Jiangzhou Grand Hall

　　Jiangzhou Grand Hall is a national key cultural relics protection unit. It is situated within the campus of Xinjiang Middle School in Xinjiang County and was the principal structure of the Jiangzhou prefectural government. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, it functioned as the administrative center for successive prefectural governments. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, once ordered Zhang Shigui to set up a military recruitment camp here, hence it is also known as "Shuai Zheng Tang" (Commander’s Hall). Stories such as "Xue Rengui Joins the Army" originated from this site.

　　Zhang Shigui (585–657 AD), courtesy name Wu’an, was a native of Lushi, Henan. Skilled in horseback riding and archery, he possessed extraordinary strength. In the late Sui Dynasty, under the tyrannical rule of Emperor Yang of Sui, the people suffered greatly, leading to numerous peasant uprisings. With his exceptional martial skills, Zhang Shigui rose in revolt, capturing cities and strongholds, gaining widespread renown. In the 13th year of the Daye era (617 AD), when Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin marched south from Taiyuan and arrived at the Jiangzhou government office to recruit soldiers, Zhang Shigui joined Li Yuan's forces. Li Yuan appointed him as commander and granted him a golden seal, bestowing on him the title of Right Guanglu Grand Master. Zhang Shigui then raised the commander’s flag here and served under Li’s command in various campaigns. He later participated in resisting Liu Wuzhou from the north and in eastern campaigns, achieving great military success. He eventually rose to the rank of Left Commandant General (a third-rank official) and was ennobled as Duke of Guo. In June of the second year of the Xianqing era (657 AD) during Emperor Gaozong’s reign, he passed away and was buried in the Zhaoling Mausoleum beside Emperor Taizong.

　　Xue Rengui (614–683 AD), named Li, was a native of Longmen (now Hejin City) in Jiangzhou. Coming from a poor family, the ruins of the humble cave dwelling where he once lived are still preserved in today’s Hejin City. During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, aiming to repel foreign invasions, ordered the general Zhang Shigui to recruit troops in Jiangzhou. It was then that Xue Rengui joined the army. He excelled in horseback riding and archery, and achieved remarkable feats during the Song Dynasty.

　　The existing grand hall is a Yuan Dynasty structure. The hall features a width of seven bays, a depth of eight rafters, a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, and single-lowered ang bracket sets with five arrangements. Originally, there were three front rooms covered with a rolled shed roof, but these have been completely destroyed, leaving only the foundations, where the lotus-petal-shaped pedestal bases can still be seen, reflecting Tang Dynasty architectural elements. Upon entering the grand hall, one is immediately struck by a solemn atmosphere. To enlarge the interior space, the builders employed the method of reducing columns. Most of the pillars and beams inside the hall are made from roughly processed raw materials, giving an unrestrained and bold appearance. Typically, prefectural government halls across the country had five bays, but Jiangzhou Grand Hall uniquely has seven, which is rare nationwide, indicating the significant importance of Jiangzhou at the time. Other structures surrounding the hall include a small garden to the west, the Second Hall, and the foundation of the memorial archway in front of the hall. The “Three Shifts and Six Offices” have all been destroyed. The northern wall of the grand hall houses a stone stele inscribed with “The Seven Precepts for Civil Officials by Emperor Zhenzong of Song.”

　　Imperial Precepts “Seven Guidelines for Civil Officials” by Emperor Zhenzong of Song

　　The First: Cultivate a Clear Mind. This means treating matters with equanimity, unaffected by personal emotions such as joy, anger, love, or hate, so that all affairs are handled properly.

　　The Second: Serve the Public. This means being fair and incorruptible, so that the people will naturally respect and obey.

　　The Third: Cultivate Virtue. This means influencing others through moral integrity rather than relying solely on stern authority.

　　The Fourth: Pursue Effectiveness. This means focusing on achieving practical results rather than competing for empty praise.

　　The Fifth: Exercise Discernment. This means diligently investigating public sentiment to ensure fair taxation and appropriate punishments.

　　The Sixth: Encourage Diligence. This means guiding the people to be diligent in practicing filial piety and fraternal duty, and in agricultural and sericultural work.

　　The Seventh: Reform Abuses. This means identifying the hardships of the people and rectifying them.

　　“Seven Guidelines for Military Officials”

　　The First: Cultivate Oneself. This means disciplining oneself so that soldiers have a model to follow.

　　The Second: Fulfill One’s Duty. This means not overstepping one’s role or interfering with local civil administration.

　　The Third: Be Fair. This means treating soldiers equally without favoritism.

　　The Fourth: Train and Instruct. This means teaching soldiers and ensuring they diligently practice martial skills.

　　The Fifth: Inspect and Review. This means examining soldiers to assess their diligence, laziness, bravery, or cowardice.

　　The Sixth: Care for Soldiers. This means comforting soldiers, sharing both hardship and ease, fostering unity, and ensuring none are left in distress.

　　The Seventh: Maintain Authority. This means controlling soldiers and preventing them from violating regulations.