Ancient City Site of Xiayangcheng

　　The Xiayangcheng site is located to the north of Jinjipu, stretching 3.5 kilometers from north to south and 2 kilometers from east to west. According to the Qianlong edition of the Pinglu County Annals: “Jinjipu is none other than Xiayangcheng, extending over seven li. In the northwest corner of the city there is a mound piled up with stones, commonly known as Twelve Connected Cities.” The Zuo Zhuan (Chronicles of Zuo), a classic text of the Spring and Autumn period, records that Duke Jing of Jin asked for passage through the territory in order to destroy Guo, and it was here that Xiayang was conquered. During the Qing dynasty, Liang Di visited the site and reflected on how Duke Yu of Yu did not heed the loyal minister Gong Zhiqi’s admonition that “the carriage wheel and its support rely on each other; when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold,” and knowing that Yu was doomed, took his people and left. He was moved to write the poem “Xiayang”:

　　Yue and Guo’s strategic pass lay at Xiayang,

　　A frontier town’s tale is sorrowful indeed.

　　The counsel of ‘wheel and support’ was no sign of fear,

　　But sending gifts of walls and horses foretold the fall.

　　Too easily charmed by baubles and fine things,

　　It has always been the loyal truth that grates the ear.

　　Though he departed with kin, he never forgot his land,