The Stele of Emperor Gaozu of Han Slaying the Serpent

　　According to historical records, after slaying the serpent, Liu Bang hid among the rocks and marshes of Mangdang Mountain. Later, he returned to Pei County, killed the local magistrate, raised a rebel flag, and began his uprising. In the early stages, he operated around Mangdang Mountain, using it as a base to recruit soldiers and expand his forces. After several years, he finally established the Western Han Dynasty in 202 BC.

　　Emperor Gaozu of Han, wielding a three-foot sword by the marshes of Mangdang Mountain, slew the serpent and launched his uprising. From here, he rose against the tyrannical Qin, contended for supremacy in the Central Plains, and founded the Han Dynasty. During the reign of his son, Emperor Hui, an imperial edict stated: “Feng and Dang were the spiritual haunts of Emperor Gaozu. The authorities are ordered to first establish a temple in Feng, then erect a stele at the true site in Mangdang and build another temple in front of the rocks. The meritorious officials shall be enshrined beside it, and commoners shall be dispatched to pay homage.” (From the 12th year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty’s *Dangshan County Annals*). During the reign of Emperor Wen, a temple for Emperor Gaozu was built in front of the Purple Qi Rock in Mangdang Mountain, and a stele commemorating the slaying of the serpent was erected on the northern shore of the marsh in front of the temple. The temple and stele gradually fell into disrepair and ruin amid the historical upheavals of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. By the Yonglong era of the Tang Dynasty, it was rebuilt as the “Wanggong Temple.” In the seventh year of the Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhenzong visited and renovated it, renaming it the “Junqing Temple.” By the fifth year of the Longqing era of the Ming Dynasty, Zuo Siming, a native of Shaanxi who served as the magistrate of Yongcheng, renovated the Temple of Emperor Gaozu and re-erected the “Site Where Emperor Gaozu of Han Slew the Serpent” stele, which still exists today. As the inscriptions on the stele had become blurred over time, in 1982, the People’s Government of Yongcheng County recarved the ancient Ming Dynasty stele on the original site, building a stele pavilion to protect it.

　　The Stele of Emperor Gaozu of Han Slaying the Serpent is a monument erected in later times to commemorate Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, slaying a serpent and launching his uprising. The current stele is located at the southern foot of the main peak of Mangdang Mountain. It stands beneath a small hexagonal pavilion with yellow glazed tiles, painted wooden pillars, and a colored base. Beneath the pavilion lies a giant stone turtle, said to be the ninth son of the Dragon King, Yan Chen. On the turtle’s back rests a stone stele, with the inscription “Sun and Moon” and “The Place Where Emperor Gaozu of Han Slew the Serpent” in relief on either side of the top. Below, the text begins with an account of Liu Bang’s uprising in Mangdang Mountain, while the back bears a stele inscription re-erected in 1982 by the People’s Government of Yongcheng County.

　　When night falls and light is shone directly on the stele, the over two-meter-tall structure suddenly disappears. Instead, the image of an ancient emperor, resplendent in golden light, appears to approach you. He wears a tall crown, armor, a jade belt, and tall boots, with piercing eyes fixed straight ahead. One hand strokes his black beard, the other rests on his sword. With one leg forward as if issuing a command before battle, the image is highly three-dimensional, almost like a figure from a painting—people say it is Emperor Gaozu of Han appearing. Turning to the back of the stele and shining light on it reveals another marvel: the stele itself vanishes once more, replaced by the radiant image of an empress wearing a crown. She appears to be resting on a rock, gently feeding her child. Many say it is Empress Lü, who came to Mangdang Mountain with her son to find her husband.

　　The images of the emperor and empress from over 2,200 years ago appear together on one stele, hailed as a wonder of the world. Tales of this phenomenon have spread far and wide, growing ever more fantastical. People from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and even international tourists flock to Mangdang Mountain to witness this marvel.

　　The story of Liu Bang slaying the serpent and launching his uprising is well-documented in historical texts and passed down through local legends. Liu Bang, a native of Fengyi in Pei County during the late Qin Dynasty, once served as the head of the Sishui Pavilion in Pei County. When tasked with leading a group of laborers to Mount Li to build the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, most of the workers deserted when they reached the marshes of Mangdang Mountain. Drunk one evening, he untied the laborers’ bonds and said, “Go flee for your lives—I’ll hide myself now too.” Some laborers, moved by his righteousness, refused to leave and chose to follow him. They wandered through the marshes, planning to hide in Mangdang Mountain. Suddenly, those ahead reported, “A huge serpent blocks the path—let’s take a detour!” Emboldened by alcohol, Liu Bang declared, “What’s there to fear?” He stepped forward and drew his sword. The white serpent said, “I am the son of the White Emperor. I sought to join you in overthrowing the tyrannical Qin and share the empire. Why kill me?” Liu Bang refused. The serpent retorted, “Then slay me. Cut off my head, and chaos will befall your head. Cut off my tail, and chaos will befall your tail.” Fueled by wine, Liu Bang raised his sword and split the serpent in two, then continued on his way. Suddenly, an old woman cried out, “My son was the son of the White Emperor. He took the form of a serpent to block your path and seek recognition, yet you, the Red Emperor, slew him.” She then vanished. From that spot grew a patch of red grass, said to be stained by the serpent’s blood—formerly called Red Grass Slope. When Liu Bang heard of this, he was secretly pleased. His followers, having witnessed the event and aware of Liu Bang’s eccentric behavior, revered him even more, believing he was destined for greatness and pledging their loyalty. Realizing he would likely be executed if he continued to Mount Li, Liu Bang hid in Mangdang Mountain, later returned home, killed the Pei County magistrate, raised a rebel flag, and was proclaimed Duke of Pei. He eventually became the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty.

　　Regarding the weeping of the serpent’s mother and the red-stained grass, Zhao Yuan, the prefect of Guide in the Qing Dynasty, wrote in *The Stele of Emperor Gaozu of Han Slaying the Serpent*: “In the Central Plains, the prize is contested; a serpent blocks the valley. The White Emperor falls by the sword; his mother weeps in the autumn fields.” Meanwhile, Lian Zhenji, a poet from Yongcheng of the same era, wrote in *The Place Where Emperor Gaozu of Han Slew the Serpent*: “Duke of Pei passes through Mangdang by night; the serpent blocks his path, provoking his rage. The sword flashes, blood splatters red—yet the serpent, ignorant, dies by chance. How could the imperial cause hinge on this snake? It happened by accident, not design.” The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote in *Imitating a Rhapsody of Regret*: “...Slaying the serpent, he rallied his troops, cleared the nation’s path, grasped the jade mandate and ascended, gazed heroically from the purple altar. Yet one day he departed, and the realm wore mourning white.” He believed Liu Bang slew the serpent to inspire his followers.

The Stele of Emperor Gaozu of Han Slaying the Serpent