Sword Pool

　　   Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the famed swordsmith Ou Yezi forged three swords here — "Dragon Abyss," "Qin A," and "Gong Bu" — and from then on, Longquan swords became widely renowned. The "Taiping Huanyu Ji" states: "In ancient times, people quenched swords in the water here, and the swords turned into dragons and left, hence the name Dragon Spring." The Qing Dynasty's "Da Qing Yitong Zhi" records: "To the south of Longquan County in Zhejiang, there is a body of water called 'Dragon Abyss.' During the Tang Dynasty, to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Gaozu (Li Yuan), it was renamed 'Longquan.' In the Song Dynasty, it was again renamed 'Sword Pool Lake.' Sword Pool Lake is located by the side of Qinxi Mountain, south of the city. In ancient times, there were seven wells on the southern side of the mountain, arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. The well water was sweet and cool. The master swordsmith Ou Yezi drew water from here to quench the swords, which enhanced their hardness and prevented rusting.

　　   The Tianmu Mountain Range stretches from west to northeast for over a hundred li, all the way to the prosperous Hangjiahu Plain. About 60 kilometers from Hangzhou, standing on the plain within Deqing County, Huzhou City, is a beautiful and graceful peak — the world-renowned summer resort, Mount Mogan. In the height of summer, driving here from hot Hangzhou or the “furnace” of Nanjing takes just a few hours. The climate here is cool, and it has long been known as a “cool world.” Along with Beidaihe, Jigong Mountain, and Mount Lu, it is one of China’s four famous summer resorts and health retreats. The beauty of Mogan lies in Sword Pool.

　　   The beauty of Mogan lies in Sword Pool, and the beauty of Sword Pool lies in its cascading waterfall.

　　   Above Sword Pool, there is a small stone bridge spanning the clear stream, called Fuxi Bridge, also known as Feihong Bridge. On the stone pillars on both sides of the bridge are two lines from Chen Yi’s "Travel Notes on Mount Mogan": one side reads:

　　   Rows of bamboo form a green sea along the path, and high buildings can be seen from the bottom of the deep ravine.

　　   The other side reads:

　　   The Sword Pool waterfall washes away worldly thoughts, and the distant view from Pagoda Hill inspires hearty singing.

　　   On the stone wall of Sword Pool are engraved two powerful characters: “Sword Pool.” From Fuxi Bridge above Sword Pool, one can gaze down to take in the full view of the Sword Pool waterfall between the cliffs. The Sword Pool waterfall is divided into three tiers. The stream water bursts out from under Fuxi Bridge, suddenly plunging two or three zhang (approximately 6–10 meters), into the pool below, forming the first tier of the Sword Pool waterfall. After the water pours into Sword Pool, it pauses briefly before gathering force and plunging again, this time from a height of over 10 meters — a truly spectacular sight and the second tier, which is also the main waterfall. As the ancients wrote: “The flying spring splits the rocks, rushing forth mightily, unstoppable through the valleys, transforming into the thunder of a clear sky” — these verses depict precisely such a scene. On the cliff next to the waterfall, the words “Fuxi’s P160” are inscribed. Below Sword Pool, the water is funneled into a short cascade, which winds away and disappears among the green bamboo, forming the third tier. Viewed from afar, the Sword Pool waterfall resembles a white silk ribbon, elegant and graceful. Whether viewed from above or below, it presents a variety of fascinating scenes.

　　   Standing by Sword Pool and looking up at the waterfall presents yet another sight: the cascade hangs in the air, with water droplets flying like pearls and jade, sending chills down your spine and stirring your soul; looking down into Sword Pool, the misty mountains rise from the water, tree shadows sway gently, as if revealing a hidden paradise.

　　   In all seasons and weather — rain or shine, day or night — the Sword Pool waterfall changes endlessly, presenting ever new wonders. Sometimes it resembles a thin thread hanging in the air, fluttering with the wind; sometimes it looks like a suspended silk ribbon, still and unmoving; sometimes it is like a black dragon diving into the sea, leaping and surging; sometimes thick fog envelops everything, hiding the waterfall so only the sound of water can be heard; sometimes morning mist lingers, filling the valley with purple haze, making the waterfall faintly visible; sometimes moonlight bathes the area, casting a hazy glow over the mountains, and the waterfall shimmers with silvery light.

　　   To the left of Sword Pool is a flight of stone steps. Winding upwards, they lead to the Waterfall Viewing Pavilion, which not only offers an excellent vantage point to admire the Sword Pool waterfall but is also a great spot to watch the sunrise.

　　   Speaking of the Sword Pool waterfall, an ancient legend must be mentioned. It is said that Sword Pool was the place where the famed swordsmith Ganjiang and his wife, Mo Ye, forged swords during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. According to the "Wu Di Zhi · Jiang Men," King Helü of Wu ordered Ganjiang to forge swords for him. After three months, the molten iron still had not been poured, and if he failed to deliver on time, Ganjiang would face punishment. Mo Ye asked Ganjiang for advice, and he replied that if a woman were offered to the furnace god, the swords could be successfully forged. So, Mo Ye threw herself into the furnace. Instantly, the flames roared, red light filled the sky, and when the fire died down, two flashes of green light were seen lying at the bottom of the furnace — these were the male and female swords forged with Mo Ye’s flesh and blood. In the "Sou Shen Ji" (In Search of the Supernatural) from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, a compilation of tales about gods, spirits, and transformations, as well as Cao Pi’s "Lie Yi Zhuan," the stories of Ganjiang and Mo Ye forging swords at Sword Pool, Ganjiang offering the swords and being killed, and their son Chi Bi avenging his father are recorded. To this day, on a large blackish-brown stone covered in moss beneath Fuxi Bridge, the words “The Grinding Site of the Couple Ganjiang and Mo Ye of the Zhou and Wu Kingdoms” are engraved.

　　   In the shaded valley of Mount Mogan, believed to be the place where Mo Ye and Ganjiang sharpened their swords, the pool water is crystal clear. Above it, a waterfall cascades down from the sky, and the water flows over stone ledges, forming three tiers. There are pavilions, railings, and winding paths up and down. The surrounding cliffs are inscribed with many modern calligraphic works. Opposite the pool, a semi-open pavilion is built against the hillside.