Luoma Pool

Luoma Pool

Luoma Pool

The clear waters beneath the Fuxing Bridge are called “Luoma Pool.” Why is it called “Luoma Pool”? There’s actually an interesting story behind it. During the uprising led by Shi Liudeng, He Shen’s younger brother, Helin, accompanied Fu Kang’an, the Minister of Revenue, to Tongren in the 60th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign (1795) to suppress the rebellion. The following year, Fu Kang’an, unable to adapt to the local climate, suffered from severe diarrhea that led to dehydration, and eventually died of illness in Tongren. At that time, Helin, who was then the Minister of War, took over as commander-in-chief from Fu Kang’an. One evening, while leading his troops, Helin passed over this broken bridge, which at the time was crudely patched together with some wooden planks. His horse stepped into a gap and fell through, throwing both man and horse into the water below. Seeing their commander fall into the pool, Helin’s men—most of whom were northern soldiers with little to no swimming ability—braved great danger and risked their lives to rescue him. However, after being drenched in the cold water, Helin fell ill upon returning and soon passed away. Because this pool played such a role in aiding the rebel forces, people have since called it “Luoma Pool,” which means “Fallen Horse Pool.”