The Hall of Eternal Learning

　　In ancient times, the reverence for Confucius was widespread, leading to the establishment of Confucian temples in every county—gracefully referred to as: the Hall of Eternal Learning. The campus of Xuwen No. 1 High School is located on the former site of Xuwen County’s Confucian temple, and it is the best-preserved Confucian temple on the Leizhou Peninsula.

　　The Confucian temple of Xuwen, also known as the Temple of Literature or the Academy, was originally built in Taowang Village before being relocated as the county seat changed over time. The existing Confucian temple was constructed in the 14th year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1501), and has been renovated in various dynasties. The temple complex was once grand, featuring the Lingxing Gate, Jing Gate, Kuixing Pavilion, Zunjing Pavilion, Minglun Hall, the Shrine of Local Worthies and Distinguished Officials, Yanju Pavilion, the Pan Pond, and the Dacheng Hall. Today, only the Dacheng Hall remains—a three-bay structure spanning 24 meters in width and 13 meters in depth, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, a nine-rafter structure, 16 square stone pillars, 8 round wooden pillars, all stone bases made of bluestone, fireproof gable walls on the upper level, a front terrace measuring 15 meters long, 17.1 meters wide, and 0.58 meters high, flanked by stone railings. In 1986, the county government allocated funds to renovate the Dacheng Hall. In 1990, the high school used its own funds to restore the Pan Pond. The temple grounds once held many ancient stone steles and inscriptions, but most have been lost. Those still in good condition include the “Statue of the Minister of Justice Tablet” from the 31st year of the Hongwu reign (1398), the “Taishan Stone Guardian Tablet,” the “Tablet Recording Magistrate Lu’s Reconstruction of the Temple of Literature,” the “Virtuous School Honorees Tablet,” as well as an inscription tablet recording the names of academy students, which is now missing and believed to be at the Ximen Village Committee. A pair of drum-shaped stone blocks remain well preserved. Two ancient loquat trees thrive vigorously, rich in foliage, and are praised as the “Sweet Rain of the Tang Tree.”

　　The ancients treated the Confucian temple with great solemnity. In the past, outside the left and right walls of the temple, there stood steles inscribed with the words “Both civil and military officials—dismount here.” No matter how high-ranking an official might be, when visiting the Confucian temple, they could not ride in arrogantly; they had to dismount respectfully and walk on foot. Otherwise, serious trouble would ensue.