Visit Yuan Chonghuan’s Memorial Temple

　　Yuan Chonghuan, a national hero of the late Ming Dynasty from Teng County, Guangxi, was wrongfully executed while resisting the Later Jin — one of the great tragedies in Chinese history. To commemorate him, in the early years of the Republic of China, Zhang Bozhen, a scholar from Dongguan, Guangdong, built a memorial temple for Yuan in Beijing.

　　Yuan’s Memorial Temple, also known as Yuan’s Temple, is located among solemn pines and cypresses in Beijing’s Longtan Park. It is a late Qing-style temple built with gray bricks, covering an area of about 100 square meters. From the front of Yuan’s Temple, through the gaps between the trees, one can see from afar the engraved stone plaque on the main gate inscribed with “Yuan’s Memorial Temple.” Ascending over ten steps, on the right side of the main gate is embedded a white marble plaque that reads: “Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Unit: Yuan Chonghuan’s Shrine, Tomb, and Temple. Announced by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government on May 24, 1984.” On both sides of the main gate are couplets written by Kang Youwei: “His life and deeds were tied to the survival of China; his death weighs heavier than Mount Tai, honored for a thousand autumns in this temple. He faced great adversity back then. Hearing the war drums, we think of the generals in Liaodong. A single man guarded the pass, appearing like an impenetrable enemy state. Where else can we find another like him?”

　　Yuan’s Memorial Temple consists of three small rooms in the center and on both sides, displaying illustrations and texts created by later generations detailing Yuan Chonghuan’s deeds: Yuan was studious from childhood and had lofty aspirations. In the 34th year of the Wanli era (1606), he passed the provincial examination. In the 47th year of the Wanli era (1619), he passed the metropolitan examination in the capital and was initially appointed as the magistrate of Shaowu County, Fujian Province. Yuan was an upright and diligent official, committed to public service. Once, when a residential fire broke out, he climbed onto the roof in his official robe and boots to put out the flames, earning the love and respect of the people.

　　In the first year of the Tianqi era (1621), due to his outstanding performance, Yuan was summoned to the capital. At that time, the Later Jin had just been established, and Nurhaci was eyeing the Central Plains, launching continuous invasions. Yuan resolutely submitted a memorial to the emperor, laid down his pen, and took up arms, heading to the frontier battlefield. He successively served as frontier supervisor, assistant defense commissioner, and right provincial administration commissioner. In the sixth year of the Tianqi era (1626), Nurhaci of the Later Jin led troops across the Liao River twice, capturing Jinzhou, Linghe, Songshan, and laying siege to Ningyuan. In the seventh year of the Tianqi era (1627), Huang Taiji of the Later Jin led 100,000 troops in another attack. Yuan wrote blood letters to inspire his soldiers and used red-barreled cannons to repel the Later Jin army, achieving the great victories at Ningyuan and Ningjin.

　　In the first year of the Chongzhen era (1628), Yuan was appointed Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, as well as Regional Commander of Jiliao, due to his remarkable achievements and exceptional strategic talent. In the second year of the Chongzhen era (1629), the Later Jin launched a massive invasion of the Ming, bypassing Yuan’s Shanhai Pass defense line and heading straight for the capital. Upon hearing the news, Yuan led 9,000 cavalry troops overnight to reinforce the capital, vowing to defend Beijing to the death. At Guangqu Gate, they fought a desperate battle against the Later Jin and achieved a great victory. Yuan, as Regional Commander of Jiliao, repeatedly repelled invasions by the Later Jin and achieved numerous military successes. His heroic spirit and grand strategy struck fear into the hearts of the Later Jin army.

　　Despite his great achievements, the incompetent Emperor Chongzhen fell for the Later Jin’s deceitful scheme. In the second year of the Chongzhen era (1629), Yuan was arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges. The following year, he was executed by “death by a thousand cuts” at the West Market, effectively destroying the nation’s strongest defense.

　　Among these illustrations and texts is a depiction of the “Memorial Stele for Yuan Chonghuan, Supervisor of the Ming Dynasty,” erected in Xinma Village, Tianping Town, Teng County. Little known is that this stele was erected during the Anti-Japanese War by He Si, the then-county magistrate of Teng County, along with others, to inspire the public to fight the war by invoking Yuan’s nationalistic spirit. I recall the couplet written by He Si: “A solitary pagoda embodies undying loyalty, leaving a historic site by White Horse River; for a thousand autumns, true accounts are passed on, evoking heroic spirit under the ancient walls of Youyan.”

