The Stele of *Record of the Xujì Shrine*, the Xujì Shrine, and the Military Relics of Deng Zilong

The Stele of *Record of the Xujì Shrine*, the Xujì Shrine, and the Military Relics of Deng Zilong

The Stele of *Record of the Xujì Shrine*, the Xujì Shrine, and the Military Relics of Deng Zilong is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Stele of *Record of the Xujì Shrine*, the Xujì Shrine, and the Military Relics of Deng Zilong

1. *The Stele of Record of the Xujì Shrine*: Carved in the winter of the 15th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (October 1587). The full text contains 2,346 characters and mainly recounts Deng Zilong’s efforts in resisting Burmese forces and suppressing rebellions in western Yunnan, his stationed governance and development of Lao Yao Pass, as well as the quelling of local ethnic conflicts in Youdian (now Changning). This stele was authored by Li Shida, a military advisor to Deng Zilong, who held the titles of Presented Scholar and Assistant Surveillance Commissioner of the Jin仓 Branch of Yunnan Provincial Administration Commission; calligraphy was done by Jiang Xin, the Surveillance Commissioner of Yunnan Provincial Administration Commission and Regional Commander of the Golden-Teng Defense Circuit; and the title was inscribed by Hu Weixin, the Deputy Regional Commander of the Jin仓 Branch of Yunnan Provincial Administration Commission from Yuyao, known as “Cloud Screen.” The content is detailed and credible. This *Record* holds significant historical value for studying southwestern territorial boundaries of the Ming Dynasty and Sino-Burmese relations, the nature and course of this war, as well as Deng Zilong’s military command skills and literary achievements. The stele is currently housed in the stele pavilion next to Qingping Cave. In February 1983, it was designated as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

2. Xujì Shrine: Located south of Qingping Cave in Yao Guan Town, it was built by imperial decree in the 14th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1586 AD) to commemorate soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country under the leadership of General Deng Zilong during the campaign against Burmese forces in western Yunnan in 1583 (the 11th year of Wanli). The architectural style of the shrine is a tightly structured courtyard combining the raised-beam and through-tenon wooden frameworks typical of the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty. It consists of a main hall, side chambers, front hall, wing rooms, and 0, forming a well-organized quadrangle. The twelve carved lattice doors of the main hall are especially precious due to their exquisite craftsmanship and artistic style. According to *The Chronicles of Tengyue Subprefecture*, after the temple was completed, Deng Zilong donated his salary to purchase land and invited monks to reside there. In 1590 (the 18th year of Wanli), when Deng left, he entrusted the monks with managing Qingping Cave.

By the early years of the Chongzhen reign, the resident monk had left secular life. Lei Shengyang, the Daoist commander of Yao Guan and a native of Guizhou, renovated the temple, reviewed official lands, and re-invited monks to take residence.

To commemorate the great achievements of Deng Zilong and his soldiers, later generations enshrined a statue of Deng Zilong in the main hall and established the custom of worshipping him in spring and autumn each year.

The Xujì Shrine and other temples are not only precious relics left by General Deng Zilong in Yao Guan but also played an active role in promoting local culture. The shrine holds significant historical commemorative value and offers reference for studying Ming Dynasty architectural art and styles. In 1983, it was announced as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit along with other Deng Zilong relics, and has since been gradually restored and preserved. In 1998, it was further designated as a patriotic education base.

3. Qingping Cave: Located at the western foot of Turtle Mountain, 380 meters south of Yao Guan Street. Originally a natural limestone cave, it was expanded by Deng Zilong in the 13th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1585 AD) to signify the calming of wartime chaos in western Yunnan and the peaceful life of all ethnic groups, hence the name Qingping (Peaceful) Cave. The cave entrance is oval-shaped, 3.74 meters high and up to 3 meters wide. On the cliff above the entrance are Deng Zilong’s personally inscribed characters “Qingping Cave,” with “13th Year of Wanli, Spring” inscribed in the upper right and “Opened by Deng Zilong of Yuzhang” in the lower left. The cave consists of a main chamber, Ya Ge Room (Elegant Song Room), a chess room, and a bedroom. To the right of the main cave is the Ya Ge Room, and to the left is the chess room. A Moon Palace Gate leads from the chess room into the bedroom. In addition to Deng Zilong’s poems “Qingping Cave” and “Farewell to Qingping Cave,” the cave walls feature many inscriptions of poems by local officials and scholars from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. About 8 meters to the left of the cave entrance stands “Sword-Leaning Rock” where Deng Zilong personally inscribed the two characters “Yi Jian” (Leaning Sword), signed “Wu Qiao.” To the right of the cave entrance, across a wall, is “Ai Yin Spring” (Sigh-Drinking Spring), and above the cave entrance is the “Hanging Bow” rock. Additionally, there are many other inscriptions by Deng Zilong and other officials or scholars on the outer cliff. Outside the cave is a crescent-shaped terrace, beyond which lies a relatively open area with a half-moon shaped pond to the west called “Dragon Pool.” In the center of the pool is a pavilion named “Mountain-Viewing Pavilion,” connected to the cave via a ladder inside. About 20 meters to the right of the cave are the stele pavilions for the *Record of the Xujì Shrine* and the *Boiling Elephant Site*. To the south of the cave is the Xujì Shrine. This site, abundant with Deng Zilong’s relics, has become a widely known tourist attraction.

