Ziling Cottage

　　   Yan Ziling was a native of Cixi (originally from Chen Mountain in Yuyao, Kuaiji, Zhejiang. His original surname was Zhuang, but his descendants changed it to Yan to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Ming. His given name was Zun, courtesy name Ziling. He was from Ziling Village (formerly Chen Mountain Village) in Henghe Town, Cixi City. He gained fame at a young age and later traveled to Chang’an, where he became acquainted with Liu Xiu and Hou Ba, among others. In the year 8 AD, Wang Mang declared himself emperor, implementing harsh laws, heavy corvée labor, and corrupt governance, which led to widespread public discontent. To win popular support, Wang Mang extensively recruited talented individuals from across the land. Seizing the opportunity, Hou Ba took up an official post, while Liu Xiu joined the Green Forest rebels, determined to overthrow the Wang Mang regime. Yan Ziling was also repeatedly invited by Wang Mang to serve, but he remained unmoved. Eventually, he changed his name and went into hiding, settling by the Fuchun River in Tonglu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, thereby completely freeing himself from Wang Mang’s influence.

　　    In the late Western Han Dynasty, to escape the chaos caused by Wang Mang, Yan Ziling’s family moved to Dahong Mountain in YunDu County (now Lulin in Jingshan), where they built a thatched cottage. Historical records describe Yan Ziling as “intelligent and knowledgeable, accomplished even in his youth.” During the Lulin Rebellion, Yan Ziling formed a deep bond of brotherhood with Liu Xiu, Wang Kuang, Wang Feng, and Zhu Wei. He also had a significant influence on Liu Xiu’s political ideology, military strategy, and governance principles in unifying the realm. As a result, Liu Xiu held him in high esteem and was deeply grateful to him. In 25 AD, the Green Forest Army overthrew the Wang Mang regime, and Liu Xiu proclaimed himself emperor in Luoyang, establishing the Eastern Han Dynasty. He repeatedly invited Yan Ziling to join his court and assist in governance, but Yan Ziling declined the prestigious and lucrative positions. Instead, he retreated to Dahong Mountain in YunDu, finding joy in farming and reading, and lived to the age of 83. Yan Ziling’s noble character has been celebrated by later generations. The Song Dynasty statesman Fan Zhongyan once wrote a poem in his honor: “The emperor’s virtue soars like towering mountains high, / The starlight fades into the empty wells below. / White clouds drift beyond the reach of earth and sky— / This place, too, is my humble cottage.”