　　On the wall directly facing the entrance in the central room is the text “Portrait of Yuan Chonghuan, National Hero of the Late Ming Dynasty,” below which is a stone-carved portrait of Yuan Chonghuan. On the left wall are eight stone-carved poems left behind by Yuan Chonghuan. Yuan’s Memorial Temple was established by Zhang Bozhen from Dongguan, Guangdong, in the early years of the Republic of China. The “Inscription of Yuan’s Memorial Temple in the Ming Dynasty” praises the righteous act of Zhang Bozhen, the temple founder, written by Wang Shucun and calligraphed by Song Bolu, a veteran of the late Qing Dynasty. There is also the “Epitaph of She Yishi,” the tomb keeper of Yuan Chonghuan, written by Zhang Bozhen: “Yuan Chonghuan died wrongfully in the third year of the Chongzhen era (1630). It is said that his subordinate, She Yishi, stole his body and buried it in the Old Righteous Garden in Guangdong (now Donghuashi Xiejie). The She family guarded the tomb for generations without leaving. After She’s death, he too was buried beside the Supervisor. Zhang Bozhen wrote his epitaph.” Hundreds of years later, the 17th-generation descendants of She Yishi still guard Yuan Chonghuan’s tomb in Beijing — truly a marvel in world history.

　　On the right wall is the stone-carved “Inscription of Yuan’s Memorial Temple” written and inscribed by Kang Youwei in 1917, along with three of his seven-character poems expressing admiration for Yuan’s patriotic spirit and lamenting the tragic fate of such a gifted and ambitious figure who was not fully utilized by his ruler. The “Inscription of Yuan’s Memorial Temple” states: “Alas, the transition between the Ming and Qing dynasties was a pivotal moment for China, far more significant than the rise or fall of a single dynasty. Look at Yuan Chonghuan’s extraordinary talent and military prowess, which were unmatched in the world, yet he incurred the jealousy of the enemy and was killed due to slander. Though it may be attributed to fate, isn’t it also a matter of human agency? A nation cannot stand without talent. Those who govern, upon hearing the drums of war, all think of employing capable individuals. Yet the more gifted and ambitious one is, the less likely the ruler is to fully utilize them. Even if such individuals are trusted and employed, internal interference from favored courtiers and external threats from foreign enemies, coupled with slanderous words from those around, all conspire to undermine the nation’s defenses, leading to its demise. Alas, history often repeats itself — and it’s not only about Yuan Chonghuan. When I was twelve, I listened to my late grandfather, Magistrate of Lianzhou, recount the story of the Supervisor. When he spoke of his strategies regarding border affairs...”

　　...visiting the frontier, ascending the Great Wall, surveying the terrain, and advising Emperor Sizong on how to defeat the enemy within five years, he praised him greatly. My late grandfather said, “Is it because the enemy feared him and thus resorted to deceit? ...” Later, he visited the temple again. People throughout history have admired Yuan’s talents, yet he met a tragic end. “The more talented and ambitious one is, the less likely the ruler is to fully trust and use them. Even if trusted, internal court intrigues and external threats from enemies, along with slander from all sides, ultimately lead to self-destruction and the nation’s downfall. Alas, the past and present share the same pattern — it’s not just about Yuan Chonghuan. I was twelve years old when I studied the biography of the Supervisor with my grandfather, Magistrate of Lianzhou. When we reached the part about his handling of frontier affairs...”

　　In 1984, national experts on Ming history gathered in Teng County to hold a symposium commemorating the 400th anniversary of Yuan Chonghuan’s birth, re-examining this great miscarriage of justice in Chinese history.

　　As Mo Naiqun wrote: “The hometown stele feels even closer, and through patriotism, one recognizes pure loyalty. Three great strategies for defending Liaodong, one man bearing the safety of the entire realm. Rushing back to save the capital led to a great victory, crushing the enemy ranks like dust. The land owes its strength to the spirit of heroes, constantly renewing the beauty of the landscape.” Facing the heroic spirit, my blood boils. Our Chinese nation has endured for five thousand years without perishing. When have we ever lacked the backbone of the nation — those willing to sacrifice their lives for the country, for the destiny of the nation, and for the laboring masses?

　　Yuan Chonghuan (1584~1630)　　Yuan Chonghuan (1584–1630), courtesy name Yuansu, art name Ziru, also known as Yuan Supervisor, was a famed general of the late Ming Dynasty. Yuan achieved great victories at Ningyuan and Ningjin, effectively resisting the Qing army, but resigned and returned home due to Wei Zhongxian. After Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian ascended the throne and eliminated Wei Zhongxian, Yuan was reinstated. However, in a battle against Huang Taiji, he was falsely accused of colluding with the Later Jin army. Emperor Chongzhen sentenced him to death by lingchi, exiled his family 3,000 li, and confiscated his property. Yuan authored poems such as “Failing the Imperial Exam,” “Admiring the Moon During Autumn Exams,” “Imprisonment,” and “Moon in Prison.” Biography Early Life ...... Details+