The Qingdian Ruins and Mengshi Stone Fortress

　　The Qingdian Ruins are situated on the summit of Xian Mountain behind the Ming Royal Temple (Monastery) in Maidi Village, about 5 kilometers from the county town. They were originally the government office of the Mengshi clan established in 1328 during the first year of the Tianshun era of the Yuan Dynasty. After the county was abolished in 1382 during the 15th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, it became the office of the tribal chieftains of the Mengshi clan, locally known as the “Meng Family Office.” Oriented east to west and facing the prefectural city, the site consists of three hilltops spaced about a hundred meters apart from front to back, representing the front hall, middle hall, and rear hall of the county government. In front of the front hall lies a flat area of over a hundred zhang (approximately 330 meters), surrounded by Jiulong Mountain to the north and south. With a commanding view from above, the area offers a serene landscape of forests and valleys. The site was abandoned after the implementation of the policy to replace hereditary native chieftainships with directly appointed officials in 1598 during the 26th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. Since liberation, four silver ingots weighing 1.25 kilograms each and several Ming Dynasty artifacts have been unearthed here.

　　The Mengshi Stone Fortress is the ruins of a fortress belonging to the Mengshi clan, located in the central part of Niuchen Mountain in Xinhua Township, locally referred to as the “Meng Family Site.” This stone-built fortress, which dates back over 400 years, is named “Stone Fortress” for its construction material. The site faces north and sits to the south, with steep cliffs to the east, and pine-covered steep slopes to the northwest. Only the southern side features a mountain ridge over a kilometer long, which is divided into three segments. About 300 meters from the fortress lies a well that provided drinking water for its defenders. The Mengshi Fortress was fortified on its eastern, northern, and western sides with wooden palisades made of Tengsuota timber, stacked with stones. In the event of an enemy attack, the defenders would cut the Tengsuota ropes, causing logs and boulders to come crashing down. Defenders only needed to guard the southern side, making the fortress easy to defend but hard to attack. It was one of the key strongholds built by the clan at the time.