Washstand

　　    The washstand belonged to Di Qing. Di Qing was a high-ranking military official of the Northern Song Dynasty who achieved a great victory over the Western Xia. According to the preface of "Water Margin," he was the Martial Star sent down to earth by heaven, one of the celestial generals meant to aid the Song Dynasty alongside Bao Zheng, ensuring that Emperor Renzong of Song had both civil and military support, thus making him “strong in civil governance and in military might.” However, due to Emperor Renzong’s policy of “emphasizing civil over military,” Di Qing was demoted and exiled to Chen Prefecture. Filled with frustration and indignation, and deeply concerned about the nation, its people, and his own fate, Di Qing often donned his armor and ascended a high platform by the Liuhu Lake shore in the northwest corner of Longhu Lake to gaze at the lake, sighing and expressing his feelings. He died in anger the following year in Chen Prefecture and was buried 20 kilometers northeast of the city. The people of Chen Prefecture, in memory of this loyal and honorable man, built a temple on the platform in his honor, naming it “Di Qing’s Washstand,” also known as “Dressing Table Platform” or “Shangtai Temple.”

　　    Source: Huaiyang Government Affairs Website