Huoshan

Huoshan

Huoshan, in ancient times, was known as "Huotai Mountain," "Huoyue," "Taiyue," "Huotai," and "Zhongzhen." The *Rites of Zhou · Officers of Land* records: "The sacred mountains of the Nine Provinces… Only Jizhou, located in the north, covers the vastest expanse. Hedong, in particular, boasts the most majestic landscapes, yet Huoshan alone is revered as the sacred mountain—respected for its towering grandeur, profound depth, and boundless breadth, towering above all peaks and suppressing all lesser hills. Its majesty reigns supreme across the land." The mountain rises from the earth to touch the sky, with layers of emerald peaks stretching continuously for two hundred kilometers, "spanning Zhaocheng, Luohong Cave, overlooking Pingyang, and finally culminating in the northeast of Huoyi, towering over the Fen River and connecting with the Taihang Mountains. From afar, it resembles stacked screens or rows of battlements, lush and vibrant, piercing the heavens, embracing sunlight, moonlight, and starlight, awe-inspiringly majestic, overshadowing Mount Li and engulfing Mount Gua." "Huoshan embodies the pure qi of heaven and earth, gathering the essence of rivers and mountains. It spans about 70 li east to west and approximately 150 li north to south, with its main peak rising 2,504 meters above sea level—lofty, deep, and expansive." The *Erya* states: "Among the beauties of the west is Huoshan, rich in pearls and jade."

Stepping into the embrace of Huoshan, surrounded by the auspicious mist-shrouded peaks and overlapping ridges, you’ll experience the convergence of mountains, the clustering of peaks, the winding embrace of valleys, the stretching of ravines, the utmost gentleness and beauty of water, and the utmost wonder and splendor of stones. Amid the lush forests and the ocean of green, you can faintly smell the scent of soil, the fragrance of flowers and grass, and feel the vitality of tender shoots sprouting. Here, you can reflect, become enchanted, and fall in love—with the exquisite scenery that brings a sense of ethereal comfort.

Winding paths twist and turn. Small flowers and scattered stones seem both haphazard and meticulously placed. As you stroll along, a sudden peak juts out, and a waterfall cascades from the sky. Amid the roaring pine winds, a perfect blend of beauty and ruggedness is formed. Each ridge, each peak is a scene, while the murmuring clear streams in every valley are the dynamic brushstrokes within the landscape. Every drop of water, every stone, is a testament to their interdependence and struggle. Look—the intertwining harmony of water and stone, the imperfect postures of water and stone. Through repeated affirmations and negations, the mountain, the water, and the stone are sculpting an ever-unsatisfied landscape, continuing an eternal theme.

Shifting your gaze to the water and stone, the spiritual essence of Huoshan’s peaks comes rushing in. Amid the vast wilderness, from mountain to valley and from valley to mountain, extraordinary peaks appear everywhere, stunning views emerge at every moment, and hidden charm lies in every step. First, there’s Mapao Spring, about a zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) in size, entwined with emerald green grass and gurgling with clear water. Legend has it that when Yu Chijingong was pursuing Tang soldiers here and found no water, his horse stomped the ground and a spring emerged—hence the name. Li Daoyuan’s *Commentary on the Water Classic* states: "Huotai Mountain has a Temple of the Mountain God, which is very efficacious—birds and sparrows do not nest in its woods. This is also the site of Drumming Spring." Next, there’s a site thirty li east of the county within Huoshan. Legend says Emperor Gaozu of Tang defeated Sui general Song Laosheng here, and a temple was built in commemoration. Back then, Li Yuan and his son rebelled against the Sui Dynasty from Taiyuan, leading thirty thousand volunteer troops southward. In Huozhou, they were blocked by Sui general Song Laosheng’s imperial army. Song Laosheng, a seasoned veteran known for his bravery, fiercely resisted, holding the strategic Hanzhixin Ridge. Li Yuan’s forces attacked for over half a month but couldn’t advance. Just as they were out of options and ready to retreat, and after Li Shimin’s eight heartfelt pleas were ignored, a white-haired old man appeared outside the tent seeking to see Li Shimin. He said there was a hidden mountain path that could be used to attack Song Laosheng from behind and achieve victory through strategy. Following the old man’s advice, Li Shimin indeed beheaded Song Laosheng, captured Huoyi, and won a great victory.