Tomb of Yang Congyi

　　    Yang Congyi (1092–1169), styled Zihe, was a native of Fengxiang, Shaanxi. Born in the seventh year of Yuanyou during the Northern Song Dynasty, in his middle age, the Jurchens invaded the Song. The two emperors, Hui and Qin, were captured, plunging the nation into deep crisis. He resolutely enlisted in the army and joined the forces of the anti-Jin generals Wu Jie and Wu Lin on the northwestern battlefield. In battle, he was brave, tenacious, and repeatedly achieved meritorious deeds, gradually rising from soldier to Defender of Huzhou, and was granted the title of Marquis of Ankang Commandery, founding a noble house. In the second year of Qiandao (1166) during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty, the 75-year-old Yang Congyi retired. As his hometown had fallen, he could not return home and thus settled in Shuibei Village (present-day Dingjia Village), Chenggu County, where he passed away at the age of 78 and was buried there.

　　    The tomb faces south and has a circular mound. The base has a diameter of 8 meters, the top 5.4 meters, and the height is 4.5 meters. In front of the tomb are two steles. One is inscribed with “Epitaph of Yang Gong, Late Defender of Huzhou of the Song Dynasty, Administrator of Taizhou Chongdao Temple, Founding Marquis of Ankang Commandery, with a fief of 1,700 households and a hereditary grant of 100 households.” It stands 228 cm high, 108 cm wide, and 20 cm thick, with 41 lines of 120 characters each, totaling over 4,000 words. Erected in the fifth year of Qiandao (1169) during the Southern Song Dynasty, it provides a detailed account of Yang Congyi’s life and deeds, serving as a valuable historical artifact for studying the Southern Song’s resistance against the Jin. The other stele is inscribed with “Tomb of Yang Congyi, Founding Marquis of Ankang Commandery of the Song Dynasty.” It is 180 cm high, 80 cm wide, and 16 cm thick, and was written in the forty-first year of Qianlong (1776) during the Qing Dynasty by Shaanxi Governor Bi Yuan.

　　    In front of the tomb is an incense shrine, the date of its initial construction unknown. The current structure is from the Qing Dynasty, featuring a single-eave hip-and-gable roof with gray tubular tiles. It is 3.5 meters wide and 2 meters deep.

　　    There is also an offering hall, the date of its initial construction unknown. The current structure is from the Qing Dynasty, measuring 15 meters wide across three bays and 8 meters deep across two bays. It is a timber-and-earth structure with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof covered in gray tubular tiles. It was the site of worship for Yang Congyi in those times and remains largely well-preserved.

　　    In April 1992, the Tomb of Yang Congyi was designated as a cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Shaanxi Province.

　　Yang Congyi (1092~1169)　　    Yang Congyi (1092–1169) A Southern Song Dynasty general who fought against the Jin. Styled Zihe, he was a native of Tianxing (now Baoji County). Initially appointed as a military officer in Fengxiang and acting magistrate of Tianxing County. In the fourth year of Jianyan (1130), upon the order of Wu Lin, he led troops to resist the Jin in the Fengxiang area. For his achievements, he was promoted to Bin Yi Lang and later to deputy general. In the twelfth year of Shaoxing (1142), he repelled Jin forces at the Immortal’s Pass. The following year, he advanced to Aishan and reached Dachi Plain, cutting off the Jin army’s supply route. In the thirty-second year of Shaoxing (1162), he captured the Dasha Pass and occupied Heshangyuan. He eventually rose to the rank of Founding Marquis of Ankang Commandery.... Details+