Shun King Temple at Mount Li in Heze

　　The Shun King Temple at Mount Li is located to the west of Lishanmiao Village, Yanshi Town, Juancheng County, approximately 2 kilometers east of Yanshi Town.
　　Shun, of the Youyu clan, surname Yao, given name Zhonghua, courtesy name Chengdu, was a descendant of the Yu kings. Regarded as a wise and virtuous ruler throughout the ages, he was listed among the Five Emperors by Sima Qian. Huangfu Mi wrote: “Shun was born in Yaoxu.” Research indicates that Yaoxu is today’s Shunchengji in Muzhai Township, Juancheng County, Shandong Province. According to *Records of the Grand Historian*, Shun farmed at Mount Li, where the locals yielded their field boundaries to one another; he fished in Lake Leize, where the people gave up their fishing spots for him; he made pottery along the riverbank, where the vessels produced were all of good quality. In one year, the place he lived became a village; in two years, a town; and in three years, a city. Mount Li, Lake Leize, and the riverbank are all located within Juancheng County. At the age of 20, Shun ascended the throne. He was an emperor known for his benevolence, integrity, humility, diligence, and love for the people. Later generations, in memory of his virtues and inspired by his legacy, built a temple on the very Mount Li where he once farmed—hence the name “Shun King Temple at Mount Li.” Ancient inscriptions in the temple indicate that construction and commemorative stelae began during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, with subsequent renovations carried out during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Northern Wei, Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

　　 Heze City, Shandong Province