Fushun Confucius Temple in Zigong

　　Introduction to Fushun Confucius Temple in Zigong       For nearly 400 years from the establishment of Fushun County in the second year of the Tianhe era under Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (567-960), during the early Northern Song Dynasty, the region was remote, inhabited by a mix of local ethnic groups and Han people. Though the salt industry flourished, the scholarly culture had yet to take root. In the third year of the Jingyou era under Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty (1036), the imperial court appointed the renowned scholar and Taichang Doctor Zhou Yanjun as the county magistrate of Fushun. He was dedicated to promoting education, establishing schools, and nurturing scholars. In his sixth year in office, the second year of the Qingli era (1042), Fushun County saw its first successful imperial examination candidate—Li Mian—and the entire county rejoiced. At Zhou Yanjun’s advocacy, the locals pooled funds in the fourth year of the Qingli era (1044) to construct a Confucius Temple at the southern gate in the town center. It was initially called the "Temple of Literary Prominence." A stone "Wild Goose Pagoda Stele" was erected inside the temple to inscribe the names of all successful examination candidates in the county. Subsequently, every successive magistrate of Fushun was passionate about education, often serving personally as Confucian teaching officials and frequently giving lectures to students in their spare time from governance. As a result, scholarly culture flourished. During the Song Dynasty alone, as many as 67 successful candidates had their names engraved on the Wild Goose Pagoda.

　　 Sichuan, Zigong