Beijing Yu Qian Temple

　　The Yu Qian Temple is located at No. 23 Xibiaopei Hutong, Dongcheng District. The original gate plaque read “Yu Zhongsu Gong Ci.” Yu Qian (1398–1457), courtesy name Tingyi, was a native of Qiantang, Zhejiang. He was a renowned military strategist and statesman of the Ming Dynasty. After the Tumu Crisis, Yu Qian supported the enthronement of Emperor Zhu Qiyu and led the military and civilians to defend Beijing. After Emperor Yingzong was restored to power, Yu Qian was executed in the first year of the TianShun era (1457) on charges of treason. In the second year of the Chenghua era (1466), Emperor Xianzong posthumously reinstated his official position and converted his former residence into the Zhongjie Ci (Loyal and Righteous Shrine). In the 18th year of the Wanli era (1590), his posthumous title was changed to “Zhongsu” (Loyal and Stern), and a statue of Yu Qian was erected in the temple. During the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, the statue was destroyed, and the temple fell into disuse. It was rebuilt again during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty. The temple faces south and is situated to the north. To its east lies Yu Qian’s former residence. On the east side of the courtyard stands the Kuiguang Tower, a two-story building whose upper floor houses the Kuixing Pavilion, with a wooden plaque that reads “Hot Blood Through the Ages.” The main hall consists of five rooms forming the worship pavilion, featuring a flush-gable roof covered with clay tiles. Inside is enshrined a statue of Yu Qian. In 1890, the Boxers set up an altar here. In 1976, the Kuixing Pavilion was destroyed in an earthquake, and the small building was also demolished. The temple is a key cultural relic protected by Beijing Municipality.

　　Yu Qian (1398–1457)　　Yu Qian (1398–1457), courtesy name Tingyi, art name Jie’an, was a native of Renhe (present-day Hangzhou). He came from a family of scholar-officials. Gifted and intelligent from a young age, he was deeply influenced by his family’s teachings. He entered private school at age 6, and at 15 passed the county-level Confucian scholar examination. He extensively read various texts, especially admiring writings by Su Wu, Zhuge Liang, Yue Fei, and Wen Tianxiang, revering their integrity and moral fortitude. After failing the local imperial examination at 17, he devoted himself to study. By age 20, he ranked among the top in the county-level scholarship examination. At 23, he passed the provincial examination, and the following year placed first in the metropolitan examination in the capital. In the 19th year of the Yongle era (1421), he passed the imperial examination to become a Jinshi (advanced scholar), though due to critical views in his policy essay, he only ranked 92nd among the third-class scholars. He served as an Imperial Censor of the Shanxi Circuit...   More+