Former Residence of Chen Youliang

　　The Xuanmiao Temple was originally the former residence of Chen Youliang, the peasant uprising leader from the Jingchu region. In the 22nd year of the Yongle era during the Ming Dynasty (1424), it was converted into the Xuanmiao Temple. Located on Zhengjie Street at the south gate of Miancheng, before being burned down by Wang Jingya, the commander of the 128th Division, between 1941 and 1942, it was known as “One Temple with Ten Halls.” The current Xuanmiao Temple was rebuilt in 1984 on the ruins of the original site and has since developed into a well-known Taoist center on the Jianghan Plain. Every year on the 23rd and 24th of the sixth lunar month, the birthday of Thunder Ancestor, pilgrims from hundreds of miles around brave the heat to worship here. During this time, Miancheng becomes bustling with activity and filled with incense smoke, creating a spectacular scene. This event is listed among the four major celebrations in Miancheng, along with the cultural temple fair on the Shangjiu Festival, Eid al-Fitr, and the Dragon Boat Festival.

　　Look ahead — that red-tiled, upturned-eave gateway is the entrance to the Xuanmiao Temple. The inscription beneath “Xuanmiao Temple,” reading “Former Residence of Chen Youliang of the Great Han,” was written by the renowned professor Li Guoping from Wuhan University. As the former home of Chen Youliang of the Great Han, it adds an extra layer of mystique to the Xuanmiao Temple.

　　Chen Youliang was born in the seventh month of the lunar calendar in 1320 (during the Yuan Dynasty’s reign of Emperor Renzong, under the reign title Yanyou) in Huangpeng, Mianyang (now part of Honghu City). Interestingly, legend has it that on the day Chen Youliang was born, his father, Chen Pucái, and his mother, Madam Zeng, were boating toward Xintan Kou when they passed through Xintan Shuǐhóngkǒu. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, covering the sky and earth, and a torrential rain poured down. The waters at Shuǐhóngkǒu were turbulent with perilous waves, and Chen Pucái barely managed to navigate through the Dongjing River to Longchuán Jī. It is said that Emperor Gaozu of Han once moored his boat here, and that every five hundred years, a “dragon seed” would be born — and since 220 BC, it should have been the third time. Despite the dangers, Madam Zeng, who was in labor, had been tossed about on the boat for a long time and grew very tired. Suddenly, she felt intense abdominal pain, and soon heard a baby’s “wa wa” cries as the child was born. Instantly, the wind stopped, the rain ceased, the clouds shifted, and the lake was filled with a wondrous fragrance. The sky cleared, and colorful auspicious clouds appeared. Chen Pucái and his wife looked at the newborn — the baby had a terrifying appearance: a red face covered in fine hair, with fish-scale-like green patches on his chest and back arranged in fan shapes, and two hard protrusions on his head resembling legendary dragon horns. Seeing this strange creature, though heartbroken, the couple still cruelly threw the baby into the lake. However, in the blink of an eye, thunder roared and lightning flashed, plunging the sky into darkness. The baby floated on the water and refused to sink, and it seemed many shrimp soldiers and crab generals were supporting the little one. Panicking, Chen Pucái quickly scooped the child from the water and held him tightly in his arms. Then, just as suddenly, the sky cleared with colorful hues, auspicious clouds emerged again, and the sun broke through the clouds, radiating golden light. Feeling that the child was extraordinary and sensing the celestial signs, coupled with the fact that he was born at the legendary Dragon Boat Rock, they believed he would achieve great things in the future. To compensate for the lack of earth and grounding energy due to being born on a boat, Chen Pucái scooped up a handful of soil to cover the blood-stained clothes. After discussing it, the couple named the child Youliang, meaning “having brightness and hope.”

　　In 1997, local artist Shao Siping created a sculpture of Chen Youliang based on unearthed statues. Let’s take a look together.

