The Ancestral Temple of Marquis Wu (Wu Hou Ci) is located
in the southern suburb of Chengdu City in Sichuan Province.
The Ancestral Temple of Marquis Wu was first built in the sixth century, next
to the ancestral temple of Liu Bei, who was the king of Shu Han in the Three
Kingdoms Period (220-280). This temple was merged into the Zhaolie Temple in the
early years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Therefore the title on the plaque
at the gate consists of four Chinese characters which mean it is the ancestral
temple for the worship of both Liu Bei and Zhu Geliang.
Zhu Geliang (181-234) was born in Yangdu County of Langxie Province (today's
Yishui County of Shandong Province) in the last years of the Eastern Han Dynasty
(25-220). He was a prominent statesman and strategist in the history of China.
He reached his highest official rank as the prime minister of the regime of Shu
Han and was conferred Marquis of Loyalty and Strategy after his death.
The existing structures of the Ancestral Temple of Marquis Wu were rebuilt in
the eleventh year (1672) of the reign of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
It covers an area of fifty-six mu. Backing the north and facing the south, the
ancestral temple was surrounded by a red wall with patina and elegance. The
layout in the ancestral temple is compact with five courtyards. The main
structures consist of the main entrance, the second entrance, the Hall of Liu
Bei, the lobby and the Hall of Zhu Geliang. The halls and porches are connected
harmoniously and artistically. The yard behind the main entrance is quiet and
elegant, sheltered by luxuriantly green pines and cypresses. Among those old
cypresses stand six steles. The largest one was engraved and set up in the
fourth year (809) of the reign of Emperor Xianzong in the Tang Dynasty
(618-907). The epigraph was drafted by famous prime minister Pei Du at that
time, made out by the well-known calligraphist Liu Gongzhuo and engraved by Lu
Jian. For the article, the calligraphy and the engraving were all of the first
class, the stele was reputed as the Stele of Three Superb Works by the later
generations.
Behind the second entrance is the Hall of Liu Bei, which is high, grand and
gorgeous. In the center of the hall stands the gilt statue of Liu Bei. On the
east wall of the hall is the woodcarving Long Zhong Du by Zhu Geliang, which was
made out by the modern calligraphist Zhen Yinmo. And on the west wall is the
woodcarving Chu Shi Biao, which is said to be made out by Yue Fei, a national
hero in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). In the east and west wing halls of the Hall
of Liu Bei stand the statues of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and others. Along the east
and west porches stand twenty-eight officials and officers of the Shu Han
Kingdom.
The Hall of Zhu Geliang is next to the Hall of Liu Bei. The hall is grand and
wide with the gilt sitting statues of the three generations of Zhu Geliang.
There are over ten steles and couplets inside or outside the hall paying a
tribute to the wisdom and feat of Zhu Geliang.
Exiting the Hall of Zhu Geliang and to the west passing a small bridge, one
comes to the Tower of Laurel and Lotus, near which there is a lotus pond. The
rippling water is glittering in the pond surrounded by thriving trees. Beside
the tower is the Zither Pavilion. Passing the pavilion and walking through the
moon gate named Zhong You Han Jia Yun, one comes to a really quiet and secluded
place. Far into a bamboo forest, a zigzag passageway between red walls blocks
people's sight. At the end of the passageway lies the tomb of Liu Bei.
There are over thirty steles and couplets in the Ancestral Temple of Marquis
Wu. The concise words, profound meaning and exquisite calligraphy are always
being appreciated.