Temple of Martial Valor

　　The Temple of Martial Valor (commonly known as the Temple of King Wu) is located in the middle section of Fuchikou Old Street. In the first year of Huangwu during the Wu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms period, the great Wu general Gan Ning died in battle. To honor his achievements, he was enshrined here. However, the highest reverence and most grand sacrificial ceremonies for him were seen during the Song Dynasty. After the Song founded its empire, it sought out loyal ministers and righteous heroes from previous eras, bestowing rich honors and ceremonies upon Gan Ning. In the fifth year of the Kaibao era (972 AD), Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin of the Song posthumously honored him as Duke of Bao; in the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era (1082 AD), Emperor Shenzong honored him as Martial Duke of Bao of Wu; in the second year of the Zhenghe era (1112 AD), Emperor Huizong designated the temple as the Temple of Martial Valor; in the fifth year of the Xuanhe era (1123 AD), Emperor Huizong further honored Gan Ning as Prince of Martial Benevolence; in the second year of the Jianyan era (1128 AD), Emperor Gaozong honored him as Prince of Martial Benevolence and Martial Valor; in the fourth year of the Jianyan era (1130 AD), Emperor Gaozong also honored him as Prince of Martial Valor, Martial Benevolence, and Wu the Manifest; in the twenty-first year of the Shaoxing era (1151 AD), Emperor Gaozong once again honored him as the Manifest Prince of Martial Valor, Martial Benevolence, and Enduring Love of Wu.

　　The Temple of Martial Valor faces the Snow-Rolling Tower on Huanglongzhou Island in the Yangtze River; near the entrance is a flower stand facing the main hall. The shrine complex includes a front hall, rear hall, side chambers, and the Jingjiao Shrine, along with a wine office and officials’ quarters, making it “the largest riverside shrine.” The front hall enshrines statues of Gan Ning, his wife Lady Shunyou, their two sons Marquis Shaowei and Marquis Shaowu, and their daughter Lady Rouyi. The rear hall features a seated statue of Gan Ning and his wife together, while the side chambers house other deities.

　　At that time, worshippers came to the Temple of Martial Valor day and night. Especially on the third day of the third lunar month each year, people engaged in folk performances such as throwing colored balls, running with bamboo horses, dancing with clamshells, and walking on stilts, performing on the tomb platform of Gan Ning and within the shrine halls from morning till night, maintaining great festivity. Not only locals of all ages, but also people from nearby counties eagerly participated. Especially those aboard boats traveling on the river—both commoners and officials—would all come ashore to pay homage. In the sixth year of the Qiandao era (1170 AD), the great Southern Song literatus Lu You sailed upriver to Sichuan to take up his post as Tongzhi of Kuizhou. On August 13th, when he reached Fuchikou, he specially prepared a pot of wine and a sacrificial pig to worship Gan Ning. He wrote: “I have been away from the capital for eight years, drifting with my family across ten thousand miles. I have always admired the great virtues of ancient heroes, especially in times of utmost hardship. As I climb the rivers and mountains and linger in this shrine, I wonder who among the noble dead could rise again—my lonely tears have nowhere to fall. Though my humble offering is meager, I hope the heroic spirit will descend.” Lu You praised the scale and solemnity of the Temple of Martial Valor, stating that “no riverside shrine surpasses it.”

　　The Snow-Rolling Tower and Jingjiao Shrine were later destroyed. After the founding of New China, the flower stand was used as a public space, the shrine buildings served as a school and grain store, and all the statues were removed. In recent years, the local government and residents from surrounding areas have restored the Temple of Martial Valor on its original site. The main hall features thirty-eight antique-style red-painted pillars, each fifteen meters tall, stretching straight to the roof. The shrine is covered with green-glazed tiles and features flying eaves and upturned corners; inside, the statues are majestic, with fluttering banners, incense lingering in the air, and the rhythmic beat of drums and bells, attracting streams of visitors.

　　

　　Gan Ning (?–220)　　Gan Ning (d. 220 AD), courtesy name Xingba, was a native of Linjiang in Ba Commandery (present-day Zhong County, Chongqing). He was a famed general of the Sun Wu kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, holding the positions of Administrator of Xiling and General Who Breaks the Enemy. In his youth, he was a chivalrous outlaw, gathering a band of men, wielding bows and crossbows, and causing trouble locally. He led a group of robbers who seized ships and loot, wore ornate clothing, and had bells attached to himself, earning the nickname “Brocade Sail Bandit.” Locals would know Gan Ning was nearby upon hearing the jingling of his bells. He continued plundering ships until his twenties, after which he gave up banditry and studied the classics. Around the age of 18, he served briefly as an assistant magistrate in Shu Commandery, then worked under Liu Biao and Huang Zu without gaining much recognition. During this time, he killed Ling Cao, the father of Ling Tong, thus creating a blood feud with Ling Tong. In the thirteenth year of the Jian’an era (2...... More+