Broken Vine Bridge

　　The story of An Xuanwei Breaking the Vine Bridge recounts a legendary tale in which Lady Lu Hua, wife of An Kun, the Tusi (local chieftain) of Shuixi, strategically constructed a vine bridge at Hou'er Pass to outmaneuver the enemy and achieve victory.

　　Lady Lu Hua was a descendant of the Wumeng Tusi and the wife of An Kun. In the 13th year of the Kangxi reign

　　(

　　AD

　　1674

　　)

　　she assisted the Qing Dynasty in suppressing a rebellion and was honored with the title “Lady of Gentle Remote Influence.” She possessed notable military talent. When the Shuixi War broke out, she followed the army to plan military strategies and supported An Kun in commanding troops to engage with Wu Sangui’s forces. After An Kun retreated to Bai Ni Tun, she took charge of fortifying the front lines—overseeing the construction of passes, checkpoints, walls, and floodgates. Meanwhile, Lady Lu Hua managed logistics from Nuoxi Ma Yi, overseeing the Naya granary.

　　Hou'er Pass was located at a critical defensive point to the north of the camp, at the intersection of three major routes from Baixing, Yangchang, and Hexi. Above it, a waterfall cascaded down like a silver curtain. Below, there was a small stone pool about

　　30

　　meters

　　in diameter, with clear water. The Hexi River flowed from east to west past the pass before joining the Liuji Ferry. Opposite the pass was Yingpan Slope, with dense forests and thick underbrush on both riverbanks, where tree branches and vines intertwined overhead. On the right rear side of the pass, a checkpoint was set up at a strategic mountainous point, serving as the “throat” leading northward into Bai Ni Tun. As soon as the Shuixi army arrived at Bai Ni Tun, An Kun concentrated heavy forces at the pass, reinforced the walls, added battlements, and installed gunpowder cannons, rolling logs, and stones, preparing for battle.

　　Wu Sangui passed through Shuicheng, crossed the large jungle, and entered the Pengjia Ferry section of the upper reaches of the Na Yi River in Nayong, eventually setting up camp at Yangmao Mountain. His forces faced off against Hou'er Pass across the Hexi River, with their banners visible to one another.

　　With the situation growing tense, An Kun gathered his generals at Nuoxi Ma Yi to discuss battle strategies. Lady Lu Hua proposed that since the Wu forces were aggressive and full of fighting spirit, they should not engage them head-on but instead use strategy to defeat them. Trusting her judgment, An Kun put her in full command. She immediately summoned two subordinates, A Wu and A Yu, and secretly instructed them to drill holes in the rocks on the cliffs between Hou'er Pass and Yingpan Slope within one night. They were to stretch vine ropes across the river and secure the ends tightly in the drilled holes. Using the interwoven vines on both banks, they would construct a makeshift floating bridge, then cover it with soil to conceal it from the enemy. At the same time, elite soldiers were to be stationed in ambush near the drilled holes. Additionally, lanterns were tied to the horns of goats, which were driven onto the vine bridge at night. Lanterns and torches were lit, and drums and horns sounded to lure the enemy. The two generals, Wu Wu and A Yu, followed the plan. That night, the bridge was brightly lit with lanterns and torches, and the sounds of drums and horns filled the air. Observing from his camp at Yangmao Mountain in Haizuo, Wu Sangui suspected a surprise attack by the Shuixi army and immediately ordered a large force to advance. They rushed onto the bridge, but upon hearing three cannon shots from the pass, realized they had fallen into a trap—but it was too late to retreat. At that moment, the Shuixi troops lying in ambush by the drilled holes sprang into action, chopping through the vine ropes with axes, knives, and saws. Wu Sangui’s soldiers and horses fell from the bridge into the water below and perished. Legend has it that even Wu Sangui’s prized crimson horse fell into the pool and drowned. The *Dading County Annals · Anecdotes of Pacifying Shuixi* recorded that “Commander Wang Yi and three hundred men all fell to their deaths off the cliff.”

　　After the battle, the area in front of Hou'er Pass was strewn with corpses. Later, local village and neighborhood officials collected the remains of soldiers from both sides and buried them at Yaoge Camp, creating what is known as the “Grave of Ten Thousand Men.”

　　What was once a formidable mountain pass has now become an open thoroughfare.

　　Poets Li Qiongyao and Shang Chongjun wrote a poem titled *Ode to Hou'er Pass*:

　　High waterfalls pour down like silver waves,

　　Thousands of vines hang upside down in strands.

　　Majestic peaks rise into the blue sky,

　　Layered mountains tower green into the heavens.