Qinghua Pavilion

　　    Qinghua Pavilion is situated on the hillside within the "Zaozhuang Horticultural Farm" in Taozhuang Town. Originally named "Lüzu Pavilion," it was first constructed in the 30th year of the Kangxi reign. The inscription on the stele commemorating the founding of the "Lüzu Pavilion" is currently embedded in the northern wall of the pavilion’s ground floor. Its content reads: “I have ridden the wind and soared through the clouds, traveling across various lands and visiting countless temples and monasteries of both monks and Taoists. There are innumerable towers and pavilions erected, but why must the enlightened immortals rely on such structures to reside? Must they trouble the gathering of funds and labor, and engage in building with earth and wood? Could it be that those in charge do so merely for their own convenience? Ah, such talk—has it not existed in the world? But when it comes to the Taoist priest Qingyun, the discussion is different. Qingyun had not yet reached adulthood when he severed worldly ties, defied his parents, left his wife and children, and chose to live in seclusion. Initially residing at Chaoyang, he later found his dwelling at Baiyun. He believed that, dressed in white robes and a yellow cap, he could spend his life in solitude in the ancient caves and be content with a carefree wandering life. If he were to persist in laboring with painstaking effort and exhausting thought, rushing about all day long, engaging in construction work—how would that differ from the secular world? So then, why did Qingyun undertake this project? It was all for the sake of Lüzu. The Pure Yang (Lü Dongbin) and Qingyun shared a deep karmic bond from previous lives. Ever since Qingyun retreated to the mountain, Lüzu has descended through spirit writing, bestowing guidance and sparing no effort in mentoring him for several decades. With sincere devotion and heartfelt earnestness, as if unable to let go, Lüzu inspired Qingyun to serve with even greater reverence. Qingyun also believed that unless the worship was conducted with utmost respect and maintained over the long term, he could not properly repay the grace bestowed upon him. Thus, he decided to erect this pavilion. Though Lüzu does not rely on the pavilion to gain reverence, Qingyun’s reverence for him is made abundantly clear. Although Qingyun may not remain alive forever to serve Lüzu, his disciples and future generations who continue to worship here in the pavilion can ensure its longevity. This is the intention behind Qingyun’s construction of the pavilion. Yet, without someone to initiate the project, how could it begin? Without supporters, how could it reach completion? In this endeavor, the initiator was Mr. Li Rukun, who sought both to repay the virtue of Lüzu and to fulfill Qingyun’s aspirations. However, those who repay virtue and fulfill aspirations are not limited to just the Li family—the success also relied heavily on the support of many others. Observe how the pavilion’s peak rises amid the misty clouds, and how its eaves gather the rosy hues of Phoenix Ridge. There are those who ride on crane-like clouds and come to rest here, and those who lean on their staffs atop the mountains to gaze upward in reverence. That this sacred abode achieves a grandeur comparable to that of Yellow Crane Tower or Yueyang Pavilion—who can say it is not a blessing bestowed by these noble gentlemen? Qingyun could not bear to let the efforts of the many go unrecognized, and I could not bear to fail Qingyun’s request. Thus, I record this account. In the 30th year of the Kangxi reign of the Great Qing, in the cyclical year of Xinwei, on this auspicious morning of early summer.”