　　This statue is eight meters tall, with a base made of high-quality carved stone. The inscription on the base, “Chen Youliang of the Great Han,” was handwritten by Cheng Yuanbin, author of the book *Chen Youliang*. Truly, heroes are shaped by their times. In his youth, Chen Youliang witnessed the suffering of the people during the late Yuan Dynasty and aspired to overthrow the Yuan and restore the Han. With “loyalty in his heart and dreams of restoration,” he dedicated himself to martial training and diligent study. At the ages of 26 and 30, he twice topped the imperial examinations and became widely known as a man of both literary and martial prowess. Later, driven by compassion for the people and a desire to emulate Tang and Wu, he resolutely gave up his official salary and joined the rebel forces, sounding the clarion call against the Yuan Dynasty. Over 18 years of military campaigns, Chen Youliang demonstrated remarkable wisdom and courage, achieving the glorious feat of “controlling two-thirds of the realm.” He rose from a minor official handling documents and provisions in the rebel army to become a renowned leader of a peasant uprising, commanding a million troops and shaking the land of Chu. In 1360, he declared himself emperor in Wuchang, establishing the Great Han regime. In 1363, he fought for supremacy against Zhu Yuanzhang in the decisive Battle of Poyang Lake. Due to the betrayal of his subordinates and personally leading the battle, he was struck by a stray arrow that penetrated his eye and skull, dying at the age of 44. His remains were transported back to Wuchang by his marshal Zhang Dingbian and buried at the foot of Tortoise Mountain.

　　Zhu Yuanzhang once commented on Chen Youliang: “The failure of the Chen clan was not due to a lack of brave generals or soldiers, but rather because of arrogance among the leadership, lax discipline, an inability to endure hardships, over-reliance on poor strategy, and thus led to this outcome.” For these reasons, Chen Youliang made a series of military and political errors and was ultimately defeated by Zhu Yuanzhang. However, it is undeniable that under his leadership, the peasant rebel army expanded its frontlines across several provinces in Huguang, making outstanding contributions to the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty and effectively advancing social progress. He also embodied the revolutionary spirit of struggle among the peasant class. It can be said that Chen Youliang was a shining banner of peasant resistance — undoubtedly a source of pride for the people of Miancheng.

　　Ladies and gentlemen, some ancient relics are displayed in the residence. Let’s go take a look together.

　　These are Chen Youliang’s horse tethering stones and feeding troughs. As for Chen Youliang’s traveling cooking pot, I believe many of you have heard of it. During his military campaigns, Chen Youliang had two special pots: one was the military grain pot, which had the unique capability of “letting sand and grain leak out but never rice,” and the ability to “stay cool after three days of heating and warm after three days of cooling,” allowing “rice to be added on one side while already being served on the other,” capable of feeding “thousands of horses and soldiers without running out.” The famous Mianyang Three Steamed Dishes were invented by Lady Zhang Fengdao of Chen Youliang in this very pot. This magical pot traveled with Chen Youliang through battles across the north and south, but its whereabouts are now unknown. The other pot is this execution cauldron. A traditional folk song in Miancheng still circulates: “The steaming basket for people, the boiling pot for people, dogs aren’t happy, but I am.” It refers to how Chen Youliang’s rebel army executed corrupt officials who oppressed the people by boiling them in this cauldron, venting public anger. After more than 600 years of weathering, the bottom of the pot has rusted and peeled away.

　　Please look — this ancient well, once used by Chen Youliang, is also the best-preserved of Miancheng’s “Forty-Eight Ancient Wells.” It is called the Yuquan Well, also known as the Dichen Well or Yaoying Well. The water is clear, sweet, cool in summer and warm in winter. Legend says drinking from this well can ward off disasters, bring blessings, and cure various illnesses. It is said that Chen Youliang owed his boundless energy and freedom from illness throughout nearly 20 years of military campaigns to regularly drinking the water from the “Yuquan” Well. Moreover, as this well is located beside the Thunder Ancestor Hall of the Xuanmiao Temple, some even call its water “holy water.”

　　Alright, that’s a brief introduction to the story of Chen Youliang. Feel free to explore the halls of the Xuanmiao Temple, such as the Sanqing Hall, Thunder Ancestor Hall, Salvation Hall, and Guanyin Hall, to fully experience the atmosphere of Taoist culture.

　　Chen Youliang (1320~1363)　　Chen Youliang (1320–1363), founder of the Great Han regime in the late Yuan Dynasty in China. A native of Mianyang, Hubei (now Xiantao City). After the outbreak of the late Yuan peasant wars, he joined the Red Turban Army of the Tianwan sect, led by Xu Shouhui, Zou Pusheng, and Ni Wenjun, and rose through the ranks to become a marshal. In the 17th year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1357), Chen Youliang assassinated Ni Wenjun. In the 19th year, he killed Zhao Pusheng, a distinguished general of the Tianwan sect who had made great contributions in the anti-Yuan struggle. In the same year, he murdered the attendants of Xu Shouhui and forced Xu to name him the Han King. The following year, in the leap fifth month, he killed Xu Shouhui and declared himself emperor, establishing the Great Han regime and adopting the reign title Dayi. Zou Pusheng remained as grand tutor. Most of the Great Han soldiers were former members of the Tianwan sect and were dissatisfied with Chen... More+