The Stele of the Record of the Xujì Shrine, the Xujì Shrine, and Deng Zilong’s Military Sites

　　1. The Stele of the Record of the Xujì Shrine: Carved in the winter of the 15th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (October 1587). The full text consists of 2,346 characters, primarily recounting Deng Zilong’s efforts in resisting Burmese incursions and suppressing rebellions in western Yunnan, as well as his garrison and development work in Lao Yao Pass. It also covers the suppression of ethnic conflicts in Youdian (now Changning). The stele was authored by Li Shida, a military advisor accompanying Deng Zilong, who held the titles of Imperial Consultant, Assistant Surveillance Commissioner of Yunnan, and Regional Inspector of Jincang; the calligraphy was done by Jiang Xin, Regional Inspector of Yunnan and Surveillance Commissioner of Jinteng; and the title was inscribed by Hu Weixin, Deputy Surveillance Commissioner of Jincang and native of Yuyao. The content is detailed and credible. This Record holds significant historical value for studying southwestern territorial boundaries during the Ming Dynasty, Sino-Burmese relations, the nature and progression of the war, as well as Deng Zilong’s military command and literary achievements. The stele is now housed in a pavilion next to Qingping Cave. In February 1983, it was designated as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

　　2. The Xujì Shrine: Located on the southern side of Qingping Cave in Yao Guan Town, it was built by imperial decree in the 14th year of the Wanli reign (1586 AD) during the Ming Dynasty. The shrine commemorates soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting alongside General Deng Zilong in western Yunnan against Burmese forces in 1583. The structure combines the raised-beam and through-tenon styles of late mid-to-late Ming wooden architecture, forming a well-organized quadrangle with a main hall, side halls, front hall, and wing rooms. The twelve carved lattice doors of the main hall are especially treasured for their exquisite craftsmanship and artistic style. According to the "Tengyue Hall Chronicles": upon completion, Deng Zilong donated funds to purchase land and invited monks to reside there. In 1590, when Deng left, he entrusted the monks to manage Qingping Cave.

　　By the early Chongzhen era, the monks had left secular life. Yao Guan's garrison commander, Leishengyang from Guizhou, renovated the temple, audited the official lands, and reappointed monks.

　　To commemorate Deng Zilong and his soldiers’ heroic deeds, a statue of Deng Zilong was placed in the main hall, and seasonal worship became a tradition in spring and autumn.

　　The Xujì Shrine and other temples are not only precious remnants of General Deng Zilong in Yao Guan but also played a positive role in the development of local culture. The shrine has both important historical commemorative significance and certain reference value for the study of Ming Dynasty architectural art and style. In 1983, it was listed as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit along with other Deng Zilong sites, and has since been gradually restored and preserved. In 1998, it was further designated as a patriotic education base.

　　3. Qingping Cave: Located at the western foot of Turtle Mountain, 380 meters south of Yao Guan Street. Originally a natural limestone cave, it was expanded in the 13th year of the Wanli reign (1585) by Deng Zilong, who named it Qingping Cave (meaning “Peaceful Cave”) to signify the calming of wartime chaos and the return to peaceful life for local ethnic groups. The cave entrance is oval, 3.74 meters high and up to 3 meters wide. Cliff engravings above the entrance bear Deng Zilong’s own inscription “Qingping Cave,” with “Wanli 13th Year, Spring” inscribed in the upper right and “Opened by Deng Zilong of Yuzhang” in the lower left. The cave includes a main chamber, Ya Ge Room (Elegant Song Room), Chess Room, and Bedroom. The Ya Ge Room is to the right of the main cave, the Chess Room to the left, with the Bedroom accessed through a Moon Gate from the Chess Room. The cave walls feature not only Deng Zilong’s poems “Qingping Cave” and “Farewell to Qingping Cave” but also numerous inscriptions from local officials and scholars of the Ming and Qing periods. About 8 meters to the left of the entrance is “Sword-Leaning Rock,” engraved by Deng Zilong with the two characters “Yi Jian” (“Leaning Sword”), signed “Wu Qiao.” On the right side of the entrance is “Ai Yin Spring,” and above the entrance is “Gua Gong” (“Hanging Bow”) Rock. Outside the cave, many more inscriptions by Deng Zilong and other officials and scholars can be found. A crescent-shaped terrace lies outside the cave, beyond which lies a broad open area with a semicircular pond to the west called “Dragon Pool.” At the center of the pool is a pavilion called “Kan Shan Ting” (“Mountain-Viewing Pavilion”), connected to the cave via an inner ladder. Approximately 20 meters to the right of the cave are the stele pavilions for the Record of the Xujì Shrine and the Cooking of the Elephant. To the south is the Xujì Shrine. This site, rich in Deng Zilong-related relics, has become a widely known tourist attraction.

