.” “The ancient fortress and imperial city occupy perilous passes, stubbornly resisting the fierce bandits. A direct assault breaches the ramparts, the bandits fleeing and scattering to various mountains.” “The mountain called Straw Hat blocks the view, the jagged rocks rise steep, the ferns sprawl askew. Gunfire breaks out intermittently, yet all remains still—the bandits have long scattered like a flock of crows.” These verses vividly reflect the author’s literary talent and cheerful state of mind.

At the time, enlightened gentry in Luzhou such as Wen Xiaoquan, Ai Chengxiu, and Luo Xiaoyin admired General Zhu De for his literary and martial prowess, as well as his skills in poetry. They gathered at the “Yiyuan” Garden at Zhujia Mountain to host a banquet with the local gentry. During the feast, Wen Xiaoquan said, “We have heard of the general’s quick wit—many of us are unconvinced. We wish to ask the general to demonstrate his talent, to delight our ears and eyes.” General Zhu De smiled cheerfully and replied, “This place has a famous liquor: Luzhou Laojiao. Let us compose a poem about the City of Liquor.” After a brief moment of contemplation, he recited: “The National Protection Army rose amid changing times, the smoke of war stirring up clamor. Fortunately, the City of Liquor remained unharmed, and I take stock of strategies for another year.” Everyone was impressed, and they praised the general’s virtue. Someone proposed, “In such delightful surroundings, why not establish a poetry society to inspire China?” All agreed. They elected General Zhu De as the society’s head, and the newly-arranged Yiyuan Garden was chosen as the gathering place for the poetry circle. General Zhu De readily picked up a brush, wrote the “Foreword,” and presented a pair of antithetical phrases titled “Celebrating the Founding of the Donghua Poetry Society.” At the end of the “Donghua Poetry Society Foreword,” the purpose of the poetry society was clearly stated: “...vigorously promote and revitalize East Asia and China; loudly call for the overthrow of Western imperialism. Only then can we claim to be united by the bond of literature, forever enjoying the delight of poetry, seeking only good friends, and living up to the land. This is the preface.” The couplet for “Celebrating the Donghua Poetry Society and Luo Xiaoyin’s Fiftieth Birthday” reads: “Forming a poetic alliance across the four seas with Zhu Mu—poetry expresses aspirations; being renowned literati of the late Tang like Luo Yin—heaven grants a long life.”

After the establishment of the Donghua Poetry Society, members frequently exchanged poems. Over the years, they accumulated a rich collection of poetry, later compiled into the “Jiangyang Poetry Exchange Collection.” The collection includes 18 poems by General Zhu De, serving as important historical material for studying his early revolutionary activities.

At that time, warlords were fighting across the country, and Yuan Shikai's absurd attempt to restore the monarchy made the nation’s fate increasingly bleak. General Zhu De, then commander-in-chief of the National Protection Army, led his forces in battles against government troops across Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan. Often feeling lost in these turbulent times and the chaos of the nation, although holding a corner of the land, he felt powerless to save the country. In frustration, he lamented, “The heavens flow desolately like water, rushing relentlessly toward the sea without turning back!” Whenever reminded of this, he would shut himself up in the society, composing and reciting poetry alone to ease his melancholy. The society was established in 1916 and lasted until the spring of 1920, when General Zhu De led his troops out of Sichuan—five years in total. During that period, poetry addressed the nation, literature expounded universal truths, collections debated the populace, and words testified to facts. The society’s purpose was stated: to love the country and revive culture, and to save the nation through thought. Its reasoning was methodical, its discipline strict. Both scholars and commoners alike knew its principles well.

General Zhu De’s poetry and couplets were neither boastful for their depth nor ashamed for their simplicity. His noble character and genuine spirit gave his works deep meanings and natural emotions. Even the most intricate scripts carried lofty integrity. In today’s prosperous age, there are many who pride themselves on writing poetry. But upon reading their works, they are nothing more than trivial and clamorous—far inferior compared to General Zhu De’s poetry. From this, we can conclude: the highest form of poetry puts peace for the world above all else; cultivating character and virtue is secondary; and lamenting private affairs or romantic grievances ranks the lowest.

Protected area: east to Jiangyang Middle Road, west and south to the surrounding walls, north to 10.5 meters beyond the building’s footprint.