Liangqiu and King Liang Temple

　　Liangqiu was an ancient place name during the Spring and Autumn period, with its ruins located on the southern bank of the Anji River, 15 kilometers northeast of present-day Chengwu County. In 666 BC, the State of Chu sent a force of 1,600 chariots to attack the State of Zheng. Due to a mutual defense pact among the States of Song, Qi, and Zheng, by 661 BC, “the Duke of Qi, citing Chu’s aggression against Zheng, called for a meeting of the feudal lords,” and they plotted to support Zheng. “The Duke of Song requested a meeting with the Duke of Qi, and in summer, they met at Liangqiu.” This place is the one referred to.

　　At the end of the Qin Dynasty, a leader of a peasant uprising—Peng Yue—was born here. He raised troops here to rebel against the Qin and later joined forces with Liu Bang. The Book of Han · Annals of Emperor Gao records: “The Duke of Pei led his troops westward and encountered Peng Yue at Changyi.” The Records of the Grand Historian · Basic Annals of Emperor Gaozu provides a clearer account: “In the second month, the Duke of Pei attacked Changyi from the north of Dangshan and encountered Peng Yue. Yue assisted in the attack on Changyi, but the city did not fall.” According to the Geographic Treatise, “Changyi is located 32 li northeast of Chengwu County in Caozhou, where the old city of Liangqiu stands.” Later, Peng Yue joined Liu Bang in battles across the country and achieved numerous military merits. After the founding of the Han Dynasty, Peng Yue was enfeoffed as the King of Liang due to his distinguished service. However, he was falsely accused of rebellion and executed by Empress Lü. Out of sympathy for him, later generations built the King Liang Temple in his memory. Later, some temples related to Buddhism were also constructed here, forming a large temple complex. A temple fair was also held annually on the twelfth day of the fourth lunar month, exerting considerable influence within a hundred-li radius. The historical sites of Liangqiu thus became one of the eight scenic spots of our county. It has now been designated as a county-level key cultural relics protection unit.