　　4. Zhenyao City: Located in Yao Guan Street, construction began in the 13th year of the Wanli reign and was completed in two years. Zhenyao Command was established here, with 890 mounted and foot soldiers stationed. The city was built from rammed earth with brick gates. Its walls extended eastward from Xiaosongpo along the current town government to the north curve through the central part of Yao Guan Street, then northward along Daguan Mountain from the present Yao Guan Post Office past the old Guanmiao Temple westward, following Dashongpo in an arc back to Xiaosongpo. The city was elliptical, 880 zhang and 2 chi (approx. 2,900 meters) in circumference, enclosing 1,029 mu (approx. 170 acres) of land. It was abandoned during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, with only three wall segments remaining in the northwest, totaling 2,700 meters in length, 2–3 meters in height, and 3–5 meters thick. The western moat is still faintly visible, about 5 meters wide. As one of Deng Zilong’s key military installations in Yao Guan, it is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　5. Daguan: Located on the mountain ridge about 1 km east of Daguanqing in the Dalingshan Office of Yao Guan Town, it was built by Deng Zilong in the 11th year of the Wanli reign. The structure consists of a gatehouse, protective walls, and a defensive moat, all built with stone blocks. This pass was a strategic checkpoint between the old city (Mengboluo) and Zhenyao City (Yao Guan), the site of fierce battles between Deng Zilong and Burmese elephant troops, right at the ancient battlefield of Yancǎo Slope. The gatehouse has been rebuilt, remains of the protective walls survive, and the moat is still traceable. It is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　6. Xiaoguan: Located at the mountain pass between Shaoluo Mountain and Guanpo Mountain, about 2 km southeast of Baima Office in Yao Guan Town, it was built by Deng Zilong in the 11th year of the Wanli reign. One of the crucial routes from Wandian to Yao Guan, this narrow pass held the strategic adage: “One man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot breach it.” A stele inscribed with “Southwest Lock and Key” remains. It was one of the main battlefields where Deng Zilong led troops against the Burmese. Relics such as “Leishi Mountain” and “Diefang Pit” remain in front of the pass. The gatehouse is destroyed, but the stone-based earthen wall foundations remain intact. The walls on both sides are symmetrical, each 6.5 meters long, 4.8 meters wide, and 1.9 meters high, integrated with the adjacent mountains. It is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　7. Lisaoguan: Located about 2 km east of Fujiazhai in Yao Guan Town, on the Guanpo Mountain ridge. Built in the 11th year of the Wanli reign, it was another vital route from Wandian to Yao Guan. Surrounded by steep cliffs, its highly strategic position contributed to Yao Guan’s outer defense network alongside Daguan and Xiaoguan. The walls are still largely intact, with symmetrically built gatehouses on both sides and a watchhouse inside. The gatehouses and watchhouse no longer stand, but their foundations remain. It is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　8. Dianjiangtai (Generals’ Review Platform): Located 1.5 km northeast of Yao Guan Street, 300 meters north of Yao Guan Middle School, it served as Deng Zilong’s military training ground during his garrison in Yao Guan. Built with stone borders and rammed earth filling, the square-shaped platform originally had unspecified dimensions; the surviving side is 12 meters long. The stone parts have eroded, leaving a remnant height of 4 meters. Oriented north-south, it sits in a flat, open area suitable for drills. To the left front was a drum-beating platform, now gone. It is one of the main surviving military relics of Deng Zilong’s time in Yao Guan. It is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　9. Chaotian Cave: Located about 200 meters north of Dazhai Village, Doupo Office, Yao Guan Town. Opened by Deng Zilong in the 13th year of the Wanli reign, the cave faces south with a 10-meter-high, 8-meter-wide entrance and approximately 100 meters in depth. On the left cliff of the entrance is Deng Zilong’s inscription “Chaotian Cave,” signed “Hu Guan,” along with two poems bearing the same name. This scenic cave was developed by Deng Zilong during his posting in Yao Guan. It is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　10. Bajiao Pass: Located in Jian Shan Village, Baling Township. Built in the 11th year of the Wanli reign, it was named after the abundance of wild bananas in the area. As one of the five key defensive passes established by Deng Zilong, Yungchang Regional Commander, to resist Burmese forces, it controlled the vital routes from Kaxi and Wandian into Yao Guan, covering about 1,500 square meters in coordination with the nearby wall on Dashan Mountain to the northeast. It is an affiliated site of the provincial protection unit.

　　11. Cizhu Pass: Located in Bai Tian Village, Jiufang Township, about 11 km along the road from Yao Guan to Jiufang. Built in the 11th year of the Wanli reign, it was named after the local abundance of cizhu bamboo. As one of the five defensive passes, it controlled routes from the old city and the Nujiang River direction into Yao Guan. The pass was destroyed during the 1970s while constructing the Jiufang Road.

　　12. Deng Zilong Shrine: Located in Hexi, present-day Shidian County, between Shidian County’s Agricultural Supplies Company and the Grain Trade Hotel. In 1590, after Deng Zilong returned triumphantly, he stayed briefly in Shidian. The locals, grateful for his service, requested a shrine to commemorate his eternal virtue. Originally built with a perimeter of fifty zhang, it was later renamed Wanshou Palace and then Xiao Shrine. The original ancient structures were completely destroyed, but a stele titled “Shouxu” (“Foreword”) of the Deng Zilong Shrine remains, preserved at the county cultural relics office.