Ruins of Emperor Yan on Shouyang Mountain

　　　　Shouyang Mountain, also known as Yangtou Mountain, is located in Shizhuang Township in the southwestern part of Zhangzi County. It extends westward to Zhangzi, connects to Gaoping in the south, and from its summit, the scenery of three counties can be viewed in one glance — hence the saying “A rooster’s crow is heard in three counties.” Yangtou Mountain is tall and steep, stretching nearly 100 li. Its mountaintop is covered with lush pine forests, while the mid-slopes are overgrown with shrubs. The main peak features two pagodas standing straight like twin cones piercing the sky, which is why locals also call it Cone Cone Mountain. According to the *Fengtu Ji* (*Record of Local Customs*) from the Northern Wei Dynasty: “The Divine Farmer’s City was on Yangtou Mountain, beneath which lies the Divine Farmer’s Spring. On the mountain are the ruins of an ancient city, and to the north is the Gu Pass, where the Divine Farmer is said to have obtained the fine grains.” The *Book of the Later Han – Biography of Wang Mang* states: “Yangtou Mountain guards the north against Yan and Zhao.” From the mountainside to the summit, the mountain is covered with stone carvings. There are grottoes, stone tablets, stone pagodas, stone trees, group formations, and individual sculptures, most of which are relics from the Northern Wei period.

　　Xie Chun (?～1129)　　Xie Chun (?～1129), styled Jingxiang, was a native of Liuyang in the Song Dynasty. He was esteemed by the public for his talent and bravery. In the third year of the Jianyan era (1129) during the Southern Song, a mutiny broke out in Tanzhou (modern-day Changsha), marked by widespread arson and looting. The regional military commander Xiang Ziyin ordered Meng Yanqing, the acting prefect, to pacify the rebels. Soon after, the mutineers led by Du Yan invaded Liuyang, where Meng was defeated and killed. Xiang then ordered Zhao Minyan, also serving as acting prefect, to lead troops against the rebels, but he failed to prevail. At that time, Xie Chun led local militia forces as vanguard to assist Zhao in battle, personally slaying dozens of enemies. Outnumbered and eventually captured, he was killed by the rebels. When the court learned of his deeds, he was posthumously honored with the title of *Chengzhong Lang*, and his son Xigu was granted an official position.... Details+