4. Zhenyao City: Located in Yao Guan Street, it was built in the 13th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty and completed in two years. Zhenyao Command was established here, stationing 890 cavalry and infantry troops. The city was earthen-built with brick-lined gates. The city wall extended from Xiaosongpo along the current town government office eastward, curving north through the middle of Yao Guan Street, then following the ridge of Daguan Mountain from the current Yao Guan Post Office westward past the Old Guan Temple, continuing along Dasonpo in an arc to meet Xiaosongpo. The city was elliptical, with a perimeter of 880 zhang and 2 chi (approximately 2,900 meters), enclosing an area of 1,029 mu (about 170 acres). The city was abandoned during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, leaving only ruins. Today, only three segments of the northwestern wall remain, totaling 2,700 meters in length, with remnants 2–3 meters high and 3–5 meters thick. The outer moat on the west side of the city can still be faintly traced, about 5 meters wide. As one of Deng Zilong’s important military facilities for border defense in Yao Guan, it is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

5. Daguan: Located about one kilometer east of Daguanqing on the Daguling Mountain ridge in the Dagang Office of Yao Guan Town, it was built by Deng Zilong in the 11th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1583 AD). The structure consists of a gate tower, protective walls, and a defensive moat, all built with stone blocks. This pass served as a critical checkpoint between the old city (Mengboluo) and Zhenyao City (Yao Guan), and was the battlefield where Deng Zilong fought Burmese elephant troops. The front of the pass is the ancient battlefield of Yancǎo Slope. The gate tower has been restored, ruins of the protective walls remain, and the defensive moat is still recognizable. It is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

6. Xiaoguan: Located at the mountain pass between Shaoluo Mountain and Guanpo Mountain, about two kilometers southeast of Baima Office in Yao Guan Town, it was built by Deng Zilong in the 11th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1583 AD). This pass was one of the important routes from Wandian to Yao Guan, situated in a strategic and precipitous location, epitomizing the phrase “one man guards the pass, ten thousand are unable to breach it.” A stone stele inscribed with “Southwest Lock and Key” remains. It was one of the main battlefields where Deng Zilong led troops in fierce combat against the Burmese army. Remains such as “Leishi Mountain” (Rolling Stone Mountain) and “Diewang Pit” (Elephant Fall Pit) can still be found in front of the pass. The gate tower no longer exists, but the foundation of the wall remains largely intact. The wall, about 6.5 meters long and 4.8 meters wide with a remaining height of 1.9 meters, was constructed with stone facing and rammed earth core, seamlessly integrated with the surrounding mountains. It is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

7. Lishaoguan: Located on the Guanpo Mountain ridge, about two kilometers east of Fùjiāzhài in Yao Guan Town. It was built by Deng Zilong in the 11th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1583 AD). This pass was another important route from Wandian to Yao Guan. Surrounded by steep cliffs, the terrain is extremely treacherous. Together with Daguan and Xiaoguan, it formed part of Yao Guan’s outer defenses, playing a crucial role in protecting the main base. The wall is built with stone blocks and remains relatively intact. Two symmetrically placed guard houses were built on either side of the pass, along with a separate sentry post inside. The guard houses and sentry post no longer exist, but their foundations remain. It is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

8. Dianjiangtai (Generals’ Platform): Located 1.5 kilometers northeast of Yao Guan Street and 300 meters north of the current Yao Guan Middle School, it served as a training ground for Deng Zilong’s garrisoned troops in Yao Guan during the 11th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1583 AD). The platform has stone-paved edges and a rammed earth core, forming a square. The original specifications are unknown, but the existing sides measure 12 meters. The stone parts have been damaged, with a remaining height of 4 meters. The platform faces south and is surrounded by flat, open terrain, ideal for military drills. To the left front was a Drum-Beating Platform, now gone. It is one of the major military relics of Deng Zilong’s stationed troops in Yao Guan. It is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

9. Chaotian Cave: Located about 200 meters north of Dazhai Village, Doupo Office, Yao Guan Town. Opened by Deng Zilong in the 13th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1585 AD), the cave faces south, with an entrance about 10 meters high, 8 meters wide, and 100 meters deep. On the left cliff above the entrance are Deng Zilong’s personally inscribed characters “Chaotian Cave” and the signature “Hu Guan.” There are also two of Deng Zilong’s poems inscribed at the site: “Chaotian Cave” and “Farewell to Chaotian Cave.” This cave is one of the scenic spots developed by Deng Zilong during his stationing in Yao Guan. It is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

10. Bajiao Pass: Located in Jian Shan Village, Bāláng Township. Built in the 11th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1583 AD), it was named for the abundance of wild bananas in the area. It was one of the five key defensive passes established by Deng Zilong, then Yungchang Regional Commander, to resist Burmese forces and suppress rebellions. The stone-walled pass controlled the vital routes from Kaxi and Wandian into Yao Guan, corresponding to the city wall on Dasha Mountain to the northeast, covering a total construction area of about 1,500 square meters. It is an affiliated site of the provincial cultural relics protection unit.

11. Cizhu Pass: Located in Bai Tian Village, Jiufang Township, approximately 11 kilometers along the Yao Guan–Jiufang Highway. Built in the 11th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1583 AD), it was named for the local abundance of cizhu bamboo. It was one of the five key defensive passes established by Deng Zilong to resist Burmese forces and suppress rebellions. The stone-walled pass controlled vital routes from the direction of the old city and the Nu River westward into Yao Guan. The pass was destroyed during the construction of the Jiufang Highway in the 1970s.

12. Deng Zilong Shrine: Located in Hexi, present-day Shidian County, between Shidian County’s Shengzi Company and the Grain Trade Hotel. In 1590, after Deng Zilong returned triumphantly and reported to the court, he stayed briefly in Shidian. The local people, grateful for his contributions, requested the establishment of a shrine to commemorate his eternal virtue. Initially built as a temporary shrine spanning fifty zhang, it was later renamed Wanshou Palace and then Xiao Shrine. The original ancient structures have been completely destroyed. Currently, only one *First Narrative* stele of the Deng Zilong Shrine is preserved, kept at the county cultural relics management office.