There are two must-see historical and cultural attractions in Tangyin County, Anyang, Henan Province: one is the Bo Li City, where King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, was imprisoned by King Zhou of Shang for seven years, and the other is the Yue Temple, because Tangyin County is the hometown of Yue Fei, a loyal minister of the Southern Song Dynasty.
As soon as you enter the Yue Fei Temple, you can see five people kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs. In the middle is Qin Hui, notorious for his treachery, and next to him is his wife, Wang Shi. The other three are Wan Qi Xie, Zhang Jun and Luo Ru Ji. As you walk in, you see the scene of the villains being punished, and you can slap them a few times yourself, instantly feeling a sense of exhilaration.
Tangyin is Yue Fei’s hometown, so the Yue Temple built in his hometown is of great significance. The temple was built in an unknown year, but the existing structure was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the largest ancient architectural complexes in northern Henan, and one of the three major Yue Fei Temples in China. It covers a large area and mainly includes the Jing Zhong Fang, the Imperial Stele Pavilion, the Main Hall, the Yue Mother’s Tattooing Shrine, and the Yue Yun Shrine.
The steles left in the temple are one of the highlights, numerous in number, varying in height and size, all of which are praises of Yue Fei from different dynasties. This shows the position of Yue Fei and the spirit of loyalty he represents in people’s hearts.
In the center of the main hall is a colored sitting statue of Yue Fei, majestic and awe-inspiring, with the plaque “Return My Mountains and Rivers” hanging above it, with black characters on a golden background, shining brightly. On the walls surrounding the hall are paintings of historical stories related to Yue Fei, such as his mother tattooing him, marching straight to the Yellow Dragon, being enraged and crowned, and returning my mountains and rivers. These stories are well known to all.
The Yue Yun Shrine houses a statue of Yue Fei’s eldest son, Yue Yun, in military uniform, holding a golden hammer and looking imposing. On the surrounding walls are introductions to his life and his feats in fighting against the Jin Dynasty. Yue Yun followed his father in battle from a young age and made many contributions. The golden hammer he held was extremely heavy, a standard equipment for a brave general, which shows that Yue Yun’s martial arts skills were not inferior to his father’s, and he was also a top fighter.
The Xiao E Shrine was built to commemorate Yue Fei’s youngest daughter. It is said that when Yue Fei and Yue Yun were murdered, the 11-year-old girl wrote to the authorities on behalf of her father and brother, but was blocked by the traitors. She then threw herself into a well with a silver bottle and was known as the “Silver Bottle Miss”.
The eight characters “To Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty, Return My Mountains and Rivers” were collected from Yue Fei’s calligraphy work “Elegy to the Ancient Battlefield”. The calligraphy is graceful and flowing, firm and majestic. Every stroke shows his loyalty and love for his country.
There is a plaque hanging in the main hall of the Yue Temple – “Both Literary and Martial”, which is the best summary of his military and literary skills. In addition to his military achievements, Yue Fei was also a talented writer, with outstanding poetry and calligraphy skills. His “Full River Red”, which has been passed down through the ages, is one example, and his “Small Heavy Mountain”, expressing his frustrations, is another classic work.
In the Yue Mother’s Tattooing Shrine, the historical scene is recreated: After the Jingkang Incident, young Yue Fei went to the battlefield. Before leaving, his mother tattooed the four characters “Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty” on his back. These simple four characters carry great weight. They became Yue Fei’s code of conduct and spiritual pillar, and have also been a symbol of the Chinese people’s patriotism for thousands of years.
If you come to Anyang, Henan, experience the passionate emotions and bold spirit of “Full River Red”, feel the patriotism of “Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty”, you must visit this Yue Fei Temple.
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