The story of Yue Fei (1103-1142 AD) is one of soap operatic caliber: a national hero betrayed by the very emperor he was fighting for. He came to fame during the final days of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) as the State of Jin took over Kaifeng, forcing the court to flee. A certain minister, Qin Hui, was jealous of Yue Fei's hero status, so he convinced the emperor to recall the general, who was framed, imprisoned and eventually poisoned. He was exonerated twenty-one years later and a shrine and tomb built on this spot to remember him. 
Yue Fei - unlucky he was in life, but well remembered in his afterlife!
The doorways of his shrine open out to a peaceful little courtyard. There were not many people around today. I suppose everyone was at work, so it was very nice to explore this area by ourselves - Peter, Jack and I. 
Some of the wall decoration... 
Love those round, decorative windows! 
Another gratuitous flower picture. It's always nice to see a few flowers around in January! 
Peter loves to pose for the camera. He's showing off his Prescott roots - ride 'em cowboy! 
But Jack, oddly, does not! I think he doesn't want a record of himself being silly, even though he is much of the time!
The 5 wise men... 
It was a "misty" day today. Sue thinks it's more pollution, but we are fairly close to the sea so I'm inclined to call it fog. 
This is the husband and wife team that betrayed Yue Fei and eventually sent him to his death. The local tourists come by and hit them or spit on them as traitors. I guess we were supposed to as well, but I just didn't have the heart! 
Some buds on the trees, promising that Spring will soon be here! 
We walked across the street from Yue Fei's tomb to a garden that was mostly in slumbering mode, but it was a fairly nice day so we decided to walk through. The garden is called, "Lotus Swaying in the Breeze at Quyuan Garden." 
A nice little table in the garden waiting for a game of mahjong or a cup of long jing tea! 
Here I am standing in front of some giant rock phallus that is apparently so popular in Song period gardens! 
We remarked on how green the grass was on our stroll through the park...
The boys bought a Coke and they enjoyed it on a bench next to the Su Causeway on West Lake. 
I kept them home today because they are doing testing at school in which the boys don't participate - after all it's all written in Chinese! So they did their "Dad Homeschooling Day" which meant Math and Reading in the morning, then seeing some cultural sights in the afternoon.
2 comments:
HI LEWIS FAMILY,
WE LOVE YOUR BLOG AND PICTURES.
ANY CELEBRATING GOING ON ABOUT THE OLYMPIC GAMES YET! WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING SOME CHINESE CHANNELS IN THE STATES BUT NO REAL MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT THE CHINESE AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEARS
AND HAVE FUN!!
LG
Here is the famous poem of General Yue Fei.
Man Jiang Hong – Yue Fei
My wrath bristles piece thru my helmet,
By the rail I stand
To watch the whistling rain stopped.
I look up,
Facing the sky to give a long roar,
And strong passion surges in my chest.
Thirty years my triumph and fame are nothing but dust and dirt,
Eight thousands mile road I’ve traveled under the cloud and moon.
Do not wait,
For our young hair turn to gray,
So we can only give vain grief.
Shame of Jing Kang,
Is not yet revenged;
Regret of servants,
When shall all disperse?
Let’s drive our long chariots to raze
The Ridge of Helan Mountain!
With our brave will to feed our hunger on the flesh of Hu,
Thru our chat and jest we drink Xiong Nu’s blood for our thirst.
Let’s start anew,
To retake our past mountains and rivers
Before the court of Heavens!
Beware the New Chinese TV Series Drama, Dream of Red Chamber or Hong Lou Meng, broadcasting in Olympic.
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