Dingjun Mountain

　　    Dingjun Mountain is situated five kilometers south of Mian County in Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province, and was an ancient battlefield during the Three Kingdoms period. It is a provincial-level scenic spot. It was formerly under the jurisdiction of Wuhou Tomb Township and now belongs to Dingjun Mountain Town. During the Three Kingdoms era, the Shu general Huang Zhong beheaded Xiahou Yuan and Zhao Yun here, which brought it enduring fame in history. Part of the Daba Mountain Range, its ridges extend from Gaomiaozhi onto the plains, rising into twelve prominent peaks from Shishanzi to Yuanshanzi, collectively known as the “Twelve Linked Peaks.” Further east lies the solitary peak of Dangkousi. Stretching over ten kilometers from west to east, these peaks resemble a dancing dragon playing with a pearl, hence earning the reputation of “Twelve Linked Mountains and One Pearl.”

　　    The main peak, Dingjun Mountain, is the highest point, reaching an elevation of 833 meters. The summit originally had a stone tablet inscribed with “Ancient Dingjun Mountain,” which was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but has since been replaced. To the south of the mountain lies a large, naturally formed bowl-shaped depression about 1.5 kilometers in circumference—known in the Three Kingdoms period as “Yangtianwa” or “Skyward Basin,” capable of holding “ten thousand troops.” On the northern foothills is a vast, fertile plain—Wuhouping (Zhuge Liang’s Terrace)—where Zhuge Liang once laid out the “Eight Trigram Formation” and set up the “Commander’s Altar.” It was also the battlefield where Huang Zhong fought Xiahou Yuan, and “Zhamading” (horse-stopping spikes) and arrowheads are often found, believed to be military tools used by Shu troops. Nearby are the “General-Slaying Bridge” and the “Octagonal Glazed Well,” the latter with an octagonal mouth built from thin, finely-patterned Han dynasty bricks, though both no longer exist. Halfway up the mountain lies a large rock approximately 3.3 meters high and 2 meters wide, split by a fissure of varying width, called the “Arrow Shield,” said to be a relic used by Zhuge Liang to block enemy arrows.

　　    When the news of Zhuge Liang’s death reached the Shu kingdom, officials and commoners alike mourned deeply. Street-side and fieldside memorials and tributes could be seen everywhere, disrupting the established “ritual order” of the time. In response, civil and military officials including Infantry Commandant Xi Long and Central Secretariat Official Xiang Chong jointly submitted a petition to the young emperor Liu Shan. They cited classical references, outlined pros and cons, and strongly urged the court to build a temple for Zhuge Liang “to honor his virtues and merits, ensuring worship for generations to come”—to console the spirit of the deceased hero, comfort the people, uphold ritual propriety, and consolidate the regime. Left with no choice, Liu Shan issued an edict in the sixth year of the Jingyao era (263 AD), decreeing that a temple be erected “near his tomb” in Mianyang (present-day Mian County). It was also stipulated that after the temple’s establishment, “all relatives, officials, and civilians wishing to offer sacrifices or pay homage to Zhuge Liang must do so only within the temple grounds, prohibiting private worship to uphold proper rituals.” From then on, the customs of tomb sweeping, worshipping, and commemorating Zhuge Liang “began in this way.” This gave rise to the annual Qingming Temple Fair at Wuhou Tomb, which has been faithfully observed and passed down through the centuries without interruption. This grand historical fair embodies the public’s remembrance and reverence for the virtuous prime minister and represents the inheritance and promotion of the nation’s profound culture. Legend has it that when Zhuge Liang stationed his army here, Jiang Wei served as his attendant for the longest time, and “Zhuge Liang once personally pointed out this very spot to Jiang Wei.”

　　    In the 20th year of the Jian’an era (215 AD), Cao Cao conquered Hanzhong and stationed generals Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, and others to guard the passes at Dingjun Mountain and Tiandang Mountain. Taking advantage of Cao Cao’s unstable position, Liu Bei led his forces into Hanzhong in the same year. The veteran general Huang Zhong first defeated Zhang He, who was defending Tiandang Mountain, and then bravely advanced to seize Dingjun Mountain. Following the strategy of Fa Zheng, he captured the peak of Dangyipai Mountain west of Dingjun Mountain. From this vantage point, he launched a surprise attack on Xiahou Yuan, who was caught off guard and killed by Huang Zhong with a single sword stroke, thus securing Dingjun Mountain for Shu.

　　    The “New Chronicles of Mian County” records: In the third year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1133), the Jin army captured Yangzhou (now Yang County) and pressed upon Xingyuan (now Hanzhong). The Song general Liu Ziyu invited Wu Jie to jointly defend Dingjun Mountain.

　　    (Song Dynasty) Sun Yingshi’s poem “Lament for Dingjun Mountain”: Zhongda received the command, came to assist and closed the camp. Behold this situation—how could one discern our Kongming? The Eight Trigrams held divine might, unstoppable across a thousand miles. Just cross the Wei River, and the enemy’s force cannot help but yield. Then strike the Wolf’s Head, pacify the Three Adjuncts in a single day. For years I planned this campaign, yet alone sat, entangled by supply lines. That’s why we encamped at Wuzhangyuan, troops mixing farming with duty. As early summer arrived, we looked toward autumn’s harvest. But how did the west wind come so soon, and suddenly the great star fell? Alas, ten thousand years of merit, lost just shy of completion. The flame of virtue faded, and the royal path ended in thorns. The Three Horses trampled freely, warlords ran rampant. Had you passed just a little later, how would this disaster have arisen? Who holds the mechanism of fate? Changes abound, astonishing to behold. The tall trees of Dingjun Mountain stand with only posthumous fame; worldly opinion even likens you to Wang Mang. Ah, the stifled passion of the loyal-hearted. Loudly chant Du Fu’s verses—who dares condemn Chen Shou’s judgment?

　　    At the foot of Dingjun Mountain lie the majestic temples of Wuhou, surrounded by ancient trees and winding mountain paths—a splendid destination for sightseeing, historical reflection, and exploring tranquil beauty.